The Mountain that wasn't there... and the trip home

We got up the morning of Sunday July 20, 2014, knowing that the weather wouldn't be perfect.  And, thankfully, with the exception of a couple mild sprinkles and one very short-lived shower, it didn't rain.  But it was certainly cool!  By the time we hit the Johnston Ridge Observatory facing Mt St Helens, my bike readout said 7C.  Don't forget, we rode north from McMinnville at 32C in shorts the day before!  It was a disappointment for W to not see the whole view, as MSH was clouds from about 5000' to the top, but the landscape is still imposing.  After a fast two hours at the top, it was time to head north for home.

About 1/2 way in, nearly 20 miles from MSH - a testament to the power of the blast!

 

 

Some shots from the Hoffstadt Creek Bridge, a huge bridge in the middle of the road in, very high and very empty... thus the pics of us stopped on it!  I wasn't really going to jump... well, if W asked one more time "Are we there yet?", it might have been a more serious consideration!

The day wasn't total clouds... we were teased with several patches of blue sky on the way in.

 

We left MSH and rode 2.5 hrs north to Tenino, WA, where we tripped over an absolute gem of a café - the Old Hwy 99 Diner and Espresso (where the governor of Washington eats, don't you know?).  Staff were incredible, the food was amazing, and there was no doubt it was going on our list of "Biker Places to Eat"!

 

A powerful memorial to a fallen soldier, near Roy, WA.

 

W paints out the normally spectacular Twins just south of Acme, WA... sadly, suffering the same fate as MSH - clouds, clouds, clouds!

We rolled back to the border just before dark, having put over 1,300 kms under our belts in 3 days.  It was a fantastic trip, even with the clouds and cool temps on the way home, and planning is already under way for the 2015 trip!