Day Two - Brookings To Newport

Not used to seeing the Oragon Coast due to fog or rain - I was not disapointed.  For the most part - the entire Oragon Coast was socked in with fog.  We were able to glimps a few slight views of what must be a beautiful part of the world.

There are times during riding that I just get this happy feeling like there is noting else in the world that I would rather be doing.

We did make it to Hokuiem Oragon and camped out along a river.  I'm not sure about sleeping on the ground and in a tent.  It used to be fine but getting up 3 or 4 times a night to go to the bathroom has become tidious.  

Day One - Fort Bragg To Brookings

It's been some time since I've been north of Fort Bragg and what a treat,  The beauty along the Pacific Coast through Cleone, Ten Mile, Westport to where the road cuts in to Rockport at the begining of the Lost Coast was riding a fairy tail dream.  The color of the sky at that inbetween stage between fog and sun with the ocean adding the acentuation in the early morning was unbievable.  I want to make that ride again and again - only the next time, I will pull over and just spend time trying to take in what an incredible area of California this is.

We turned toward Rockport and climed through twist and turns until we reached highway 101.  We then took the Avenue of The Giants and stopped to admire the Redwoods.  

One of the unfortunate changes in the ride was the smoke from forest fires.  When we finaly reach Brookings we were told to be prepaird for evacuation.  

Brookings with smoke obscured sky.

Tomorrow - we will try to get through the eclipse traffic on our way to Washington.

On The Road Again

August 19,2017

It's been almost 3 years since I've added anything to this post but a lot has happened in those 3 years.  I made a recovery from a very serious infection (Cellulitis) that waylaid me on my last trip to Canada.  

On my return I stopped in Spokane to spend a day viewing the sites and ended up in a hospital for 3 days. What started out as just a small red blotch on my left chin turned into a major infection.  I have no idea how I contracted this but it took a total of 2 months at home to recover. 

So now - here I am hoping I can make it through this trip with out any mishaps. A high school classmate contacted me and said he was riding his bike (motorcycle) to Prince Rupert Canada and asked if I wanted to join him.  He said he was going to our high school reunion in Fort Bragg (California) and leaving after that.  I checked the weather in Prince Rupert and it looked like nothing but rain and at 74 years old and spending most of my Canadian trips in rain, I said, "count me in."

One of the first challenges facing us will be trying to get through Oregon during the Solar Eclipse.  Our plan is to ride up the Oregon coast but it turns out we will be passing through prime eclipse viewing area. We will attempt to get through the hordes of eclipse viewers and make it to Port Angeles in Washington in time to make a ferry reservation to Victoria Island.  We will ride to the northern most tip of Victoria to catch another ferry to Prince Rupert, spend one night, and then start our trip back through British Columbia.  So - my adventure begins.

What Happened To Gary?

All of a sudden, all posts stopped.  What happened?

My plan was to leave Coeur d' Alene Idaho and head to Spokane.  I had never been to Spokane and it's the second largest city in Washington, I thought it was worth at least one day of my time.

Spokane was just a short ride from Coeur d' Alene and I arrived within about 35 minutes.  I had booked a room at the Hotel Ruby but I arrived before noon and the room was not ready.  I decided to take the opportunity to explore some of the sites on foot.  The Spokane River runs right through the center of town and the River Front Park has several bridges crossing the river.  There are at least 3 water falls and the whole area is really very nice and a great way to spend a day.

                                                            

                                                                             Hotel Ruby

                                              River Front Park

One of several falls running through the center of Spokane

Spokane River

  

After about 3 hours, I headed back to the hotel and checked into my room.  I noticed a small red spot on my left leg that was really starting to hurt.  Within an hour - it was worse.  I didn't think too much of it but decided to go to an urgent care center to get it checked out.  I didn't know when I might be in a town with good medical facilities further down the road.  I was told that I had a skin infection and was given antibiotics and told to stay off my feet and to call if things got worse.  

The next day, I could hardly walk and called a cab for a ride to an emergency room.  I was then admitted to the hospital and put on intravenous antibiotics for 4 days with a skin infection that I understand, if not treated, can end up being very serious.   

I was released from the hospital on Saturday, July 13th and flew home with my wife the next day.  I was told to see my personal physician as soon as I got home.  I've been at home for a week and have still not fully recovered and have been on oral antibiotics since leaving the hospital.  I am better but not completely healed.

Unfortunately I've had to have my bike shipped back.  It was disappointing to not be able to continue my ride but I am thankful for being smart enough to get my leg checked-out and very fortunate to have had great care from all of the staff at the Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane.

When I feel fully recovered I will update this blog with some of my observations made during and after the trip.

Thank you all for following and for you concerns.

Tuesday In The US - September 9, 2014

US and Idaho

I entered back into the US on Monday in Idaho.  Shortly after entering - there were 3 large crosses next to the road and many signs indicating that I was in Minonite territory.  One of the first towns I came to was Bonners Ferry.  There were a lot of ladies with traditional Minonite dresses and head bonnets.  On to Couer D Alene.  I stayed in a local motel.  There were a lot of guys in camaflouge gear.  Maybe it was my imagination.

Bonners Ferry - population 2,500

Today I'm moving on to Spokane.  It's a short ride but I may spend the nigh and take in the second largest city in Washington State.  I give you a report on all of the new "weed" shops....

I've discovered something about my riding.  I like a destination.  I don't just like riding aimlessly.  When I road to Newfoundland I was heading to the fist Viking site in North America.  But a more important destination along the way was to stop and see Amanda in Toronto where she was living at the time.  There are currently a couple of things I want to see on this trip.  I want to travel along the Columbia river and to cross over into Oregon at The Dalles.  When I get back into California my plan is to spend some time at Lassen National Park.

Well - I'm off for the day.

Saturday - Sunday 6th and 7th - 2014

Saturday - Sunday 6th and 7th 2014

What a ride on Saturday from the  lodge at Saskatchewan River Crossing to Jasper at the North end of the park.  The ride was equally spectacular on Saturday as it was on Friday.

                             

                     This is what we woke up to at the lodge

                                

                                                            view we had on the ride north from the lodge

                                        

                                                              Glaciers pushing their way through the mountain

                         

Hike up to the glacier

                              

Close up

                                                   
                                                                           Jasper for lunch

Bill and I stayed in Blue River last night and then we road back to Kelowna. I dropped Bill off and headed south toward the Washington boarder.  Tomorrow I'll ride along the boarder on the Canadian side for a while and then - I think I will head south on 395 to Spokane or - maybe I'll head to Idaho to pick up a potato or two......

Jasper National Park - Alberta

Jasper National Park Alberta - September 5, 2014

When we were checking out of the motel this morning, we met a fellow rider on a sport bike from Spokane.  He said that riding the Canadian Rockies was his favorite ride and that he had been coming to this specific area for almost 50 years - each year.

The weather today from the time we left Nakusp until the very end of the day was great.  We left Nakusp and headed to Revelstoke.  We had to wait an hour for the ferry at the Columbia River crossing.  The Columbia river at the point we crossed is wide.  It took at least 30 minutes.  At Revelstoke we hit Canada highway 1 and stayed on highway 1 until we got to Lake Louise in Alberta.  We then entered the Jasper National Park on highway 93.

                                   

Riding on highway 93 through Jasper National Park in undoubtably the most spectacular road I have ever been on.  Words and pictures will not begin to tell the incredible beauty of this park.  The Canadian Rockies, at this point are at their most rugged.  Jetting jagged peaks with sections covered with glaciers.  Each turn in the road brought more spectacular views.  If you take one trip to Canada -  this is the road to take -  Highway 93 between Lake Louise and Jasper.  This drive is jaw dropping.  Make sure the weather is clear so you can get the full impact.  Coming around one of the turns - I looked off in the distance and it was surreal - It was almost like an animated film.  I just would not believe this road was real if I had not been riding it myself.

                                                       

                      

                                                       One of many glaciers

                                            

                

                                               Bill along side the road along highway 93 on our way to Jasper

Right now we are staying Saskatchewan River Crossing.  We are in the middle of the park at a park lodge.  I am so looking forward to the rest of this ride to Jasper.