Next Morning we awoke late and were the last to leave the Motel at 10am.
It had snowed in the night and the snow line was getting lower each day. We needed to get south before we got caught out.
We seem to be in the middle of a battle between Autumn and Winter. and Winter will very soon be the winner.
We made it to Ranchera Falls and decided to camp for the night.
It was another cold night but we both slept well.
Leaving camp at 9am to allow the sun to have warmed to road ,we headed for the camp site .Another good day for seeing wild life ,in the days ride we had seen 7 Bears ,Two Moose, Wolfs and Deer.
This one in the photo was taken just as we turned onto the Tarmac road from our wild camp. makes you think when you know how close they are to you when your sleeping in your tent...
Riding past our south turn we carried on 20 miles east to Watson Lake. We had told us to visit Watson Lake. we had heard that the town was full of road signs so we had to see this.
We stopped at Tatogga Camp .
Dazzer's word's
We pitched our tent and then went for a walk down to the lake. Just off the path in front of us was a large Black bear. These are the worst bears for attacking .while I panicked and tried to open the bear spray. Leigh took a photo..lol , thankfully it turned and ran off.
With the sun setting fast it was starting to get real cold. Time to get our fire lit and we were off into the bar for a meal.
This is a small meal
Thankfully we shared it otherwise we will be gaining all the weight we lost in Russia
When we see this sign you slow right down
The deck of the bridge is metal and very slippery even when dry.
Having been very lucky with the weather we had only had one wet days riding north. Now in the very same area we had our second wet day on route south. We rode down to Stewart .
All the rooms were booked by the hunters so we crossed the boarder back into Alaska to look for a room. The only motel that had rooms would only let us have two rooms . one each for $55 so we carried on back down Glacier High way that we had just traveled down . It was raining heavy and very cold.
Finding a camp site at Meziadin Lake we had had enough of the rain so pulled in.
Lucky there was a covered BBQ area so we put the tent up under that to keep us dry.
Even though it was wet the scenery was breath taking
Signs that a bear had been feeding close by
Just as it was getting dark a car pulled up and a voice said " Is That Dazzer and Leigh " We were shocked that anyone would know us. when they stepped into the light it was Adam and Sasha who we had met a few weeks before in the Yukon on our way to Alaska.
( PHOTO FROM EARLIER PAGE }
They also camped under the BBQ shed . Talking about our Bear encounters and the beauty of the place till late into the night. The stars came out and we all hoped for a better day in the morning.
Next morning the weather had improved. Even though it was cold it was sunny . Which makes for a great ride.
Saying our farewells and wishing good travels to our friends ,We kept heading South and hoped it would warm up the more south we rode.
Plan was to try to make it to Smithers today . While passing through a small town call New Hazelton we smelled a BBQ cooking so turned around to buy a burger.
Its strange how things work out.
It turned out that the BBQ was in aid of Breast Cancer . We bought our food and drink and while I was talking with the Women comparing Breast Cancer treatment in Canada with that which I had had back in England.
Darren was sat on the bench enjoying a tasty Beef Burger when a Chap riding a Yamaha came over to talk about the bike. His name was Jim.
Jim asked where we were heading , Darren told him we were riding down to Smithers to find a Motel as we had been camping for a few days .
Jim owned the Bakery and Laundry and the flat above which he offered us the use off
So we took Jim and His wife Ruth up on the offer . They asked if we would like to stay 2 night's then they could show us around the town in the morning.
They showed us to the flat then said they would see us downstairs in the Bakery's cafe at 9 in the morning
It was only mid afternoon so we managed to get all our washing and drying done in the laundry . Then we went to the store to buy Pizza for tonight's meal.
While I cooked the Pizza Darren stripped off the head light to see if I could find the annoying vibrating noise that had developed. It turned out to be the top head light mount that had snapped off and was rubbing . So he packed a small piece of rubber at the back of the light and put it back together.
Eating a tasty Pizza while watching TV for the first time in weeks was bliss.
We did not know it but this small town had a lot of history
Next morning we awoke to perfect blue sky . Jim was in the Bakery drinking coffee as we came down for breakfast.
Jim took us to all the tourist sights around the town. There is a old steam paddle boat that is now a cafe.
They do a home made pea and Ham soup that we were going to try. As we entered there was a piano and guitar in the corner.
While I ordered our food Jim pick's up the guitar , tunes it and then starts singing and playing Johnny Cash , Folsom Prison. The best part was that every one in there joined in. We though that was so cool. Had this been England they would have laughed at you. Then he did a few more songs . Excellent and great fun.
Jim McAfee " The coolest Chap we have ever meet.
The Name Indians is no longer used .Now First Nation's is the Name given .
Visiting the reservation was very interesting
The Long Houses
Each Clan had its own Totem and long house .
New Hazelton is a quaint little town where everyone knows each other and they all help each other out.
The view of the Mountain from where we were staying
Some of the history from this part of Canada
I asked Ruth and Jim if we could take them out for dinner but Ruth had already Put a full salmon in to bake for our tea.
It was the best Salmon we had ever tasted. The locals catch so much that they eat it like we eat fish and chips.
After Dinner Jim showed Darren his Classic Highly Tuned Harley Chop which was like Billy Bobs bike in easy Rider. Very Cool and old School.
I must admit that we were both very sad to be leaving New Hazleton . Everyone we had meet had made us feel so welcome.
Leigh / Jim / Leah at Leah's art studio
I do hope that Jim and Ruth will call in and see us when they come to England. As we were leaving Jim gave me a gift of a Classic Western Shirt.
{ Darren Had left cloths in the Motel in Tacoma and when we returned he posted Jim his Triumph T shirt and Russian Harley Davidson T shirt to Jim . Ruth sent us a email saying Jim loved the T's. we keep in touch through email now.
We have a excellent ride down through Canada and back to America.
We returned to the Motel that we had used in Tacoma while waiting for the bike to arrive in America.
Iain and Debz were arriving in a few days so we hoped to meet up again, we had not seen them since Georgia back in May
The owner did us a deal for 10 nights which worked out at $38 including breakfast . We were lucking forward to a rest. This would also give me time to do some work on the bike and change the tyres.
We had two days when we just sat near the pool and rested .
Our friends Jessica at Urban custom bikes Was looking after our rear tyre , and she had also supplied us with a Dunlop Front Harley Davidson tyre at a great price.
So tyres collected and fitted while I watched on from the sun lounger next to the pool 8)
The views had been reduced the last few days due to two large forest fires east of Tacoma. Today when we awoke we had a perfect view of Mt Rainier so we decided to do the route that takes you around the base of the Mountain , The round trip would be about 220 miles .
Heading first to Touratech HQ as I had contacted them and they had a replacement Ram mount for our GPS as ours had broke a while back.
The staff at Touratech were great, very interested in our trip and they came outside to take some photos.
They did us a great deal on a jacket for Darren / Pants for me and a lockable gps mount.
The deal was so good that Darren could not get my wallet out fast enough.....
Time to test our new Kit out.
Heading south east on the back roads we stop many time's to take photos, each time we stop people see the bike and start talking to us. Around mid day we stop in the small town for lunch .
The town is already getting ready for Halloween which they say is now bigger the Christmas here in the states.
The ride and view's were stunning ,only wish that Darren could have had a few of his mates from back home to ride these roads with him.
Mt Rainier is 14,411 ft (4,392 m).[1][2] and is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world . It is on the Decade Volcano list.[8] Because of its large amount of glacial ice, Mt. Rainier could potentially produce massive lahars that would threaten the whole Puyallup River valley
Mount Rainier has a topographic prominence of 13,211 ft (4,027 m), greater than K2 at 13,189 ft (4,020 m
With 26 major glaciers and 36 sq mi of permanent snowfields and glaciers, Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states. The summit is topped by two volcanic craters, each more than 1,000 ft (300 m) in diameter with the larger east crater overlapping the west crater. Geothermal heat from the volcano keeps areas of both crater rims free of snow and ice, and has formed the world's largest volcanic glacier cave network within the ice-filled craters, with nearly 2 mi of passages
Here are a few photos to try give you a riders view of Mt Rainier Park
The sun set's fast here and it's soon dark. we get caught out and have to ride the last 30 miles in the dark. All was going well when out of my eye corner I see something come out of the bushes .
BAG it hits the screen and the screen breaks. I can only think it was a bird and thank god it was not a deer or bear.
{ Next morning was spent doing a Darren temp repair !!! }
Later that night while Sat watching TV the phone in the room rings . It's Debz
. They were going to the BMW meet in Washington State for the weekend with other ADV Riders . We made arrangement's to meet them and there host Ned who also rides a BMW with a side car , on their return on Sunday.
Ned took us for a Sea food meal in down town Tacoma.
After we all went to a local Bar which would have suited Basil and Dazco . They have 63 hand pulled beer's on Tap. Most are over 7 percent proof.
I tried out the side car. { Dazzer ...No were not fitting one to the Tenere
}
The weather forecast now predicts where we go ridding.
The cold weather was forecast to start moving south. Jim and Ruth had sent us a email to say that winter had started up in Canada. We had intended to head due East into Montana but our friend Brian who we had stayed with up in Fraser lake was there on his old Harley and told us that the weather was quite bad with ice and snow. So we changed our plans and headed south east.
It was late afternoon when we arrived in the small town of Toppernish where we were to be staying with Ron and Diana for two nights .
Toppernish is known for having the most murals painted buildings in any town in the USA with over 100.
Ron showed us around some great gravel roads and very twisty black top roads in and around around the Dallas on the old Lewis and Clark trail into Oregon .
we encountered Wild horses and deer while out .
While crossing a metal base bridge with Ron we started having problems with the rear hob of our bike.
It seems that the cush drive rubbers have been wearing the alloy away on the outside edge of the cush drive housing also the bearing on this part of the hub was lose. So on our return to Ron's house Darren and Ron worked on the wheel till late into the night .
Leaving Next morning the bike felt a lot better so we pushed on .Ron had pointed out a Ghost town on the map so were off to see it .
Strange how people up sticks and leave almost everything behind.
The jail house , time for some fun.
Foot paths made from wood.
A few miles down the road we came across this sign, we though it was interesting enough for a photo.
That night we stayed in Bend and tried Mexican food for the first time. Sad to say it was not very nice at all. So were hoping that when we get to Mexico the food is somewhat better. Bend was having its Autumn festival so we had a look around and meet this chap
Today were Heading for a town called Sweet-home where we were to be staying with Wes and Shannon . Our route there takes us through lava bed .This Volcano blew it's top off 5000 years ago
Sweet-home is a lovely little town . Wes had been watching the tracker and thankfully was in his drive as we rode passed.
we had the chance to spend two nights sleeping in their camper van which was great.
Wes and Shannon are a lovely couple . That evening we all went out to a local restaurant . In the morning we asked if we could attend their local church with them . They were having the Autumn get together, everyone takes food and they all have this big meal in the church hall. It was great to meet all their friend's and everyone was interested in our trip.
In the afternoon Wes was going to take us for a flight in his plane but it was very windy so we all took a trip to the Oregon coast in their car.
The Pacific coast is beautiful with stunning sunsets, here are some photos from that day.
Some History that may be of interest to you.
Wes Shannon Leigh and Dazzer
The nights are now becoming very cold with more often than not frost on the bike first thing. By 10am the sun as warmed things up but you know as soon as the sun sets the temperature plummets.
We were out of bed early and packed ready to roll. Wes had marked up some maps for us showing us places to visit on our route south.
Shannon had made breakfast. Its always sad to say Far well to new friends that have been so kind to us and today was no exception . Wes and Shannon had been so kind to us and were both sure we will meet again.
First stop was to photo one of the old Covered bridges , those who have seen the Bridges of Madison county will know what I'm on about. There are a few that you can still drive through but most are now protected buildings.
One of the route Wes had marked on the map for us was up to Crater Lake. This ride turned out to be a real gem. The road climbs to over 7000ft to the lip of the crater.
This Volcano blow its top off 7,700 . The new top can now be seen sticking out of the lake.
The lake is 5 by 6 miles across with an average depth of 1,148 feet . Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It was truly stunning to see.
The ride off the mountain down to Klamail Falls was full of switch backs and a great ride in the sunshine.
On our way down we meet V Strom rider Dirk. He told us that all the camp sites were closed for the winter, so we had to head into Klamath Falls TO find a motel.
