Alaska or bust!

(Departed for the north on April 27, 2015)
I'm almost ready for my ride north. Just a few more farkles to add to the bike and I should be good to go.

First, I ask friend Elmo to fabricate me a gas can holder.

Looks pretty good eh?

Thanks Elmo!

 Second, oldest son Will, gave me a Hula Girl to keep me company on my ride. Grand-son Ryker helps me attach Maui-Mona to the dash shelf. 

Hopefully she stays there and is not gone to maui.....

 Thanks Will and Ryker.

And lastly I  treat my clothes with Permathrin to help keep the mosquitoes away. Here they are drying in the garage on a rainy day. 

I think I'm ready.

I'll be posting trip updates as often as possible.

Don't Be A Guberif. part 1 Ak.

Finally the day has arrived!

I depart April 27 - I have two lodging reservations, one for that night in McCall, Idaho and one for my third night in Whistler, British Columbia. Other than that I'll be winging it.

My route to Deadhorse.

I see this in McCall.

I cross the 45th Parallel....my life is not immediately changed.

Doggie motel.

I spy an interesting looking road and take it....after wandering around for a bit it takes me to Palouse, Washington where I find the Green Frog and have this delicious salad with the house made Honey mustard dressing...worth the trip!

  

I camp near Moses Lake, Washington.

Crossing the border.

Beautiful British Columbia!

Memorial of some sort..

Somebody's Mother didn't love him (or her) enough...

 Caribou 

I prepare to enter what looks like a time machine, or a space worm hole access, or maybe a molecular re-organizer.......but nope..... 

......Turns out it was just a bridge.....weird eh?

(end of part 1)

No heat. part 2 Ak.

I spend the night in Dease Lake at this place. VERY friendly staff that aims to please.

 Lunch time.

 Entering the Yukon I stop for a photo, shortly after I get my photo four college age girls stop for the same reason...their pic is much more exciting than my photo!

 Then on to Watson Lake to see the Sign Forest. 

And on to Teslin to stay overnight.

Next morning I'm off to Whitehorse, temps got down to 29. Two days ago the Gerbing heat controller for my electric vest died, then the back up died about 10 miles later.

I'll visit the dealers in Whitehorse in hopes that someone will have one, but no such luck. So I continue on to Destruction Bay. In the mean time Beverly has made numerous phone calls to have one delivered to Fairbanks dealer for me.

Thanks to Gregery at The Warming Store for his excellent help in getting the controller shipped ASAP.

And of course a HUGE thanks to Beverly for making it happen.

Flip flops. part 3 Ak.

Leaving the motel at Destruction Bay.

 Just a couple miles and I see this guy.

A couple more miles and I come across the monument to someones loved one. 

Then this...

 And this...

 And this...

 Then finally I'm at the border. The Cutie standing next to me is Rachel. Her Mom is taking the picture. They were there doing the same thing I was.

 And Chrissy, Rachel's hot Mom. Note her footwear... she is determined to wear them all the way to Fairbanks! I was so glad to meet this cute family! (along with Joe, the hubby)

And the last stop before I get to my lodging. I get gas (on a card) then walk in to get a hot chocolate and warm up. I approach the counter to pay and the guy says, "It's on me". "What?" I say. He says, "I'm the manager, it's on me, you have a safe ride".

I have no clue why he did that...

I drank it, warmed up a bit, thanked him and left.

That's it for now. I get tires here and the controller, then I'll ride to Deadhorse on Friday. Updates after that.

Re-tired. part 4 Ak.

I'll need new tires before the trip is over so I had called this place previous to leaving home. They had a set of Metz Tourances waiting for me. Not only that, but they let Beverly mail the controller to them and held it for me even though they wouldn't make a dime on it, nice dealer!

 Then I visited the cultural center to learn more about the road to Deadhorse. What I learned is that the road is still muddy, flooded in spots, and "you'll be OK, just watch for the icy places..." 

"Thanks" I said, "I'm on a motorcycle." "Ohhh..." she replied, "Make sure you ride slow.."

 On the way back to my lodging I stop at the North Pole.

 Back on Eielson AFB where I'm staying.

Then I'm off for a day ride the next morning - Destination; Minto, a tiny spot I saw on my map.

But first a stop for a photo of the famous pipeline.

 Then a pic of the famous Dalton Highway sign.

 Then after 60 miles of dirt, I make a visit to the village of Minto

I buy an Almond Joy and a can of V-8 and soon start my return trip to my lodging.

 The Cemetery.

And back to my lodging.
Tomorrow I ride to Coldfoot and on to Deadhorse on Saturday