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Snoqualmie Falls Runneth Over

With all the news coverage of flooding over the past few days, I could not resist driving out to the Falls at lunch to see just how mighty the Snoqualmie was flowing.

The main viewing area looked entirely inhospitable as it was being pelted with rain - which was not actually rain, but spray from the Falls. I had experienced spray there before, but not too that extent. It was so bad that the Falls were not visible at all from the lower viewing areas. Venturing uphill towards the Salish Lodge afforded a very nice vista, though!

11/13/2008 | travel, northwest | Comments Off

Doin’ the Puyallup at a Trot

At the Puyallup Fair

I did the Puyallup this year. I took my friend Kristina - it was her first time, and I hadn’t been in years.

We ate yummy BBQ sandwiches and corn on the cob, walked through a few animal-laden barns (and saw really amazing and somewhat freaky rabbits), went on some awesome rides, had deliciously cold and flavorful shaved ice, got funny black-and-white photos, sat in crazy foot massage chairs, ate huge tasty BBQ’ed turkey legs, and got me a scrumptious scone …

In order to get Kristina to come, I had to promise to go on rides. So we rode the Big Sling, the Zipper, the Lolli Swings, the Matterhorn, and the Extreme Scream. You really cannot help but scream on that last one - it’s a good ride, but the Big Sling was definitely my favorite.

I was surprised at how un-crowded it was on such a sunny Saturday afternoon. I’m not saying we didn’t have to wait in any lines, but I actually expected it to be worse. It was a ton of fun, and having gone to a hopping concert the night before, we were thoroughly exhausted by the time we left. The Fair is definitely worth doing every year, and I have to remember not to miss it again!

The Puyallup Fair:
110 9th Ave SW
Puyallup WA 98371
253.841.5045

“The Puyallup Fair (officially known as the Western Washington Fair) is the largest single attraction held annually in the state of Washington. The Fair continually ranks in the top ten largest fairs in the world. […] Situated south of Seattle and east of Tacoma in the shadow of majestic Mount Rainier, the Fair & Events Center comprises 169+ acres …”

09/19/2008 | travel, reviews, northwest | Comments Off

The Greenest Park Ever

Kanaskat-Palmer State Park

My original plan for Saturday morning was diverted, so I decided to go for a morning ride.

My usual route from Maple Valley is to head south on the Issaquah Hobart Rd (there known as 276th Ave SE), which eventually turns into Landsburg Rd NE and comes to a four-way stop next to a small convenience store. From there I either continue straight onto SE Ravendsdale Wy or take a right onto SE Kent-Kangley Rd. This time I decided to go left, towards Kanaskat, and as soon as I saw a sign to a state park, my destination was no longer unknown.

I began to think to myself that I had never been so excited about parks until I started exploring areas on my motorcycle. They were now little gems amongst the vast miles of pavement and throngs of housing developments I was so accustomed to seeing every day. Having just recently been to the Green River Gorge Bridge (which was not far away), I was hoping for something as soothing.

It is difficult to tell what a park is going to be like until you are actually in it, and in I went, going 25 MPH … and then 15 MPH. I passed the campground entrance, some signs featuring a kayaker, and a large covered picnic structure where some people were setting up for what looked it was going to be a large BBQ. When I got to the end of the road, I parked and walked down an unmarked trail.

Shortly, the trail came to a “T” and I could see the river peeking through the branches of trees. I walked out onto the rocky dry edges of the riverbed and found one other soul, standing in the water fly casting. It was a refreshingly beautiful sight, and I hoped that as I went around to get closer to the river I was not intruding on his solitude.

All I could hear was water rushing over stones and the sounds of small boulders and rocks shifting as I walked across them. Bright sunlight played through the trees and bounced off the water, and what was green appeared as green as just about anything could possibly be.

Kanaskat-Palmer State Park
32101 Kanaskat-Cumberland Rd
Ravensdale WA 98051
360.902.8844

“Kanaskat-Palmer State Park is a 320-acre camping park on a small, low plateau in a natural forest setting. The park has two miles of shorelines on the Green River. Boat and raft launching is by hand only. River rafting and kayaking down the Green River Gorge is for expert-level enthusiasts only. Shoreline activities include nature appreciation, trout fishing and picnicking.”

09/08/2008 | motorcycles, driving, travel, reviews, northwest | No Comments

Over the Green River Gorge

Green River Gorge Resort

Late Labor Day afternoon I decided it was finally warm enough to go for a motorcycle ride. I wanted to head towards the sun shining in the east, but I did not want to end up driving through the holiday traffic I would likely find around Issaquah … so west I went.

I headed out to Black Diamond and decided to check out the Green Valley Gorge. I had seen the sign to turn left on the way to Enumclaw many a time, but I had yet to venture out there. As I started down the road, the large yellow sign that warned, “MOTORCYCLES USE EXTREME CAUTION” was a little disconcerting, so I proceeded warily. The “rough road” promised was almost disappointing. I did hit a couple of dips camouflaged by the shade of trees that launched me (half-intentionally) off of my seat, but I did not come across anything that really could not be avoided. It was a pretty cold ride, though - even at 45 MPH, and I was very happy to have worn my “new” chaps.

At some point the road began to slow and curve … and I noticed a smile growing on my face. Then I came to a stoplight in front of a one-lane bridge. While stopped, I “admired” the closed Resort building to my right that looked like it had been shut down for years. Then my eyes drew downward, and sitting not 10 feet away from me was a peacock. He stood perfectly still with his feathers down, and I wondered if he hoped I could not see him. It was then that I realized I had forgotten to grab my little camera before I left.

The light turned green and I drove slowly across the Franklin Bridge over the breathtaking Green River Gorge. I vowed to return soon to stop and enjoy it on foot … with my camera, of course. On the way back, I went all the way down US 169 to Renton, where I turned around before hitting I-405 and headed back to Maple Valley via Cedar Grove Rd.

I kept my promise on Wednesday after work, heading out to Enumclaw to gas up and back through the Green River Gorge again. This time I stopped to take photos and enjoy the solace of hearing nothing but water running far beneath the bridge. It is an incredibly green and inspiring place with only a few cars passing through every so often, and it is definitely worth a side trip if you are ever in the area.

The Franklin or Green River Gorge Bridge is about 4 miles off of US 169. A loop starting and ending at US 169 at Lawson St in Black Diamond is 12.4 miles. The loop as I did it heads south on US 169 and exits left/east onto Enumclaw-Franklin Rd SE, follows the road over the bridge , and continues back to the highway (via the SE Green River Gorge Rd and Lawson St). It is any easy loop with little traffic … and little chance to get lost.

Motorcycle mileage (as precisely as possible on Google Maps):
09/03/08: _34.3 mi - Maple Valley; Green River Gorge
09/01/08: _51.5 mi - Maple Valley; Green River Gorge; Renton
08/23/08: 132.0 mi - Maple Valley; Sunrise Point (Mount Rainier)
08/17/08: _45.8 mi - Maple Valley; Mud Mountain Dam

09/05/2008 | motorcycles, driving, travel, northwest | No Comments

Sunrise Road on Mt. Rainier

Mount Rainier

Our Motorcycles

Saturday was being hailed as quite possibly our last day of summer, so we decided to head up to Sunrise Road on Mount Rainier. I had never been to Rainier from that side, and it looked like an easily do-able afternoon ride.

We left from Maple Valley, riding side-roads to Black Diamond and 169, and from Enumclaw we followed 410. We stopped briefly in Greenwater, where we ran into Robert’s sister and brother-in-law taking a break. The next time we stopped was at the last turn towards the top of Sunrise. The lot was busy, but it was still nice to be away from the city. If I did it again I would leave earlier to allow time for exploration. Mount Rainier is always impressive, and it was a fabulous ride.

08/25/2008 | driving, travel, northwest | No Comments

Finding Mud Mountain Dam

Mud Mountain Dam

On Sunday afternoon I wanted to go for a motorcycle ride. I did not have a destination in mind, but I knew I wanted to go a little farther than my longest jaunts to-date to Black Diamond. I decided to head in that direction and keep going. As I drove up HWY 169 through Enumclaw, I considered continuing on HWY 410 and making the trip up Mount Rainier … but the rainclouds in the distance made me change my mind. So instead, I took a right at the junction and drove past the King County Fairgrounds. I followed the very straight and increasingly slow road until it veered left and turned uphill. The road began to twist and turn in a quiet forest as it gained altitude. At the top was a sign for the Mud Mountain Dam recreation area off to the right. In all my years of driving through Enumclaw I had never heard of Mud Mountain Dam, but I figured it would be a nice place to stop.

After I pulled into the parking area by the viewpoint, I hit the engine cutoff switch on my bike and was startled by the immediate silence. When I am riding around I do not really notice how loud my bike is, and never before had it been more apparent to me than at that moment. I also noticed that I had pulled in right next to a car where a young boy was sitting in the back, reading a book. I felt a small pang of remorse at having “spoiled” someone’s serenity and made a mental note to pay more attention to where I park in the future.

White River

The lower trail from the viewpoint was closed, so my visit was short. Off to one side I think part of the backside of the dam is visible (as in the photo). And off to the other side is the White River flowing through a canyon. I was bummed the trail was closed, and I could see coming back again some time for the hike and a better view of the dam.

Mud Mountain Dam Park
30525 SE Mud Mountain Rd
Enumclaw, WA 98022
360.825.3211

08/19/2008 | travel, northwest | No Comments

Hot Night of Hot Rods

Cars Under the Stars

For several consecutive Wednesdays during the summer, Elmhurst hosts an event called “Cars Under the Stars,” where enthusiasts can display their vehicles for the public.

[To be continued …]

07/16/2008 | travel, art, ramblings | No Comments

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Archives for the 'travel' Category

Snoqualmie Falls Runneth Over

Doin’ the Puyallup at a Trot

The Greenest Park Ever

Over the Green River Gorge

Sunrise Road on Mt. Rainier

Finding Mud Mountain Dam

Hot Night of Hot Rods

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