Joyce and I decided to jump on 'Ruby' (our bike) and take a ride with absolutely no clear destination in mind this morning.
It is Sunday, and it was supposed to be cloudy all day. Instead the sun was shining brightly. About 10 AM we decided we had to go for it. If it turned cloudy and cold, we'd just be prepared and not worry about it.
We have a good collection of jackets and helmets to select from so we really can ride in almost any weather; although we'd probably not ride in snow.
So, we chose the warmest riding jackets and helmets with full face protection to make sure our ride wouldn't be cut short by cold and wind.
The day turned out to be just great. We rode south from our home in Olympia, Washington on old highway 99. This road used to be the main north and south highway from Vancouver, British Columbia to Tijuana, Mexico...all down the west coast of the United States.
Now it passes thru small town after smaller town and includes lots of interesting things to look at that you wouldn't see if you were on the interstate highway going 75 mph.
We took State highway 507 south from Tenino, Washington on down to Centralia. Centralia is loaded with choices for most anything you'd like for a lunch stop. We decided to pass on them all as we had a late big breakfast. Instead we slowly ended up heading west from Centralia to a very small place called Galvin, Washington. There is one stop sign, and this old gas station/museum, 15 or 20 houses, and thats about it.
A few miles west of Galvin we could see that if we continued west we would ride straight into a dense layer of clouds and possibly hit rain. So, being the 'no destination in mind' kind of riders we were today; we simply turned a u and headed back into the sunshine.
We essentially retraced the ride down, although I believe you'd admit, the ride is quite different when you are going the opposite direction. You see entirely different things.
By now, we'd become hungry enough to stop for lunch in Centralia. We often stop at La Tarasca a traditional southern Mexican restaurant that is serviced by 'mom' and her daughters; straight from Mexico. Their specialty is slow cooked port roast, just like my mom used to make on a Sunday back home in Nebraska in my youth.
Today we decided to eat junk food. We passed many favorite restaurants and headed for Mr. J's on the north end of Centralia...just a little stand.
They have great tater tots...and I had a growing desire to eat some of these.
So....we ended the day after tots and hot dogs....and retraced the route back to Olympia and home.
It was just beginning to cloud up and get cooled off as we arrived back in town.
Will this be the last ride of our season?
You never know....
Please be sure to send me a photo of your bike and I love 'ride' stories.
Ride Safe!
