September 5 - Stonehenge with Friends, Both Old and New

What an awesome day! Tony Clawson invited Grant Myers and I to ride with him to the Stonehenge replica in Klickitat County. Although I have been to that area several times I had never been to the memorial, dedicated in 1918 to honor the 14 men from Klickitat County who lost their lives during World War I. The ride out there and back was gorgeous, and I so much enjoyed spending time with friends – both old and new.

After picking up Grant in Washougal, Tony, Grant, and I headed east on highway 14 along the northern side of the Columbia River Gorge. What an incredible day! Most of the thick smoky haze was gone, making the bright blue skies, shimmery water, and reddish-brown cliffs that much more spectacular. We stopped at the Cape Horn Lookout and then again in Lyle to admire the clear views of the Columbia River from several different vantage points.

At Stonehenge we walked inside and around the concrete replica of the ancient Neolithic structure in England and read the plaque erected there describing the memorial’s history. While taking pictures of the impressive structure we met up with some wonderful female bikers from nearby. Melanie Salisbury and the Hood River Litas were so much fun to talk with and take pictures with. I am hoping to go on a group ride with them soon.

On our way back, we stopped at the Ayutlense Family Mexican Restaurant, an eatery I had tried once before on a group ride to Klickitat. The Carne Asada was just as wonderful as I remembered it and I polished off my plate. Great friends, food, and riding. It doesn’t get any better.