I got up early, nervous and excited. Over 400 miles lie ahead of me. My motorcycle sits in the garage, patiently waiting. I loaded my bags on it the night before. The Pacific Northwest couldn’t even give me one last sunny day before i leave. It rained over night and left everything wet, really taking away from the beginning I would have liked. It was emotional saying goodbye to my mother. Its a long trip and I’ll be far away if I make it to my final destination.My bike is packed and ready to go.

We say our final goodbyes and I leave after warming the engine. These streets are familiar. I remember these roads. But now they seem so far away. My mind is miles ahead. Its Saturday morning and no one is on the roads. Its quiet. The sun peeks through the clouds shining off the wet road into my eyes, momentarily blinding me. I navigate through Portland one last time, eager to get to unfamiliar ground. I stop for gas before entering the Columbia Gorge. People looking at me strange because my bike is loaded up for a long journey, probably thinking ‘Who takes a road trip on a motorcycle in October?’. I pay no attention to these people. I get back on I-84 headed through the scenic Gorge, passing Multnomah Falls one last time. No one is on the road. Its quiet all except the podcasts I have playing in my ear. The sun has decided to stay out for good now. I seem to have beat the rain to the Gorge.

My bike rumbles down the road next to the water. I stop in Pendleton, OR for gas and a bite to eat. Everything from here to Boise is new. I haven’t gone down this stretch of road before. I get excited. Its noon now and I still have a ways to go. One of my more longer days on the trip mile wise. The sun is out in full strength now but, I start climbing the Blue Mountains and the temperature starts to fall. My bike is struggling with the hills and the wind while its weighted down with all my gear. Its absolutely beautiful here but I’m too focused on the road right now. The wind is slowing me down. My motorcycle doesn’t have a fairing on the front so its ill equipped for situations like now. I stop every so often to take a break and regain my composure. My insides are still shaking. I smile like an idiot inside my helmet. “Im fucking doing it” I exclaim in my helmet many times not only today but over the next ten days. The miles slowly go by. I reach Baker City. I’ve been here before but via a different route. Its 2pm now and the pressure starts to set in. I have to get to Boise soon. But there are stops I wanna make. The rough side of traveling rears its ugly head.

I quickly refuel and sprint back onto the road. There is one place I’ve been wanting to see so badly. I found it while surfing Google Maps when planning my route. I couldn’t find anything saying it was still standing. It could be demolished for all I know. The road starts to wind down between the hills, and with every corner i expect to see it standing there. I round the side of the hill and there is stands. I’ve made. Its an abandoned cement plant and I have a need to explore it. I pull off the road and and stare in awe at these structures. Silos towering over the road. Buildings with walls crumbled away. I walk up to the edge, looking for no trespassing signs. Its well off the beaten path but many trucks are going by from the new cement plant down the road. I see no warning signs or stay out signs but I cautiously wander through the buildings. Its amazing. Many of the walls have been tagged with graffiti. I wouldn’t call it vandalism. At this point its art. The county left this place to ruin. Its a shame. A glimpse into another time. A time that exists no more.

I’ve spent enough time here. Now i need to get going. Times ticking away but the miles aren’t. I start the engine and leave the crumbling ruins behind me. The landscape flattens out and I finally reach the border. Not too far from here. Only an hour left. Boise comes into view. The highway stretches out wide. Cars are everywhere. The solitude of the road is gone for now.

I reach my grandmothers house as the sun sets. My first day behind me. I have a great dinner. I feel good. My body is slightly stiff but my mind is euphoric. I just started something huge. My mind wrestled trying to comprehend the magnitude of this journey. I quickly fell asleep with no progress on that matter. And my mind and body rested for more travel.