Alaska 2004
 
 

Day 04

July 12

  
 

I've already scouted the area and the breakfast prospects do not appear too good. So we decide we'll ride on a bit along I90 and see what comes up. Our goal today is to hit Spokane, then get as far into Canada as we can get. It will be a long day, but it's just another long day in a string of long days. As I pack up my bike I see a couple loading up their Harley. I walk over to them -

"Y'all from around here or just passing through?" I ask.

The man replies "We're actually starting our on our honeymoon, going to ride a bit and then go back home."

"Well, I can't think of a better way to start one than riding. My wife and I have been riding together for over 28 years" as I am thinking about how a sweet a woman I am married to.

I wish them great success on their ride and their marriage and finished packing up. Tom is a quicker packer than me, so he's ready to go while I'm still tinkering. Finally, it's on the road again. I'm not really looking forward to Spokane because the traffic is usually wretched and you are in it for a while. The last time I was through there was before my hand surgery and I just about lost my cookies from all of the starting and stopping. This will be a real test of just how much good the surgery did. We come to Drummond, MT and my stomach and my gas tank tell me it's time to stop. We get off the slab and head for the main drag, looking for gas and for grub. There it is - the Wagon Wheel Motel and Café with a gas stop right next to it. It's motto is 'We Cook Real Food' and they've been at it for over 50 years. Right across from the Bullshipper's Coral with pickup trucks outside - a real good sign.

 
 
 
  It works for us, so we gas up then wheel over to the front and park the bikes. You can smell good stuff cooking coming right out the door. Most everything on the menu is homemade and Tom orders a cinnamon roll that would kill a good man, much less an old rag like him. I load up on eggs, pig meat and gravy and biscuits. What a feast to get your motor running for the day! We are tempted to stay around for lunch, but we've got to hit and get it. We will talk about that meal more than once on the rest of the trip. We hit the Idaho stateline and it is a mess of construction and the sign is on a downhill slope. This one's gonna be a bit tricky, but I manage to pull the picture off without getting killed. Idaho has one the prettiest painted state line signs around - it's also one of my favorites.

 
 
 
  We quickly zip across the handle of Idaho, get the Washington state line sign and arrive in Spokane. The traffic is just as bad as I figured it would be but we managed to get through it. But along the way, I hit a bad bump and my CB quits working, much to my aggravation. It is so nice when traveling to be able to communicate bike to bike and now I've got a problem right at the time I need it the most. I make hand signs to Tom that I'm off the air so we soldier on. I hit another bump and the CB kicks back in. This will take some figuring out, so I'll just fuss with it when we land for the evening. We take 395 out of Spokane and follow it straight to the Canadian border. It's great place to cross - very little traffic and very few people. Tom gets the luck of the draw and he gets the pretty border agent and I get the not-so-pretty one. Thankfully, they send us both on through without a hassle. We are in for a treat of some of the most beautiful scenery there is on the North American continent. It's hard to keep focused on the road with all of the natural beauty surrounding you. We top a ridge and come to a place I still cannot pronounce - Osoyoos.  
 
 
 

You'd think we just crossed the border into Switzerland - a beautiful lake in a valley surrounded by mountains. We stop a take a few pictures and realize it's getting close to fuel and food time. Down the mountain and back up but don't see anything that grabs us. We pull into a gas station, gas up, then I wander into the store -

"Anywhere around here to get something to eat?" I ask the attendant on duty who is about as excited about what she is doing as convict busting rocks.

She replies "Yeah, the restaurant just across the street."

"Would you eat there?" I reply with a grin.

"No, matter of fact I wouldn't."

Fortunately, there is a lady in the store who overhears the conversation. It turns out that she and her husband are riders and are on their way to dinner.

"Just follow me up the hill and I'll take you to where we're headed."

What a great break that was. We follow her up some twisty lane to a restaurant tucked away out of sight. There would have been no way for us to ever find it. The food was great and the view was wonderful from the mountaintop. We talk about where we are headed and she gives us some alternate routes to follow. Since it's getting late, we settle up and hit the road again. Sometimes the best things that happen on a ride happen just like that - the right people at the right place at the right time. We motor along some of the roads that the lady suggested. I've got my feet resting on the sidepocket covers just a chilling, when I hear Tom hollering in the CB -

"Bear, Bear, Bear …".

  
   
 

I'm thinking "Bare what?" but then I see it. I'm not in exactly the most perfect position for collision maneuvers. Up ahead a big momma bear is waddling across the road with her cub in tow taking her fine time. I managed to get my feet down and the bear and youngin manage to get across the road without us making a connection. I mutter to myself

"Got to pay more attention to the road instead of the scenery, you dummy!"

We finally arrive in Merritt, BC about dusk and spot the All Seasons motel. It turns out to be the best motel deal of the whole trip.

 
 
 
 

When we go inside to get a room, the lady behind the desk is very nice -

"You may park your motorcycles in the garage if you like" she offers.

Tom and I are both surprised but see no need for her to have to move her car.

"No need to, but we really appreciate your offer" I respond.

It's been a glorious day of 758 miles but we are awful glad to get off the road. But tomorrow will be an even longer day …