Gifford Pinchot, Mt. Adams - Dirtbike ride
Sunday was an incredible day! I went on an all day dirtbike adventure with Jerry Justus. At almost 70 years old Jerry is in incredible shape and more active and healthy than anyone I've ever seen at that age. I believe he's been riding motorcycles all his life... so his knowledge and experience with them is just phenomenal! Jerry has been super kind to teach me a few of his tricks and share some advice, which I've appreciated soo much. This is only the second ride I've done with him but I look forward to many many more. As he said on Sunday- "I don't plan on stopping anytime soon"
We started at 8:30AM when we loaded my bike onto the trailer and headed across the Hood River bridge to Underwood Washington where we picked up Jerry's long time friend Nik. It was my first time meeting Nik but it didn't take long to realize Jerry has great friends because Nik was super nice and fun to talk with. Small world story- Turns out Nik is a retired photographer and when I asked if he had heard of Brooks Institute of Photography he's like- "I graduated from there in the 70's!" (or maybe 60's?? I can't remember)
So Nik and I had a lot to talk about when it came to photography and techy stuff of course, haha.
This was my first time riding the Gifford Pinchot National Forest area so I was glad to have someone in charge like Jerry who knows the trails really well. I would have been lost within minutes by myself!
I think all in all we went either about 45 miles or 75... I know it's a big difference but I can't remember which one!
Anyway enough talking. I brought my Canon 5D along with my 24-105mm lens in my backpack so here are a few photos I took along the way. Sorry no action pics... haven't figured out how to make that happen yet. Riding while taking photos is impossible.
Driving up with the bikes in back
Jerry sharing some awesome dirtbike stories while driving
Our parking spot
First part of the trail you ride through thick forest and then come out to a clearing with this incredible view of Mt. Adams
Quite a few riders up on top. I was definitely the minority having a Honda bike. KTM's seem to be the most popular for this kind of riding!
My "new" 2005 Honda CRF450X... only my second ride on it!
Jerry checking out the map during a lunch break. I forgot to pack a sandwich so Jerry was nice to give me a granola bar.
A few gorgeous views of Mt Adams. There are amazing trails all throughout those trees!
Jerry and Nik checking out the map during lunch.
Since Jerry and Nik were in charge of the map I picked yummy huckleberries while they were navigating the route. :)
A really huge cliff that the trail passes right by. See Jerry and Nik?
Lots of trees!
Nothing better than a fresh huckleberry shake after a looong day's ride! You can get these from a little sandwich shop that's located at the Trout Lake Chevron station. MMMM
These next 3 photos are the view from Nik's beautiful house on the bluff of Underwood, Washington. All I can say is WOW. I told Nik and his wife if I had a view like that I'd never leave home. They agreed it's hard to ever leave it. Mt Hood is towering above the Hood River Valley looking directly South, with of course the Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington states.
Mt Hood and the west side of Hood River
This last pic shows a boat pulling a water skier, it was so quiet up there I could hear the boat cruising on by. Paradise! It's a new personal goal to own a piece of property up there before I die... Just if I had a million or two burning a hole in my pocket, haha. :)
Can't wait for the next ride Jerry and Nik... thanks!!
We started at 8:30AM when we loaded my bike onto the trailer and headed across the Hood River bridge to Underwood Washington where we picked up Jerry's long time friend Nik. It was my first time meeting Nik but it didn't take long to realize Jerry has great friends because Nik was super nice and fun to talk with. Small world story- Turns out Nik is a retired photographer and when I asked if he had heard of Brooks Institute of Photography he's like- "I graduated from there in the 70's!" (or maybe 60's?? I can't remember)
So Nik and I had a lot to talk about when it came to photography and techy stuff of course, haha.
This was my first time riding the Gifford Pinchot National Forest area so I was glad to have someone in charge like Jerry who knows the trails really well. I would have been lost within minutes by myself!
I think all in all we went either about 45 miles or 75... I know it's a big difference but I can't remember which one!
Anyway enough talking. I brought my Canon 5D along with my 24-105mm lens in my backpack so here are a few photos I took along the way. Sorry no action pics... haven't figured out how to make that happen yet. Riding while taking photos is impossible.
Driving up with the bikes in back
Jerry sharing some awesome dirtbike stories while driving
Our parking spot
First part of the trail you ride through thick forest and then come out to a clearing with this incredible view of Mt. Adams
Quite a few riders up on top. I was definitely the minority having a Honda bike. KTM's seem to be the most popular for this kind of riding!
My "new" 2005 Honda CRF450X... only my second ride on it!
Jerry checking out the map during a lunch break. I forgot to pack a sandwich so Jerry was nice to give me a granola bar.
A few gorgeous views of Mt Adams. There are amazing trails all throughout those trees!
Jerry and Nik checking out the map during lunch.
Since Jerry and Nik were in charge of the map I picked yummy huckleberries while they were navigating the route. :)
A really huge cliff that the trail passes right by. See Jerry and Nik?
Lots of trees!
Nothing better than a fresh huckleberry shake after a looong day's ride! You can get these from a little sandwich shop that's located at the Trout Lake Chevron station. MMMM
These next 3 photos are the view from Nik's beautiful house on the bluff of Underwood, Washington. All I can say is WOW. I told Nik and his wife if I had a view like that I'd never leave home. They agreed it's hard to ever leave it. Mt Hood is towering above the Hood River Valley looking directly South, with of course the Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington states.
Mt Hood and the west side of Hood River
This last pic shows a boat pulling a water skier, it was so quiet up there I could hear the boat cruising on by. Paradise! It's a new personal goal to own a piece of property up there before I die... Just if I had a million or two burning a hole in my pocket, haha. :)
Can't wait for the next ride Jerry and Nik... thanks!!
posted by blaine at
9/30/2008 02:56:00 PM
4 Comments:
Well buy with you, just find the perfect place and we are in!!! :)
Hey Blaine,
Fun ride, great meeting you and I am sure we'll get a chance to ride again. It is a special thing to have a master like Jerry to ride with.
Take care,
Nick
class of 71'
katzes- serious!? we'll take you up on that... just give us a couple lifetimes to come up with the cash! :)
Nick- thanks for commenting, it sure is special riding with Jerry (the mother hen as you said, haha). So is it Nick or Nik because your email address was Nik?
Hey Blaine, Sweet photos and all. I still don't like dragonflies though. :) Hope all is well.
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