October 30 - Fun in the sun with 24 bikes on the Bay!
What an incredible day! I can’t think of anything better than a great ride in the sun to the coast with 24 bikes! Woohoo! Norm Reddekopp and the Salem Riders Group did an amazing job leading us from Salem to Depot Bay for lunch at Gracie’s Sea Hag. It was great to hang out with this awesome group of bikers, share a good meal, and trade stories. I ended the day with one of my best shots ever of Mount Hood as well as a costume party where I got to tat up – at least for the night.
I have only had the pleasure of riding with the Salem Rider’s Group a couple times before but both times were delightful. Norm Reddekopp is an all-around great guy that makes others feel welcome, leads a great ride, keeps everyone safe, and promotes worthwhile causes. I had asked him earlier this week if he would be planning a ride for the weekend and was delighted when he suggested the “Run to the Hag.”
We left Salem on highway 22, stopping briefly to pick up a couple additional bikers in Rickreall. From there, we continued on to highway 18 west past vineyards, pastures, forests, and farmlands. The fall colors were bursting out left and right and canopies of made of red, yellow and orange covered us as we swooped up and down and around hills on our way to the coast.
Arriving in Depot Bay, home of the world’s smallest harbor, we stopped for some group photos on the Pacific Ocean before heading into Gracie’s for lunch. The fresh charbroiled wild-caught salmon was exceptionally moist, tender, and flavorful. I also stole a fish taco from another diner that was also outstanding.
As I crested the hill at the top of my road on my way home, the setting sun cast a pink glow on the snow-capped vista of Mount Hood in the distance, framed by the pink, orange and yellow leaves in the foreground. What a treat! Rushing home, I tatted up (temporaries!) for a Halloween party where I appeared as a biker chick, complete with dark make-up, skull jewlery, spiked hair, and tattoes all over my neck, back, lower back, chest, and arm. Life is so good!
