3SEP2014
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada (670km)
Back on the road. A real highlight, I entered the Alaska Highway at Dawson Creek.
Right at the tourist information centre I wanted to buy souvenirs, of course I was there just before closing. Other visitors have left already and with a nice offer to leave also the lady said “… hey the other lady that was just in here is going to Deadhorse, Alaska, also, … hurry up and maybe you can catch her”. This was I was kicked out without my souvenir. But I met Mireille from Quebec. We had a quick talk and met again at the next motel for a dinner and travelled together the following days; she in the car, me on the motorcycle.
— Probably she read this, and this message is a sort of educational one, but the car needed a wash and the inside a little more organization. At least to me it looked like a “wash me” edition of a car type. Now some people who know my car from at home might think that I am the same, but her car was champions league.—
[foogallery id=”761″]
Saw my first bear, from a bridge in 500-600m distance. Up to then the locals made me aware to take care of the wild life, … the whistle from Miguel in Toulouse did a great job so far. Saw almost no wildlife or such. Which is a pity after all. đ
Thank you Miguel.
Meanwhile I travelled that far east that the time difference against Germany is 9 hours, where there it only have been 5 hours in Halifax, where I started my trip. And Alaska is a gain one hour more behind.
Set the plan for the next days and how to reach Deadhorse (north end of Alaska)
4SEP2014
Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada to Coal River, British Columbia, Canada (740km)
It was simply great (weather, road, the motorcycle, curves, suddenly curves, fun). Animals show up, finally. Buffaloes, deer, horses but bears. I blame it on the joy of driving that that day was great.
I discovered how few things one need and what kind of ballast everyone carries. Some is not visible, since mental. Some is real visible; when I look my packed bike, I think I need to get rid of some stuff. Others have 12 cylinders, cruising at 60 miles per hour, others have caravan like houses, to carry with, and others are just walking, like that guy walking from Halifax to Alaska in six years almost like Forest Gump (with not more than 10kgs luggage).
Tried to make it to Hot Springs, which are actually hot springs, that would be a great contrary to the cold rain I faced for 3-4 hours on the 2nd half of that day. It turned out that all accommodation was full, Mireille (in the car) and me on the motorcycle, head up the Alaska Highway one village and about 70km to a place called Coal River. Even the weather websites find that place, not having more than 10 buildings …
My brain start to filter things. I arrived now in the travelling mode and recognized my shelter. Everything, everyday, every time it seems to fit and feels right on top. I am blessed.
[foogallery id=”772″]
5SEP2014
Coal River, British Columbia, Canada to Haines Junction, Yukon, Canada (740km)
I have to admit that the first 400km of the Alaska Highway passed by so quick, that I was surprised how quick. In Teslin at the petrol station happened the following (petrol stations are like a hub for information and where people meet, in this rural unpopulated wide countryside).
Two american guys from the south who rented BMWs at a cheaper rate, but regular its 200USD/day (“Wer hat der kann!” German saying with the meaning “Cash is king!”) came from the north and fueled as me. We had a coffee or two or three and talked about their heated wests and the BMW and the Triumph and this and that. Almost an hour passed on like that … and then this Tiger 800 rolled in from the north. Steve.
So Steve is from Scotland and heading south. I said I want to go north to do the Dalton HWY and he told stories about the Dalton Highway, that make me doubt if I am not to late in this season. He actually told me “Sorry, Roland you are to late in the season!” I doubted if I really quit my job one month to late to make it to the north end of Alaska. He said “Its all about ice, cold, falling and standing up”. The police locked Dalton HWY for trucks because some motorcycles got stuck (him and a guy from Malaysia), have had no grip on the summit and where a risk for everyone.
I saw the pictures later on Facebook; a real nightmare. But he mentioned that Matthias might still around in Fairbanks, since he aborted his trial to Deadhorse due to that weather conditions. It will turn out to be that way (See details on my next report on the Dalton HWY experience.
I have decided to save money and shared the motel with Mireille. Two beds (Just to avoid misunderstandings from my guys at home) and two sets of ear plugs (both for her, since the ones I gave her did not work, she said). Well, it was part of the deal; I warned her before. I slept well.
Received a song from a friend in Regensburg, that hit my ear and mind for quite some days now. (Click here for a piece of good mood. Andreas Bourani, “Auf uns”, sorry for non german speaking readers)
