Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Three Days of Beauty



From Fort St. John we went to Fort Nelson where we had hotel reservations, but it was too early and a lazy Sunday afternoon, so we decided to continue to Watson Lake.  On our way we encountered even more road work, but it was worth it. 


We stayed at the Air Force Lodge, a completely restored 1942 pilot quarters that offers quiet and super clean rooms.  The owner, Michael Lexon, made us feel welcomed since our first contact over the phone.  We met very interesting and great people there (some of them on their way up north to Anchorage, Alaska or Whitehorse, Yukon).  We shared experiences and knowledge about the best places to go, and even though we left the place at different intervals, we ended up meeting at a restaurant in the next town where we went for brunch, and continued our conversation.  There we met another nice couple from Minnesota who showed us some of the beautiful pictures they have taken.





We have decided to go directly to Skagway from Watson Lake, but needed to replace both low beam headlights, so we went to Whitehorse instead.  Matt bought the last two H7 bulbs in the Yukon Territory (no joke!).  We really loved Whitehorse.  Here you will find very nice people, good restaurants, and great places to visit. 

So far we have seen bears, bisons, moose and chipmunks.  Taking pictures of these is not easy, but I'll keep trying!J

Over and out for now, since we have to get on our way to Haines, Alaska.  More to come tonight…

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Getting Closer


These have been an interesting couple of days…



On our way to Whitecourt, AB, we enjoyed nice weather and a Carolina blue sky most of the time.  We stopped in Calgary for lunch but avoided entering the city since they were expecting a severe thunderstorm, and we wanted to be out of the area ASAP.  The view continued to amaze us for its immense and beautiful scenery. 

After checking in at the hotel, we walked to a nearby supermarket to get something light for dinner.  I really didn’t want to be walking under the imminent thunderstorm that was coming our way.  Thank goodness it was not too bad. Anyway, the overnight rain was exactly what we needed to clean the bugs off the motorcycle! J

Today we arrived in Fort St. John, British Columbia.  The journey from Whitecourt, Alberta, was a fun one.  There was a little bit of rain, heavy winds, interesting clouds, beautiful prairies and forests, curves and winding roads, and light traffic… the right ingredients for a memorable day. I can’t stop thanking God for His goodness and mercy.


The time to change our summer clothes for winter clothes finally came today.  In one of our stops we decided to change our summer jackets and to put on our rain gears/windbreakers over our leather jackets because it was getting cold and we knew it will rain a little bit on the way, so when we were at it, there come this elderly lady and asked something about where we were going, and after Matt told her our plans, she said, “well, I hope you don’t get rain on the way, but the kids danced the rain dance this morning, so…”  we thanked her for the info, and laughed with her.  When she left, I asked Matt what she really meant with that, and he said, “I don’t know, maybe she is Indian and that’s one of their traditions”.  This may be true, but we know who is in control, and because of that, we just thank God for this beautiful experience, including the unpredictable weather! J

Friday, August 5, 2011

Canada



Yes!  We arrived in Medicine Hat, Canada, early enough to go shopping at the mall right behind the Comfort Inn & Suites.  Got some goodies, came back to the hotel and got ready to walk to a nearby restaurant for dinner. 

Back at the hotel, we can relax and think about our day...

After a delicious breakfast we checked our route for the day and left the hotel around 9:00 am.  We drove following our GPS directions, and after 6 hrs of riding, it took us through a road construction which delayed our travel by one hour.  We just turned off the motorcycle and had some snacks while waiting for our turn to drive through the new paved area.  Thanks God the weather was nice (a little bit chilly at times), and waiting was not that bad. 

The landscape turned from plains of hay plantations to Cypress Hill, a beautiful small forest area on the way to Medicine Hat, Alberta.  I just imagine how beautiful would it be in winter time! 

Tomorrow we will be heading towards Whitecourt, Alberta.  Few more days, and God willing, we will be entering Alaska! J

Until tomorrow...

Getting filled up in Malta, MT

Matt's Home Town... Zurich!



Thursday, August 4, 2011

North Dakota to Montana

OK!  We traveled from Jamestown, ND to Glasgow, MT and spend the night at the Cottonwood Inn & Suites.  By the way, at this private owned hotel, you will also find a campground area/RV park for those that prefer to camp.  The hotel has a restaurant, indoor pool/spa and offers transportation.  They are expanding the property to include 22 more rooms for a total of 146 guest rooms and suites.


On our way to Montana, the temperature dropped about 23 degrees (we had to put on a windbreaker).  The view of The Great Plains is very relaxing and beautiful.  Of course it makes me sleepy, so I did sleep a little bit on the way.  Matt also started sleeping, but don't worry... we have a GPS!  LOL Just kidding!!!  The poor guy, slept like a baby last night!  It's amazing how many motorcyclists are out there this week.  We have met many of them; some on their way from New Hampshire to Sturgis in South Dakota, others from Maine and Michigan to Glacier National Park, and others just waiving on the way.


One thing that got me wide awake was to see a pick up truck loosing a wheel barrow on the highway just in front of us!   Thank goodness there was only light traffic and with a swerve to the right Matt got around it. Other than that, the journey was delightful, despite the downpour we got into.  The cumulus nimbus started towering and I started shaking! 


Here are some more pictures for your enjoyment…



 
North Dakota's floods
  




 
 
Break Stop












Heading to the downpour!


Theodore Roosevelt National Park, ND


Got Road?


Entering Fort Peck Indian Reservation











Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Just Pictures...

Got Traffic?  Yes, in VA!


 

There is always light at the end of the tunnel!

Lunch

Countryside in Minnesota


North Dakota


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

North Dakota


We started the day with a rain/thunderstorm.  I really thought we will have to stay another day in Minnesota, but Matt said it was a thing of a couple of hours, after checking the weather online, he made some changes on our schedule, and his prognostic was right... after 2 hrs of horrible weather, the sky cleared and we were on our way to North Dakota.


Thank goodness my wise husband decided to make reservations in the morning because EVERY single hotel was full!!!  People were looking for hotels all over the place in North Dakota without any success. 


We really enjoyed the ride from Minnesota to North Dakota.  It was so beautiful!  They say there are 10,000 lakes in Minnesota; well we could see at least 200 of them!  No kidding, here are some pictures I took on the way.


Enjoy it! J


Minnesota


This was a super hot day!  We were so happy when we entered Minnesota; the temperature dropped 15 degrees in less than 15 minutes!  After riding all day long under the blazing sun from Washington, IL, we were ready for the relieve we found in Minnesota.   Tomorrow we will be heading towards North Dakota.  I think we will have to deal with some rain once again.  But no worries, our rain gear is ready for action! J

Goodnight, and sweet dreams!