Wednesday, September 9, 2026

2026 PNW Trip 2 - Day 2



September 8, 2026


It rained a bit overnight but I slept through most of it, sleeping better than I have in a while.  A day’s riding helps.


I woke up about 6am and read until 7 when I started the morning routine.  First i did a walk around the campground loop and saw there was now another camper, in a car, a few sites from the RV.  They came in late.


For breakfast, I added hot water to what I had for dinner last night, mushroom fettucini, and a cup of cocoa.  Then it was gathering up the gear, patching away the tent, and the other tasks related to getting on the road.


I took my time.  Before going I download a few video files from my dash cam that I will go back and insert on the blog later.  It’s complicated editing them and posting just using my iPad tethered to my phone.


I did another walk around the loop and talked to the guy who does maintenance at all the sites was in the marines and now bounces between this and a firefighter, the wildfire type.  I had him explain what the train was for that and it sounds interesting but quite physical.  No, I am not planning on signing up.


A couple photos from this morning before I left.


I was on the road by 10am and it was gorgeous out, about 60 degrees and no wind.  I really enjoy having twisty roads for breakfast.


I don’t have any details to add as I headed for my first stop in Kamiah.  Just outside of town I stopped at the Nez Perce national monument, the founding location of the tribe.


I got gas at my usual spot in Kamiah, the Sinclair station that has the annoying ads blasting from the dispenser.  I got gas at someplace else but I like their tables alongside the store.  I parked there and shed some layers, changed my clothes.and checked messages on my phone.


I buzzed along the Clearwater River, keeping my eye on the odometer.  When it changed to 59,000 miles, there was nowhere to pull off so it added a mile by the time I could grab a photo.



That’s a lot of miles since April of 2021.


The next stop was Pomeroy, WA for gas.




This is my usual stop for lunch too.  They have a nice city park with tables under a shelter so I ate an apple and a bread roll while I posted yesterday’s blog entry.


When I got back on the road I set the navigation software to tonight’s campground, Sawmill Flats, and told it to take the quickest route.  On I went on Hwy 12 and when I got close to Lyon Ferry Bridge, it turned me south instead of north.  I had never gone this way and it was pretty cool.  It climbed a bit.



Then it was 20 miles across wheat fields and past grain elevators, like this one.



Eventually I got on the freeway, I-82, and rode that to Yakima where I gassed up before heading the 40 miles to the campground.  The freeway was a bore but I had to stay on top of my game dealing with passing and being passed.m


When I arrived at the campground I did the loop and saw the it was completely unoccupied.  Many sites had “Reserved” noticed but they were all for later in the week.  I looked the place over and selected the best site, for me, and it’s the same one I stayed in a few years ago, SIte #17.  It’s big, a little bit of a walk-in, but right on the river.



It’s dark now and so I’ll heat up some dinner, Mac and Cheese, and then settle down for a bit of reading.


It was a 411 mile day.

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