Labor Day Ride

Started out the ride from tacoma, down to the twisty road on the way to rainier. This road is every bit as good as remembered. The two other motorcyclists followed me the whole way fom Tac ...

2009-02-17T08:18:07Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
Started out the ride from tacoma, down to the twisty road on the way to rainier. This road is every bit as good as remembered. The two other motorcyclists followed me the whole way fom Tac ...

excellent views of the foothills around rainier as well.

2009-08-04T08:54:05Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
excellent views of the foothills around rainier as well.

The small lake in the distance is actually an artificial lake made by a large hydroelectric dam

2009-02-17T08:20:17Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
The small lake in the distance is actually an artificial lake made by a large hydroelectric dam

an attempt to get a look at some of the cool twisties on the road, the day was also particularly nice

2009-08-04T10:21:39Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
an attempt to get a look at some of the cool twisties on the road, the day was also particularly nice

mineral lake in the small town of Mineral. Somewhere between Alder and Morton. it was a little bit off the beaten path, but well worth spur of the moment detour.

2009-08-04T10:31:11Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
mineral lake in the small town of Mineral. Somewhere between Alder and Morton. it was a little bit off the beaten path, but well worth spur of the moment detour.

still at mineral lake, very scenic view of the mountains. At little bit farther out from town afforded some great views of Rainier, unfortunately there was no play to stop

2009-02-17T08:20:00Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
still at mineral lake, very scenic view of the mountains. At little bit farther out from town afforded some great views of Rainier, unfortunately there was no play to stop

In the disance here you can see Rainier. This is on NF-25 clibing up towards Mt. St. Helens.

2009-02-17T08:22:16Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
In the disance here you can see Rainier. This is on NF-25 clibing up towards Mt. St. Helens.

another shot of the bmw along the road... This road is one of the best in washington

2009-02-17T08:19:50Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
another shot of the bmw along the road... This road is one of the best in washington

the hills around Helens were incredible, breathtaking... I tried to capture some of that...

2009-02-17T08:19:25Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
the hills around Helens were incredible, breathtaking... I tried to capture some of that...

This, I believe, was at dannybroke point lookout. A georgous panaorama of hills was here. you could see for a very long ways without any civilization creeping in.

2009-02-17T08:18:31Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
This, I believe, was at dannybroke point lookout. A georgous panaorama of hills was here. you could see for a very long ways without any civilization creeping in.

the amount of devestation still in the area is incredible

2009-02-17T08:18:43Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
the amount of devestation still in the area is incredible

You would think that more of the devestation would be gone by now after 20 years, but evidently you'd be wrong.

2009-08-04T09:49:55Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
You would think that more of the devestation would be gone by now after 20 years, but evidently you'd be wrong.

a grand view of Helens itself, in the distance

2009-08-04T09:19:31Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
a grand view of Helens itself, in the distance

another shot of scenery + motorcycle. As you'll see, I don't get tired of these shots

2009-08-04T10:48:39Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
another shot of scenery + motorcycle. As you'll see, I don't get tired of these shots

these trees were just stripped bare of everything. literal forests of this stuff stood, especially as I got closer to windy ridge

2009-08-04T09:47:35Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
these trees were just stripped bare of everything. literal forests of this stuff stood, especially as I got closer to windy ridge

once I arrived at windy ridge, there was a about a 400 step climb to the top. A little trying after a day of motorcycling (and I think it helped to take out my calves), but worth the views

2009-08-04T08:56:26Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
once I arrived at windy ridge, there was a about a 400 step climb to the top. A little trying after a day of motorcycling (and I think it helped to take out my calves), but worth the views

This is towards the base of Helens, right in the obvious path of the lava / ash flows. Very interesting to see what had regrown

2009-08-04T08:52:06Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
This is towards the base of Helens, right in the obvious path of the lava / ash flows. Very interesting to see what had regrown

This is right at the top of the stairs, you should be able to just make out Rainier in the distance. These two mountains are closer than you might think.

2009-08-04T11:13:33Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
This is right at the top of the stairs, you should be able to just make out Rainier in the distance. These two mountains are closer than you might think.

more lakes caused by the mud and lava flows. Very beautiful, but also sort of desolate.

2009-02-17T08:21:23Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
more lakes caused by the mud and lava flows. Very beautiful, but also sort of desolate.

back at the base of Helens, there is at least one hill side + lake that looks revegitated

2009-02-17T08:20:39Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
back at the base of Helens, there is at least one hill side + lake that looks revegitated

the best of about 10-15 pictures I took of Helens itself. This is the top of the mountain. I saw some pictures of the mountain before the eruption, and it looked very different, much more ...

2009-08-04T11:02:49Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
the best of about 10-15 pictures I took of Helens itself. This is the top of the mountain. I saw some pictures of the mountain before the eruption, and it looked very different, much more ...

The rest stop on the way back down from windy ridge. This place is run by about 5 elderly men and women. They are _very_ slow and their prices are _very_ bad, but they are also the only fo ...

2009-02-17T08:20:12Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
The rest stop on the way back down from windy ridge. This place is run by about 5 elderly men and women. They are _very_ slow and their prices are _very_ bad, but they are also the only fo ...

a peak through the trees. The roads around Helens are just awesome. Especially on the east side, they are the kind of roads a motorcyclist lives for... Constant twisties, and even on Labor ...

2009-02-17T08:19:19Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
a peak through the trees. The roads around Helens are just awesome. Especially on the east side, they are the kind of roads a motorcyclist lives for... Constant twisties, and even on Labor ...

after a full day of riding I decided to stay in longview rather than attempt to do the west side of Helens as well. That was a pretty good idea, since I was very tired. Stayed at the Red L ...

2009-02-17T08:22:11Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
after a full day of riding I decided to stay in longview rather than attempt to do the west side of Helens as well. That was a pretty good idea, since I was very tired. Stayed at the Red L ...

Start of the Second day. The west side of Helens had much more valleys and rivers.

2009-02-17T08:20:19Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
Start of the Second day. The west side of Helens had much more valleys and rivers.

just georgous views along oee of the rivers.

2009-02-17T08:18:28Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
just georgous views along oee of the rivers.

and, of course, a geogrous bike that just keeps showing up

2009-02-17T08:21:51Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
and, of course, a geogrous bike that just keeps showing up

a shot from a different angle. I tried to get some of the curveyness of the road in this shot. This road was definately not as good as the windy ridge road, but was still quite excellent.

2009-02-17T08:19:58Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
a shot from a different angle. I tried to get some of the curveyness of the road in this shot. This road was definately not as good as the windy ridge road, but was still quite excellent.

a hazy view out at some of the foothills.

2009-02-17T08:19:49Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
a hazy view out at some of the foothills.

by this point I could see Helens in the distance (started from about 50 miles out), but couldn't get a shot at it (too foggy), so you'll have to settle for this

2009-02-17T08:20:17Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
by this point I could see Helens in the distance (started from about 50 miles out), but couldn't get a shot at it (too foggy), so you'll have to settle for this

you can sorta see helens in the back on the left side of the picture here

2009-02-17T08:19:36Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
you can sorta see helens in the back on the left side of the picture here

at Johnston Point, the closest you can get in a car / motorcycle, there are still some blown down trees

2009-02-17T08:22:05Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
at Johnston Point, the closest you can get in a car / motorcycle, there are still some blown down trees

St. Helens itself. The second day was considerably less clear, but still good. This is the best of those pictures

2009-02-17T08:19:25Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
St. Helens itself. The second day was considerably less clear, but still good. This is the best of those pictures

In side the visitors center they had and exellent relief of the srea aorund Helens. If you look closely you should be able to see tiny red lights all over the map. I believe this is showin ...

2009-02-17T08:21:27Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
In side the visitors center they had and exellent relief of the srea aorund Helens. If you look closely you should be able to see tiny red lights all over the map. I believe this is showin ...

This was actually a really great presentation... Different parts of the map would light up showing exactly where the lava flow went, or the mud flow, or the ash, etc. Very informative in a ...

2009-02-17T08:19:27Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
This was actually a really great presentation... Different parts of the map would light up showing exactly where the lava flow went, or the mud flow, or the ash, etc. Very informative in a ...

Helens wasn't the only thing to see at johnston point. Looking away from Helens there was also some barren foothiills. And some motorcycles that weren't mine :)

2009-02-17T08:18:04Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
Helens wasn't the only thing to see at johnston point. Looking away from Helens there was also some barren foothiills. And some motorcycles that weren't mine :)

more pictures of the hills around Helens. If you can make it out there is also a little trolley car diner

2009-02-17T08:18:23Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
more pictures of the hills around Helens. If you can make it out there is also a little trolley car diner

And away from Helens and towards the sea. This is on the road between Longview and Seaview. Very pretty shots of the river / bay areas

2009-02-17T08:22:09Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
And away from Helens and towards the sea. This is on the road between Longview and Seaview. Very pretty shots of the river / bay areas

the views looking up and down the river were very picturesque

2009-02-17T08:17:53Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
the views looking up and down the river were very picturesque

and the motorcycle! we can't forget the motorcycle! Remeber: I was riding it!

2009-02-17T08:18:51Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
and the motorcycle! we can't forget the motorcycle! Remeber: I was riding it!

more shots up and down the river

2009-02-17T08:21:32Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
more shots up and down the river

after driving by this little recreational dock once, I had to catch it on the way back. This road was very good, at least near seaview. Better was 101 around cosmopolis on the stretch betw ...

2009-02-17T08:21:15Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
after driving by this little recreational dock once, I had to catch it on the way back. This road was very good, at least near seaview. Better was 101 around cosmopolis on the stretch betw ...

Another day, andother ride. This begins the third and final day of the trip. Good thing too... my calves were just about dead after balancing 600lbs of motorcycle between them for 3 days s ...

2009-08-04T09:16:52Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
Another day, andother ride. This begins the third and final day of the trip. Good thing too... my calves were just about dead after balancing 600lbs of motorcycle between them for 3 days s ...

This is on the olympic pennisula, on 101. This was a very scenic drive, but unfortunately this was also actually on Labor Day, so the traffic was heavier

2009-08-04T10:15:08Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
This is on the olympic pennisula, on 101. This was a very scenic drive, but unfortunately this was also actually on Labor Day, so the traffic was heavier

The first town I stopped at was hoodsport, and was the start of some really great roads. And also a really well positioned pier to take pictures from!... Ok you can't see it, but I swear th ...

2009-02-17T08:21:09Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
The first town I stopped at was hoodsport, and was the start of some really great roads. And also a really well positioned pier to take pictures from!... Ok you can't see it, but I swear th ...

up the inlet from hoodsport. On the left is the olympic, and on the right is a small piece of land between the big pennisula and the small pennensila that has bremerton

2009-02-17T08:18:29Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
up the inlet from hoodsport. On the left is the olympic, and on the right is a small piece of land between the big pennisula and the small pennensila that has bremerton

down the river... Less going on but just as pretty.

2009-02-17T08:21:01Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
down the river... Less going on but just as pretty.

on the way between Hoodsport and Quilcene, there was a very nice little campground, "Falls View". As I was driving past I wondered to myself, could they have a view of some falls?

2009-02-17T08:21:01Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
on the way between Hoodsport and Quilcene, there was a very nice little campground, "Falls View". As I was driving past I wondered to myself, could they have a view of some falls?

the great looking forest around the falls view campsite

2009-02-17T08:21:54Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
the great looking forest around the falls view campsite

as it turns out, there was a view of some falls! Can you make it out? I had to walk out on a little trail to get to this point, but it was worth it. Only .6 miles, but with the state of m ...

2009-02-17T08:17:45Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
as it turns out, there was a view of some falls! Can you make it out? I had to walk out on a little trail to get to this point, but it was worth it. Only .6 miles, but with the state of m ...

The sun was coming in through the trees beautifully. I tried this picture with several exposure settings, this was the best

2009-02-17T08:17:56Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
The sun was coming in through the trees beautifully. I tried this picture with several exposure settings, this was the best

After a while, I got up to Quilcene and decided to go down that little bit of land between the olympic and brimerton pennisulas. It was a lot of fun, if you decided cops weren't around and ...

2009-02-17T08:18:59Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
After a while, I got up to Quilcene and decided to go down that little bit of land between the olympic and brimerton pennisulas. It was a lot of fun, if you decided cops weren't around and ...

The best part of the road, though, happened here (and in the previous and 2 following pictures). The road, at long last, straightened out and the trees dropped away.

2009-02-17T08:15:17Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
The best part of the road, though, happened here (and in the previous and 2 following pictures). The road, at long last, straightened out and the trees dropped away.

and I was left with an great view of the Olympic mountain range! It was extremely good looking. I just wish there had been some place to eat or something so I could've sat and enjoyed it : ...

2009-02-17T08:21:01Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
and I was left with an great view of the Olympic mountain range! It was extremely good looking. I just wish there had been some place to eat or something so I could've sat and enjoyed it : ...

ahh... This is the most dangerous picture I took all weekend. I really wanted to get a shot fo the bmw with one of the most georgous views I'd seen all weekend in the background... But ther ...

2009-02-17T08:20:38Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
ahh... This is the most dangerous picture I took all weekend. I really wanted to get a shot fo the bmw with one of the most georgous views I'd seen all weekend in the background... But ther ...

after that, I decided to call it quits early and I caught the 3:00 ferry (which I arrived 2 hrs early for). There were a lot of people out on the water

2009-08-04T11:43:21Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
after that, I decided to call it quits early and I caught the 3:00 ferry (which I arrived 2 hrs early for). There were a lot of people out on the water

There was also, in bremerton, a festival, a blackberry festival. Unfortunately, this for some reason meant that all the places to eat were shutdown (presumably to be at the festival?) so I ...

2009-08-04T09:41:35Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
There was also, in bremerton, a festival, a blackberry festival. Unfortunately, this for some reason meant that all the places to eat were shutdown (presumably to be at the festival?) so I ...

In bremerton there is also a naval base, so a lot of cool looking warships were around

2009-08-04T10:02:11Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
In bremerton there is also a naval base, so a lot of cool looking warships were around

there were also 3 or 4 aircraft carriers that I road right by. You can see at least one of them if you look closely here

2009-02-17T08:20:02Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
there were also 3 or 4 aircraft carriers that I road right by. You can see at least one of them if you look closely here

Also attending the festival were a whole bunch of jellyfish. A huge number of them. (enlarge the picture if you can't see them). Which was quite cool since I'm not sure I've seen them in ...

2009-08-04T10:33:41Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
Also attending the festival were a whole bunch of jellyfish. A huge number of them. (enlarge the picture if you can't see them). Which was quite cool since I'm not sure I've seen them in ...

there were quite a number of bikers on the ferry. Which makes since, since motorcycles are very cheap (the price of walking on) and also first on, first off, which is just fun when you get ...

2009-08-04T11:22:40Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
there were quite a number of bikers on the ferry. Which makes since, since motorcycles are very cheap (the price of walking on) and also first on, first off, which is just fun when you get ...

a nice looking little sail boat

2009-08-04T09:09:12Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
a nice looking little sail boat

this is a picture of west seattle, though not a picture of Alkali beach, which is the built up part

2009-08-04T10:34:01Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
this is a picture of west seattle, though not a picture of Alkali beach, which is the built up part

I tried to catch a couple of shots of brids, but I don't think I'm very good at that yet. This is the best of 10 or so attempts

2009-02-17T08:18:44Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
I tried to catch a couple of shots of brids, but I don't think I'm very good at that yet. This is the best of 10 or so attempts

there was also a very cool little water plane that took off near the ferry. This is considerably blown up from the original picture

2009-08-04T11:07:43Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
there was also a very cool little water plane that took off near the ferry. This is considerably blown up from the original picture

it took me 20-25 shots to get this pciture of downtown. This is cropped down to emphasize the panoramic nature of the shot, and also the aperature size is down almost a full stop, since it ...

2009-02-17T08:19:36Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
it took me 20-25 shots to get this pciture of downtown. This is cropped down to emphasize the panoramic nature of the shot, and also the aperature size is down almost a full stop, since it ...

another ferry went past us on the way into seattle

2009-08-04T08:54:35Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
another ferry went past us on the way into seattle

a more close up view of downtown, taken just before I went down to get on the bike

2009-02-17T08:20:49Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
a more close up view of downtown, taken just before I went down to get on the bike

and of course, the obligatory picture of the space needle. This concludes the pictures of the great labor day ride!

2009-02-17T08:19:23Z

Benjamin Bernard (benjaminbernard)
and of course, the obligatory picture of the space needle. This concludes the pictures of the great labor day ride!