Thunder and lightning from about 9:30pm until midnight then steady rain for a couple of hours. The good news is that it it was still nice and dry inside the tent. Since my next stop was home, I just went ahead and packed up my tent, ground cloth and bike cover wet and was on my way by 7:45. I stopped in Beaver Creek for breakfast since I still had a lot of Canadian change to spend. It turned out that I had plenty for breakfast and even a couple of huge peanut butter cookies for the road. It was still cold and damp when leaving Beaver Creek and this is typical of the scenery around the border. No issues crossing the border and I was the only one there i.e. no line.
I kept stopping to put on my liner since I felt cold and taking it off since I was hot. I think it was the humidity making it feel colder than it was.
The fireweed seems to be everywhere now and is one of those things that hint at he end of our summer. This is at the same turnoff as the previous picture.
By mid-morning it had cleared up and was starting to warm up. This is a rest stop between Tok and Delta Junction and I was impressed that it actually had a pay phone here in the middle of nowhere. The nearest settlement was probably 20 miles away. I didn't test the phone for functionality. I just stopped for a snack. I was originally planning on having lunch at Fast Eddys in Tok as they have a great salad bar. Fresh greens are something I haven't had since Oregon. Not much selection besides "road food" for the last couple of days.
Just one last photo showing the Alaska Highway. Nice and empty, a few curves. Nice cleared areas along the sides to make it easy to spot wildlife. Today, only one black bear near the White River bridge in the Yukon but seven moose, all in Alaska and all sitting ponds near the road.
I arrived in Fairbanks by 2:00 running on reserve. I guess Tok to Fairbanks is a bit too far at 220 miles. Total for this trip: 7048.53 miles (11,343.55 km)
Posted with Blogsy
Over 7000 miles, quite impressive Sir...and Martha just called me a slacker!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're home safe.
Dom
I'm glad to be home. And no real issues with the 30 year old Beemer. It sounded like it really likes running at 4k rpm...
DeleteI hate to say this, but the "Provinces Visited" is wrong.... you have been thru one Province (BC) and one territory (Yukon). Other than that, great blog. I am dreaming of a ride like this.
DeleteWelcome home. I'm leaving on Tuesday for South Dakota and then ??? I'm not sure where else.
ReplyDeleteIt was great to meet you.
Erik.
SD is sort of on the way to AK...
DeleteIt was great to meet you as well.
Yes, he's home. Tent is drying over the railing on back porch. It is a beautiful 77 degrees. Going out to dinner to hear all the adventures. I hope to meet some of you wonderful bloggers myself some day.
ReplyDeleteGlad you made home safe. Thanks for sharing. I'm a little behind, but I'll catch up.
ReplyDeleteI second Dom's, "...quite impressive Sir."
~k
I passed a 49cc scooter today riding to AK with a pile of luggage tied on the seat. He was passing all the bicycles...
DeleteHooray, you made it home. I bet Mrs. Machida, aka Anonymous was happy to see you.
ReplyDeleteCome to Corvallis with your hubby one time. We'd love to meet you too.
7,000 miles - such a long ways. But look at all the fun you had........
7000 miles sounds like a lot but it felt about right. Especially for my first trip.
DeleteRichard:
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great trip and back home safely. I am sure that Mrs Richard appreciates having you back.
Your bike was running flawlessly. I still can't believe that Vancouver to Fairbanks is farther than Vancouver to Key West Florida
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
No, I think Vancouver to Key West is 50% farther than Vancouver to Fairbanks. We're just around the corner...
DeleteGlad you got home in one piece, same goes for the Beemer.
ReplyDeleteDid the wife remember who you are?
Thank you. She remembered but I'm not sure if her dogs remembered who I was.
DeleteThank you for the great travelogue! Good to hear you are home now. I wonder how many people tinker with their 49ccs to make them faster...
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the tinkering but all of them that I saw on the Alaska Hwy were moving along just fine loaded up with gear.
DeleteThink of all the great stories and the tales from the big adventure you have, way to go. Thank you for sharing this great accomplishment and adding us to your journey.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home.
I'm not sure of the "big adventure" or "great accomplishment" part but no problem. Thank you for organizing and hauling some of my gear.
DeleteGlad you are home safe & sound! Enjoy your nice comfy bed & relax & unwind.
ReplyDeleteThank you, too bad you weren't able to make it. As far as the relax and unwind, isn't the the purpose for a vacation?
DeleteIm so glad that had you had a great trip and made it home safely. It's sad coming in after a long trip. But I am sure the family is excited to see you in one piece. And you to have your favorite chair back at home. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the excellent job of documenting and reporting along the way, I was trying to emulate, but was completely unsuccessful. ;)
The iPad with both wireless and Verizon made it much easier to post everyday. But I don't think I have a favorite chair...
DeleteI found that even getting to California was a bit sad as that meant that the trip was already half over.
Gawd Richard. I can't imagine how much thought and energy goes into your gear. Hats off.
ReplyDelete