| Author | Message | ||
     Funjimmy |
This year Border Raid 2009 promises to be the best Border Raid ever. We have been looking to break the trend of hubing in Penticton and riding the same ole roads as every other year, so in May, Galen came up to Canada on a roads recon mission and we have drafted an alternate route to get you guys and gals into some NEW uncharted territory. To do so we will need to meet in Vernon on the Friday night. Motel info and phone numbers will be posted soon, so keep and eye on this space. We will be travelling with gear (so pack lightly)into the Kootenays for a stay in Creston BC, before raiding the border a second time as we drop into northern Washington. From there the route will take us on more new roads (Ron to help here) west to Hwy 20 and past the Diablo Dam. We will need head counts soon, so check your schedule and post here. See you soon Jim | ||
| Chameleon |
Sounds great, looking forward to it! | ||
| S1blackie |
Great plan! Count me in! | ||
| Johnboy |
Count me in too! | ||
| Sportyeric |
Just farting around with further routing. We can't do that beauty south of Lewiston and still be within range of home the next day. I see 95 south from Creston, past Couer D'Alene to Moscow, then north west through Pullman,Colfax, Ewan, Lamont, to about Odessa. That's 318 miles. That would be Sunday. Home ward bound for the Canucks would be up to Grand Coulee, then across Hwy 20. That's 365 miles. Maybe split that difference and stay in Grand Coulee? Hwy 2, through Leavenworth, would get the Americans home in a scenic fashion. Its 209 miles from Grand Coulee to Highlands (north of Seattle. I'm going to call motels in Vernon and Creston tonight. | ||
| Sportyeric |
I kinda like this one: http://www.vernon.com/blue-stream-motel Its the first that I called. They have 2 rooms with four beds each (a king, a queen, and two singles) for $150. And other rooms with two queens for $80. Waddaya think? Alternately, there's this: http://www.vernonbcmotel.com/Rooms.page Rooms at $85, two beds per room. Neither have a hot-tub The Super 8, which is usually cheap, I thought, wants $181 Getting tired of talking to myself. But anyway, looking closer at the U.S. map and I remember the giggles Jim and I had on Hwy97 on the east side of Coeur D'Alene Lake, so through Harrison to St.Maries, west on Hwy 5, south on I95, west on Hwy 60 to Oakesdale, Rosalia, Malden, St John, then north west. (Message edited by Sportyeric on August 01, 2009) | ||
| Sportyeric |
Or do we go west on Hwy 3, in Canada, and cross below Salmo to pass by Metaline Falls, Tiger, and Park Rapids. Those places have cool names! Then follow the river (Columbia?) that is the reservoir for the Grand Coullee Dam from Kettle Falls to the dam. 252 miles. Sleep in Grand Coulee. I like that plan. (Message edited by Sportyeric on August 01, 2009) | ||
| Additude |
Hi Eric, The Blue Stream may be a bit too tame for us. But perhaps the 2nd link you posted for the Green Valley Motel would be better as they cater to groups and may give special pricing. As for the route, whatever we decide on has to get us back home at a decent time on Monday cuz we need time to pick up the kid, for "back to school" the next day. | ||
| Bib |
I'm in | ||
| Sportyeric |
OK Moving right along. Lorraine, I think that if we stay at Grand Coulee,, its about the same distance to home as Penticton via Hwy3, so I hope that'll be OK. I've found a motorcyclists map of Washington from the Seattle IMS that has some route suggestions that pretty much line up with the route I'd already posted. Creston is done. They are saving 3 singles (with a queen) and 8 doubles until Aug 21. Rates are $75 for the double and $70 for the single (with double occupancy). If we actually fill all of them, they'll knock off $5. We're here: http://www.downtownercreston.com/ Phone 250-428-2238. Tell them Border-Raid. I spoke to Marg there. I'm already booked. And for the Grand Coulee, I'm thinking I wouldn't mind going a bit up-scale to get a hot tub or pool. There is this:http://www.trailwestmotel.com/ Quoted 1 queen for $65, 2 queens for 90, 3 queens for $100. Heated outdoor pool but no hot tub. Or this: http://www.centerlodge.com/ No pool or hot-tub, They have 2 room units with a queen in each for $84. Also one room units with 2 queens for $94. And single queens for $69. A discount for a group booking would be applied when we firm up the numbers. I like this one best. (Message edited by Sportyeric on August 06, 2009) | ||
| Sportyeric |
So a head count so far: Jaci and me Don and Lo Bob and Deb Dwayne and Lisa Paul (Chameleon) John Harve Jim Who else? Josh? Marc? Steve(s)? Dave? Shawn? Seems like there should be more. Should be Galen  (Message edited by Sportyeric on August 06, 2009) | ||
| Funjimmy |
Just got in from vacationing in the Maritimes to find all this great work that Eric & Lorraine have been doing. Thanks guys! I've booked the Creston night for Dave and myself, but havn't booked Vernon yet. Where are you and Jaci staying in Vernon? Cheers Jimmy | ||
| Sportyeric |
Jees. I missed that through two edits! We're at the Green Valley Motel in Vernon. http://www.vernonbcmotel.com/Home.page Its $85 for a room with two double beds or one queen. I've had them hold 8 and 3, respecively. There are more of each and perhaps I should add one more queen single. | ||
| Sparropie |
OK, it looks like I'll be able to hook up with the group as you come into the states. Should have the bike by then. But I won't have my updated ID to sneak past customs to Canadalia and back. So let me know the date and time of the Southern Crossing. Then keep yer eyes in yer rear view's  | ||
| Mechanic |
I'd like to join you again if I may be so bold. I think I'll stick with the Honda sofa tho' so I don't get tempted into trying to stay with the hot shoes  | ||
| Funjimmy |
Mechanic I hoped you would join in for some more hooliganisms. There's another bloke from my work that will likely join on his BMW if you're looking for a roomie. How was the Olympic Pen? Cheers FJ | ||
| Sportyeric |
Excellent, Paul. Having seen your fine steed, there, I have decided that I also need one of those. Although the budget calls for an 1100. The Buell does not have a GVW capacity for what we ask of it, what with two up and luggage and all. | ||
| S1blackie |
Eric, head count has changed I will be heading up north 1 up. and would like to share a room with some one ! ? | ||
| Bib |
I'm not sure if Marc is going to make it. Either way I'll probably be staying solo again because I've developed a snore like a chainsaw.  There are a few choices of accommodations. Where is everyone staying? What time are we leaving on Friday AM and who is riding? Meeting in Langley at Starbucks again? Harv | ||
| Bib |
Is this the way we are going home on Monday, cause I've always wanted to take this route: http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Gr and+Coulee,+WA,+USA&daddr=WA-173+to:48.250283,-120 .080566+to:18556+64B+Ave,+Surrey,+Greater+Vancouve r+Regional+District,+British+Columbia&geocode=FYCH 2wIdHSTo-A%3BFXS13QIdQErc-A%3B%3BFa6G7QIdcZyv-A&hl =en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=8&via=1,2&sll=48.3051 21,-120.723267&sspn=2.133882,5.795288&ie=UTF8&z=8& layer=c&pw=2  Harv | ||
| Mginbend |
Duane, I'm planning on going and haven't made any reservations yet. We could share rooms - let me know what you want to do (all 3 nights? etc.) send me an email: mginbend@yahoo.com - MG | ||
| Sportyeric |
That is the route home, Harve. Basically Hwy 20, the south leg of the Cascade Loop. As far as I know, we're all staying at the same hotels. That would be the Green Valley Motel in Vernon and the Downtowner in Creston. Nobody has commented on Grand Coulee, so I'll call the Centre Lodge tonight and get us some rooms held there. | ||
| Funjimmy |
Harv That route from Grand Coulee is AWESOME! Lets do it. FJ | ||
| Bib |
Whoohooo!  | ||
| Mginbend |
Hey all, Duane and I are booked in the BC motels Fri, Sat night. I called Center Lodge in WA but they didn't know about us - is that where we are going to stay or are there other options being looked at? Thx!   Border Raid - Here We Come! MG in Bend | ||
| Sportyeric |
Ok. Sorry Michael, I hadn't gotten to it yet. I have just finished talking to Tia, at the Center Lodge Motel, Grand Coulee 509 • 633 • 2860. She is holding rooms for us. They have, again, rooms with one queen, rooms with two queens in one room, rooms with two queens in separate rooms, and rooms with two queens in separate rooms with a kitchenette. Ante up! | ||
| Johnboy |
I'm booked! Should be a great ride! | ||
| Captlusk |
Seems I may be barred from entering Canada. An old story that wasn't a problem in the past, but caught some young border guard's attention and now is apparently an issue. Anyway.. I'm thinking I may meet the group when they drop down into Washington. Would somebody be kind enough to advise this easily confused old guy where and specifically on what date I might be able to hook up with y'all on the U.S. side. Thanks for the help. | ||
| Funjimmy |
Paul Just assume a different identity. They do it on TV all the time. Failing that and reading through the Border raid forum, one can conclude Friday night in Vernon, Saturday night in Creston and Sunday night in Grand Coulee. Exact time of the crossing into the US on Saturday morning is a bit of a moving target. Are you bringing Chuck and Theresa? FJ | ||
| Sportyeric |
We will be spending most of Saturday (and Sunday) on the southern side of the border. Look at my post of July 31 at 10:12pm. Figure a 9:30 start time, so a little Mapquest work, and voila! there we'll be at the border! |
