2024BCto PEI

June 2024 Victoria, BC enroute to PEI .My friend Venessa and I return from Montreal's F1. After spending a few hours with her family I am leaving to catch a 7 pm ferry to Vancouver's Tsawwassen terminal.

Will cross the Continent in 15 days. There will be 4 Provinces and 8 states to cross. I take the Ladner trunk road to the US border into Washington and am through in minutes at 9:20 at night. I head south on Hwy 5 into Bellingham to a motel for the night. My first night alone for days after my generous friend, Sandra, offered to put me up for 6 days. I check out in the morning and find the T Mobile store to get a new SIM card. Then lunch at Olive Garden. My friend, Rani, passes me in her van enroute to Winthrop, WA. I turn onto Hwy 20 - a gorgeous road that is twisty and weaves around some beautiful lakes and mountains. 8 years and 10 months ago I travelled the opposite direction. I go through Rainy Pass and there is snow on the mountains and right on the highway next to me. In June there is still snow, but it is not cold. This pass circles around and down going by beautiful blue bodies of water. Rani is hiking in this pass. She and her sister meet me for Mexican dinner on a patio in Winthrop. They are camping and I stay at AbbeyCreek Inn where there is an outdoor pool. DAY 2 It takes me 11 minutes to load the bike with my small tote and backpack. Head out by 9 am. This area is gorgeous with trees and a river following the road.

I take 153 south to Pateros. The geography is amazing with moutains and random large rocks just dropped anywhere. They are called Erratics per Bonnie's insight later in the trip. Hwy 97 follows a river and then 173 south over the Columbia River and into Bridgeport, Washington. The Chief Joseph Dam takes up a lot of real estate here. Hwy 17 goes south to Coulee City where there is a large dam. This is another amazing ride with little traffic and good road surface surrounded by mountains. I see in my rear view mirror that my backpack is hanging off the back. A quick stop to rearrange and it is not damaged and seems no heat near the exhaust.. ?

Very little of the land seems used for anything but a few cattle in one area. Some ambitious cyclist are riding on the no shoulder road here and they wave. There are stretches of straight road where I am cruising at 111 kms per hour and once and a while hitting 132. I drive through Coulee City for lunch but there are many vacant stores and the one open restaurant is not appealing. Hwy 2 goes east to Spokane but I stop just before to have lunch. I rearrange my load as the pack is slipping forward and pushing me into limited space. I wanted to see Spokane WA, but did not manage it, so now I will ride through this Washington city. I miss my turnoff and end up in Newport which is right on the border of Idaho. In a motorbike store a nice guy lubes the gas tank lock as it is not releasing my key. We chat and then I get Hwy 41 south into Coeur d'Alene. This is where Patty Duke lived and died. There is a huge lake in this city. There are SO many trees. Trees everywhere on the mountains. I am on Interstate 90 east which is pretty and busy, with a speed limit of 75 mph (120 kph) I gas up in Kingston and get a local pint for $3 US. It is 24 degrees. A few more miles and I stop in Kellogg for the night. Nice room so I enjoy a luxurious hot bath. This town has Silver Mountain Ski resort. Lots of cyclist in the area.

It is a beautiful morning and will be in Montana in 40 minutes. Montana is 1,000 klms wide with vast terrains.

This 4th loading of all my luggage is well set up and I am confident it is stable. I am on Hwy I90 where the maximum is 80 mph. There are two lanes and lots of 18 wheelers. I have to keep clear of them so have been running at 132 and getting use to that speed. In order to pass one of the trucks I hit 152 kilometers - a new record and perhaps one time only. This route follows the train tracks. The Lewis Fork river crosses under the highway several times over the next perhaps 100 miles or so. I pass the U of Montana in Missoula - a big industrial city. The University has great architecture and the backdrop is a mountain covered in trees. JBS company is a large meat producer in town and the smell would make you a vegetarian. The highway climbs and the comes down in twists. I cross the continental divide. Pass Drummond where there is logging and you can smell the wood. The hills are sometimes treed and then a scattering of trees and then just rock. The land seems so vast and unnatural but beautiful. Stop in Clinton for 3 gallons of gas. Now the road criss crosses the Musselshell River. Exit at Garrison (lots of railways) on #12. There are horses grazing in fields and bee hives and it smells great. There are homesteads amoung the land and I even see a Ponderosa look alike. Later the show Ponderosa is playing on the TV when I stop in a pub. I stop in Townsend for lunch. The next hour on the way to White Sulpher Springs is just a fabulous ride. Maybe my best. Several National Parks, a creek running next to the road and no one in my direction all the way ! ! Coming into White Sulpher Springs there are black mountains to the north and snow capped mountains to the east. Quite a site. Montana is dramatic and unnatural. People are mostly friendly and often say hi. I stay at the White Spring Spa as there are only 2 hotels in the small town. The sun is just setting.

I head straight for the hot springs. This spa has the same composition as the famous Baden spa in Germany. Then down the road to 2 Bassett Brewery. I sit next to the only guy (Max i think) in a baseball cap when all the locals are in cowboy hats. He is a cop in Billings. We chat and he thinks I am doing an amazing thing. I like him and he hugs me when I leave.

The next morning I head to the hot spring pool. Walk around town and see derilict homes and trucks that stay running when the guys are waiting on coffee .... Maddening ! Breakfast at Kellies and there is no tax on the bill. This area has lots of ski resorts. Showdown is owned by women and may be the only one in the country that is woman run. It is a warm day and will get to 32 degrees later today. I head on hwy 2 where I have 11 klms of construction - my favourite gravel on dirt. The landscape is crazy. There is even a mountain range named Crazy Mountains. There are smooth rocks on rolling hills and then rough looking rocks - slate and sandstone maybe. I stop at Avon Cafe for lunch including Key Lime pie.

I pass over Horse Thief Creek. Later a stop in Roundup at the Grand Bar for a beer and to cool down. There are religious overtones in this area. Another stop in Forsyth because the bike temperature has gone up 10 degrees and so have I. Pub is named Iron Horse and this town has lots of trains on the tracks. Really long trains. I rode over 6 hours and 370 miles. I check in at Super 8 in Miles City and then walk up to the Bucking horse saloon to watch the playoffs and the Oilers are winning ! The wind has whipped up and my motorbike cover is at the front desk as someone got it in the parking lot. I have to contact Tangerine as I did not update my phone number and now am not getting the security code to log into my bank.

I leave Miles City south on 59 and you can see the wind blowing the grasses around. I have 3 bars of gas. Seems bar three was on it last drop as further down this hwy that has no stores of any kind especially gas (but also no bugs accummulate on the screen) the low fuel light is flashing. I slow down and cruise and worry but I coast into Broadus on fumes. Put $16 US of the best gas in the tank. I get lunch and study my map in Big Sky pub. I was told I should go through Devils tower, but it looked like it was taking me out of the way so I did not. I go south on 212 and 1/2 hour thru Wyoming. It is vast land. Saw sheep for the first time and now in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. I recognize the restaurant and Ace Motel I stayed at almost 10 years ago. I had stopped in this town when the winds were so strong that even trucks with trailers stopped as the pressure was pushing us around. The town seems bigger and the roads are better. South on 85 into Spearfish where I stop to rest at a Brewery. A local introduces himself and asks about my ride and volunteers possible rides in the area. I am on I90 East through Sturgis and this is a long stretch to Murdo when I stop. (map view after says I should have gone 34) I had hoped to get further but really tired. Also would have liked to stop at the 1880 Town but feel I need to move ahead. Seems helmets are not required in some of these states. I can get no ethenol gas which does seem to improve mileage. In Murdo I find a Country Inn with a pool and nice room for $79 US. I unload my stuff and head to get dinner but this small town is closing up at 8:30 . Back to the Inn and I go for a swim at 10 pm local time.

Monday I get continental breakfast where donuts are part of the American meal. They supply rags for cleaning and I have to scrub the insects off my helmet. They also provide swim suits and popcorn. I have another swim and packed and on the road by 10 am. I am in all my rain gear and continue on east. Not very long after it starts to rain. It keeps raining and I need gas so I stop in White Lake to fuel up. There is a puddle next to the tank that gets my boots even more damp. Back on the hwy and it continues raining. Then the winds pick up and then the rain turns to hail. The hail is actually hurting my legs when it hits and it bounces of my wind screen. I can see lightning in the sky all around me and the wind is getting too much. Luckily there is a rest stop near Salem and I join 2 other bikers from Montreal sheltering from the storm. I stay for over an hour to let the system go by.

Luckily I have data on my cell phone and can view my maps to figure out how to get to Milwaukee, Wisconsin most efficiently. There is a ferry to cross Lake Michigan to avoid going around Chicago. I love Chicago but the roads are too much to navigate. Lots of drivers come and go to the rest stop and ask about my travels. I find the people I meet really friendly and interesting. Back on the road there is still rain and even a sun shower. I read that South Dakota is all about corn and there even is a Corn Palace. I pass the area when Laura Ingles Wilder lived. I cross the Missouri River on a long bridge in Chamberlain. A stop in Souix Falls at a golf club restaurant I spread all my wet gear about and have lunch and linger. It is a big city and I did not get to see the Falls. In two hours I pass into Luverne, Minnesota. This streach of road is not very good and there is road work going on. The grass or whatever is growing here is very green. There are lots of Wind Turbines. I have been on the bike for over 6 hours riding today. It is now sunny and I am in Albert Lea - a very pretty town. I find the Quality Inn for $69 a night and hang out all my damp clothing. Down the street is Green Mill bar for pizza dinner. I make an inquiry at a local bike shop to get an oil change but no luck. Today was 610 klms and about 7 hours on the bike. The odometer is at 43,000 plus Kilometers.

Tuesday it is already 24 degrees and sunny. But the forecast is wind and rain later in the afternoon. Planned route is east on I90 to MN-16 a Historic Bluff County scenic bywy. South to Preston, Minnesota where I stop for lunch. I weave around the area (sort of off plan) and through some small backroads where I get turned around, but it is gorgeous. Lots of open farm land and crops for miles. I end up in Caledonia where the gas station personal gets out her paper map to show me where I am and how to get into Wisconsin. I take #3 east - beautiful and past an area for apple growing. Hit scenic route 26 south which follows the North Mississipi and the railway tracks. There must have been a flood some time ago as many trees are 1/2 under water at this section of the river. Trees give me shade on my side of the road. It is very hot and my legs are burning.. There is a welcome to Wisconsin rest and history stop (north bound) and then I am in Iowa. But only for a few minutes as the Lansing steel bridge takes me into Wisconsin. The north Mississipi river is flowing fast here and no boats on it. There use to be islands in this section of the river but they have eroded so now the water is choppy. I stop at the Swing Inn to cool off and figure out my next route. Hwy 171 east. Great road and scenery. A stop in Sauk for gas and a guy asks me about my bike and travels. Then I chose a route that took me a bit further north but it was spectacular. I drive through Madison's hwy at 130 klms. (big city) End up too far south and have to ask where am I on my map - Edgerton. Now on a nice ride into what was to be Jefferson, but I only made it to Fort Alkinson. I had to use the "Authorized" only u turn when I missed the turnoff. Too tired to continue - found a cheap (opps) motel and went down the road to Mr. Brew where the Oilers were winning over Florida. The great young bar tender was closing but told me to eat and drink, so I did. She asked about my travels, spotted my helmet and said You just get cooler.... Slept pretty good but the shower was not worthy of using and NO soap provided....

Out quickly to the Pine Cone truck stop for breakfast. Another hot sunny day so I make a left on a red when no one is coming. I get the I94 due east into Milwaukee. The first thing you see is a giant building and parking lot. It is the American family field for baseball. I maneuver the highway thanks to great signs and into the port to find the Ferry to Michigan. I am too early and it is damn hot. The staff are a great help and have air conditioning. Talk to a young Colorado man who is hiking. Talk to the other 5 bike riders and we are on the ferry first. $200 US.

Have tie downs that another rider helps me with. The journey is efficient and 2 1/2 hours later in Michigan. I had contacted a Harley guy who offered to help get the bikes oil changed. Had to pick up the oil myself and met the girlfriend of my Harley mechanic. She took my gallons of oil to his shop as I had no room on my bike. She and other friend talked while the service was done on the Yamaha. Seems the oil wasn't too bad. They all were amazed by my ride and asked me all kinds of questions and shock my hand when I left. The woman said she was inspired and may up her bike from a dirt bike to do some real riding... ? I don't have a map of Michigan and my phones battery is dying. I am on 96 even though I did not mean to be. A stop for lunch in Lansing or Flint along the highway. This route takes me too near dreaded Detroit. I see people tail gating at high speeds on the highway. But I find my way to the highway toward Port Huron. Not before it starts to rain. There is an accident and we all slow down. Keep going but the rain turns into hail and then there is lightning - close and quick. I also need gas ! I turn off in Chesterfield and get gas. I pay with soggy American bills. A great guy gives me precise directions to a hotel as the storm is not letting up. I have lost the bike cover that was attached to my backpack on the back of the bike. I find the Hampton Hotel where there is a pool - I get a room for $128 that includes breakfast. I leave the bike under the cover at the front entrance. Wake to sunshine and warmth. After a swim I have breakfast and pack up my damp clothing to head to Sarnia. A notice that there is a correctional facility in the area and not to pick up hitch hikers. This road is really good and their are lots of trees around that look just like Ontario. A van cuts right in front of me and my horn gets a work out. Near the border there is a $3 toll for the bridge that crosses into Canada. Their is a line at the border unless you have Nexus. But my officer is very friendly and gets me through quick. I did not see Stephs old apt in Sarnia, Ontario. I am use to the high rates of speed on US highways and now am limited to 100 miles per hour. Lots of tractor trailers on the roads and I have to get into the fast left lane to get around them. Closer to Toronto the highway becomes packed and slow. Tracker trailers are lined up sometimes three across. This is the worst leg of the journey. I stop in Halton to rest and have lunch at Harveys. The back up on the highway deters me and I get off on Eglinton - but there is construction. So I rideup and around on the shoulder and then maneuver around streets until i get onto Wilson which moves quick enough to finally get to The Goose on Leslie Street. My sister Cathy has taken time out of her very busy schedule to meet me and we catch up before she has to run again... As per usual she buys my food. I have to get back on the 401 until Ajax where I check into a Hampton with a pool. I get a swim and do laundry ! I am in contact with Elba and Michelle and will get to visit with them tomorrow. Then a short ride to a local pub and a good nights sleep.

Friday I swim when the pool opens at 9 am and then I missed breakfast. When checking out the manager say's "is that your beautiful bike?". In India she rode. I head to GP Bikes in Whitby as the chain likely is dry from all the rain and intense heat. They service my bike while I peruse the beautiful leather jackets. I send a picture of one to Sandra and tell her I am in love - she wants me to find love and I did. But i did not purchase this $1,000 jacket.!

I go to the the mall right next where there is the Chucky Cheese that I would take Steph and Veronica to when we lived in Peterborough. There is also an IFly in the same mall ! I go in to ask about it. I did try to convince Elba to come fly with me.... I have lunch at a beautiful Italian restaurant and then ride to Elba and Michelle's house in Whitby. Michele is just pulling into the driveway. I wait in their house with the 3 youngsters until Elba arrives. She cooks dinner for seven people ! Then we take a bicycle ride on the trail next to Lake Ontario.

Stop at a little brewery and continue on the where CampX originally was. A Canadian spy training school. We get back to her place and watch a documentary about comedy in the gay world.

Saturday Elba and I take another bike ride west this time. Stop at a beach for the view. It is very hot.

Back at the house we grab lunch from a nice coffee shop and then the family is off to an event and I am heading out on hwy 401. My brother and I were trying to arrange a ride together somewhere between his house in Millbrook and here in Whitby. The prediction for today is rain and we are not able to coordinate. Maybe next year. It is not too busy and so I continue on east. After a stop for gas I stop in Belleville for lunch. Road into town is rough but the highway 401 is very smooth. Another stop in Brockville - a very pretty and historic place on the St Lawrence River. There is the first train railway tunnel and it is pretty cool.

I need gas urgently and stop in Iroquis. Just further east on Hwy 2 is Morrisburg and there is light rain and I am tired as it is 7 pm. I check into the McIntosh Inn. It has a restaurant, pub and pool so don't have to go out again. I chat with a local, Ryan, for some time. Also my server for breakfast the next morning is still out at 9 pm. I go to the Jacuzzi at 9:15 and it was so nice. Pool was locked (or I could not see what I was doing) so I went to my room for the night.

Sunday. Going for breakfast at 7:30 am. A swim in the outdoor pool and another hot tub dip. Packing the bike takes some time and I have it parked (rules don't apply to a bike) in the back door way near my room. I head east on Hwy 2 which becomes Historical parkway. War of 1812 happened near here. The St Lawrence river has lovely sail boats on display. There are lovely towns and a pedestrial path that follows the St Lawrence for miles. It is again damn HOT.... I have to manage Cornwall and get on the 401. It is still not too busy out this far. Then I am in Quebec and stop for gas and a paper map ! Exit #14 and head east and navigate until looking for lunch and end up in Bromont at East Side Marios. There were two sections where the road surface was under construction and missing the top smooth layer. It gives you the feeling of moving in a unstable manner. To add to that the winds where really blowing and I was trying to keep the bike from blowing across to the other lane of traffic. It starts to pour -- just pour. I wait another hour and there is a reprieve so I head across hwy 10 to Sherbrooke, but it starts pouring again. Useless to stop so I ride in near blinding rain....the rain eases up when I get into Sherbrooke. I am soaked and find the first motel...In Lennoxville. The sun comes out about 6 pm. My boots are drying in the sun. A freight train goes by right across the street. Not much around and I am reluctant to get on the bike again. So I have an early evening. Google says the trip is 315 klms but I added some excursions to get lunch (unsuccessful) and my route was more to avoid another busy highway.

Monday all my gear is still damp. So far there is no rain but it is expected in 2 hours. I head out at 7:30 and the day looks promising. Sun and warmth. I wanted to stop for breakfast but it is St Jean Baptiste day in Quebec and nothing is open. The lovely Bishop University campus and large sports field is on the outskirts of Sherbrooke. I take 108 East to Cookshire-Eaton when I realize I need gas. Then hwy 212 from beginning to end. It is a lovely straight highway where you can see literally the road 8 klms ahead. There are trees galore and into the border town of Woburn - which is all about logging. !

Nothing open here and I cross the border into Maine. The staff ask me about the after market seat I have on the bike. They give me suggestions for photo opps on the hwy south on 27. The odometer on the Yamaha reads 45,605. I stop for pictures and love the surroundings.

This is Chain of Ponds, Maine where Benedict Arnold tried to capture Quebec in 1775.

In Skowhegan, Maine I finally stop for breakfast/lunch of a lobster roll. Hwy 2 goes due east. At some point my maps put me on the interstate and eventually I am going through Bangor. A stop for gas and I do a loop and find Hwy 9. I will be on this road for 150 klms til Calais border crossing into Canada. It is a nice ride. I stop to read the history in areas. I pass by Sugar Bush ski resort - had heard of it when I was in grade school.

It starts to rain and is raining the majority of the ride. There is very little on this road - no gas or any place to stop. I pass Rani on this hwy and get to the border crossing where I will pretty quickly get into St. Stephen, New Brunswick. Atlantic time is now one hour ahead. Rani used a different crossing and we are to meet at a Inn she booked near St. Andrews. I do some extra riding with my unreliable maps app and pass two other riders on a dirt road. Eventually I arrive as do the other riders going to the same place. I am rather cold and head straight to the hot tub where I stay for awhile and chat with another couple and Rani and Bonnie also join.

The sun is up early next morning and the area is to get to 27 degrees. We have breakfast and talk with the other guests. One of the bikers owned a 1984 Honda Nighthawk - as did I up until 3 years ago. ! A quick drive to see St Paddy's falls for a small hike with Rani and Bonnie and the mosquitos.

We have a sweet temporary good bye and I am on Hwy 1 through New Brunswick. I stop in Moncton for lunch. The sky is looking threatening but I don't want to stay here as Charlottetown PEI is 2 hours away by car. (add 15% for a bike to make stops) Now on Hwy 2 crossing south and east to PEI. It starts to rain and continues all the way only getting heavier. The Confederation Bridge is windy naturally and this day has added winds. I keep low to the bike and keep going. I need gas and stop just inside PEI. The rain is relentless and I am soaked but eventually make it into Charlottetown. There is traffic - maybe rush hour? After two stops at the first hotels I see I get to Rodd's where there is a room for $144. I can't go one more mile. It has a restaurant and a great indoor pool. I shower to warm up and gather my wet clothes to take to the on site laundry. Dry clothes to wear - what a relief !

The good bed was comfortable and a quiet night for 8 hours sleep. Odometer reads 46,564 - approximately 5,000 plus diversitons. I will meet Veronica at the University of PE at noon today. This is the last day of school here and I hope to greet Avander and Char when Nick is picking them up at school.

PEI Beaches

1 Bellingham, WA

2 Winthrop Washington

3 Kellogg Idaho

4 White Sulphur Springs Montana

5 Miles City Montana

6 Murdo S Dakota

7 Albert Lea Minnesota

8 Fort Atkinson Wisconsin

9 Chesterfield, Michigan

10 Ajax, Ontario

Fri 11 Elba's

Sat 12 Morrisburg, Ontario

13 Sherbrooke, Quebec

14 St. Stephen NB

Final Charlottetown PE June 26

Fortune Bridge, PEI