Keith, this is Gene, using Don,s log in. Today we reached Dawson Creek, BC. We have now covered every damn mile of the Alcan hwy (along with a lot of others). We are nearing 9,000 miles. Yes, we are cutting it a little close and we are going to up our daily mileage to around 300. You have to realize, we are old! Our speed is held down to 50-53 in order to get the best mileage we can from the ST. Our transfer tank, mounted on the rear of the trailer has now saved our bacon 3 times. I have over 1200 pictures on my chip and Don is around a thousand with 2 cameras. It looks as though Sidecar Bob may be first on our visit list. There is someone in Winnipeg Don wants to visit and we will visit you Keith, Glenn Coates, Don's friend in Halifax and a member of this board who lives in Halifax. If it turns out that we cut it too close all bets are off, we may not visit anyone, we are going to make the Amish rally.
Jason, if you pick up on this thread would you post the Spot message here? It is fun to check in the board and see the Sat pic of where we have been. At this point I do not have phone coverage but hope it will pick up in Alberta. Thanks again for all you have done!
Gene
Hey Gene & Don - It's Bryan in Nova - n' you better make your rounds - as methinks they could put back the Amish Rally a week for ya <smiles> ...... Sounds like your having a great time n' while going through Alberta, make sure you have Banff on your list - as truly breathtaking ...... otherwise, keep in touch when you can - as I've for one, have been following your journey - n' looking forward to seeing you both !
Cheers, with Happy Trails Ahead,
Bryan
(Got my old CX back on the road, n' putting on a couple hundred shoreline miles a day.- Tomorrow I'm off to the Western Shore.... a wee trip compared to you guys !) ....
Since I got here before Jason, here's the info from yesterday night:
Latitude:53.89 Longitude:-114.9183 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/19/2008 23:47:57 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=53.89,-114.9183&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
BTW: If things get tight, maybe Keith & Glenn could come here and we could have a barbecue.....
Tonight's info:
Latitude:52.7298 Longitude:-108.2983 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/21/2008 00:38:55 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.7298,-108.2983&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
I figure here would probably be the best place for us to all get together because it is closest to a direct route from where they are now (Saskatchewan) to Pennsylvania. We will have to see what kind of time they make between there & here - they do have 3 1/2 weeks to make it to the rally.
Still don't know the hacks plans from Halifax - but just a suggestion - if falling behind and backtracking through New Brunswick to the Maine border - they could take the "Cat" to Bar Harbour, Maine ???? Along with a well deserved rest, it's a nice trip .....
Cheers,
Sidecar Bob, my gps just told me we are 1843 miles from your driveday. That would be 6 to 7 days travel for us. Tomorrow we are going into Manitoba on Hwy 77 and then south to Hwy 10 to Hwy 20 (looks like it goes along the lakes). We follow 20 to Hwy 5 then Hwy 68 & follow it all the way to Hwy 6. We will follow 6 into Winnipeg where we will have a quick visit with a friend of Don's. After that we will work on a route further east.
Since Banff was so far south of us and I wanted to see as much of Northern Canada as I could we missed some beautiful country. However, we do have hundreds of pictures of snow covered mtns we have seen so far. We tend to travel slower in mtns!
If anyone wants to meet at one place we are certainly open to that. I have not been touch with Glenn and do hope to see him too, especially since I doubt he will make the Amish.
Speaking of the Amish, Phil, I am so glad you asked about contact info for Amy. I had it in an email from you and apparently it was among several I left in the Boro. I know it is not a good idea to put info like that up on a public board, even this one. If you would email it to Don's hotmail account I will get it and be sure to contact here when we lea ve NS.
Speaking of NS, Bryan, forgive me on that other post, I had an elder moment (having a lot of those lately?.....) Anyway we are still striving for Halifax. OBTW, we are also going (if we can) to Prince Edward Island, know anything about that toll bridge where they don't charge you to get on the island, just to get off! We hope to take the ferry off.
Keith, if we don't see you at SB.s we will try to reach your place. We are safe and having a ball. We have met some really nice people here in Canada and Alaska too. We moteled it tonight, first in quite a while. Had to, needed wifi!
PS: Phil, send the email from your hot mail account. Do not use Don's other account.
Oh yes Gene - I very well know P.E.I. and the ferry and bridge - as go there every summer and would love to travel with you - leastwise if you have time and don't mind ridin' with an' ol' foggie <grin> - I like the backroads n' won't get you too lost - n' actually probably save you a few miles (albeit overall slower in speed limit - it's much more scenic and probably only 5 or 10 minutes difference in time from the boring hwy....) ....... my uncle Leon Davey was the captain of the P.E.I. ferry for many years and remember when I was only 12 him taking me down through the engine room - and even let my steer the friggin' ferry in open ocean for a while ...... what a blast ...... anyway, regardless of ferry or bridge - you only pay to get off the island - as two ways to get on are both free ...... so, from Halifax, methinks it's probably better to take the ferry over to Wood Island - (nor-eastern P.E.I.) then takes about a casual day to travel across the island and get off via the bridge in New Brunswick - hence saving another 400 plus miles of backtracking to Maine ....... anyway, let me know what you think - and surely will enjoy having you visit n' as promised will have my fridge full of liquid refreshments, along with steak n' lobsters for the hacksters !!!!! .......
Cheers, n' Keep having fun n' ride safe !!!!
Otherwise Gene - If you want to take the bridge in New Brunswick on your way to Halifax and travel across P.E.I. on your own - well add approximately 300 more miles by land - as you'll then have to backtrack to Halifax and then through N.S. to N.B. to Maine on your way to the border ........ or take another ferry "The Cat" to Bar Harbour Maine ..... which departs about 200 miles from Halifax) so not a whole lot saved .... and a nice ride - but three times the cost of the P.E.I. ferry - so leaving it up to you ....... whereas I still think it probably best to determine P.E.I. after Halifax and on your way to the border (2 days) .....
Hope you understand my jabberin' - leastwise I do, as been ridin' these roads for a long time - and Nova Scotia is actually a peninsula province - so by land only one way into and outa (Amherst) - other than ferries ...... (P.E.I. - Nfld - Maine) ...... so basically just trying to save you a day ..... plus get to ride with the Hacksters to P.E.I. (bonus) ...... or along the shoreline to the "Cat" terminal ..... (another day with lunch stop ) ..... so your call, but regardless - I'll still show you both a good time - however short it is ....... I know that I'll feel a litle part of the Alaska Adventure - and grateful !!!!!
Actually Gene - I've mapped both routes and their about the same mileage - as you have to either come in through Amherst or out - so P.E.I. is only another day regardless - yet you could save a couple hundred miles taking the Bar Harbour ferry (not really worth it, other than time) ....... but I'd still like to ride a ways with you whatever your decision ...... Don't know why I thought it would be further one way over the other ???? - other than my mind is foggy with drinkin' n' soaked to the bone with 4 days of rain and 7 more to come ..... <yuk> ..... anyway, still your call - and hopin' the skies will clear very soon - or leastwise stay clear on your travels ...... sorry about my brainfart - but comes with old age n' alcohol <grin> .... That's my story and I'm sticking to it !!!!
Gene & Don:
I was thinking that if time got really short, the fastest route to Pennsylvania might end up being through Northern Ontario above the great lakes and then down the Niagara peninsula to the border and across NY state.
But, assuming the weather doesn't turn and you can make it here in a week, getting out to Brian's and then back to PA in another week and a half shouldn't be too bad.
Keith (& anyone else in Ont.):
My offer still stands. If it looks like they won't have time to visit everyone else, everyone is welcome to come here instead. And anyone not on the original itinerary is welcome to drop by for a visit if/when they make it here.
Anyone who needs directions here should e-mail me a couple of days before they are coming.
No Spot info for yesterday. I'm not sure where Jason is - he hasn't posted anything on the forum for a while and has sometimes been forwarding the Spot info for a couple of days together. Maybe he is on vacation & has been away? At any rate, I will continue to post the info here as I receive it unless Jason starts up again.
Hi Bob - I know how to get to your place <smiles> - but doubt I'd make it in time, as it's been raining here the past 6 days - so everythings getting moldy including my brain .... Had a couple inches of water in my basement kitchen yesterday - so spent most of the afternoon mopping it up - Supposed to get another week of this weather, then hopefully will turn around and be nice for a couple weeks - leastwise, hope so ...... even my doggie's bored !!!
Aye Bob, possibly something for Gene & Don to consider - as I've been watching the weather channel and see a number of storms coming through Ontario over the coming week - and the sun won't be coming out here in Atlantic Canada till possibly next Monday (28th) - but then it's looks like clear days from there ??? Anyway, I know it's no fun ridin' through rain storms - so just taking one day at a time, and still hope to meet the hacksters - but will understand if they just can't make it .....
Cheers, n' take care,
Bryan, this is Gene at the keyboard, using Don;s log in. We are not that fast! We got rained on last night at Falcon Lake and a little more today. However, we were able to pull out of it just after we crossed into Ont. Tonight we are just outside Thunder Bay at a nice rv park. I have talked to S. Bob, Gleen & Keith. We put up around 330 miles today and hope to come close to that tomorrow. Our problam is finding someplace to stay around the mileage we want to do! Tomorrow is a toss up, but we will go where the wind blows us, what can I say? We have been warned to stay sober while in NS, is that possible?
Monday:Latitude:52.8502 Longitude:-102.3885 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/21/2008 23:23:03 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=52.8502,-102.3885&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Tuesday:Latitude:50.7997 Longitude:-98.9759 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/22/2008 23:14:42 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=50.7997,-98.9759&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Gene phoned me from Winnipeg at 4:pm eastern time yesterday afternoon but, of course, I wasn't home from work yet. (I can hardly wait to retire!) He called again in the evening and we had a good chat. After knowing Gene & Don for years I have finally heard their voices. In another 5 days or so I will get to actually see them in person. Neat.
Phil: If you haven't already read the e-mail from Gene or the one from me, Gene forgot the pile of papers with Amy's contact info at home. Please e-mail it to them at Don's Hotmail account that I e-mailed to you.
Hi Gene - I'm not that fast either - in fact watched a snail pass me on my travels to the mall today <smiles> - aye it's been raining a lot lately so we can only take one day at a time and do what we can - as for staying sober in N.S. - depends if you arrive on a weekend or during the week or if it's raining or not ? - yet with some warning I'll try to behave myself, and won't twist your arms too much !!! <grin> ..... albeit, a couple relaxing brews along with some good seafood won't hurt anyone !!!
Cheers, n' keep dry n' roll out the barrel - n' have a barrel of fun !!!!
Bryan ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron, this is Gene at S. Bob's computer. I am afraid anyone would come up empty on the gold. We did visit a gold dredge (#7) but we were unable to get away with any gold!
We reached Bob's home yesterday, around 5 eastern time. BTW we have now gone into 5 different times zones. I have 2 clocks on the ST, one is on eastern and I think the other is either on Alaska or Pacific time!
Don & Bob are starting work on the ST's brakes and intend to check the brakes on the sidecar. The sidecar brakes have squealed since about the first 100 miles or so. Hannigan's had that problem before and thought they had solved it by changing suppliers for their brake parts, apparently not! They said they would put new ones on under warrenty but that does not help us now.
Our next target, er victim, damn it I mean friend to visit will be Glenn Coates in Belleville. If all goes well with the repairs we will depart Tuesday morning and reach Glenn's place that night. This is fair warning Glenn, you can lock the doors and flee to your sailboat tomorrow but you had better set sail before sunset or we will find you!!
Keith, I will call you this evening when I have a fix on tomorrows departure. I hope we can link up somewhere on the way!
Ron, the ST just keeps on going, we have not been able to do much toward cleaning it up. As it turns out rain on our trip has pretty much done the job for us!
Hi Gene & Don,
Glad to hear you guys are still rolling along - have you decided yet whether your going across to P.E.I. on your way - or after Halifax ??? Also wondering if you plan on staying here overnight - as I'll have to clean up my spare room - which should take a good part a month - but I can put a rush on it <LOL> .... otherwise, the end of the month is approaching - so time to do my monthly housekeeping chores anyway - (laundry, dishes, sweep the cobwebs, and clean all my tools off the kitchen table) .... oh, and take back all my empties, which should give us enough $ for a good lobster feed <grin> ...... anyway, keep on rolling safe n' my door is always open - yet don't have to change into your suits n' ties <LOL> ......
Cheers, n' Happy Trails Ahead,
Jason got back from vacation yesterday, so here are the Spot reports for where they have been for the last few days:
Wednesday Latitude:49.6826 Longitude:-95.3281 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/23/2008 23:06:02 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=49.6826,-95.3281&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Thursday Latitude:48.3938 Longitude:-89.5952 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/24/2008 22:06:59 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=48.3938,-89.5952&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Friday Latitude:48.695 Longitude:-85.6442 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/25/2008 20:10:59 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=48.695,-85.6442&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Saturday Latitude:46.2096 Longitude:-82.6 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/26/2008 21:35:57 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=46.2096,-82.6&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Sunday (I don't know who told them to go to a place like that - Pop. 600 incl. dogs & cows) Latitude:44.397 Longitude:-78.9987 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/28/2008 21:57:23 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=44.397,-78.9987&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Monday (They must like it there - I know we all liked having them.)Latitude:44.397 Longitude:-78.9988 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/27/2008 21:06:24 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=44.397,-78.9988&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Glenn: Look out - Gene & Don are on their way. They said not to expect them to arrive in a couple of hours because they are looking for a Wally World on the way.
We all enjoyed their visit. It's great to meet people you know from the forums face to face and actually sit down & talk over dinner and a bottle of wine.
Latitude:44.1698 Longitude:-77.3822 Nearest Location:not known Distance:not known Time:07/29/2008 20:05:00 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=44.1698,-77.3822&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Now we know where all the teddy bears are....
Keith beat me to it, but here it is again with the link working:
Latitude:45.3146 Longitude:-75.8284 Nearest Location: Aylmer, Canada (Where the teddy bears are hidden)Distance: 10 km(s) Time:08/01/2008 00:24:22 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=45.3146,-75.8284&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Matt looked at the error page for the forum the other day and said it looked like it might mean that the bandwidth was used up for the month (wouldn't it be easier for them to just say that?) Since it came back this morning, he was probably right.
Don & I are OK, all is going well. Will check in again tomorrow.SPOT Check OK. ESN:0-7368624 Latitude:45.8375 Longitude:-71.144 Nearest Location: Lambton, Canada Distance: 5 km(s) Time:08/01/2008 21:07:48 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=45.8375,-71.144&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1 That is the latest I have. I was offline for a while and had not seen this thread. I left my system up while I left for Florida last week and apparently it crashed the day after I left. I got it back up after getting back home so hopefully I can get the updates posted more often again. They are somewhat on the home stretch now though and many of you will probably see them at teh Amish Rally soon.
Hi guys ........ hope your keeping dry - as it's still raining here - so I'm getting waterlogged - though also gave me a chance to do some inside house reno's this past week - so here I sit - mid Saturday morning, drinkin' beer, listening to Kris Kristofferson "Man and His Songs" - and still haven't cleaned up my house ..... regardless - I'm still looking forward to meeting you both, and maybe we can find my kitchen table <grin> - which is currently behind 4 sheets of gyproc and only a couple boxes of tools on it ..... yet again, hoping to have most installed on the ceiling before your arrival ..... yet as always "One Day at a Time" - and at worst we can eat the steamed lobsters n' mussels n' clams buffet style - standing up ...... or sitting on the floor - if you don't mind sharing with my doggie Buster ....<LOL> ....
Anyway, I hope you still have Halifax in your plans before the Amish ??? Though kinda doubt I'll be going anywhere with you (PEI) - as my bikes still not running as it should, and I haven't had a chance to work on it - so here's to sunny days ahead !!!!!!
SaturdayLatitude:47.4395 Longitude:-68.3988 Nearest Location: Edmundston, Canada Distance: 9 km(s) Time:08/02/2008 22:19:21 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=47.4395,-68.3988&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Jason: I guess for whichever of us gets here first will post the latest reports. I'm on vacation for another week and I'm spending it taking the 650 apart so I'll be home and have more time than I usually do.
Thanks Jerry - I just called Gene and gave him my number ...... their currently at a truck stop about 20 miles from Fredericton, N.B. - and plan on camping somewhere in N.B. tonight - then heading for the bridge to P.E.I - and camping there - then crossing back over via the ferry to Caribou ...... where they'll only be about 5 miles from Pictou and planning on meeting Don's friend there ........ anyway, still hoping they can find their way to Halifax - where Lobsters await !!!!
Cheers, n' so nice talking with you Gene !!!
Hi Gene & Don ..... My sincere apologies for not being able to ride with you across P.E.I. - as I was looking forward to it - but my bike just isn't running as it should YET - so best to stay within' pushing distance of home <grin> - actually, still can ride 50 miles or so whilst feathering the throddle - but it's frustrating - so still awaiting the new carb kit ....... then watch out as still have plans to go around the Cabot Trail this autumn - but only a long weekend or most likely a week run - whereas you guys are awesome adventurers who in my eyes are to be admired for your grit n' stamina ......... so again, I hope you make it to Halifax - where I do have a couple cots set up in my spare room - along with a good feed of seafood n' at least a few evening cold brews each ...... though weather permitting - think you also might enjoy a little seashore run to Crystal Beach where you can run wild into the cold Atlantic !!!! ...... so I look forward to meeting you both - and hope you have a good time in P.E.I. - as I believe one of the nicest Canadian provinces (albeit Cavendish is so commercialized with Anne) - so wish you had an extra week or so to go around Cabot Trail - as again, I may be biast but also a great trip ........ though imagine your both getting a little tired, n' looking forward to getting home ........ so on a positive note - only a couple more weeks <LOL> ....... n' many years to remember with all the pictures you've taken !!!!!
Cheers, n' Happy Trails,
Just finished all the ceiling framing and borrowed my neighbours sheetrock drill - so I should have the kitchen table within view by late Tuesday - yet I may not have all my double sink full of dishes washed - so don't think your getting away scot free <LOL> .......... just kiddin' - yet don't expect a palace as just an ol' biker n' his doggies abode .........
Cheers , n' looking forward to getting my dishes washed !!!1 <LOL> ....
Bry n' Buster Brown --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope you guys like seafood chowder - I make the best in all of Nova Scotia ........ with fresh lobster, clams, mussels, shrimp, haddock, cod, and whatever else I can find that's fresh from the ocean plus potatoes, onions homo milk n' real butter ..... aye it's rich but goes perfect with a cold beer or two ........ so let me know if there's anything you'd prefer for me to add or eliminate ???? Otherwise, will also have my typical Nova Scotia breakfast - eggs with backbacon n' beans ........ you can fart you way to the Amish - save some fuel EH !!! <LOL> .......
Otherwise, still raining here - n' still enjoying a cold one - and done my work for today - so do hope you get down this way as really not that far from Pictou - maybe 2 hours ......... as the seagulls fly !!!!
Cheers, n' Happy Trails ....
Bry n' Buster Brown ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looks like they didn't go too far today...
Latitude:46.4788 Longitude:-62.14 Nearest Location: Campbells Cove, Canada Distance: 1 km(s) Time:08/05/2008 20:33:09 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=46.4788,-62.14&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
Received a phone call from Gene tonight - and as another 5 days of rain is forecast for the Maritimes - we're all getting waterlogged and know their getting tired n' just want to get home along with hopefully being at the Amish Rally with dry clothes !!! - so their now planning on crossing the Confederation Bridge to New Brunswick tomorrow and head directly to the Maine border - yet truly wish I could have met them somewhere along their route - it's a long ride in the rain to the bridge feathering my throddle all the way ...... so I won't mention that now I'll have to eat the 3 lobsters, 2 lbs of scallops, along with clams n' mussels, n' haddock filets, n' shrimp - and drink a dozen brews all by myself ...... I'll have to manage !!!! <big smiles> ..... yet, I totally understand ...... and was time for me to clean my house anyway - as only been 3 or 4 years since I cleaned it last <LOL> ....... otherwise, I'm still hoping to make it across the border for next years Amish Rally - ????
Bryan n' Buster Brown
PEI at lastLatitude:46.485 Longitude:-63.3676 Nearest Location: Cavendish, Canada Distance: 1 km(s) Time:08/06/2008 18:05:37 (GMT) http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=46.485,-63.3676&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1
After reading the directions to the Rally - It would be nice to hook up with someone who knows their way - as I'd probably end up in California ...... <grin> ....... Otherwise, guess it comes with age, or just finding myself more of a homebody lately, possibly also could be the weather - or the fact that the CX isn't running as it should - yet seems I'm even putting off much shorter runs ..... hopefully that will change and I'll find my way past the beerstore <LOL> ....... though surely would be nice ..... anyway, hope you have a goodun' and keep in touch ...
Bry n' Buster Brown