June 28- Banf-Lake Louise- Jasper

Rode to Banf and Lake Louise and on to Jasper. The scenery is beautiful but the towns are packed with tourists. We did 280 miles in the mountains and it was bitter cold. I stopped and put on so many clothes that I became "restroom challenged".

Bruce and I set up camp in the National Forest in Jasper. This is the sixth night that we have comped-and do you know something- Bruce is becoming cuter ever day!!!

Sat. June27-Alaska Trip-Radium Hot Springs, BC

Arrived at Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia-set up camp-and soaked in the hot springs. It reminded me of when the old cowboys went into town and had their clothes boiled-getting off trail dust.It was our first contact with H2O for a while. Clean NR's and into town for any food but granola and jerky. The prices here are terrible-4.19 for gas-9 for a burger-breakfast around 11.00-makes me really appreciate a # 1 at the Powderbourne.

June 27-Quakertown to Alaska

We have covered 2674 miles and still have a long way to go. If the entire North America is analogous to an elephant, and you eat an elephant one bite at a time-then I've just worked my way up the tail and I don't like what I see. Remember, we have another 2585 to go 'till Alaska and then we get to do it all over again.

We have camped five straight days -no shower and my NR's are depleting rapidly. We had granola bars and jerky for the past several nights- I feel scurvy is just around the corner.

Now the good news-I LOVE IT! I believe everyone needs a little physical adversity in their lives - to appreciate and be thankful for what you have.

Glacier Park is beautiful and the day we arrived, they had just opened the Highway to the Sun. The road had been closed by a severe avalanche-check the pictures as it was a mess.

Travel Tip #$- Make sure your Master Card still works in a foreign country. I always use Discover and was I ever shocked when it was rejected at a gas station (no one takes Discover up here) I call the to free number and I was told that Peggy is the primary person. I'm screwed- till she gets back from the Mediterranean). I either hang out by toll booths or charge to Bruce.

Alex making yellow snow

Alex getting scolded for soiling the snow

Big Sky Bars- Nashua, Montana

Bruce and I stopped at the Wagon Wheel Bar and Casino-just wanted directions. Four hours later we met great people-owners Ron and Julie, plus a lot other local colorful characters. Ron escorted me to the town's convention center where we had free camping on the lawn plus private shower , bathroom and picnic area. Living the good and frugal life.

PS Michele the barmaid was easy on the eyes!

Interestin People-Alaska Trip

We met a waitress who was about 22 years old-named Josie. Her home was up near the USA-Canada Border and she had 9 students in her graduating class. That made for tough decisions at prom time

I me Pauling who told me she was full blooded Native American. Alex wanted to sit on her lap so I took a picture. She "took a likin" (I am talking local already) to me and told me she gets upset with people asking her dumb questions (about being Indian) She tell them she has to get back to the reservation before they lock the gate. She then asks if they would like to see her Indian Tattoo-she rolls her lower lip inside out(for you folks from the East-that is where they tattoo horses)

Travel Tiop # 2-Alaska Trip

Travel tip-If you buy a new I-Pod and get it loaded with songs-read the directions before taking it on a trip. I jumped on my bike and put on my rain gear and helmet and took off down the highway. It played great except Old Willie sang "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" for the next 83 miles-till I stopped and shut it off.

Travel Tip # 3- Some of my clothing are NR's and others I wash. Often they won't dry overnight but hanging "your wash" on your cycle while having a beer is great!

Alex had to drink outside the bar

Day 6-Alaska Trip

North Dakota-Montana Line. This is the first time I've had access to a computer since Auburn ,Indiana. We left there Sunday Morning and drove around Chicago where the traffic is always nasty. We stopped and visited old friends in Oswego, Ill. and struck gold. They were having a combination Father's Day and birthday party-shrimp, salmon,ribs and all the trimmings. I'll remember that meal when I am eating a granola bar lying in a soggy tent. Speaking of granola bars- don't pack them on the bottom of your saddle bags-they don't like that.

The next jaunt was to Dodge Wisconsin and a visit with our Norwegian Friends. Driving conditions were great- straight roads and the drivers were much friendlier. There is nothing like the open road on a cycle- the smell of new mown hay-scent of flower blossoms- the stench of decomposing deer.

I hop to give you travel tips as I travel. Tip #Toll Booth Thrift. We arrived at an unmanned(or unwomaned) toll booth that needed exact change of an Ill. I Pass. We had neither. I stopped the bike and checked around the basket-there was change everywhere. Apparently the locals are "basket challenged:- I paid our tolls and had 2.25 left. Tip-when down and out-check toll booths!

Tomorrow, we ride across the top of Montana and then on to Glacier. My butt and shoulders are a little better-they don't throb as much as before. When I told Bruce, this is a long, long way- he said you eat an elephant-one bite at a time. bul*/^+

Two Bad Days-leaving for Alaska

We Left Quakertown in pouring rain-arrived at the Pa-Ohio Line-had a great time with relatives- and spent the next day riding in rain. Looking on the bright side- it can't gt any worse-unless we get hail.

We had lunch on Thursday at Red's Diner in Lewistown It was operating in the 50's and going strong today. I are a lot of meals there in the 60's.

Lunch today was at Lesters in Ohio. You can't beat the old diners for atmosphere and good, good, grease!

Packing for Alaska

Bruce and I have been planning this trip for months. The first major concerns were the motorcycles. We had them gone over completely-new tires, fluids, plus checking and adjusting everything.
Clothing is another problem as space is limited. I’m a big believer in NR’s (never return). My pack is loaded with clothing that will find a new home in Alaska and the Yukon.
I bought some rash creams plus a special type that triathlon athletes use- Belgium Butter. It is supposed to be excellent in preventing chaffing. You know the old saying, “When the boys aren’t happy-no one is”. (maybe that was Mamma).
We have some pretty neat electronics. I broke down and bought an Ipod and Bruce loaded it with 2000 songs-I hope they aren’t Rap! We also have intercoms for bike to bike communication. No longer will we have to make questionable and inappropriate hand gestures to signal each other-when we pass a shapely female or need fuel or a “pit stop tree”.
As for food, we hope to eat out as often as possible-avoiding the chains, seeking out local diners and dives. We will have to cook in remote area and for this, Bruce is the man. He is like MacGyver-give him a pocket knife and he will make a boat. I think I will be looking forward to a meal at Shady Maple in five weeks.

Alaska by Motorcycle

“North to Alaska-Go North the Rush is on”! This old Johnny Horton Hit Song will soon be a reality for Bruce and me-only, there is no rush. Bruce, my good friend for 34 years is like MLK-“I have a Dream!” It was to tour Alaska by motorcycle and is number one on his “bucket list”. When he approached me with the idea, I was somewhat hesitant. Alaska and the Yukon are about 12 to14,000 butt pounding miles from Quakertown. But, as Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”-I’m in!
Bruce and I are compatible riders-we have done trips to Canada, Blue Ridge Parkway, etc. and we both get 72 miles to a cup of coffee. We also ride BMW Motorcycles-adventure touring models that are historically dependable. However, I am taking my bike’s title along-just in case…. We pack tents and sleeping bags which give us a lot of freedom and eliminate the necessity of having to find a motel. You can camp almost anywhere in the national forests. Concerning camping in the wild- I am taking extra precautions. I am packing a jar of homey to pour on Bruce’s tent-but only in bear country. I hope carnivore’s sense that he is much younger and more tender than I am.
We always put signs on the back of our bikes when we take a trip. The last trip sign was – Semi-Wild Hogs. For this one I made a sign for my bike-ALASKA or BUST. I made one for Bruce- I’ll TAKE a BUST.
One other fun item that is making the trip is Alex the monkey. I’m taking him for my grandchildren with the intention of me sending back pictures of Alex in different places-totem poles, camping, etc. It is like the teddy bear the guy takes from his briefcase on TV. We have a lot of fun!
I will be making periodic postings from my cell phone to my blog-so please check on our progress and adventures. Just Google “thrushtails” or bookmark thrushtails.blogspot.com , or place a shortcut on your desktop. (that last phrase sounds like a country song) Keep in touch and “Happy Trails to All”!