While I Wait on the Honda........

Don't get me wrong, I still love my little Honda CB350f, but since I'm without two wheels at the moment, can I help but lust after another?


This is on my "to die for" list.....and some day it will be mine!

The Bonneville T100 Forest Green/White.

How sweet it is!

Beast Before Beauty!

Here's the CB350f as a work in progress. He looks a little sad. But not for long!

As you can see, the seat in this photo is not yet attached. Bob Fields is using the hinge hardware from the stock seat on this seat so that the battery can be serviced easier. New side covers were purchased through ebay. I didn't need the badges for the new side covers and I was lucky enough to find them with the bodywork already complete! Next part of the project will be the body work on the tank, new paint and striping, flat handle bars and switching out all the indicator lights and reflectors. Can't wait to see it myself!

Seat and tail light purchased from:
Carpy aka Steven Carpenter
If you've never seen his web site, you should check it out!

CB 350 to Hot Little Cafe Racer!

This little 73 Honda CB 350f is about to undergo a big transformation. His profile will soon take shape into something a little more racy!

My mechanic, Bob Fields, is a British cafe racer and builder from "back in the day." I'm honored and privileged to have Bob making the transformation happen.

Stay tuned for more!

Trip to Winthrop via Hwy 20

If you've never taken a road trip on two wheels, I highly recommend it!

I'll admit, most of the mileage I put on my scooter or motorcycle is done within Seattle city limits, so it's a real treat to get beyond all those traffic lights, congestion and exhaust fumes.

Read on! And hopefully get inspired!

Lunch in Darrington

This is the Hometown Bakery in Darrington. Darrington is located along Hwy 530 just about 20 miles before hitting Hwy 20. Whenever I see a sign that includes the word, "bakery," my mouth always starts watering. Russ knew that the plan was to stop in Darrington for lunch, but he was a little surprised when I turned my scooter off the main road and headed down the side street where this cafe was located.

The owner, Cathran Lyons, bought this place about three years ago. She makes yummy soups, sandwiches and other baked goods. She also works for the local Food Bank and donates her left-overs from the Bakery along with preparing care packages & calendars for local service men and women overseas! We talked a while about the economy. Seems Darrington has been hit pretty hard. A friend of hers that works for the Court System said she delivers 6-10 foreclosure notices per week to Darrington alone due to loss of jobs in the area. Poplulation has stayed at about 1,200 people for nearly 50 years!

We stopped again for lunch on our way back home. Great comfort food & healthy too! I sure hope she's there when we go back again.

Diablo Lake

Just before reaching the pass on the North Cascade Hwy, our first stop was Diablo Lake. Beautiful!

Some of our state's best views, as seen here in the Skagit River Gorge area, can be found all along Hwy 20. Diablo Lake recreation also offers a dinner cruise for those that want to stick around the area a little longer. For us though, we stayed just long enough to take a few photos and then it was time to hit the road again!

BV Conquers the Summit!

Well, whoever said a scooter wouldn't make it over the North Cascades Hwy never met a Piaggio 250! It's true, I was a little apprehensive of her performance at first, but I was quickly assured of her ability shortly after we left Lake Diablo. I was able to keep her speed up, even on the steep inclines over Washington Pass, to at least 60-65 mph!

We left Seattle on Friday, June 26th around 11:00am and arrived in Winthrop, our destination, at about 4:00pm. We made one stop for lunch in Darrington at the Hometown Bakery. Delicious soups and sandwiches!

We totalled up our gas expenses for the trip to be about $50.00 for both the scooter and my husband Russ's motorcycle. This includes extra miles enjoying the local scenery in the Methow Valley. Total distance came to just over 540 miles.