D2D Day 6 Prince George, BC to Stewart, BC 434 MIles

Good day friends and family,

Mother Nature threw us a curve this morning, sunshine in lieu of rain for a change--sweet. We left Prince George around 8:00 am headed west on Canada 16, the Yellowhead Highway. We hadn't gone 50 miles before I saw a stainless steel (Made in China) hose clamp dance across the highway behind Lane's bike. I pulled ahead of Lane and confirmed that once again one of the four hose clamps holding the tool tube to the bike had departed the tube for parts unknown.  We pulled over and secured the tool tube with bailing wired carried for just such an occasion.  We were back on the road in ten minutes.

Riding northwest from Prince George we entered the Lakes district between Burns Lake and Fraiser Lake, well named for the numerous beautiful lakes in the area. It seemed odd that we did not see one boat or fisherman on any of the lakes. 

I’m taken with the odd and interesting names of places and things in Canada, like the Push Back Creek, the Van Hor-Lick Creek (I’d like to know the genesis of that one) and the Horsefly Likely Resort to name a few.

I apologize for not getting some great from-the-saddle photos to share but when one is bundled up against the chill with insulated waterproof gloves it’s nearly impossible to shoot pictures, and if we stopped every time we saw a beautiful sight we would never cover the miles we need to make in a day.

On one occasion today we stopped for road construction lasting for about 30 minutes, setting us back some. The highways have generally been in good repair allowing us to easily make 65 to 70 MPH most of the time. The maximum posted speed limit in British Columbia seems to be 100 kilometers per hour, about 60 MPH.

We’ve been a little disappointed in the wildlife viewing. Today we saw four deer alongside the road, three alive, one dead, a coyote and a black Labrador retriever.

Late in the afternoon the rain began to fall once again. The temperature dropped and I turned my heated vest on. After 400 miles of forests, farms and rolling hills we finally arrived at the junction to Stewart, BC, and its stepsister, Hyder, Alaska. We turned west and headed toward Stewart down a beautiful thirty mile long canyon. In spite of the rain and low clouds, one could not help but to be impressed by the incredible beauty of the area with its towering snow-capped mountains, glaciers and waterfalls around every corner, and a river flowing alongside the road.

 We pulled into Stewart around 5:30, checked into our hotel and had supper in the hotel pub. Tomorrow we’re going to check out Hyder, where the United States doesn’t even bother to man a customs booth. Then, it’s up the Cassiar Highway through Dease Lake and on to Watson Lake, home of the signpost Village, more on that tomorrow.

Here are a few photos from today's ride.

D2D Day 5 Cache Creek, BC to Prince George, BC 274 Miles

We departed Cache Creek in the rain this morning (are you starting to see a pattern here?) and headed north. We stopped in Cinton, BC, for breakfast at the Cordial Restaurant on a recommendation of a local. We walked in dripping wet and shed our riding gear. We were immediately eyed eschew by the locals who were enjoying their umpteenth cup of coffee while solving all of Canada's problems. After they realized we were not biker trash they were actually quite friendly and asked where we were from and where we were headed. When we responded, Dawson City, Yukon Territory and Inuvik, Northwest Territory, one of them said, "That's a long way," no shit Sherlock.

Leaving Clinton, we rode in the rain for the next one hundred miles as the temperature kept dropping. The locals told us that Clinton was the coldest place in Canada today--just our luck. Stopping at One Hundred Mile House (the name of the town), I decided it was time to don the electric vest. Having made three prior motorcycle rides to Alaska and/or Canada in the past, this was the first time I ever pulled my heated vest out of my bag. How's your vest Lane? Oh, I forgot, you mailed it home yesterday.

We stopped briefly in Williams Lake for gas and pressed on for Quesnal, BC, as the rain finally subsided. Pulling into Quensal we were drawn to the fast flowing Quesnal River and the pedestrian bridge over it. The bridge was constructed in 1928. Prior to that, cowboys usd to drive cattle into the river and swam with them on their horses to the opposite side on cattle drives. No thanks.

I always have to laugh when I pass Red Rock, BC, home of the Red Rock - Stoners Volunteer Fire Department. Would you really want the "stoners' to show up at your fire?

We arrived in Prince George in the late afternoon and checked into the local Travelodge. Unloading our bags, we went across town to the local Honda/Kawasaki dealer looking to get Lane some new waterproof gloves, they had none. Don't they know it rains here all the time? So, we tried the Harley-Davidson dealer. Lane scored a nice pair of textile waterproof gloves there, $100 plus; thank you very much.

Riding the Kawasaki's has been interesting. Seats are not quite as comfortable as our Harlies and protection from the elements is reduced, but they do give you an all-day vibrator massage. That is to say they vibrate pretty good. Lane's broke two stainless steel hose clams securing his tool tube to the frame and the four bolts holding my fork brace were all loose upon arrival in Prince Georege. We check all bolts and fitting daily now.

Tomorrow, we are off to Stewart, BC and Hyder, AK.

Here are a few pictures from today's ride.  Lots of pretty country but tough to shoot pictures from the saddle when one is bundled up for protection from the elements.

D2D Day 4 Vancouver, BC to Cache Creek, BC 210 Miles

Greetings faithful Horck Adventures Blog followers; we appreciate your attention.

This morning we awoke to overcast skies and light rain in Vancouver, BC. Lane decided that he had about ten pounds of too much "stuff" that he wouldn't need on this journey, including his heated vest, so we sought out a post office and shipped same home for the measly sum of $40.00, four day delivery. I'm going to rent him my heated vest when it gets cold at an exorbitant rate to help off set my expenses.

We checked out of our hotel and rode over to Burnaby Kawasaki where we located a clutch lock-out switch for Lane's KLR.  The great guys there installed it for free and we were on our way in no time.  Kudos guys, we really appreciate the friendliness and great service.

Departing Vancouver found us once again riding in the rain, guess that's why it's so green there. Upon hitting the coast and taking Highway 99 north, the Sea to Sky Highway, the clouds parted and the sun poked its head out and greeted us with great weather the remainder of the day.

We lunched in Whistler, BC, and continued toward Cache Creek, BC, in the afternoon, on one of the best two-lane motorcycle roads anywhere. The scenery is nothing less than spectacular with a capital S. Everywhere we looked water was cascading down the mountainsides into small streams, which ran into creeks, which ran into rivers, which ran into emerald green lakes--absolutely gorgeous. Interestingly, we saw about twenty "You are leaving an avalanche area" signs; however, we only saw two "You are entering an avalanche area" signs. So, I guess you have about a one in ten chance of knowing that you are actually in an avalanch area. How does that work?

We rolled into Cache Creek, checked into our quaint little motel, did a load of laundry and had a late super. Tomorrow, we're off to Prince George, BC. Weather if forecast as "iffy."  Wish us luck.

I'll leave you today with the pictures of the Sea to Sky Highway and Whistler, BC. Enjoy.

D2D Day 3 Olympia, Wa to Vancouver, BC 214 Miles

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.

D2D Day 2 Grants Pass, OR to Olympia,WA 374 Miles

On day two of our drive/ride we awoke to clear skies over Grants Pass, OR, where we watched a hot air balloon lazily rising into the blue sky over the city. Yesterday's winds subsided and the balloon just hung over the town, as if suspended by an invisible string.

We enjoyed our "free breakfast" at the Holiday Inn  Express and departed for Olympia, WA, just under 400 miles to the north. The scenery through southern Oregon is just spectacular for a couple of guys used to Southern California's arid landscape. We rolled through miles of green forest, over mountain passes and crossed several rivers as we motored north on Interstate 5 toward Olympia.

It looks like the lumber industry might be making some kind of a come back as we saw several logging trucks traversing the interstate and a few active lumber mills with steam belching into the air. Hopefully, that's a good sign for the economy.

We managed to find our way through the freeway maze of Portland, OR, and crossed the mighty Columbia River into Washington State. As is our practice, we sought out a local dining establishment in a small town and found ourselves in Cottage Grove. We were not disappointed in Pepper's 49'er Restaurant. Real home cooking and real good food! Try the Navy Bean soup.

We rolled into Olympia, WA, about 2:00 pm and checked into our hotel early. After unloading our bags we drove over to Lane's friend Terry Jorgenson's house where we unloaded our motorcycles and parked the truck and trailer and will store them for the next twenty days. Thanks so much Terry.

Finally, we're riding our motorcycles. Our ride really begins tomorrow when we head for Seattle,WA, and Vancouver, British Columbia.

We enjoyed happy hour at a local Mexican restaurant with a $3.00 taco bar, all you can eat, and Margaritas while watching the Los Angeles Kings destroy the New Jersey Devils, 6 to 1. Go Kings!

It's all right here in the blog folks, mostly true, most of the time.

D2D Day 1 Santa Clarita, CA to Grants Pass, OR - 650 Miles

Greetings from the road Friends and Family,

Lane Greenberg and I are finally off on our latest motorcycle adventure to Dawson City, Yukon Territory and points north of the Arctic Circle, after several months of preparation and planning. Leaving Santa Clarita this morning at zero dark thirty, we have already violated two of our basic rules for successful cross-country motorcycle riding. First, we're not riding. We're trailering our two Kawasaki KLR 650 motorcycles to Olympia, WA, where our 5,000 plus mile ride will actually commence. Secondarily, we had lunch at In-n-Out Burger along Interstate 5 today. Our routine is to never eat fast food on our rides. But, if you have ever had the pleasure, or misfortune, of traversing the length of California on Interstate Five, then you know the choices are Jack-in-the Box, Taco Bell, Carl's Junior, Green Burrito or In-n-Out Burger (Harris Ranch not withstanding).

We had clear skies and fair weather all day thanks to a 20 knot headwind right on the nose significantly impacting gas mileage, as one might expect. Why is it always a head wind? Disregard, it's a rhetorical question.

In an effort to keep the honest people honest while parking the truck, trailer and motorcycles, I removed my side-mounted one gallon gas can and locked it in the truck. Unfortunately, the rubber pad that I had secured between the mount and the gas can with indoor double back tape to preclude the heads of the mounting screws from punching holes in the bottom of the plastic gas can, departed the motorcycle somewhere along the Grapevine, adios. Indoor tape John? Really!

Our original goal for the evening was Redding, CA, but we arrived at 2:30 pm and elected to push on arriving in Grants Pass about 5:00 pm, clocking 650 miles today. After looking at some 500 miles of San Joaquin Valley farm and pasture land for hours on end, approaching Lake and Mount Shasta was a welcome change. I've never seen the lake so full; it absolutely was beautiful.

We enjoyed a nice supper in Grants Pass and walked over to the local Wal Mart where I purchased a color coordinated red plastic placement for one dollar, which I brought back to the hotel and promptly fashioned into a new gas can pad, secured with out-door double back tape. Improvisation is the key to a successful trip.
Tomorrow we are off to Olympia,WA where we will store the truck and trailer and and begin our three-week motorcycle journey in earnest.

Please stay tuned.