Ray Jardine's 2011-Moto-Prudhoe

Day 30

July 20, 2011: Whitehorse to Watson Lake Yukon

Homemade cinnamon buns at a C-store on the outskirts of Whitehorse.

These guys are from Calgary

Fireweed.

This is Gordon. We talked for half an hour. He lost a daughter in December. He bought her a new truck; she rolled it in a blizzard, she was the only one not wearing a seatbelt. His wife knocked him out with a cast-iron frying pan, then filed a divorce. Then he had a few raunchy jokes.

More of the signpost forest in Watson Lake.

Stealth camping in Watson Lake. That's right - a hidden campsite in town.

Day's mileage: 273 mi

Day 31

July 21, 2011: Watson Lake to Fort Nelson BC

The cinnamon roll at Tetsa River Services. I stopped there to warm up.

During my snack break I watched an old movie about the making of the Alaskan highway. Those men had it rough.

The dog wanted to play with a stick. Watch out for the power cord!

At Fort Nelson, Winger and Bud from LA. Winger is 84 and proud to be still riding. Bud is a retired sheriff (30 years).

Day's mileage: 319 mi

Day 32

July 22, 2011: Fort Nelson to Chetwynd BC

Six hours of rain.

Not a good day for the Aerostich Roadcrafter, which leaks like a sieve. I'm trying to dry the clothing worn under the suit.

The rain is starting to break up.

Day's mileage: 315 mi

Day 33

July 23, 2011: Chetwynd to Williams Lake BC

12:00 AM and my first spell of darkness.

30 min wait for road construction. What to do? Talk with the cute flagperson the whole time.

Tires are staring to wear out

This guy owns a motorcycle shop and helped me clean my bike's radiator.

Beautiful country south of Prince George. I stopped at Williams Lake for the night.

Day's mileage: 337 mi

Day 34

July 24, 2011: Williams Lake to Nanaimo BC

An historic site

On the road to Whistler.

We didn't know it then, but the guy on the right would become a good friend later in the day. He was headed the same place as I was (Vancouver Island).

An illustration from Google Earth

Looking back at Horseshoe Bay

The ferry terminal

Waiting for the ferry.

We had a 2 hour wait, so went to town and had lunch. After eating they bring you this, to pay your bill. These are very common in Canada; seems like a step ahead of the US. They also have free health care which is a giant step ahead.

Traveling by motorcycle, you always have friends. This is Glenn from Vancouver. I had lunch with him. He toured Alaska a few years ago.

The motorcycle lineup inside the ferry.

My bike is in there somewhere.

My GPS showed the ferry's speed as 25 mph.

Being in the middle of two dozen bikes roaring out of the ferry was an unforgettable thrill. But then we all dispersed and went our separate ways.

Day's mileage: 352 mi

Day 36

July 26, 2011: Nanaimo to Raymond WA

Aboard the ferry from Victoria to Port Angeles.

I talked with the fellow sitting down. He lives here. This is a home for the mentally retarded (on Oak Street). I used to work here (1972) - one of my most rewarding jobs.