Just a note to share with you some of our adventure. We are traveling a loop through British Columbia then back to the states with some gravel roads thrown in when we can. We left Newcastle, Wyoming on July 9th 2012. More to come when we get a minute on the road.
Travel safe.
We packed up the bikes and got ready to head out July 9, 2012.
Got rained on a little while crossing the Big Horn Mtns. The wildflowers were blooming everywhere.
Camped at Cody KOA and tried to stay out of the way of the tourists. (We don't think of ourselves as tourists!) Our son is also along for the ride on his 1200 gsa.
The next day we went through Yellowstone Natl. Park, hit a few buffalo jams, avoided some cars turning around to go back to look at something, and finally made it out to West Yellowstone for some lunch in the city park. We headed out to Henry's Lake to get on some gravel roads that will take us across the Continental Divide route and on to Dillon, MT.
The sign at the pass. While we were there a guy came by riding the trail and said there were 4 more guys coming along. We played leap frog with them for the next 30 miles of road.
Keep em coming!
I sure wish I could figure out why I can't see pics that are uploaded as attachments!! <grrr> >:(
If there is a way to have the pictures come up in the post, let me know. I'm mew to this posting thing and could use any help you can give me. Having trouble with picture size on my computer so the pics may be awhile.
For some reason, I can't see any pics that are posted as attachments - it's very strange and is related to my account because I log in on multiple computers with the same result. Pics posted from Photobucket (or similar image hosting sites) show up fine.
same with me yeti. exactly.
I found the problem - as I told yeti through PM. Log in again Bret.
no need, they are showing up. thanks hank!
Back to the trip. We left the other riders following the CDR and took the Blacktail Rd. across the edge of the Gravelly Range to Dillon, Mt. All together that day was 90 miles of dirt and gravel! Wahoo!
Notice the lovely piles along the road.
The next morning after leaving Dillon we stopped to check out Bannack, Montana. Formerly the capitol city of the MT territory. It has quite the story for a now ghost town. Very interesting.
After leaving Bannack we followed part of the Nez Perce Trail past Big Hole Battlefield and through Lost Trail Pass.
We followed the Bitterroot Valley up through Missoula and then ran downhill to the little town of Thompson Falls for the night. Temperatures were running in the 100's and we considered jumping in the river the highway was following. Whew! The 1200GS air temp. shows in this pic.
The dam at Thompson Falls was built in the early 1900's and was creating power before they finished building it. Early morning was the best temps. of the day!
Downstream of the dam.
We took a little road on the map, hwy 56, north by the Cabinet Mtns. Fantastic ride through a beautiful valley and twisty road. Highly recommend it.
Crossed into Canada at Porthill and took a left at Creston up and over Kootenay Pass. Another great road and mountain scenery.
Hope no one has vertigo!
One of the fun things about this road going toward Revelstoke is a free ferry trip across Upper Arrow Lake. The highway just comes to an end at the edge of the lake and after a short wait we boarded the ferry to cross to the highway on the other side. Bikes, cars, trucks, logging trucks, and all manner of vehicles just pile on ( with direction from the ferry workers) and away you go. Cool! Maybe it's because we don't see this kind of thing where we live that we are so amazed.
Hope this thing floats!
Ready to hit the road. Talked to several other riders and got info on cool rides and things to see. Not more than a mile up the road after the ferry we see our first sow and cub in BC. First of many but with all the ferry traffic behind us we feel it prudent not to try to stop to take pictures.
The next morning we left Revelstoke, went through Kamloops, and ended the day in Williams Lake. Too much traffic and asphalt. Yuck! The mountains were nice. That's one of the nice things about this part of BC, lots of mountainous country.
The next day we headed for Chetwynd, BC. North of Prince George we cross the continental divide. Funny thing about the mountains getting this far north, the elevations are much lower than you would think. We crossed a summit pass that was 5300 ft. The mountain peak , Old Friend, was only 6133 ft.
Another thing BC is noted for is water. Everywhere we went we heard, "It just stopped raining. We've had rain everyday for a month."
Chetwynd is known in BC for their Chainsaw Carving Contest every June. The carvings then decorate the town corners and in front of their visitor's center. We were very impressed with the quality of work we saw and it was a good walk around after being on the bikes all day.
Praying mantis
The wheel actually turned and was covered in faces on the outside edge.
Following this thread and ride of yours is wonderful. I would so, so much like to take a trip like yours some day. I really envy you!
This is a shout out to any members to please consider an extra rider....ME.... on a bike tour of the north, canada, any place cool. This on my bucket list so help me cross it off! 2013 works for me..... :D
Can't wait to see y'all in about 2 1/2 weeks! 8) JoniJo
Heading out the next morning we take a side road towards Fort St. John and the Alaska hwy. The signs kept warning us of elk crossing but a few deer is all we saw. We did see a bunch a fields of canola which were bright yellow.
I have had the pleasure of riding a portion of BC. i love the way the roads follow the lakes and mountains. Nothing better than being the first in line for an a.m. ferry crossing. Watching the sun rise over a ferry is inspiring. Your photos make me want to explore more. One of the places i really want to ride is The Ice-fields Parkway. Great in a car, but it needs to be done on a motorcycle. Thanks for sharing!
Those are great pictures! Sounds like a great trip.
No we havn't died or moved away. Our faithful computer hard drive fried and as we procrastinated and didn't back up our pictures, all were lost. We have had computer guys try, but have been unable to retrieve anything, so until we can get what pics our son took, we are at a standstill. Take my word on it and back up your pictures or the computer will get ya.....
Bummer!! I have all my photos backed up on two separate external hard drives and in the main disc of the PC. Never want to be in your shoes. :'( :'( :'(
Make sure you put a copy in a safe deposit box or else your housemight burn down and you will still lose all copies.
Got that covered. One at home (hard drive), one with me at all times(external HD), kindof, and one at a friend's house(external HD). I like to keep em separated.
\