After giving up the truck for the motorcycles after two days of driving in clear sunny weather, we departed Olympia, WA, this morning on our Kawasaki KLRs under cloudy skies and light rain--how do it know?
Today was not a particularly demanding travel day, only 214 miles through Seattle, WA, across the Canadian border to Vancouver, British Columbia (BC). Shortly after departing Olympia, WA, it stopped raining. We motored along under a high overcast, temperatures in the low sixties and unlimited visibility.
Approaching Seattle, WA, we ran smack into a morning traffic jam. A semi-truck was stalled right in the middle of downtown tying up the only two lanes of northbound Interstate 5 during rush hour. Bummer. Finally getting through Seattle, we headed for Sumas, WA, and the Canadian Border crossing. Arriving in Sumas we stopped at Bob's Burgers & Brew. We really need to start sharing lunches. Stuffed again.
Arriving at the border, we were asked the usual questions, any weapons, money over $10,000, when was the last time you visited Canada, where do you live? "I live in Santa Clarita." What city is that near?" "It's its own city, and has been since 1987." "I don't show it." "Really? Update your old computer."
I plotted our course to the hotel in Vancouver via a paper map and programmed my new Garmin GPSmap 62s as well. As the GPS seemed to be following my map plan, we elected to follow the GPS just to see how well it worked. Within about 10 miles of our destination, it directed us to divert from the Trans-Canada Highway 1 to surface streets. Thinking is must be a short cut we departed the freeway, went through about fifteen traffic lights, made multiple turns through heavy traffic and got back on the same freeway for about a quarter of a mile before getting off again right where I originally planned to exit the freeway in the first place. So much for technology. Note to GPS programmer-- set GPS to shortest time, not shortest distance. Technology!
We rolled into our hotel parking lot under a light rain, checked in and walked next door for a couple of Molson Canadian cold ones, a BBQ chicken pizza and a Ceasar salad. Dinner was alright, but we'll do better in the future.
Tomorrow were going to stop at the local Kawasaki dealer before leaving Vancouver to replace a clutch lock-out switch that stopped working on Lane's bike. The switch prevents the bike from being started when the clutch is engaged. It will now only start in neutral.
Tomorrow, we are off to Cache Creek, BC.
Please stay tuned.
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