Northwest Overland Rally

While attending the Overland Expo down in Arizona earlier this year I had heard about a smaller rally which is held in Plain, Washington.  Seeing as it was only about a three-hour drive, figured I'd go over for a few nights, camp and do some riding in the area.  It's basically a large gathering of "Overlanders" whether it be by adventure style motorcycles or four-wheel rigs.  Vendors, classes offered on off-road recoveries, photography, etc.. In short, an outdoor gathering of like-minded people who are into the motorized outdoor scene.  Was a fun rally with lots of cool rigs, some great riding in the area, interesting classes, but, and this is a big but......it was friggin hot!  Record temperatures were being set in the area. Town of Wenatchee which is a short distance to the east recorded triple digits temps. This makes for some hot camping and even hotter motorcycling dressed in riding gear.

Lots of different types of rigs can be seen.  It's a smorgasborg of trucks, tents and campers.

Friday night they had a motorcycle skills course set up for riders wishing to give it a go.  The competition was run by Quinn Cody, a former DAKAR rider.  Some of the guy/girls could really handle those bigger rigs on some terrain most wouldn't try.

Most of the time when you get a group of motorcyclist pushing themselves you may also get some of this as well.

 Was able to get out on some solo rides in the surrounding area.  If nothing else to gain a little altitude and get some air flowing just to beat the heat.  Touratech was leading rides of with varying degrees of difficulty throughout the day.  Not being one for group rides I didn't participate but did use some of their tracks provided.  

Doug, all the way from Australia, was camped next to me.  Really nice guy who had purchased this Sportsmobile here in the states, sight unseen, over E-Bay.  Came over and had it completely gone through and customized to his liking.  Was a sweet set up and he'd added all the bells and whistles an Overlander would want.  He was in the states for a couple of months doing a solo roam about before having the rig shipped over to Ireland where he planned on catching up with it a later date.  He was into Sportsmobile's and had many campers stop by to view it. 

Left the rally early and headed up in the Wenatchee National Forest to check out some future campsites, unload the bike and do some riding as well. 

Got out of the area just in time.  The following day they had some wildfires kick up due to the heat and dry conditions that have been with us all summer.  Over two dozen homes were lost in the fires.

(Wenatchee fire photo taken off  the internet)

Rolled back into Tacoma late the following day and was treated to a full moon.