Medicine Hat. July 15, 2013

Upon leaving the motel we were off to play tourist once again. Checked out the giant sculpture of "Mac the Moose" and the "Snowbird" on the pedestal, both near the town tourism office. If that doesn't say you are in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan; I don't know what does!

The "Snowbirds" are officially known as the RCAF's 431 Demonstration  Squadron and is Canada's only active flying aerobatics team. They use the CT-114 Tudor aircraft shown here. Admit it....Wouldn't it be fantastic to fly one of these?

The wind greeted us with the worst cross winds experienced to date between Moose Jaw and Swift Current on the Trans Canada as we rode with determination to miss the threatening weather that was just to the north of us.......dark and looking at times like a funnel cloud. Definitely raining there, but no twisters reported when we checked later.

Gayle - I'm developing the neck muscles of a Formula 1 driver in these winds. At times I had to push against my helmet with the palm of my hand to give my neck a rest. I could also feel my helmet lifting off the top of my head. Bike felt very steady though.

We dismounted at Tim's in Swift Current for a break and sandwich. The remainder of the day's ride into Dunmore, AB (a little east of Medicine Hat) saw clearing skies and decreasing wind speeds. I asked Gayle whether the "side winds" were the worse and she said she felt it was buffeting her from every direction, not just sideways! There were actually rolling hills in this short section to help with the monotonous table top terrain that is "the prairies". Boy am I now looking forward to the Rockies and BC.

Wait.....we have just arrived at Jamie's place for an over night visit and to see what all the grand parent's hoopla has been all about! Mykala (sp) is Jamie and partner Chris Erwin's daughter.

(Gayle's brother Bob and wife Lynn's second grand child)

While Chris's two daughters (Brook-8 and Hayley-6) put up Jamie's hair, and kept us all entertained with questions of how old we were and how long we have been married, Gayle and I each took turns holding the sixteen day old miracle Mykala.

Easy to see why being a grandparent can puff up your chest. Your heart must enlarge when you hold such wonderful little creatures. (At least it feels that way!)

When Chris arrived after work, I got to see what Bob had mentioned to me in Saskatoon the surprise that he had in his garage. A 2002 Austin Martin DB7 Vantage sports car!!! Can you imagine taking this out whenever you wanted a little fun.

Oh ya, back to the other baby and Jamie...

So good to see her happy and caring for her new found love.

Chris took over the kitchen and had supper on the table in no time flat. We certainly have felt catered to by so many great cooks of late. Thanks so much for our first corn on the cob of the year, steak, salad and lemonade. Chris & Jamie you are welcome at our place any time and we will return the warm reception we felt in your home. We dragged our heals the next morning before heading out to Calgary, so that we could once again have snuggles with Mykala.

Moose Jaw Sunday July 14th

Gayle - It was very difficult to leave my brother Bob and his wife Lynn today. What do you do with tears under a helmet? I put my visor up and took off my glasses and let the wind dry them. But then how would I stop blatting. Next thing I know a hawk flew up out of the ditch right beside us with lunch in his mouth (a mouse). While watching this, my eyes were drawn to the amazing prairie sky, filled with many types of clouds, different layers moving in different directions. That kept me distracted for much of the ride. I had forgotten how beautiful the sky can be. I was still pretty teary that night so...... we're going back on the way home!! I might get those Greek ribs after all.

Great day to ride to Moose Jaw with a stop in Chamberlain for a break from the wind and a sub sandwich for lunch. Branched off  highway #11 to highway # 2 and rode into town to find a room at the Comfort Inn. Headed over to my nephew Jamie's place to meet his new to us daughter Abbegayle and reacquaint with his wife Jennifer and other daughter Kaleigh. Also on hand to greet us was my niece Jennifer Zinn and her youngest daughter Julia. Quite a gathering on the street to check out the bike while sharing hugs and greetings.
Jennifer Zinn's husband Darrell arrived with their eldest child Erica (diirect from a birthday party) before supper was prepared, as of by magic. We certainly felt special to be amongst this crew!

What were saying.......Jennifer? You did a great job of supper!  Check out the mob she fed.

Lots of conversation and laughs while we enjoyed catching up with each others lives.

Theresa Lyons (Jamie and Jennifer Day's Mom) came over after just pulling into town from Calgary and we gave her a poke for not bringing her husband Dave along. A quick phone call solved that and another voice was added to the mix. Gayle had never met Dave before and we were both pleased that he made time for us, on our "one night in town" visit. A pleasure to see them all!

Saskatoon

Sunday July 14
Our time here is over and we are headed south to Moose Jaw to touch bases with yet more relatives on the "Day" side of the family. The break here has allowed us to visit Gayle's brother Bob and his wife Lynn for three and a half days and enjoy some fantastic meals and good conversation.

Also had the opportunity to see our niece Jennifer, her husband Jay and their little wonder Olivia.

Jennifer with her feline friend "Jasper"

Special treat to have Olivia sit with us and read to us more than once. We also had the chance to visit with them in their home to be with her in her environment. Children's toys are amazing! And so is the painting!

Can you concentrate like that??

Took the chance, when asked, to play "techie" by doing some wiring inside Bob/Lynn's motor home when he purchased a solar panel for use while away from the grid. Great fun to help out and get a chance to be "on the tools" again!

A good rain yesterday (Saturday) turned into a slow day inside with a movie and more good food enjoyed with our hosts as well as at Ann Louise and Doug's. We were invited over to the west side for supper with my cousin and got to visit with my Aunt Vonda, cousin Grahame while there. Ann Louise's children were gracious enough to take the time for a drop by. So great to see both Allison and her two children Taylor and Mayson and her brother Chris. I again forgot to grab the camera to record this gathering while we were all together. Doesn't happen enough with the western side of our families!

Doug has a Harley Road King (Black Cherry) like Bob's 1980 FXFE Super Glide, which is very close in colour to our BMW. The wet weather day kept our bikes apart as we drove over to the west side in the Ford Escape instead of riding over as planned. We will have to get together for a ride another time.

It was hard to say our goodbyes as we decide to head south to Moose Jaw.

Leaving Ontario.......into the West

Another cool morning to start out in light drizzle. Wrong turn when leaving the gas station and I found myself headed to the USA on hwy.# 71 heading to International Falls, Minnesota? A quick about turn had us on hwy# 11-17 heading towards the first stop of the day to check out Kakabeka Falls. A local fella took our picture. His wife was touring some relatives around and he was along for the ride. (He said that Thunder Bay has the largest Finnish population outside Finland itself.) Their guests were from that country of course.

               

We met a Harley rider from Wembley, AB who had an escort car containing his wife and daughter. He told us he was on his way home from a bike rally and family get together here in Ontario. We left him to chat up another  Harley rider who arrived in the parking lot as we were packing up.

A lot of trees and rock to lull you into boredom on hwy# 11 on the way to Fort Frances. The road was in good shape with the odd construction zone to break up the ride. Half way through I took a ride into Atikokan to check it out and we both agreed that "we wouldn't want to live here"

The approach into Fort Frances over the causeway and bridges over Rainy Lake is very impressive. The transmission line structures that cross the lake at this narrows are some of the tallest I have seen anywhere on my travels in North America, tight. Traffic and guard-rails prevented a quick pullover to get some shots!

Pizza night before settling in. Three couples from Alberta, one on a Harley and two others riding Victory motorcycles pulled in to stay at the Super 8 as well. I must take more photographs! Showers during the  evening. Again it was good to miss being on the road at that time. It makes settling in so much easier!

July 8th found us making our way into Manitoba. The first time since 1983 for Gayle! We took the opportunity to stop at Rushing River park for a photo op as we stayed here on our first ever cross Canada trip(by car) in 1973.

 

             

     

We took the opportunity be partake of a "biker stop" at Rolly's Ye Olde Chip Truck for a burger and fries (closer to Kenora than the Manitoba border I believe) for whatever reason we see Harley riders taking breaks but most other bike travellers we simply wave to them on the highway.  :) 

 

There were two Harley's here as we rolled in, with Manitoba plates, so we knew we were getting closer.

                                                               

Gayle found the wind out in the open on the TCH near Stienbach tiring,but I have been riding in much worse in the past! We were not leaned oner at 45 degrees yet. I took the opportunity as we rode into Winnipeg to pick up some 5W40 100% synthetic oil for the bike. (Only required for top up at this point) They had a bike identical to our own at Wildwood BMW in their show room. Took time to browse while we had the chance to be in this dealership in Winnipeg.

Checked in to where to stay while getting into an air conditioned Starbucks for a cool one. (28 degrees) Took a ride around after deciding to stay in the city and dropped into a book store to browse  the magazines before calling it a day. Thunder clouds piling up as we arrived back at the motel. A couple on a Harley Road Glide on their way to Kenora, from Phoenix, Arizona, parked next to us in the "Motorcycle Parking Only" area. Got to like the special treatment!

July 9th  After breakfast we chatted with Josh and Kathy as they readied their Harley to ride east to Kenora and into some rain. Gayle got some "travelling light"suggestions from Kathy while Josh and I shared "rain riding" as part of being on the road. This couple have been leaving the heat of Phoenix behind each year now for awhile. They said that we were the first pair of long distance bikers they have met that are not simply weekly riders or locals; in all the places they have travelled!

Rain was letting up this morning as we readied for today's planned ride to Yorkton, SK. The day turned out better than what was forcast but the wind was with us all day. We better get used to it as big sky flat country will be ours for days now. Today we turned northwest on the Yellowhead highway which will continue all the way through Saskatchewan, Alberta to Masset, B.C. Once we arrive in Saskatoon I will be able to say that I have been on all but 101km (which are on the Queen Charlotte Islands) of the entire 2690km length.

We didn't find as many reasons to stop on this section but there will always be something to catch your eye:)

Who remembers the Sixties??

We made a visit to the CAA office in Yorkton to pickup some more maps (yes I still like to have the paper even though the Garmin Navigator IV GPS is on board) Took a long walk to supper and gassed up to be ready to ride in the morning.

July 10th High cloud cover and just a few sprinkles as we loaded our steed for the windy ride to what is said to be Canada's fastest growing city... Saskatoon. The clouds dissipated early on to allow the temperature to rise to 30 degrees as we arrived in the early afternoon. We again did not see many places to pull off for a break, but did take the opportunity to drop into Foam Lake where one of us checked out the town's Quilt Shop.

A pre-lunch snack at the Co-Op store in Mozart was the second stop to allow a rest from the buffeting winds of transport trucks. Sat in the shade on the porch and watched the grass wave to us in the breeze. Most small villages have enough tree cover to break most of the wind for awhile! 

July 2-6, 2013

So where have we been since Canada Day in Ottawa you ask? Well let me bring you up to speed!

Michael's  1987 BMW M6 next to our new BMW K1600GTL. Quite the dynamic duo!

As you can imagine, one of the chores that must be taken care of on a ride like ours eventually must be undertaken, unless you use a old friend Grant's advice and simply turn your underwear inside out.

Tuesday July 2nd while loading the bike a couple drove into the parking lot and were watching the bike intently. Chris McFalane and his wife Peggy got out of their  vehicle to chat and have a better close-up look at the, K1600GTL. Chris told us that he rides a BMW1150RT and was thinking of heading to Nova Scotia if he could get Peggy to to go along. He took a photo of Gayle and I with the bike near the Barley Mow restaurant in Almonte. Told them to look us up should they ever get down our way, whether on the bike or not.

Had a great riding day as we took mostly secondary highways to find our friend Michael Dunn and the owner of the condo we stayed at in Almonte. Sue Evans has a wonderful cottage in Hailiburton County that sits just across a small river from a cottage owned by the renowned artist Robert Bateman. It turns out that Sue designed the cottage herself  and had it built as a replacement for one that had been in her family for many decades. Gayle and I both felt very welcomed and at "home" with our hosts for several days, in this idylic location. Sue and Mike toured us around the area and we went into Minden and were treated by Michael to a good meal at a local cafe. We then followed that up with over-sized Kawartha Dairy ice cream cones. It was hot that afternoon, so no photos of dripping ice cream, because I made the most mess. :)

Sue and Gayle at the rapids below her cottage.

And something to remind us of our past.......

                                                                  

      

A late afternoon 5km run was followed by a most welcome swim in the river in front of  the cottage. I took a stroll down to a small bridge to find the lane into the Bateman cottage opposite Sue's place. I took some photos that included one from across the river of  Sue, Gayle and Michael sitting on Sue's patio enjoying conversation on a lazy summer evening.

The next day Sue sent us off with a large crepe, coffee and toast. The ride took us to Sudbury for the night. Some rain passing through the area but nothing to take us off the road. The next days ride took us through Sault Saint Marie and on to Wawa for a stay at the Mystic Motel. We met a biker at a roadside turn out who had left Barrie and was hoping to make it to Thunder Bay to end his day! ( He is on his way to Abbotsford, BC to meet his wife, who flew out) He is riding a newer Honda ST1300. We took photos of each other on our own camera's and were on our way after wishing him "safe journey"

Wawa tourist bureau ............can't miss it from the Trans Canada!

                                                            

 

Tourists after all :)

                                                     

A break from the road at Aquasabon Falls and gorge near Terrace Bay. Water tumbles through here into Lake Superior

A light drizzle to start off the next day and a short rain during the ride to Thunder Bay which lived up to its name as we rode into town! Motorcycle traffic picked up today. We rode from  Marathon to Terrace Bay with 4 Harley's carrying Minnesota plates.( about 75km) Hotwire booked us unto the Airlane and we discovered why it is called that, as we are sitting under the "international airport" flight path. Bike is covered for the night and we ate here in the motel rather than walk around in the rain, that is predicted to last all night! Perhaps there won't be many flights here in TB tonight. Tired riders need a good sleep!

Ottawa July 1, 2013

We decided to check out the Ottawa Transit Park and Ride by leaving the bike at Terry Fox in Kanata and took the bus to down town Ottawa exiting on Slater a few blocks down from Parliament Hill.(free to all on Canada Day)

It was an amazing experience to be rubbing shoulders and being in the same place on July 1 with such cross section of the Canadian mosaic. We were all proud and in a good mood even as the crowds swelled during the afternoon, with people taking up residence on the lawn in front of the Parliament Building centre block.

I was able to track down Chris Hatfield and get close enough, while he was being interviewed, to get some photos. An influential Canadian, as proud to be from Canada, as the rest of us downtown on this day, in our Nation's capital. 

I would encourage all Canadians new and old to try and experience July 1 in Ottawa some time in your life time. So much more meaningful than watching the proceedings on television. 

We left before the evening shows on the Hill, so that we would be home early enough for a good sleep in Almonte. Plus there were fireworks there at Gemmill Park and while I walked over to take some photos, Gayle was able to watch from Sue's condo's balcony.

                                                                         

The photographer apologizes for these firework captures. Perhaps a video would have been more effective!

All in all a good day, enjoyed by us both. 

         

New Orleans

No we are not there, just wishing we were. Today is Rick (Gayle's brother) and Lisa's wedding day in NOLA. Have a wonderful day you two, make lots of memories and know that our hearts are there with you. Hopefully Angela or Nicholas will post a few pics here. Much love to all of you.