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After spending the last two nights in Port Angeles, WA, I was ready to strike out and find new territory!  (Yeah, I get bored quick).  Actually, I was ready to see what the east side of US-101 had to offer as I was en route to my next series of National Park Passport Stamps at Mount Rainier. As I was heading southbound on US-101, I stopped at a National Forest Ranger Station so I could get an update on the fire in Tahoe.  Thankfully, I was told it is 100% contained.  I only brought one cotton t-shirt for this ride, ironically look at the shirt: While I was at the Ranger Station another motorcycle pulled in, piloted by a female no less.  I met “Ellen”, who has only been riding for 3 years, and rode to Alaska last year with her husband on her own bike. Actually, the bike seen with her here: Ellen's son “Mike” is a Border Patrol Agent in Arizona in an area I occasionally ride when at my winter home in AZ.  She said he was a rider and always up for an adventure (being a BP Agent would seem to satisfy that need!) so I gave her my contact info and hope to meet up with Mike this winter.  If anything else I'd like to shake his hand and thank him for doing a thankless job that 99% of Americans are oblivious to the war-like conditions in which these civil servants work.  Click this recent Journey Report for more info: HERE After meeting Ellen I stopped to refuel.  A man at the pump remarked about the “Alaska Bound” sign but could not see the Tennessee license plate.  During the course of his shotgun questioning he stopped, and said “Let me see if I understand this, you're from Tennessee, you're heading to Alaska, but you're heading south on US-101?”  Poor man, he must only know point-to-point travelers.  I explained to him the “AGirl route”, as my friends call it, does not include a straight or direct path and does include a LOT of detours.  I told him some of my fondest memories were unplanned events that were while on the road less traveled. Mount Rainier is said to be clearly visible “about 40% of the time” according to information I had obtained on the park's website so I didn't have my hopes up that I would actually see all of it.  Since Rainier is home to several National Park Passport stamps, of which I am an addict, as well as incredible motorcycle roads, of which I am addict, I thought getting a glimpse would just be an added bonus to a grand adventure.  Rainier has several locations of the Passport stamps and I planned to hit all of them.  The only kink in my expedition plan was that part of the loop around Rainier was closed due to road washout from flooding (Hwy 123).  This would mean I'd need to back track a short distance and then run the entire circle.  Think of it like a clock.... stamps are located at 12, 4, and 6 o'clock and the road washout is at 5 o'clock.  I entered from US-101 at 9 o'clock.  Sounds like a riddle but it really was one incredible ride that's for sure!  While on my way to Longmire for the first stamp I caught my first glimpse of Mt. Rainier through the trees.  It took a light hike and climb for the photo but I got it: Northern view much clearer: East view: Ranger station: A view of Mt. Adams (I think) in the distance: Going down: AGirl   If you wish to receive direct emails from me whenever a new Journey Report has been posted than simply click: This Link

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