Day 2. Drove from Hope to Prince George. Fraser Canyon and the 7 tunnels were stunning and the lush mountains soon gave way to 98 degree heat. It was a scorching 9 hour ride to Prince George where a cool shower and sushi were a welcome sight. Wildfires are bad. We just made it through before they closed the main highway. We stopped at a local fruit stand and bought cherries and apricots and sat under a shade tree with an amusing 5 year old local boy. Tomorrow should be cooler.

Day 1. Make it across the Canadian border from Seattle only to have the bike die. Stater was fried. Only had a couple of hours to make plans. Decided to rent a car, drive back to Seattle and rent a bike because repairs would take almost a week. On July 5th we drive down to Seattle, visited the dealer who promptly purchased my bike back, headed to Eaglerider, rented a bike and got underway back to Canada around 2 pm. We made it to Hope, BC around 7:30 pm tired but happy our long journey had finally begun.

Long distance riding and life in general requires you to overcome obstacles every day and have backup plans for your backup plans. Tomorrow, on to Prince George, BC.

Remember how excited you were when the last bell rang at school for the summer? From catching fireflies and playing in the creek to coming home right at dusk, summertime was free time; fun time.

Now you’re an adult and fun is no longer in your vocabulary. Sure, you take a long weekend here and there, but when was the last time you had silly fun?

This summer get out there. There are more than 50 National Parks, hundreds of State Parks and National Forests where fun is abundant.  On every twisty road there’s always a meandering stream. Stop and have a picnic, roll up your pants and put your feet in. Find a cool rock.  Climb a waterfall. Get a group together and stay in motorcycle cabin…eat a hot dog…a drippy, messy ice cream cone…you get the point. Find your inner five year old.

This weekend we rode the Cherohala Skyway, visited Highlands, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. We spent almost all day Saturday  on Highway 64 and were treated to amazing curves, over-flowing waterfalls and a taste of Memorial Day Americana.  We stayed in the Mountainview Cabins in Tellico Plains and woke hungry for breakfast. The B&B roadside cafe looked like a fruit stand but advertised country cooking. Walking in, I noticed a granny in the kitchen cooking on stoves and pans found in our houses. She was smiling and wearing a dress and Crocs. Turns out she’s 80 years young and makes a mean breakfast.  In between orders she rests on her walker equipped with a seat.  🙂

Our bellies full, we continued our ride. We saw people having fun. We were having fun. Our Butler map showed us some new roads and if you don’t have Butler maps for your riding areas, you need to get them. They show all the great riding roads and a lot more. They’re waterproof and can be folded in any way which is great because I can never fold a map back.

On Sunday we made our way home, tired but happy and thankful. My heart felt thanks goes out to all who have served our country so that we can be free to find our inner five year old and anything else we seek.

xoxo

It’s Christmas in May! My new gear arrived last week and I couldn’t wait to get home to try it on. I’m preparing for my Arctic Circle ride (more on that later) and needed new gear. I’ve been riding in a Firstgear suit in the winter months but it’s gotten big on me (yay) and I really wanted the flexibility of a pants/jacket combo.

Once again I looked to Firstgear for my choice. I opted for the Kilimanjaro jacket and Kathmandu overpants. Both have D30 armor and fit me comfortably because of the adjustable straps and belts. Waterproof and warm, these will be great in Alaska and can be worn with my heated Firstgear jacket liner. The jacket is high visable yellow for added safety.

The combo set me back $700 but money spent on good gear is worth it. I’ll sell my suit eventually.

I’m starting to make lists of things my favorite motorcycle  man and I will take on our epic adventure. In the meantime, we’re riding this weekend so stay tuned and stay safe!

xoxo

When last I left the blog I was chattering about our trip to Vegas on what would turn out to be an amazing 11 day motorcycle tour on the left coast. Our next stop was Yosemite National Park.  Driving in and seeing Bridal Veil falls roaring and Half Dome…followed by El Capitan and the majestic Yosemite Falls made my goose bumps have goose bumps. That and they were expecting snow that night in mid May! We stayed in the Majestic Yosemite Hotel with a view of a waterfall. I can’t wait to go back to Yosemite and explore.

Next up was San Francisco. We stayed near pier 39 and saw sea lions and had the juiciest strawberries that we dipped in chocolate from the fruit stand. Later we took an Uber to have dim sum at Ton Kiang. Riding my motorcycle across the Golden Gate Bridge was a sight and feeling I’ll never forget.

Leaving San Fran headed to Nevada, we cruised through Lake Tahoe and on to Highway 50..the most desolate road in America.  En route to a spot called Kingston Nevada, home to the Miles End Bed and Breakfast we found ourselves alone for more than 120 miles. Good thing we always fill up the tanks when we travel! Highway 50 boasts of more than 12 snow-covered mountain ranges even in May. We were tired and hungry when we pulled in. Of course we were the only guests but soon we were settled in a great cabin and dinner was being prepared for us. After dinner it was relaxing in the wood-fired hottub. Yes, I said wood-fired. The innkeepers had it built especially for them. There’s something exhilarating about being 3.5 hours from the nearest town.

Next we headed to Park City, UT. Driving through the Bonneville salt flats I felt like I was on another planet. Miles and miles of salt on either side of the road for as far as the eye could see. Park City was great and the food was amazing.

The next morning, my favorite motorcycle man and I parted ways. He was heading back home and I was heading to Canyonlands National Park for one night before ending in Albuquerque. I made it to Canyonlands and took a few roads..wow. another awesome park in Utah.

Next day I was on to Albuquerque to turn in the Tiger and Uber to Socorro to get my Jeep to drive back to NC.

May 2016 was an amazing month. From hiking to motorcycling, I saw some of the most awe-inspiring sights.

When I got home tragedy struck; my stepsister passed away unexpectedly.  My sadness overshadowed my writing and I didn’t feel like sharing. We rode to some great places during the second half of 2016 but I just wanted to be present in the moments, not record them.

In late 2016, Hurricane Matthew hit our state hard and we rode for relief and donated to folks who needed help.

Life reminded me to live in each moment and love those around you because in the blink of an eye, everything can change and nothing will ever be the same. I’m so grateful to have known my stepsister and to have made the journey through 2016.

May 2017 allow me to learn and love even Continue reading It’s Been Awhile… →