Last days of this big Adventure

Marty put new tyres on the BMW and front brake pads so the bike is all ready for the journey north in a few days time.
We have decided to just gang out in Portland as it's too dam hot to go riding plus there are so many fires in the areas we wanted to visit it isn't practical to go there.

So tonight after a very lazy day (again) we went to Lardos for dinner with Andrew Denise Jon and Lynette. They had no pina colada beer so I had a watermelon one which wasn't that great. Then Denise and I had a Darker and Stormier cocktail which was rum and ginger and had a bit of a kick to it.

The Gormans and us went across the road to the crepe cart for dessert before returning home.

Saturday and Andrew and Denise shot off to a family reunion early this morning and Jon had gone up to Bend so once again we blobbed all day. Still very hot.

We walked up to Woodstock and had tea in the Thai restaurant then strolled home. Andrew was back so we had a wee chat then hopped across the road to Jon’s where we are currently sleeping.

Another lazy day reading but we did go to another free concert. This time it was the Portland Symphony Orchestra playing along with a local band who were very good to. The rose gardens in the park were lovely.

Monday and the days activities were the same as previous days. Tonights concert was supposedly a blue grass one but we think it was more folk but still good. Watching all the little kids .

We failed to fire on Tuesday but Wednesdsy morning with Andrew in charge we were all loaded into the car just after 8am and on our way to the Evergreen Aviation Museum in McMinnville.

The main attraction was the Spruce Goose. What a gi normous plane that is. It made the other planes look like toys. We spent all day wandering around the two huge buildings. An adult dose of planes!

We went to a little bbq joint for dinner. Was nice. Then back to Portland.

A nice day out.

Bad sleep. My bladder sprung a leak and I made at least 4 trips to the loo before 6am. Had to have a wee sleep in to compensate.

Another lazy day but a free concert to finish. It was Portland's own Patrick Lamb and he was very popular with the crowd.

Friday morning we all headed up to Tenino to a motorcycle swap meet. Andrew misjudged the distance thinking it was about 80 miles away but it was much further. There were a couple of nice bikes there that Andrew and MJ were smitten with but not enough to part with any dollars. Marty picked up a brake plate he's been hunting for, for quite a while  so he was very happy.

We had lunch in a nice little 50’s style diner then returned for a final sweep of the swap meet.

I slept most of the way home but still needed an early night.

Our time of blogging in Portland gas come to an end so Saturday morning we got the bike packed up, said our farewells to Jon, Andrew and Denise and headed off. Felt a bit strange being on the back.

A few miles up the I5 Marty pulled over as he said the brakes felt a bit squidgey and not there. He had a brief look and everything seemed to be ok and the brakes were back so we carried on. Several miles later a couple of guys in a mini drew alongside and were looking at the bike. Next thing they are pointing at the bike with a large note in the passenger window. I couldn't read that  but hot the hint and told MJ that we needed to pull over and check the bike as something wasn't right. No easy task when you have to cross 4 lanes of fast moving traffic but we did and when J hot off and inspected the bike we discovered that the front right brake caliper was floating in the breeze. Both bolts had disappeared. MJ found a bit of string on the roadside and tied it up.

The BMW GPS was able to tell us where the nearest BMW dealer was but we had no cell ph coverage so we sedately rode to the nearest food outlet so we could make a ph call to see if they were open and had the parts and we could have lunch. Luckily for us they were open till 5 and had the bolts and were about 50 miles away just south of Tacoma.

We turn off the freeway and the first turn we have to make after that is impossible because they had closed the bridge. This threw the GPS into a real spin and was no help at all. A few minutes later we spotted a couple of policemen so we stopped and asked them for directions. They went one step better and one of them escorted us right to the BMW shop.

We left there an hour or so later and considerably poorer.  The bolts were a bargain st $9 but purchasing our missing left hand pannier was not. But it looks really good having all panniers on so we just won't think about the cost.

Marty was very impressed with the purple PD they had for sale. He will gave to settle for the photos.

The closer we get to BC the smoker it becomes. Landscapes just disappear in the haze.

The border crossing was very quick and painless.

We arrived at Cultus Lake about 1.30. The smoke haze here is really bad.

Packed all the miscellaneous bike parts into the side panniers. Just as well we have the extra bag as John had quite a few bits and pieces for us.

Came to our motel in Chilliwack about 6 and went and had Chinese for tea and dairy queen for dessert. Going to have to straight onto a very strict food campaign when I get home!!

The smoke has made my eyes a bit sore. I'd hate to have to live with this for weeks and weeks.

All our stuff is packed and ready to go. Tomorrow we take the bike to the freight forwarders and we head to the Airport. The trip is done and dusted.  Had a great time but we are looking forward to coming home.