Day 22: Kennewick, WA to Home-Sweet-Home

We hopped on over to the Triumph dealer on Saturday morning. We dropped my bike off in the capable hands of their experienced mechanic, with the plan to pick it up sometime in the next couple of weeks once it got a new radiator. I climbed on the back of Mark's KTM. It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be, except for that one part where we were entering a turn that had a sign that said SLOW TO 45mph and I noted on Mark's dash that he was doing 75. I am fairly certain that I made my discontent with his approach clear at that time, and after that he toned it down a bit. We made it home after 300 miles of this, everyone safe and sound. Total miles for trip: 7107 Thanks for following along with us! Anne, Mark and Adam (and Loki, too!) July 21, 2012

Route:

Day 21: Colonial Creek CG to Kennewick, WA

Just because we were back stateside did not mean our adventure was over! More beauty on Highway 20 to Winthrop, WA and on up through Tonasket to Republic, WA. We figured we would wind our trip down with an artistic flourish by having our last ferry ride across the Columbia River on the Martha S.--she has been in service since 1948.

The winds were howling on the ferry, and as we got to the other side, the skies were looking ominous. Porkchop pulled over to put on his raingear. Mark was somewhere in front of me. I rounded a corner and got blasted by a gust of wind. It was looking like we'd be taking a trip to Oz, not to Boise, given the looks of this storm. I flashed my lights at Mark to get him to pull over and yelled at him, "we MUST take cover! We MUST take cover! AHHHHHH!" Fortunately, we spotted a nearby farm and the three of us ducked into their heavy equipment shed, which I must say was very well constructed. Seconds thereafter, the thunder and lightning started and the rain was coming down in firehose-like fashion. The shed, with its metal roof and excellent acoustics, made things even louder and more exciting.

After some time, this storm passed, we geared up, and kicked it on down the road. Ultimately, we wound up in Kennewick. It was hot. I would not recommend Kennewick as a vacation spot. Sorry, Kennewick. No camping, just an exceptionally bad motel, chosen by me. Sorry Mark, sorry Porkchop. Miles today: 375 Weather: hot, cold, sunny, windy, cloudy, stormy, torrential downpour-ish. No snow (hooray!), and we did not see a tornado touch down (hooray!).

Day 20: Marble Canyon CG to Colonial Creek CG on the North Cascades Highway

Today we had a chance to ride on Highway 99, the Sea to Sky Highway, which runs from just north of Cache Creek to Vancouver, BC. It is a windy little road! We stopped in Pemberton, BC to grab some gas and a coffee at a great place called Mount Currie Coffee Company. I enjoyed the best cup of coffee of the whole trip! Stop here if you are ever in Pemberton. Just down the road is Whistler, BC, and not surprisingly, it was very crowded with summer visitors to the resort. Further south, as the road opened up, we got more great views.

But wait, there's more! The ocean! Imagine our delight at traveling past huge mountains and then getting to enjoy the smell of the salt air as we whisked by Horseshoe Bay! Urban chaos subsequently ensued through Vancouver proper, as the entire road system seems to be under construction. No carnage, fortunately, and on we went to the border. About 40 miles south of the border, we turned east to Highway 20. Again, more beautiful scenery and twisty roads. As we had stocked up on food (in a stunning twist, this time chicken sausage and vegetables) and beer, we decided to camp in the North Cascades National Park. Adam did not inform us prior to the trip that he was an avid birder, but the man came through again as an excellent team member with a double baby Barred Owl sighting. These owls compete with the Northern Spotted Owl for space in the world.

We also enjoyed a most spectacular sunset!

Daily dose of distance: 350 miles

Day 19: Tyhee Lake Provincial Park to Marble Canyon CG on Highway 99

Today was a mad dash through the bucolic, verdant countryside of British Columbia! We had to put on some miles. Our route took us through Prince George and south to Highway 99. Not many photos today, just lots of time (10 hours) on the bikes and 2 Red Bulls, 2 Starbuck’s Double Shots and 2 5-Hour Energy drinks for the team. Our campsite was amazing--Marble Canyon, just off the road on Highway 99. We highly recommend it!

Distance: 810 kilometers, just over 500 miles

Day 18: Stewart, BC to Salmon Glacier to Tyhee Lake Provincial Park

The alarm went off at 7 am for an early adventure before breaking down camp. We were headed up to the Salmon Glacier, about 25 miles up a narrow dirt road outside of Hyder, Alaska, just down the road from Stewart. This road was originally made by gold and copper miners, and I wouldn’t recommend taking just any car up to the glacier. There is still active mining going on, and some big, scary trucks on the road, and some bumps, and if you are scared of heights or of driving on a road which, in places, drops off about 1,000 feet from the tiny shoulder, maybe you shouldn‘t make the trip. We found this vehicle at the top, which is well suited for the road. The owners were not willing to trade their rig for Mark and Adam’s motorcycles. Understandable, as this rig starts at a cool $660,000.

The glacier views were phenomenal--this is a MUST DO side trip if you ever have the pleasure of passing through Stewart, BC.

After enjoying the phenomenal views, we headed down the road to break down camp and head back on to the Cassair Highway. At the border crossing, I heard a loud pop and got a shot of steam around my legs--my radiator had failed! Oh no! My beloved Triumph! Fortunately, I travel with a team of very competent motorcycle mechanics, and they were able to patch things up. Here they are at work.

Disaster was averted. But, our get-home plan had changed a bit. We would continue our planned trip, but drop my motorcycle off in Kennewick, Washington, for repairs. This will mean that I will have to ride on the back of Mark’s bike for about 4 ½ hours home to Boise at the end of the trip. The remainder of the day went well, with me riding in front, watching my bike’s temperature carefully. The rest of the Cassair was gorgeous--it smelled like cedar and wildflowers as we rode through the forest.

We ended up camping at the Tyhee Lake Provincial Park for the night. Distance: 458 kilometers, including a beautiful trip to the Salmon Glacier, and a little time-out for things mechanical

Day 17: Tanzilla Creek to Stewart, BC

Another beautiful day! Filled with blue skies, bears, moose and glaciers! At our gas stop, we met Bailey and her master--she has her own custom seat on her Harley. She also owns some Doggles, but doesn’t like to wear them.

We turned down a little road to Stewart, BC, which packs a scenic punch.

Given the lovely weather, we elected to camp at the Ridley Creek campground, which is right in town. Mark was very helpful and obtained some firewood for the camp. Look at him go with the wheelbarrow!

The pork chops that Adam prepared on the grill were particularly good that evening. We all settled into our tents early, because we had big plans the following day! Distance: 383 kilometers Views: Fabulous

Day 16: Whitehorse, YT to Tanzilla Creek CG

Before we left Whitehorse, we had some business to attend to! We first had to fill up our gas tanks, and then visit the Yukon Transportation Museum. Here is an example of what we saw there--a road making "tundramobile". The guys were willing to trade their beloved motorcycles in for this beauty.

Our bikes were filthy from the Dempster. Next stop, the Blueberry Carwash. Porkchop's bike emerged a swan. He definitely won the competition for the cleanest bike. It must have been his artful application of the spot-free rinse.

The weather was wonderful on this day. We turned south on the Cassair Highway 37 and enjoyed some amazing views on this roller-coaster of a road.

This road is a lot of fun, but you really have to pay attention. This truck rolled off the road and had just been righted with the help of two large tow trucks when we arrived on the scene after a 9 hour nightmare for the tow truck drivers.

At the close of this most beautiful, scenic drive, we arrived at Tanzilla Creek CG, our home for the night. Distance: 669K Weather: Perfect! Scenery: Mind-blowing!