My first ride to Eastern Washington! Also my first time up to Snoqualmie Pass via the road, as I'd previously only gone through the Palouse to Cascades Trail tunnel.
Previous times in the area::
I'd originally planned this ride so my partner could join me, but since she ended up having to do something for work, I extended it from Snoqualmie Pass to Cle Elum.
More after the break…
Outbound
As usual, I started at around 7 AM then headed out on I-5 and I-90. It was a pretty uneventful for much of the way, but I started taking curves more at speed as I got through the windy sections of I-90 in the mountains.
After about an hour, I arrived at Snoqualmie Pass, then explored the area while taking photos. It was at this point when I realized that I'd forgotten my walking GPS, so I had to use my car GPS to track my location. It didn't work, though, until I configured it to never turn the screen off, so I ended up having to manually tag a number of photos later.
Despite all of the snow, the resort at the western edge of the summit was closed.
It's cold up here! #motorcycle #snoqualmiepass @ Snoqualmie Pass, Washington https://t.co/ChQTDiNDBc
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
Though, some folks were heading out to ski.
Since I really needed to find a restroom, I headed to the open cafe on the other side of the road. After taking care of business, I ordered and consumed a hot chocolate and a slice of cake from the cafe.
I'm at Laconia Market in North Bend, WA https://t.co/O9SPZ3jKbS
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
And then I went to the nearby gas station to fill up my bike.
There sure are a lot of cabins at the pass!
I then headed to the resort at the central summit, which appeared to be open.
There was a guy who was astonishingly cheerful handling the crossing guard duties.
I then headed down the other side of I-90 to Cle Elum. Traffic was a bit heavier on this section, but still quite quick.
My first stop in Cle Elum was the old Milwaukee Road Depot, which I'd previously only seen 
in the dark and by bicycle. I don't recall if it was being used for anything at the time, but it now housed Smokey's Bar-B-Que.
I really enjoyed the sunny, warm weather after the seemingly endless rain in Seattle this Spring. Even the pine trees filled me with enthusiasm!
As expected, the weather is a lot nicer over here! #motorcycle #cleelum @ Smokey's Barbque Cle Elum https://t.co/DQGumATlxd
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
I then headed over to the nearby trailhead for more photos, taking special care to remember my Discover Pass.
Does anybody know what these cabooses are for?
I'm at Iron Horse State Park (South Cle Elum trailhead) - @wastatepks in Cle Elum, WA https://t.co/fUEWx7RgHV
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
Not sure. I was on the motorcycle.
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
My next stop was a fairly quick one to take photos of downtown Cle Elum.
Followed by a food stop at the local Safeway, which brought back memories of last time. Right when I parked, an older lady driving a shiny new Subaru BRZ parked across from me, and when she left shortly before I did, she commented on how nice the weather was for time on the road.
Haven't been to this Safeway in years! (at @Safeway in Cle Elum, WA) https://t.co/r5w0QDRd9W
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
Inbound
Like my ride out to Cle Elum, the return trip was fast with lots of heavy leaning into curves at speed, and what a blast it was! Though, I did slow down to rest in the right lane for a while at one point.
I did have to make one stop in North Bend for gas, as I was keeping the RPMs pretty high out on the freeway.
Putting that inline-four to good use! #motorcycle (@ 76 Station in North Bend, WA) https://t.co/qKbj1EpJ44
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
Then I went straight home. Traffic on I-90 was more or less fine, but I-5 in downtown was its usual terrible. Once off the freeway, it was stop and go most of the way back to Ballard.
And with all that, I completed my mission: I was at 627 miles, 27 past my target for the first service later the following week!
Finally got past the 600 mile marker! #motorcycle
— 竹下憲二 (@takeshita_kenji) May 1, 2022
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