Just this past weekend GLMC announced the preliminary standings on their season long grand tour, An Affair with Water. Below are the top 20 riders for the GT. MeAsWe came in 11th. 3 more towns would have put her in the top 10. I finished 6th down 3 places from last year, however the point spreads between the top 10 were alot closer this year than last. As I suspected the number of town captured by the top people were also lower. Looking forward to our T Shirts and next years tour.
2011 Water Grand Tour
Rider # First Screen Last State/Prov Total RotY
1 207 John JohnF Frick OH 388 50
2 333 Debbie Korolchuk FL 347 49
3 329 Annette Korolchuk MN 283 48
4 287 Beth TBONE Madson MN 273 47
5 371 Mike MikeH Heitkamp IA 262 46
6 439 Bill Collins MA 230 45
7 467 Robin Edkin NY 207 44
8 466 Wayne Edkin NY 207 44
9 208 Jim Unplugged Weatherhead MN 205 43
10 382 Keith Carlson MN 201 42
11 457 Crystal Consolo MA 199 41
12 372 John JohnL Langan CA 176 40
13 214 Jeff LSGiant Kerkow MN 167 39
14 339 Dawn Williamson WI 149 38
15 385 Ingrid Wessel IL 143 37
16 332 Kevin Morris NJ 120 36
17 470 Jeff Perkins WI 116 35
18 61 Jayd Cruzin Lindom MN 115 34
19 363 Del Del Brisson MN 105 33
20 458 Jim Masters MN 95 32
Showing posts with label An Affair with Water.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label An Affair with Water.. Show all posts
Monday, September 26, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
An Affair with Water
Last weekend, the long one, I labored thru (Labor Day) our photo's and put together 2 DVD's of pictures of towns we visited. MeAsWe submitted 199 towns and I submitted 230 towns. Based on last year we should be in the top 10, but ya just never know. I am counting on the economy, price of gas and other non related factors to boost our standing this year. Since MeAsWe was a competitor she had to be the one holding the rally towel in all our joint pictures.
We covered 17 states from California to Maine. Sounds impressive eh...we skipped a bunch between Pennsylvania and Wyoming. I am curious what next year brings. This year was a bit tougher than last year finding the water towns, plus you had to find the name on a building. It was much easier finding Tons and Burgs.
Wraps up one more national treasure hunt or grand tour.
We covered 17 states from California to Maine. Sounds impressive eh...we skipped a bunch between Pennsylvania and Wyoming. I am curious what next year brings. This year was a bit tougher than last year finding the water towns, plus you had to find the name on a building. It was much easier finding Tons and Burgs.
Wraps up one more national treasure hunt or grand tour.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wasted in Great Basin
We had a great stay at the Hotel Nevada. At first this place will appear to be run down dive, the rooms small and the water pressure/temp variable, but I have to say our stay was great. They warn you about the water, taking a negative and turning it into a positive. Great marketing !! The rest is nostalgia to the max, well to at least 1929 when the place was built.
Back out on Route 50 heading for Great Basin National Park right on the border of Nevada and Utah. The road didn't change much from yesterday.
Some of the warning signs became more specific.
Temps were getting up there again
We visited this place right on the border, grabbed a stamp, sneaked in a brief nap, watched the video and got back on US 50 heading to Utah.
Once we hit Utah, there were some subtle changes. The road went from white to black for one.
The hills became more mountain like and rugged.
And the clouds became a bit more ominous
What didn't change was the wind. It was breezy at times. But things did get greener.
And there was more signs of life.
But there were relapses into the straight and narrow.
We found ourselves back in civilization and finished up the day with a water town, then headed for the hotel for the night.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Helen Blows her Top
Today is going to be a busy day. On the agenda is Mt St Helen, then off to Fort Vancouver for a stamp, grab some BBQ joints and try to have a meal there, then ride the Historic Columbia River Highway then we have to head back to Portland for the night. Our original plans was to stay in Hood River, OR, but even as I planned this trip I thought it might be a problem getting a room on a Friday night. I was right, so we got a really nice room at the Mariott Courtyard for a great price.
Mt St Helen can be seen from 2 primary roads. On the east side one can take NF 25, which was in our original plans yesterday, but I decided based on the twisty nature it looked like in MapSource and it was going to be at the end of the day, I opted for the easier route. Stay the night in Kelso and head up RT 504, also known as the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.
The ride up to Helen is a great ride in its own rite and well worth it. Before you get into the more remote section the state has a visitor center which costs $5 per person. I will say they had an excellent movie here, but it would not be tragic to skip this place and just visit the Johnston Observatory VC .
A foggy start
The burn off
Big sweepers
Getting close (sorta)
More sweepers, oh a view of Helen
>
The VC. There are 2 really great videos here which are well worth the time to see.
Mt St Helens. Look around the area and you will notice that there is just a beginning of signs of life, 31 years later. There was this guy Harry Truman that refused to leave his lodge. It was his life and he decided to stay. There are many stories of people and the eruption. One notable was a couple that was camping when the eruption took place. They were caught up in the flooding and were being carried down the mountain. The guys leg was broken when caught between 2 logs, however he was able to leap from one to another trying to pull his wife out of the water. He lost her three times, but on the third attempt he grabbed her hair, then her wrist (which was broken) and pulled her onto the log, which they actually able to ride out to safety. I just can't imagine being there.
Some plant life, very colorful
Headed back to Vancouver/Portland area, grabbed some water on the way, Salmon Creek
Quick visit to Fort Vancouver for a grab and run stamp. We did watch the video, which was not really up to snuff for the NPS. Fort Vancouver was the first settlement by the British, primary for the Hudson Bay Co.
MeAsWe was not feeling great and suggested we have a bit to eat to see if that was what the blahs were from. So we stopped at this place for Smoke Chasing 2011.
I had the smoked brisket and MeAsWe had some kind of sausage sandwich, both were great and would recommend a meal here. I don't understand why BBQ joints are expensive, but they are.
The joint has a nice collection of these guys
It's around 4pm and I give MeAsWe a choice, we can head for the barn now and have a long day tomorrow or we could do another 80 miles and get in later. MeAsWe opted for doing the extra miles today. What a trooper. So we hit the highway and got off to ride this road.
MeAsWe took some great shots along the road
There are quite a few places to stop for just the scenery. The Columbia River and Vista House at Crown Point Park from afar.
The Vista House up close and personal
The Multnomah Falls. We did get some other shots of falls, but this is the most spectacular.
Couple more miles east, cross the Bridge of the Gods and head back to Vancouver/Portland on WA14. This is a great ride as well, but the sun was brutal in places. So glad I had an HJC helmet with the visor in it. Worked like a charm.
The Bridge. Really bright out!!!
The Dam. Was kinda of disappointing, but it was late in the day and we are thinking a cold beer at the bar at this point.
Arrived at the Mariott Courtyard, booked via Priceline at a really great price. I may have spoiled MeAsWe with the nice accommodations this trip compared to where we usually stay. The beers were great.
Mt St Helen can be seen from 2 primary roads. On the east side one can take NF 25, which was in our original plans yesterday, but I decided based on the twisty nature it looked like in MapSource and it was going to be at the end of the day, I opted for the easier route. Stay the night in Kelso and head up RT 504, also known as the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway.
The ride up to Helen is a great ride in its own rite and well worth it. Before you get into the more remote section the state has a visitor center which costs $5 per person. I will say they had an excellent movie here, but it would not be tragic to skip this place and just visit the Johnston Observatory VC .
A foggy start
The burn off
Big sweepers
Getting close (sorta)
More sweepers, oh a view of Helen
>
The VC. There are 2 really great videos here which are well worth the time to see.
Mt St Helens. Look around the area and you will notice that there is just a beginning of signs of life, 31 years later. There was this guy Harry Truman that refused to leave his lodge. It was his life and he decided to stay. There are many stories of people and the eruption. One notable was a couple that was camping when the eruption took place. They were caught up in the flooding and were being carried down the mountain. The guys leg was broken when caught between 2 logs, however he was able to leap from one to another trying to pull his wife out of the water. He lost her three times, but on the third attempt he grabbed her hair, then her wrist (which was broken) and pulled her onto the log, which they actually able to ride out to safety. I just can't imagine being there.
Some plant life, very colorful
Headed back to Vancouver/Portland area, grabbed some water on the way, Salmon Creek
Quick visit to Fort Vancouver for a grab and run stamp. We did watch the video, which was not really up to snuff for the NPS. Fort Vancouver was the first settlement by the British, primary for the Hudson Bay Co.
MeAsWe was not feeling great and suggested we have a bit to eat to see if that was what the blahs were from. So we stopped at this place for Smoke Chasing 2011.
I had the smoked brisket and MeAsWe had some kind of sausage sandwich, both were great and would recommend a meal here. I don't understand why BBQ joints are expensive, but they are.
The joint has a nice collection of these guys
It's around 4pm and I give MeAsWe a choice, we can head for the barn now and have a long day tomorrow or we could do another 80 miles and get in later. MeAsWe opted for doing the extra miles today. What a trooper. So we hit the highway and got off to ride this road.
MeAsWe took some great shots along the road
There are quite a few places to stop for just the scenery. The Columbia River and Vista House at Crown Point Park from afar.
The Vista House up close and personal
The Multnomah Falls. We did get some other shots of falls, but this is the most spectacular.
Couple more miles east, cross the Bridge of the Gods and head back to Vancouver/Portland on WA14. This is a great ride as well, but the sun was brutal in places. So glad I had an HJC helmet with the visor in it. Worked like a charm.
The Bridge. Really bright out!!!
The Dam. Was kinda of disappointing, but it was late in the day and we are thinking a cold beer at the bar at this point.
Arrived at the Mariott Courtyard, booked via Priceline at a really great price. I may have spoiled MeAsWe with the nice accommodations this trip compared to where we usually stay. The beers were great.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Rapturous Ranier
Today there is only 1 real place to hit, Mt Ranier, so we leisurely got ready. Had some breakfast at this place. (pictures are clickable and resizeable)
This pump was originally outside the Teapot Gas Station we visited yesterday.
We left the land of browns, tans and khakis
And hit the hills of greens and trees
We are riding up scenic Rt 410 towards Chinook Pass. One thing we noticed the trees were getting really tall.
Our first glimpse of snow
Road leading up to Chinook Pass
While riding up here I was wondering if Ranier was going to be half as good as Glacier. We are headed for the Sunrise Visitor Center which is on the east side of Ranier. At the turn, we have 14 miles go.
Our first look at mighty Ranier
Words, cameras, discussions can not possibly describe the beauty of this mountain. I was beginning to wonder if Ranier should have been ahead of Glacier for places to see, but we did both, so we don't have to make that choice.
The flowers in the fields were in full bloom. They are not very tall, but if you look out over the field you will see spots and patches of brilliant yellows, reds, blues and purples.
Ranier in its full glory
The Visitor Center at Sunrise
View of Mt Adams from Sunrise
There are 2 more VC's at Ranier, Ohanapecosh and Henry Jackson. It was really hard to leave Sunrise, but there are other places to see. Ohanapecosh is south of Sunrise and is the entrance to Steves Canyon Rd and Paradise Rd from the east side. At Ohanapecosh we met a couple that made a year trip to Argentina. Really neat to hear how they could take a year off to ride and especially while they were young. No picture thou.
Ohanapecosh VC. This is NP stamping location
Other things to see was this tree marked with years based on its rings
We head off to the Groves of the Patriarchs. This is a grove of really really big trees. One thing I found out, both of my knees that were replaced in November, are in tip top shape. Now I have to do something to make the rest of my body to be somewhat similar to the knees. The walk is not real hard, it is always the return trip that is the killer
The walk
MeAsWe holding up the tree so I can duck under it
Looking up to some really tall guys
Some perspective on how big these guys really are
MeAsWe going tree hugger on me. I think this guy was related to that other woody in Glacier.
Finally made it out of the woods and started to ride the awesome roads within Ranier. Keep in mind that this is a National Park and they really don't appreciate lack of throttle control.
When you believe you have seen it all you come around another turn to be confronted with another magnificent view.
The Henry M Jackson VC at Paradise
When you depart Paradise, you will find yourself on a very twisty road, with plenty of swithchbacks heading for the Nisqually entrance on the west side of Ranier. The roads are very narrow leaving just enough room for one car. Some of the switchbacks require you to enter from the outside of the lane to the apex and back out. This fucktard decided he was too impatient and passed me on the right just at the entrance to a swithcback. What an idiot, he endangered both himself (which I really don't care about) and us. I followed him for quite a few miles really pissed, but finally turned off and I found my happy place again. I really wanted the opportunity to pull up next to him and tell him how impolite he was and learn proper riding etiquette.
This guy was behind me about 3 seconds before this shot.
Headed into Kelso, WA for the night on RT 12. We were buzzing right along and came to an uphill climb with a passing lane. I throttled up and passed either a car or a truck and of course there was this non-descript white car coming at us. You know that sinking feeling when maybe you might have been over the speed limit. I was behind this truck traveling along. Its trailer doors were highly polished almost chrome and I saw some red blinking stuff going on. Quick view to the rearview mirror and yup that non-desscript car was no longer non-descript. The truck pulled over and I kept going and so did the LEO. Sigh, I found a place to pull over and to my chagrin so did the trooper. The trooper was very nice and explained to me about rules for passing cars in Washington and let me off with a verbal warning. Thank You Thank You.
Last stop of the day was Silver Creek, Washington PO for An Affair with Water rally
It is really hard to sum up the trip, so I won't. It would be hard to decide between Glacier National Park and Ranier National Park as a favorite or recommend one over the other. Both places I can get very excited about and would come to mind immediately if someone mentioned they were going to be in Montana or Washington.
This pump was originally outside the Teapot Gas Station we visited yesterday.
We left the land of browns, tans and khakis
And hit the hills of greens and trees
We are riding up scenic Rt 410 towards Chinook Pass. One thing we noticed the trees were getting really tall.
Our first glimpse of snow
Road leading up to Chinook Pass
While riding up here I was wondering if Ranier was going to be half as good as Glacier. We are headed for the Sunrise Visitor Center which is on the east side of Ranier. At the turn, we have 14 miles go.
Our first look at mighty Ranier
Words, cameras, discussions can not possibly describe the beauty of this mountain. I was beginning to wonder if Ranier should have been ahead of Glacier for places to see, but we did both, so we don't have to make that choice.
The flowers in the fields were in full bloom. They are not very tall, but if you look out over the field you will see spots and patches of brilliant yellows, reds, blues and purples.
Ranier in its full glory
The Visitor Center at Sunrise
View of Mt Adams from Sunrise
There are 2 more VC's at Ranier, Ohanapecosh and Henry Jackson. It was really hard to leave Sunrise, but there are other places to see. Ohanapecosh is south of Sunrise and is the entrance to Steves Canyon Rd and Paradise Rd from the east side. At Ohanapecosh we met a couple that made a year trip to Argentina. Really neat to hear how they could take a year off to ride and especially while they were young. No picture thou.
Ohanapecosh VC. This is NP stamping location
Other things to see was this tree marked with years based on its rings
We head off to the Groves of the Patriarchs. This is a grove of really really big trees. One thing I found out, both of my knees that were replaced in November, are in tip top shape. Now I have to do something to make the rest of my body to be somewhat similar to the knees. The walk is not real hard, it is always the return trip that is the killer
The walk
MeAsWe holding up the tree so I can duck under it
Looking up to some really tall guys
Some perspective on how big these guys really are
MeAsWe going tree hugger on me. I think this guy was related to that other woody in Glacier.
Finally made it out of the woods and started to ride the awesome roads within Ranier. Keep in mind that this is a National Park and they really don't appreciate lack of throttle control.
When you believe you have seen it all you come around another turn to be confronted with another magnificent view.
The Henry M Jackson VC at Paradise
When you depart Paradise, you will find yourself on a very twisty road, with plenty of swithchbacks heading for the Nisqually entrance on the west side of Ranier. The roads are very narrow leaving just enough room for one car. Some of the switchbacks require you to enter from the outside of the lane to the apex and back out. This fucktard decided he was too impatient and passed me on the right just at the entrance to a swithcback. What an idiot, he endangered both himself (which I really don't care about) and us. I followed him for quite a few miles really pissed, but finally turned off and I found my happy place again. I really wanted the opportunity to pull up next to him and tell him how impolite he was and learn proper riding etiquette.
This guy was behind me about 3 seconds before this shot.
Headed into Kelso, WA for the night on RT 12. We were buzzing right along and came to an uphill climb with a passing lane. I throttled up and passed either a car or a truck and of course there was this non-descript white car coming at us. You know that sinking feeling when maybe you might have been over the speed limit. I was behind this truck traveling along. Its trailer doors were highly polished almost chrome and I saw some red blinking stuff going on. Quick view to the rearview mirror and yup that non-desscript car was no longer non-descript. The truck pulled over and I kept going and so did the LEO. Sigh, I found a place to pull over and to my chagrin so did the trooper. The trooper was very nice and explained to me about rules for passing cars in Washington and let me off with a verbal warning. Thank You Thank You.
Last stop of the day was Silver Creek, Washington PO for An Affair with Water rally
It is really hard to sum up the trip, so I won't. It would be hard to decide between Glacier National Park and Ranier National Park as a favorite or recommend one over the other. Both places I can get very excited about and would come to mind immediately if someone mentioned they were going to be in Montana or Washington.
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