Harley Ride to Alaska

Thursday, 22 July 93--Fog was so thick this morning that visibility was practically zero. Since the rear tire on my bike is practically bald in the center, I was at the local cycle shop when it opened for business. Unfortunately, they did not have a tire that would work for me. Steve, the owner, called the Yamaha dealer in Grand Prairie who also didn't have one. The Grand Paririe dealer agreed to call around to locate one for me. I called him 30 minutes later, and he said that RJ Cycle would take cre of me.

We rode about 170 miles to Grand Prairie where George and I separated. He went on to Dawson Creek to get us a place to stay for the night, and I located RJ Cycle. Rod Johnson--the owner-mechanic--changed the tire and engine oil and entertained me with stories of his visits to Sturgis. It seems that he closes his shop for two weeks each year so he can join all the fun there. Rod was very friendly, helpful, and reasonable. I'll have to write him a "Thank-You" note when I get back to New Mexico.

George called about ten minutes before Serena was ready to say that he had a room for us at the Travelers Inn in Dawson Creek. The ride from Whitecourt to Dawson Creek was very enjoyable with absolutely gorgeous weather, something that has been rare on this trip so far.

The Alcan begins in Dawson Creek at what traditionally is referred to as "Mile Post Zero." Tomorrow, George and I will press on up the Alcan to Fairbanks, Alaska--1488 miles from here through the wilderness. I can barely wait!

To celebrate our arrival at the beginning of the Alcan, we treated ourselves to dinner at a Chinese restaurant, a welcome change from our usual fare of canned beans and bread.