Travel Map

Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Kennewick to La Grande

After having breakfast in my Hotel in Kennewick, I caught a taxi down to the motorcycle dealer to pick up my bike. The taxi driver was very nice, but I think she was almost certainly drunk or on something. Maybe she was just high on life? Anyway, she had a lot to say about the Toyota Prius and how she really wanted one. Apparently that's where all the big money is!

After picking up the bike I rode around Kennewick trying to pick up a few things that I needed. I went to the nearest REI store (like a big Kathmandu), and had a look at their "Bivys". What I really want is a bed roll, or something I can strap on to the back of the bike. If I can achieve this, then I'll be able to remove my sleeping bag from the panniers, as this takes up a fair bit of room. It also means that I could start doing a bit of camping to cut down the costs (and for the experience too!). However the concept of a "swag" is kind of lost on Americans, they have things called 'Bivys" which are similar but not quite. Most of them just look like one man tents. I'll keep looking.

I picked up a multitool, shifter and a cable to secure my Ventura rack on the bike. The cable can pretty easily be defeated by a strong pair of scissors (as the Ventura pack is made out of cloth), but I just wanted something to stop randoms being able to remove my pack with no effort. I don't plan on leaving the bike with the Ventura bag attached overnight or anything, but when I need to ride from place to place I need to stop at places temporarily with it still attached.

Then after buying a pair of lighter motorcycle gloves (fuck it was hot today), and then much dicking around with my Go Pro, I set off to La Grande in Oregon. The landscape was quite spectacular in some places, very open with a large horizon. But it a lot of places there were no trees to be seen!

When I arrived I hastily put together the stills I captured on the ride and turned it into the Youtube video above. I think I have a bit to learn with the editing of these, but it's a start.

I arrived safely at La Grande Inn, which was conveniently right next to a Denny's, so dinner was easy. A little worried considering the warnings I got from Josh, I tried the Brooklyn spaghetti meatballs, they were pretty good. No problems (yet).



1 comment:

  1. good to see that you have got the left hand side of the road sussed......
    I am sure you will find what you need with the camping stuff too .... there will be more shops on the way - It also will leave your venturer bag less exposed as well
    Your postcard came today ... thanks it looks great - love the Seattle skyline.....
    take it easy Matt
    Cheers
    Mum

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