A Day of Healing

After a very difficult weekend and Monday, Shawn, Peyton and I had previously made plans to make a day trip to Sand Lake for some fun in the sun!  The weather looked like it was going to be perfect and we were ready to tackle the sand.

I was at Shawns house at 0545 and both were ready to hit the road.  We loaded up and headed south.  Traffic was light and we made good time.  Once at the lot, we had few people to look out for and soon were out playing.  As we tested Peytons bike and made a few repairs, we started to climb a hill.  His bike started to smoke and we shut her down quick.  It cooled and we turned around.  A short time later, his chain broke and I towed him back to the truck.  I did notice alot of bikes breaking down around us and thought is was strange.  Shawn headed for the store and repairs. 

He returned a short time later and found he had the wrong type of master link.  He also realized he had lost his ATV key.  We looked and could not find it anywhere.  He returned to the store and they had it there for him.  He had also dropped it in the driveway at home in the morning.  He was lucky.

After we realized there was nothing that could be done there to get him running, Peyton bucked up and hopped on with me.  We rode for awhile and then he hopped on Shawns bike.  They played and climbed some hills.  I goofed off and we ended up having a great ride despite the bike problems.

Shawn said it best after we loaded up heading home.  I was getting a little cocky on my bike.  I went down a hill and had to turn at an angle.  The ground gave a little and I stopped and then managed to bury the bike. Shawn came and got it out for me and made sure I knew he had helped!

After a long and slow ride home, we unloaded and marveled at how few injuries we had.  Shawn had a sunburn where the lotion didn't cover but other than being a little sore it was a great day.

It's amazing how a distraction like this is good for the body.  I feel a little better about everything now and the healing has begun.  Thanks Shawn and Peyton for a wonderful day!

Sand, food and Fun

After a whirwind and taxing two weeks, I was looking forward to some quad riding and fun in the sand. This is an annual trip with the family and includes pulling the 5vr to Sand Lake with Shawn hauling the bikes down. It is somewhat challenging as we have no hookups there and tight quarters with that many people.

Lori and I headed out early Thursday afternoon. Mark pulled in from Cheney in time to catch a ride south. We made good time and wanted to stop for dinner in Astoria when our first challenge of the weekend hit. Walt and I took a quick walk as Lori and Mark ordered Pizza. As we rounded the back of the trailer, I always check everything to make sure we are ok. Walt and I noticed something wrong with the left rear trailer tire. Oh crap, some rivet or stud in the corner. At least I was in a parking lot, so changing the tire should not be a problem. I looked at the time and hit tire shops on the GPS. There was an open tire shop less than a mile away. I called and they had a tire in stock. I pulled in and of course as luck would have it, the rivet was in the corner, so it could'nt be fixed. $145.00 later, we were on the road and headed south. We found our spot, loaded water and were were soon tucked in and getting ready for bed. Shawn and Don arrived with Chad around 11 or so. We settled in and dreamt of sand adventures to come.

I was apprehensive with what we had just done with the bikes. I was second guessing myself over the decision to trade in the Goldwing for the 550 Yamaha. Would the ride be enough of an improvement to make it worth what I had done? Would I look down at the 550 because of what I had done? I just told myself, this was a positive move and we can always get another Wing if we decide this was not for us.

Friday morning was crisp but clear and perfect for riding. As we looked around, we were almost the only ones out there. This is what its all about. I managed to talk Lori into allowing me to ride the 550 first. She reluctantly allowed this and off I went.

As soon as we hit the sand, I knew this was the right bike. It had lots of power and a very smooth ride. The throttle response was very positive and I was livin large. It was a little hard getting used to the suspension as it rolled side to side absorbing the shock. I was ready for the ultimate test...the trails. This would be the test to make or break. I headed off into the trails on the east side and soon was floating through the turns, hills and whoops. As I rounded one set of turns, I banked right, sand filled grin on my face and oops!!!, this quad is a little wider than the 450 and I had just put the first mark on the plastic. I went into a narrow trail, realized it and stopped. I slid sideways and hit a small tree. I hit a second as I backed out. Oh well, now it looks ridden.

I returned to the camp and Lori was patiently waiting. She had her helmet on, waiting...rumor has it a couple stopped by and gave her a dollar...something about Lori and Helmets. I jumped on the 450 and we backed out. Still apprehensive Lori pulls out with stern instructions to stay on the level and let her get used to riding a quad. We headed out, turned west and worked our way toward the ocean. As we continued, a smile broke across her face and the speed increased. We rode for about 45 minutes and upon our return, she declared it was fun and not what she thought it would be. I was happy as the bike was a hit and Lori was having fun.

I hung with Lori, Walt and Chad off and on all day. Late in the afternoon, Chad, Lori and I took Walt for a walk and boy did he enjoy his time with Walt. We ate way too much for dinner and it was time for the obligatory sunset ride. Off Lori and went with Mark in tow. We headed up the hill and watched the sun go down over horizon. Friday was a hit. Later in the evening, Jennifer, Peyton and Eric, Jenn's brother were at the sand and as is the Fretts' tradition, settled most of the worlds problems around the campfire. It was cold this evening, but clear. We were asleep as soon as we layed down. Life is good!

Saturday, Lori went for a ride and then got the twitch to head south for shopping. Soon, she and Mark headed out. This meant, I had the 550 all to my self. Peyton and I hit the sand and both enjoyed the ride. I did notice that his quad was heating up at times and would start to smoke. We shut it off and it did better.

That evening, Peyton wanted to go up to the sunset and we headed out. Lori and Mark got back and Lori stayed behind. I do remember at some point, we were riding around and I saw a truck I felt looked like Shawn's. It was Shawn with Chad in the child seat with an ear to ear grin. They were out 4 bying and he loved it. Sorry, got off topic a little, as Peyton and I headed up the hill, his bike started to loose power and smoke. Don was with us and all of the sudden, it seized. Something major went wrong and his quad was toast. Mark was in the area on Shawns quad and went to get Shawn. Soon, here comes Shawn, Jenn and Chad to the rescue. They load the broke bike up on the truck and off we go. Peyton rode back with me. Peyton was sad, but a real trooper and understood what had happened.

Lori and I went out Sunday morning for a last ride. It was great to have her out riding and enjoying the sights. I was having a great time and things were going as well as we could expect. I went back to camp and grabbed Peyton and headed out. I took him on some lower trails and climbed some small hills. I laughed as he never quit talking the whole ride. What a trooper.

We got back to camp and reluctantly packed up for the trip home. It was a great weekend and I think everyone had a great time. A couple hours of cleanup and unloading gave way to Lori and I resting in the comfort of our recliners catching up on tv shows we recorded earlier.

I feel better now knowing two things were accomplished. A smoother ride allowed me more time riding and the enjoyment Lori and the others had eating sand makes you feel real good. It did me.

Land Sharks and Sand

Last weekend, we traveled to Silver Cove RV park near Castle Rock, WA. We met up with Gwen and Loren for a weekend of relaxation and...well...thats about all we had planned. The Falls were a little nervous as they were bringing their new pup along and well, lets just say, he has a few social problems. You see, Cooper is adopted and has had a rough short life. He is a Pug, Chihuahua mix. If you are trying to visualize, think of Loren very anorexic. Anyway, Cooper is a little stand offish when he is around you for the first time. I was introduced to Cooper shortly after we arrived and he soon earned his nickname of land shark. Cooper is a little uppity and likes to growl while showing his teeth. After a short time (Almost two days!) Cooper settled down and when given a treat by Lori, soon was her best bud. He never warmed up to a bored and un impressed Walter which seemed to make Cooper even more ill tempered. Kind of reminds me of Loren when dinner is late!

Saturday morning, Lori and I went for coffee, returned and sat around watching tv, napping and walking this huge and beautiful park. We watched boaters come and go, fish jump and in general had a great time. I can easily see why the Falls love this place.

Saturday night, we grilled hamburgers while the Falls provided their special corn on the cob. It was great and we sat around enjoying the fire at night watching Loren constantly moving wood around trying to put the fire out every minute of so. We had a great time.

Sunday, my plan was to head through Portland, hit hiway 26 and later onto Oregon 6 into Tillimook and onto Sand Lake to meet Shawn and Neal for some quad riding on the sand. All was going well until I went to take the exit off I-5 to Hiway 26. Exit was closed and no detour. Thankfully Rosie routed me over Cornelious pass and then back to my original route.


Soon I was on my quad and hitting the sand. We rode all afternoon and rode with several of Shawns friends who came down for the day. We all decided to take the 'one way' which is a trail on the north end and is supposed to be a one way trail. About three quarters of the way in, the first guy did a loop and when he exited, Shawn was just entering and they collided. Both were thrown off their bikes and suffered minor injuries. The bikes were not so lucky. Shawns bike was broke and we had to put the front on the back of my quad and tie it down. I then acted as a tow truck and towed it all the way back to camp.

we licked our wounds and made dinner. Neal and I went back out riding for a sunset cruise. We ride up to a bluff over looking the Pacific Ocean and watch a spectacular sunset. It is very romantic...er I mean we high fived and rode off into the sunset...




Monday morning brought a very sore and slow moving Shawn. He slpt good during the night, but was in need of Advil real bad. I made omelets and Neal and I went back out for a couple hours as Shawn slept some more. We packed up and headed for home about 1130. We made great time till we hit Seaside. From there it was one construction project after another and we crept along and breakneck speeds of 5mph for miles. After 4 1/2 hours, I was home and another adventure had ended. On a side note, Shawn is much better and moving more every day.