DAY 5 Packwood to Stevenson

The kill
see all photos »

A very scary start to the day. 8.05 the door burst open, Conrad and Andy dived into my room and slammed the door shut behind them.

Mad Paul from the night before was very keen to take us up the mountain to see the sights. So keen in fact that he'd sneaked into the hotel and was sitting in a rocking chair in an unocupied room .."I've been waiting for you" said mad Paul as Conrad emerged from his room to go for an early morning waz.

"Don't be intimidated by the firepower boys"

The Arsenal
see all photos »

So the question was - do we go and risk being taken up the moutain by a bloke we didn't know, owned an arsenal of guns and who could have conceivably driven us up to the top of the moutain and shot us.. so not wanting to hurt his feelings we went.

As we climbed into his van he came out with the line .."don't be intimidated by the fire-power boys" he had a rifle by his side and another 3 in the back of the van.

Off we set, bumpy track, sore heads from the night before ..however the scenery was stunning. Total silence that was deafening. We pulled into a few scenic spots and enjoyed the peace of the countryside ..up until we happened over a blue grouse. Mad Paul dived out of the truck and quickly loaded a rifle and took 2 shots at it. #$@% THIS yelled out new mate and he quickly loaded a large shotgun. One BOOM and a pile of feathers later and we had a dying grouse on our hands. MP rung its' neck and bagged it. Sooo off we trundled ..this time into a pit.

..and the celebration on the Columbia river
see all photos »

"Well boys time for some fun now..." the 3 of us looked at one another ..here we go I thought, I've led a rich and varied life so I can't really complain. As it turned out Paul was keen to show us his AK47 AND make us have a go. Paul went first andand empied 30 rounds into the mountain side. This caused a modest sized landslide. All 3 of us had a go - absolutely mad. Never heard a noise like it.

Anyway we survived ... headed back down the mountain and on to breakfast.

Continuing on the journey through Randle and due South to the Columbia gorge. FANTASTIC roads ..we had 50 + miles of twisties, just unbeliveable. The bikes truely are amazing, a joy and a pleasure to ride.

The AK47 in action
see all photos »

Ended up in Stevenson in a brewery ..had a few pints and a pizza and to bed for 10 (early!). One hell or a day all in all.