"Liberty's" Last Ride? Motorcycling to Silver Falls Park -Oregon

I rode my motorcycle to our campsite in the middle of a rainforest with my 14 year old son on the back, my wife followed in a van with the rest of the kids. The twisties up the canyon were invigorating, the scenery breathtaking. The Sportster rumbled along flawlessly as always. Would this be the last time I took to this saddle as Captain?

Though this was to be a fun family adventure, it was a "bittersweet" one. The thought of it being the last run for my old friend, the motorcycle I've named "Liberty" weighed heavily on my mind. Economic circumstances being as they are, make it impossible to hold on any longer. The payments too large for my low-income job. With a family of 5 to feed the struggle has become no longer sustainable. I recently lost my opportunity to work overtime and when monthly expenses exceed monthly income, well, somethings got to give. The only thing I have left to give is my Liberty, who has given me so much of the very same.

I will continue to commute to work and with luck get in a few more side trips until I sell the bike. After that the commute will still be on 2 wheels, -a bicycle that is. Hopefully I will find a way to get another motorcycle sooner rather than later.

We went to Silver Creek Falls State Park in Oregon. Not more than 30 miles from our driveway in Salem put us right in the middle of a temperate rain forest and the campground we would be staying in.

The weather held up, it was nice and sunny and it didn't rain until after we had everything packed up and were leaving for home.

The park holds 9,000 acres of forest, meadows and a steep basaltic canyon holding 10 waterfalls, all connected by an 8.7 mile National Recreation Trail.

My son and I with my Sportster in the foreground and North Falls in the background.

Looking at the falls had the effect of washing away motorcycle problems from my mind and to see something bigger, something timeless. The cycle of water, which in the grand scheme of things makes one man's small troubles seem insignificant and temporary.

"Roughing It Easy"

The campground we stayed in was completely full. Filled with a lot of fancy RVs of all sorts, tents being in the minority. This particular RV caught my eye. No it wasn't the $300.000? price tag, it was the satellite dish, custom painted with a nature scene.

I've been practicing being non-judgemental lately which is really against my nature and a hard lesson to learn. So with that in mind, I'm not going to hold judgment on my fellow campers, especially if I don't know their story. The couple staying in the rig with the satellite dish had to be quite well to do. For all I know they may have funded an orphanage in Cameroon or helped feed and shelter children digging through the trash heaps of Mexico City looking for leftover food. Maybe they own a company and treat their employees well and give them good medical insurance and a living wage. Maybe they used some of their apparently plentiful supply of money for altruistic purposes -before having their satellite dish custom painted. -Maybe. Not for me to judge.

Still, it strikes me as a funny way of experiencing nature. I wondered as I walked past their self-contained resort on wheels, appointed with every known luxury and convenience known to man, if they were sitting inside making good use of that satellite dish. With 472 channels, hopefully they found a good nature program to watch.

South Falls

South Falls is a big one by any standard. Silver Creek plummets 177 feet down before landing in the pool below. This picture just shows the lower portion of the awe inspiring waterfall. In 1928 a Pacific Northwest legendary hero and daredevil named Al Faussett went over the falls in a homemade contraption of canvas and tire tubes. He survived with only a few broken ribs, a broken wrist and both ankles sprained. Others that have gone over, not so lucky.

A view from behind South Falls

A ponderous trail leads down into the canyon and around the side passing behind the falls. For the feint hearted and vertigo prone the railings are small comfort, being the only thing between oneself and sudden death, serious hurt, or at the very least embarrassment having to be rescued by means of rope and basket.

Mia Familia

This is a shot of my family perching on the side of the cliff behind South Falls. From the left my daughter turning 9 this week, my wife, my 10 year old daughter and 14 year old son. This 2 night camping trip is the highlight of their summer. God bless them for being patient with my inability to give them more.

And so was this to be Liberty's last ride? Perhaps. How long will it be once it's sold before I can get another bike? Questions that don't stray too far from my mind. I wax and wane between optimism and pessimism. Time will tell...

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Motorcycle Ride -The Oregon Coast, Barns, Bridges & Biscuits

I was really fortunate to be able to take my motorcycle last week on a business (camping) trip out to the Oregon Coast and stayed 2 nights.

I traveled from Salem on Highways 22 and 18 to Lincoln City on the coast, a distance of about 50 miles and then South down U.S. Route 101 to Newport, a ride of only about 83 miles from home. I feel fortunate to be living where I do because I have an amazing backyard.

My bike "Liberty" overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Depoe Bay, Oregon

Depoe bay is where the fishing trip sequence was shot in the 1975 film One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest starring Jack Nicholson. The 6 acre harbor is the smallest in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

Yaquina Bay Bridge as seen from where I was camping at South Beach State Park

The Yaquina Bay Bridge just South of Newport on U.S. Hwy. 101 was built in 1936. It must have been difficult getting around on the rugged Oregon Coast before the bridges were built.

"The World's Best Biscuits & Gravy"

On the last day I packed up and left camp early and hungry. Finding good biscuits & gravy in this world is a rarity indeed. The breakfast at the "end of the rainbow" is "The Pines Restaurant" in Newport off Highway 101. They had the best ever. Perfectly done biscuits with sausage patties, scrambled eggs and gravy on top. Oh Man!

Drift Creek Covered Bridge

On my way back home I made a stop off Highway 18 at Rose Lodge to see the Drift Creek Covered Bridge. Oregon has the largest collection of covered bridges in the west and one of the biggest in the nation. They were built around here from the 1850s up until the 1950s. 50 remain from an estimated peak of 450. Drift Creek is the oldest one left which was built in 1914. They were built because the roofs protected the huge truss timbers from the damp Western Oregon climate. A covered wooden bridge could last upwards of 80 years whereas an unprotected one could be expected to last only 9.

"This Old Barn"

Next stop was Ft. Yamhill, a new Oregon State Heritage Area. It's open to the public but still under construction and being excavated near Grand Ronde off Highway 22. The fort was built in 1856 and was abandoned in 1866. Its purpose: to ensure the Indians and white settlers didn't get into each others hair. The fort was built adjacent to the newly created Grand Ronde Indian Reservation on a strategic hilltop overlooking an encampment.

Which really must have sucked for the Indians at the time.

Being prevented from roaming their own land freely and having to live in one place couldn't have been a whole lot of fun.

Their revenge? A large and hugely profitable tribal casino just down the road a piece.

Small in stature, big in ambition, young Lt. Phil Sheridan reportedly used to sit in the mornings and look out for couriers bringing him a much anticipated call to action in the Civil War raging back east. Lt. Sheridan got his orders and in 1861 he left Ft. Yamhill. By war's end he had become a hero and a 4 star General.

I took a picture of this barn because first of all it was a good subject to photograph and secondly I was thinking of Lt. Sheridan, he fixed his gaze in the same direction some 148 years ago. I have a theory as well, about the barn that is.

This barn is obviously very old. It wasn't standing during the days the fort was occupied. There would have been an Indian village or encampment there. Most of the buildings at the Ft. are gone. Only the Blockhouse (moved to Dayton) and an officers house remain. What happened to all the other buildings? I think locals may have tore them down and carted off the wood to build their own structures, like maybe this old barn...

Living where I do in the central part of the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon puts me within an hour or so ride to seemingly endless curiosities. As I said before, I have an amazing backyard. I've been living around here most of my life and have seen all the main attractions, it's the small and lesser known wonders I now seek out. Like where to find a great breakfast, or places to ponder history and my place in it...

Tomorrow I'm going camping again. This time to Silver Creek Falls. One of the most scenic places anywhere. It's a common tourist stop, my assignment: Find the uncommon, stuff that won't be found on a brochure.

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Dreaming of Jupiter
In 1974 Ted Simon travels "round the world' on his Triumph Tiger 100 and then writes the bestseller Jupiter's Travels. In 2001 he does it again, this time on a BMW GS and he's 70. The world and his perspective have changed and he writes about it in a sequel: Dreaming of Jupiter: In Search of the World--Thirty Years On This is your chance to get a copy through this amazon link:

Motorcycling, Escapism and the "Oregon Country Fair" Part 1

(Kano shows that he's not the only "hippie freak" left on the planet. In fact the 1960s style counter-culture appears to be alive and well in Oregon. Because of a 5 photo limitation per post, the story will be completed with 2 posts.)

It’s been a busy month for me. On Sunday, July 13th was a motorcycle ride from Salem out to the “Oregon Country Fair” near Eugene, Oregon. We got front row parking in “Hog Heaven” right near the gate. Lucky thing too, it was a hot day! The mercury was showing 98 degrees by late afternoon.

I put on my best "I'm glad to get this damn jacket off" look.

Mike’s Buell Ulysses was in the shop so he rode a borrowed (thanks Dale) Vulcan 900, and I was putting the spurs to “Liberty” a Sportster.

This friendly couple was more than happy to get their picture taken. Fairgoers are part of the entertainment. Many dress up (or dress down) for the occasion and don’t mind the attention.

"Who's that weird looking guy pointing the camera at us?"


The fair has been going on every July since 1969 attracting some 50,000 people over the course of the 3 day event. Old hippies love the freedom to “do their own thing” and a new generation has taken to “the fair” too, a la cell phone. For lots of folks cell phones are a convenience not to be done without. For me anyway, they are just a modern "ball & chain" and a distraction from fully experiencing the world right in front of my own eyes.

"Can you hear me now?"

"Can you hear me now?"

When’s the last time you could find good Mexican food out in the middle of the woods? The booths, stages and exhibits are located along meandering trails and small clearings in the 260 wooded acres of the fair site.

"Who's up for chalupas?"

The atmosphere is hard to describe but I’ll try: San Francisco circa. 1967, A Carnival or Circus, A Pre-Historic European Village, Rio, New Orleans, The Wild West, Eugene. It’s not any of those but all of those in one magical place. But even with all the fun and festivities going on it's hard to miss the feeling of being in a very special place, an ancient and sacred oak grove. And there's an appeal to the experience, something primal...

Part 2 is the next post down, so read on!

More pics and words about my day at the Oregon Country Fair will be coming shortly to the email boxes of subscribers to Motorcycle & Scooter Talk at Kano’s Coffee House. Click the link below to sign up. It just takes a second and it’s free!

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One of my previous pics and posts about the Oregon Country Fair

Another previous post on the Oregon Country Fair

Motorcycling, Escapism and the "Oregon Country Fair" Part 2

Here is the conclusion to the previous post:

...And you don’t know what you’re going to see around the next turn in the path. It could be a banjo player, a sword swallower, or -a tree man.

"A tree saddened by the doings of man."

Being there is like being transported into an alternate reality, kind of like Disneyland I guess. A place to escape the routine, social norms and entrenchment of the lives we lead most days. The fair is a place for folks to be their natural selves and to experience the freedom of expression without fear of the sometimes quick judgment of main stream society.

"Hipsters and Hoopsters"


"A fierce looking Spiritual Warrior."


"Goodbye and Come Again"

This was the third time that I had been to the fair and I’m going to make a habit of showing up every year from now on. I'm not one for donning a costume or strolling around wearing nothing more than a loincloth, but still these are my kind of people and this is my kind of place. Maybe I just need to loosen up a bit...

More pics and words about my day at the Oregon Country Fair will be coming shortly to the email boxes of subscribers to Motorcycle & Scooter Talk at Kano’s Coffee House. Click the link below to sign up. It just takes a second and it’s free!

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One of my previous pics and posts about the Oregon Country Fair

Another previous post on the Oregon Country Fair

Heavy-Duty Hydraulic Motorcycle and ATV Lift Jack - 1500 LB Capacity

Motorcycling Out To The "Oregon Country Fair"

The first time I went to the "Oregon Country Fair" was back in the early 1990s. My wife and I literally stumbled upon it on our way back from a weekend at the beach.

Even though the fair has been happening every July since 1969 and somewhere around 50,000 people attend, we hadn't heard of it! Sometimes it's hard to see the forest for the trees. A cool thing like that and practically right in our own backyard!

This is no country fair like you'd think a country fair to be though. There aren't any cattle barns or farm implement displays, just a nostalgic re-visit of the free spirited 1960s on 280 wooded acres about 15 miles west of Eugene.

This year the fair will be the weekend of July 11-13 and I'll be firing up my motorcycle and once again I'll ride out to the country and back in time to 1969.

Read what Kano says about the fair and see more pics over at Kano's Further! Boomer News & Counter-Culture Views

The Oregon Country Fair Website

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Baby Boomers Motorcycle Rally Coming Soon Near Portland, Oregon

There's nothing like a Pacific Northwest summer to have some fun. The place to be on July 18-19, 2008 is Vancouver, Washington which is just across the Columbia River from Portland, Oregon. Some great motorcycle rides can be had within a few hours of Vancouver as well, The Columbia River Gorge, Mt. St. Helens, and the pacific coast beaches to name just a few.

Downtown Vancouver will host "The Baby Boomers Bikers Rally" (everyone welcome of course) and in nearby Esther Short Park will be the "Hot July Nights" event featuring two nights of concerts with the likes of Peter Frampton, Norman Sylvester, Johnny Limbo & The Lugnuts and The Beach Boys.

For more info check out the Baby Boomers Bikers Rally webpage and the Hot July Nights webpage.

Frampton Comes Alive (DVD-Audio Surround Sound)

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Winter Motorcycle Touring Tips - How to Save on Motels & Airfare

Here at Kano's Coffee House were all into saving money whenever the opportunity arises. So for the like minded tight wad riders out there, I've come up with some ways to do motorcycle traveling on the cheap.

Winter is nigh upon us and unless you're traveling through the southern hemisphere, the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, or ski resort areas, you're in off-season country. That means some big savings on Hotel and Motel rates. The off-season is typically less expensive to rent a room but there's also an opportunity to save even more dough.

When you arrive in whatever town you plan on staying for the night, ask the front desk clerk if there are any vacancies and the cost of a room. Then offer to pay a little more than half of the quoted price.

For example, if the clerk gives you a $120.00 quote, offer to pay $65.00 or $70.00. No need to feel bad about asking either. Often rooms go vacant during the off-season, especially in a non-tourist town in the middle of the week. It's a win-win situation! But if they decline your offer or their counter-offer isn't good enough, be prepared to fire up your motorcycle and ride on to another place.

This tactic doesn't always work but its well worth the try and could save you a lot of money, especially on longer trips. "Mom and Pop" places can be more likely to accept your offer over a chain establishment simply because the chain clerks sometimes could care less if they rented a room or not.

Also, if you're doing a fly and ride there's a way to save money on airline fares as well. Get a quote from the likely suspects such as Travelocity or Expedia and then get a quote directly from the discount airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Horizon/Alaska Air, Frontier, and Jet Blue. The popular travel agencies sometimes don't include those discount airlines in their searches. Big bucks can be saved by booking directly with the airlines and especially when it's done at least 14 days in advance.

So there you have it, ways to save a lot of dough on Motels and Airlines. Winter motorcycle touring has one last advantage, the price of gas. Except for right around the Holidays, gas is generally cheaper during the winter months. Ride safe and have fun!
Kano's Coffee House

Travelocity's Low Fare Alert searches thousands of flights for fares that can save you 20%* or more on your trip.


EconomyTravel.com


BookAirlineTickets.com - Cheap Airfares Found Here!


Alaska/Horizon Air

Frontier Airlines

Jet Blue

Southwest Airlines

Virgin-Atlantic

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Kano's Motorcycle Site Find of the Week

Welcome to the 21st century where "outlaws" have their own websites too! 3 out of the 4 motorcycle clubs listed by the FBI and the RCMP as "outlaw gangs" have a website on the Internet. It makes one wonder if Al Capone were alive today, would he have a website of his own as well?

The "Hell's Angels" site even has stuff you can buy to help support their cause. Hmm...Well, they are involved in charity work, "Toys for Tots" for example.

Here at Kano's we're always on the lookout for interesting sites that may otherwise go unnoticed. That's why the official website of the Hell's Angels earns the honor of being "Kano's Motorcycle Site Find of the Week".

So go ahead and take a peek and better yet find a local Toys for Tots Run or toy drive. The holidays are approaching fast and you can be an "Angel" by helping make a lot of kids out there happy this Christmas.
Official International Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Website
Hells Angels Motorcycle Club FAQ
Secret Santa.org - Find a local toy run.
Wild Santa Toys for Tots Motorcycle Ride and Event
Crusaders for Kids - Bikers Helping Kids
Make-A-Wish Foundation
Marine Toys for Tots

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What Kind of Biker Are You, Really?

I am a

Take the "real biker" quiz at WhyBike.com

Coming tommorow to Motorcycle and Scooter Talk at Kano's Coffee House a quick reference guide with 8 makes and 37 different models of the best 2008 economical motorcycles. These bikes are cheap to buy, cheap on gas, and make excellent commuters. There's even a few surprises in the bunch!

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Alaska by Motorcycle Books

Looking for your next motorcycle adventure? Here's a couple of books that will keep you entertained and provide all the information you need to start planning your ride up to wild and scenic Alaska.

Alaska by Motorcycle: How to Motorcycle To Alaska by Gregory Frazier is essential reading for anyone considering an Alaskan adventure by motorcycle. The knowledge and experience the author has gained on his many trips up north will help you avoid the mistakes that could make for expensive delays. The book covers topics such as which bikes are best for the trip and how to deal with bears.

The Milepost: Alaska. This book is updated annually so you can be sure to have all the latest information on the details you will need for an Alaskan adventure by motorcycle. Though not specific to motorcycle travel, this book contains tons of useful information such as mile-by-mile logs of the Alaska Highway, listings of accommodations, plus schedules and fares for ferry services.
Motorcycle and Scooter Talk at Kano's Coffee House

Coming Soon! Here's some of the posts coming up; find out "what kind of biker you really are", a "quick reference guide to the 2008 most economical motorcycles", and "winter motorcycle riding". Don't miss any of this, subscribe to Motorcycle and Scooter Talk and have it delivered on a reader or by e-mail and it's free.

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Amazon Book Links:
Alaska by Motorcycle: How to Motorcycle to Alaska
The Milepost 2007 (Milepost)

Kano's Motorcycle Blog or Site Find of the Week

I found an interesting site this week that has a number of motorcycle travelogues. Have you ever wondered what it's like to ride through war torn Africa or the Australian Outback? "Dmoz.org" has site listings of first person non-commercial touring stories and plenty of them. You can even become an editor yourself or submit your own travel story.

So if you're looking for some good motorcycle travel reading, brew up a pot of coffee, fire up the printer and get over to the winner of Kano's Coffee House site find of the week: dmoz.org

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Have You Got What It Takes to be an Iron Butt Rider?

Now that we're in the middle of fall and moving quickly towards the long winter ahead, do you find yourself riding the couch more than your bike? If you can't ride, the next best thing is reading about riding.

How about a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat (or couch)? Against the Wind: A rider's account of the Incredible Iron Butt Rally may be just the book for you.

The best selling author Ron Ayres describes the exciting world of Iron Butt motorcycle endurance competition. Imagine ten consecutive thousand-mile days on a motorcycle, trying to beat the clock and the competition. Most difficult of all may be keeping up the will-power to endure the toughest of all endurance competitions, the Iron Butt Rally. Makes my rear end sore just thinking about it!
Kano's Coffee House

Against the Wind: A Rider's Account of the Incredible Iron Butt Rally (Incredible Journeys Books)

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Geocaching, A Treasure Hunting Sport on Your Motorcycle

Have you been trying to convince the wife why you need to get a GPS device for your motorcycle or scooter? If you're running short on excuses here's another good reason: It's a sport, hobby and treasure hunt game all rolled into one, it's Geocaching. Imagine the fun that could be had! Read on to find out more.

Go to Geocaching.com and look up a treasure coordinate in the zip code you want to ride. Then program your GPS and you're set. Enjoy the ride; see some new scenery along the way. When you arrive at the coordinates, check around inside a hollowed out log or under a trash can for example. When you find the treasure someone left for you, leave something behind for the next treasure hunter. That's it, sounds like fun huh?

My brother in-law found a pretty nice mini mag flashlight, who knows what you'll find. Maybe the wife will lighten up a little if you take her with you! Yep, I can definitely see a GPS device in my future. Now if I could just convince her that it would be romantic if...
Motorcycle and Scooter Talk at Kano's eCoffee House

Amazon Links: Geocaching: Hike and Seek with Your GPS

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geocaching (The Complete Idiot's Guide)

Geocaching For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))

The Essential Guide To Geocaching: Tracking Treasure With Your GPS