Day 5...Portland to Seattle!

Amanda here….

No fancy innuendos of drug use to open today’s blog entry…sorry to disappoint.  However, I can brag a bit, as Dan and I lay here…in separate beds, of course Mom and Dad…gazing at the Space Needle in all her glory. Today was not a very exciting day on the motorcycle.  We (meaning I) slept in a little bit this morning before saying farewell to Morgan, Rick, and Riley and meeting up with Rick at Motocorsa.  I know Dan mentioned our pit stop by the exclusive Ducati dealer and shop, Motocorsa, yesterday evening, but I just wanted to reiterate how awesome these guys are! Everyone from the mechanics to the GM we super friendly and made us feel like rock-stars on our journey to Alaska!  Rick’s friend gave us an awesome send off this morning with some stickers that are now slapped on the moto side cases and some awesome Ducati Motocorsa t-shirts…be on the lookout for the three sexiest models you’ve ever seen as we rock those t-shirts along the way to Alaska.  We jumped on the interstate and drove like we stole something all the way into our 4^th state in 5 days! We ended our short 2-hour jaunt in Bremerton, Washington where we boarded the ferry to cross the Pungent Sound into Seattle.  As we warmed up on the ferry, enjoying cafeteria grade hotdogs, hot pretzels, and coffee, we watched the Seattle skyline come into view.  We met another couple and their friend who rode up in their sassy leather upon gurgling Harleys.  They were excited to learn of our trip and had some great advice on how to best get north of Seattle and on our way through Canada.  One of the most awesome things about this trip so far is that we are meeting so many awesome people.  Whether it’s Dan’s cheerleaders on the ADV forum, you guys reading the blog, the guys at the motorcycle shop, the gas station attendants, or just random people, we have been so excited and lucky to feel supported and to share our journey along the way!

 Making new friends! 

 The Ducs have a front row seat on the ferry

 Well, hello Seattle 

After disembarking the ferry into SUNNY Seattle, we made our ways up a street steep enough to belong in San Francisco.  We made it to Jason’s apartment with only a minor “oh-shit” moment as we watched Rick pop an unintentional wheelie at the top of the hill.  Jason and Rick used to work together during travel assignments all over the country.  Jason decided he was sick of moving, so he planted roots in Seattle almost 15 years ago.  He and his girlfriend Mandy, and their American Bulldog, Gertrude, were awesome enough to let us freshen up and drink a beer before heading into the city to explore.  Jason was also nice enough to accept two huge packages of camping gear that Rick and Dan shipped to his apartment last week.  With Rick’s fancy new rear rack, he will haul all the camping gear on the back of his motorcycle from here on out….thanks Rick!

After an agonizing but necessary stop at the Verizon store, Dan walked out with a shiny new phone that works, and we headed towards the Public Market.  We found ourselves really loving Seattle during our walk.  The city is clean and the architecture is beautiful.  After grabbing a latte at Starbucks….DUH, this is Seattle after all….we embarked on our obligatory tourist march through the Public Market.  We saw some gorgeous seafood, they threw enormous fish, we ate amazing crab and oysters, and we got the hell out of there!

 This happy boy got himself some crab legs! 

 The original Starbucks 

 Interesting character....

After meeting back up with Rick, Britney, and Jason for a quick beer, we met up with Carol and Matt for and amazing dinner of sushi and sake.  Dan and Carol worked together in San Francisco before Carol and Matt made the move up to Seattle a few months ago…and we were SO lucky to catch up with them only a week before they move back to the Bay Area.  We had a great time at dinner before heading back to their beautiful apartment to meet their Jack Russell, Marley.  After hanging out on their amazing deck overlooking the brightly lit Space Needle, Dan and I decided to get some shut-eye. 

We have a long day ahead of us as we make our way from Seattle, Washington into 100 Mile House, Canada today.  Tonight will mark the first time that we are pulling out the camping gear and “roughing” it.  We will try and update the blog as Internet access allows!

Day 3 and 4: I LOVE Weed!!!

Dude, I LOVE Weed!  Yeah, Weed.  Its green, smells good, is pretty and it's gets you high.  But bro, we aint talking about that kinda weed.  There's none of that puff puff pass stuff going on here.  I'm talking about Weed, California!

Since I'm a day behind, let's back up.  We jetted from Tahoe the other day and since I screwed up the route, I made Amanda ride an extra....30 miles.  Ok, I lied....40 miles.  Ok, so I reallly screwed up.  We rode 411 miles when I told her we really only had to do 200 some.  It must be my good looks that she keeps me around for!

Here's our route from Day 3.

We left Tahoe and headed up Mt Rose.  The views were great!

Honestly, while today was on the longer side, the roads were spectacular.  Thanks to my sister who let me high jack her Spotify account, otherwise I would have had to listen to Amanda talk to me on the intercom all day (just kidding hunny!).    I felt like we were in the middle of nowhere on this route, sometimes not passing a car for 20-40 miles at a clip.  There were lots of twisties and also lots of straight aways.  The bike continues to perform flawlessly.  The power is great on the Multistrada 1200 and the new spring put on at Evolution in Santa Clara is making the ride a pleasure.  

It was a warm one today.  Between the Reno, NV area and some of the back roads on the way to Weed, the temps got in the 80's.  Ok Ok, so maybe 80 isn't that hot, but when you live in San Francisco, 80 means it's probably too hot to take my pastey body outside.  

Thank god my moto jacket doubles as a belly shirt, otherwise I would have been overheating!

Today we were going to meet Rick (you remember rick, the funny lookin dude with the different color beard) in Weed.  At an elevation of 3,425ft above sea level, it is HIGHer than where I am used to in San Francisco.  The trees and fields are GREEN and we drove through this one section that smelled like amazing.  Oh wait, maybe that was when I passed gas.  Yep, it was when I farted.  

This is a cool little town that gives you your first taste of Mt. Shasta.  Every time I'm at Shasta, I get this eery feeling.  They say it's loaded with UFO's up in that area.  Check out this link I found on the net of a UFO flying near Mt. Shasta, it's an adrenaline rush...

E.T. flies UFO over Mt. Shasta, abducting Amanda Peterman with him

We checked into the Maverick Motel in Klamath Falls.  This would set us up for day 4 which would route from Klamath Falls to Crater Lake and finish in Portland.  We crushed some beers and fried oysters next to the motel and then hit the sack.  Here's a couple randos from Day 3.  

DAY 4

OK, MOVING ALONG....let's talk about today.  With Rick now latched on, not only did the pace pick up, but we had to look at this first thing in the morning.

Here's the route for Day 4 (today).  358-ish miles.

Klamath falls --> Crater Lake --> Bend --> Motocorsa --> Morgan's House

Today started off with some Crater Lake.  Amanda has never seen Crater Lake and I knew she'd be in for a treat.  That place is amazing, if you've never been there, it's a must see.  It's 1,943 ft deep!  That's the deepest lake in the United States and the 9th deepest in the world.  It's deep blue color reminds me of Lake Tahoe and it's vast size reminds me of the first time I stepped foot on the rim of the grand canyon.  

From Crater Lake, the ride was fairly uneventful.  A deer almost running in the road, Rick giving the middle finger more, Amanda listening to her books on tape, and me jamming out to Justin Timberlake.  

When we hit Portland, our first stop was Motocorsa.  I had to get my front brake lever looked at and Rick had a bolt from his pannier rack rattle loose and needed some other accessories for Alaska.  First let me say, this place is total eye candy.   It's like a motorcycle wonderland inside.  Ducatis EVERYWHERE.  Ricks buddy A.J. came out immediately and helped me out with my brake lever which is perfect now.  In addition, they came out to snap some pictures of us for their facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MotoCorsa).  

I look like I need a shower so bad.  And to shave.  And a haircut.  This was one of the dudes from Motocorsa snapping our pics.  

Here's their famous Panigale that is catered to more off road use than on road use.  Gotta love the jaw bones randomly strapped on...

3 Rockstars.  

The night wound down at the house of an old grade school friend from back east.  Every time I take a moto trip, I stay at Morgan's house in Portland.  She and her husband Rick always are so welcoming and I owe them a super huge thank you in addition to the two "family style" pizzas and jar of cookie dough I whipped up tonight for all of us. 

Seeing familiar faces along this journey and even just chatting with people who ask where we are headed make this adventure even more fun.  All of your blog comments and facebook comments are so encouraging.  We are trying to share this adventure with everybody.  It aint easy sitting on a motorcycle grinding twisties through national forests every day!

Tomorrow we are headed to Seattle to stay with another friend.  More blogging to come. 

Days 1 and 2: Sore Asses and Lake Swimming

Day 1. San Francisco to Lake Tahoe. 211 miles 

Amanda here...
WE MADE IT! The first leg of the San Francisco to Alaska Motorcycle trip is in the books! I'll back up a couple of days and fill everyone in on all of the juicy details!

On Friday evening, Dan and I sat down in the living room with a six-pack of beer and stared at all of the gear littering the floor, not knowing where to start with the packing process.  We decided to start with opening a bottle of beer...with that out of the way, we started packing, re-packing, repositioning, turning, moving, pushing, pulling, and finally securing all our gear in all of the cases and dry-bags making the journey to Alaska.  I have to say, I am really proud of how well we did...and we only threw a few punches and curse words at each other. After an amazing send-off dinner with some great friends, we headed home and tried to get some sleep.  I never have a problem sleeping, but sweet Dan had trouble sleeping, like a little kid on Christmas Eve.

Bright and early Saturday morning, we awoke before our alarms went off, itching to get this epic trip started.  Sarah came over to hang out while we had breakfast, got our playlists in order, and finally helped us make it out the door and down to the motorcycle.  Dan quickly got the motorcycle outfitted with the cases, electronics, and other miscellaneous gear.  Sarah cheered us along and took lots of photos before waving us farewell.

 Here she is...all decked out! 

 Don't be jealous of our sexy get-ups! 

Saying good bye to Sarah with one our first attempts with the Go-Pro! Thank you so much to Rebecca for letting us borrow her Go-Pro for our adventure...we are already having SO much fun with these pictures! 

After a mandatory stop at Chick-fil-a in Fairfield, we made a couple of adjustments to the bike and our gear and got back on the road.  The weather had transitioned from cloudy and chilly in San Francisco to HOT in the North Bay. Temps reached 90 degrees as we took a stretch-break in Placerville, and then started cooling down nicely as we made our way up Hwy 50 into South Lake Tahoe.  I was so happy to lay eyes on the emerald lake. We both agreed that we forget how amazing Tahoe is until we lay eyes on it again! With the gorgeous blue water and snowcapped mountains as scenery for the last leg of the trip, we were super stoked to pull in to the Hyatt Grand Sierra Lodge to end our day of riding.

I don't know if y'all know this or not, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Chick-fil-a!!! 

 First of our Go-Pro selfies while riding the motorcycle...get used to these! 

GORGEOUS DAY in Lake Tahoe! 

After stocking up on beer and food for dinner, we decided to hang out by the pool and soak in the hot-tub at our gorgeous condo as we waited for my mom and dad to arrive from Savannah.  Chef Dan made dinner and mom and dad arrived around 10:00pm.  We caught up on both of our travel days, ate dinner,  and drank wine before we went to sleep.  We all woke up, stuffed ourselves with blueberry pancakes, and hit the road to explore Truckee and find my daddy a brewery.  

 Exploring and shopping in downtown Truckee

 50/50 Brewery...check! 

After feeding our bellies and having some tasty beer, we made our way back to our condo and got ready for the BEACH!! I love the beach as much as I love Chick-fil-a.  Dan and I rented some stand-up paddle boards and got out on the lake.  Dan was the first one in the water, and I made it a little longer before making the plunge into the icy water....YIKES! We paddled around, swam, and met my kayaking parents in the lake before making our way back up the beach to warm up and play some corn hole! Dan and my mom teamed up and just barely won by one point. 

After an incredible couple of days in Tahoe with my mama and daddy, it's time to get this show on the road.  As I sit here, my dad is cooking us a nice hearty send-off breakfast and Dan is starting to gather all of our belongings that we have scattered throughout the condo.  We plan to take off in a couple of hours and make our way to Klamath Falls, Oregon.  We decided last night to take the more scenic route...that's what this trip is all about, right?...so we plan to be on the motorcycle for about 7 hours for 350 miles. I am not sure that my ass is ready to be sitting on the moto for that long, but now's the time to figure that out! Let's do this!!!!!