Pashnit Oregon Caves/Crater Lake - 2006

Gathering the group in Auburn

First Gas Stop

On the road and first rest stop/vista point

Construction Zone snafu.

Lunch Stop

Going around Mt Lassen since the road was still closed due to snow.

Burney Falls/Lake Britton

The Railroad Motel in Dunsmuir and dinner.  Due to a little bit of mis-planning, we had to ride pretty hard to make it to the hotel in time to check in before the office closed.  The motel was very quaint and the separate rooms made of cabooses was worth the ride.

Day 2

It rained a little and was pretty wet when we got up to leave.  We had about 2 hours of freeway burn south in the rain to get to breakfast and to hook up with a couple of more riders.  It took a while, but we all managed to hook up again for breakfast and head off across HWY 36.  About half way across 36, the group decided to split into two.  The planned route to the coast and a new path up Hwy 96 for riders looking for a more technical and challenging route.  This would prove to be a mistake later.

Unfortunately this is the last picture of Jim (in the blue jacket) before his high side about half an hour later. He was air lifted to the hospital and we found a towing yard that would let us store his bike.  I was elected to find a path to the caverns for the group after the accident and the pace was significantly more somber. Jim is partially paralyzed but does intend to ride again.

The Oregon Lodge at the Caverns. We met up with Marty form Oregon here and had dinner.  The lode was built in the 30's and is spectacular day or night.  The group spent a lot of time talking about the days events, filling in the riders that were on HWY 96 when Jim went down and discussing the rest of the trip. The staff here was amazing and even kept the kitchen open late for us since many of us were coming in late due to weather on the coast and the accident delay on HWY 96.  I cannot say anywhere near enough good things about the entire experience at the lodge and will return and recommend it highly to everyone.

Day 3

After Jim's accident I was not much in the mood for group riding any more and decided to skip the last part of the trip to Crater Lake.  I rode down the coast and home on day three on my own.   A few others left to go home as well but opted for the much more boring much faster HWY 5 route.

Before any of my friends read this and decide to e-mail me on how dangerous motorcycling is - the accident was completely avoidable and was speed induced.  I am very sorry for what happened and wish that it had not happened.  Jim is a great guy and a fun riding partner. Unfortunately it was not his best day.  It can happen to any of us, but we have the ability to reduce the chances by driving more cautiously and within the limits or the road and our own riding skills. Despite 33 years of riding and my background in racing, I have slowed down considerably in the last 20 years and maintain that motorcycling can be and IS a safe, exhilarating and stress releasing past time/means of transportation.