Orofino to Boise, Idaho

Well the last day on the road this trip. We slept in this morning till 6 a.m. We left Orofino along Hwy 12 on the Clearwater river headed for Boise via Grangeville. We had an encounter with a few deer...twice. We came around a corner, the six of us, and scared some deer out of the road....after going up a small draw a fawn darted back toward the road at mid pack of the bikes but stayed off of the road luckily. Adrennilin through the body is a rush. The ride up the back side of Graingeville, past the Elk City turnoff, grade was fun. The grade up to McCall from New Meadows was extra fun because we didn't come upon any slow cars so all the tight turns were great to burn. Well, this ride was one great adventure for me, I was able to mark lots of things off of my "bucket list".
My trip odometer upon arriving home was 3350 miles. We the Canada six averaged our odometers for the trip, it was 3344miles. All in all I am very satisfied with the experience and the cost...even if I am unemployed. I hope those of you that read this got some enjoyment from it. Keep the rubber down and the shiney side up... Randy!!!

Castegar to Orofino

We crossed the U.S. of A. border today. So far all is well with bikes and safety. We have lucked out on the weather too. We didn't have to pull out the rain gear once on the entire trip. Crossing the border into the U.S. was a little more complicated than going into Canada. Dave, being the most innocent looking of our bunch was picked for the more extensive inspection. We road some excellent country, Hwy 27 between Spokane, Washington and Lewiston, Idaho was two lane, felt like being on top of the world to me. Rolling farm fields as far as the eyes could see. A few small towns along the way that felt like going through Andy's and Opie's Mayberry if you have seen that program. Hwy 27 was long sweeping turns and hardly any traffic. We also took the old Lewiston grade road down to the river, it had nice tight banked turns. We had lunch in Spokane and it was nice to have United States prices again. Everything in Canada seemed at least 35% or more expensive than here at home. We arrived in Orofino, Idaho, at about 6 P.M. it was a long day. I was really surprised, Orofino has really changed alot since the last time I went through there in the sixties. Hwy 12 along the Clearwater river is an excellent ride. You catch Hwy 12 just east of Lewiston. Keep safe. Randy!!!

Castlegar, B.C. the 10th day on the road

On our way from Kamloops to Castlegar we were finally caught in some heavier rain shower weather today. Lucky for us we were less than a mile from a covered Chevron station when the rain really started coming down. The Chevron happened to be across the street from our motel here in Castlegar. We were under the roof when the sky flushed and drenched everything and everyone that wasn't protected. The entire trip we have had excellent weather and have not even really gotten wet. We haven't even had to look at rain gear. I hadn't mentioned the weather before now because I didn't want to jinx us. We leave for the U.S. in the morning and will be staying the last night before getting home to Boise at Orofino, Idaho.

Kamloops, B.C. Ninth day on the adventure

Today has went too smooth. We wanted to get started from the motel at 6:45 am. for an eight am. departure on the ferry to Vancouver to head for Kamloops B.C. . We all were ready to head for the ferry at Swartz Bay earlier than that.. We arrived at the ferry at five minutes to the 7 am. departure. The ferries let motorcycles load first and depart first. We arrived and were directed to board the ferry immediatly. We gained one hour on our schedule. Then when we arrived across the water to Vancouver we were talking to another harley rider who led us through his familier route to the main highway (1) to Kamloops. That probably saved us at least another half hour. So all in all today went very good. I promised George, who lives in Victoria, but is originally from Edmonton, Alberta an honorable mention.
Tom Row, one of the riders on this adventure, helped me to load a few pictures on the blog tonight. So finally you all have something to look at. We are back in our room here in Kamloops. It is after 12 PM. Mountain time. We six are headed to Castlegar B.C. in the morning. I will write and post more pictures tomorrow. Good riding and good night...Randy!!!

Day eight in Victoria, B.C.

What a great ride today. We rode regular highway for about 18 miles to Sooke, then small town two lane for about 18 miles to Jordon River. But then the most interesting and fun route yet for about 21 miles to Port Renfrew. It is a small fishing port on the west side of Vancouver Island. The ride from Jordon River consists of ups and downs and switch backs through one lane bridges and sweeping curves and enough bad road survace to make it very interesting. Also lush green forest on both sides of the road only about five feet off of the payment. We six had smiles on our faces from ear to ear after getting to ride this route both ways in a couple of hours.
Mike H. had one small problem when we pulled into a wide spot to regroup on the return as his air intake cover and filter fell on the ground as he came to a stop . We knew it was a little rough on this ride but that was a surprise. We were lucky to get the bike to the dealer in Victoria by 4 P.M. and they had the parts to fix it, so within an hour we were on our way. We will be back on the road at 6:45 a.m. to head for Swartz Bay to catch a ferry for Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, on the mainland and then on to Kamloops. I am working on posting pictures...really I am...I will get some on as soon as I get them organized. I have to go through them and label each because the numbers on them out of the camera and saved to the computor don't mean anything. So I have to look at each picture and find good relevent ones, label so I can match up with correct blog and go from there...but I am working on it whenever I am not enjoying my adventure with the guys. More tomorrow...Randy!!!

Victoria, B.C. the capital of British Columbia

Last night we were in Vancouver. Tonight we are in Victoria, the Capital of British Columbia. So many firsts in my life. First time to Canada. First time for every route taken up here. First time on a Ferry. I am sure working on my "Bucket List". We took the ferry first thing this morning over here to Vancouver island. It was about an hour and 40 minutes. After arriving in Nanaimo, we found the first gas station to gas our bikes from yesterdays ride and a place to eat. We then headed towards Tefino, on the west coast of the island we rode as far as Port Alberni and decided we better head back South to Victoria so we could beat the rush hour traffic. Good decision because we arrived at the motel safe and sound before the rush hour had decended upon us.
It is a puzzle to figure out the difference between kilometers and miles per hour when all the locals are doing speeds that are what my "Unites States" speedometer is matching the signs at. It is fun riding with the traffic although I am scratching my head occasionally.
You will notice that I have only one picture posted so far....I appologize...this writing and editing and trying to organize matching pictures is a lot harder than it would seem. I will try very hard tomorrow to organize and post pictures to amplify some of the experiences to date.
It is surprising, all the new riding and life experiences going on and the hours in the day just run out before I get this blog where I would like to have it.
It is after 1 a.m. Mountain time and I guess I have to call it a day. Will try harder tomorrow to get some pictures on here. Randy!!!

Vancouver, B.C. via Whistler, B.C.

We made it to Vancouver, B.C. about 4 P.M. Pacific time today. The ride from Cache Creek, B.C. through Pemberton and then on through Whister was a great ride, views that can't be described with switchbacks gallour. The first time I have actually had to use my brakes more than I wanted.
Every one on the trip is having a great time! We finally figured out how to add pictures and we have taken hundreds. I will be posting pictures to previous blogs and I hope as I add to future ones. Check back blogs to see when I get them added.
I checked with my riding partners about down loading the latest pictures and I thought that we could go through the pictures and update the appropriate blogs tomorrow night when we finish our first day of riding on Vancouver Island and get our rooms in Victoria. I was told that beings it is my blog I should pick the pictures on my own. So when I get a chance I will work on them.
If you have been reading these blogs we have changed our plans and decided to first ride from Nanaimo to Victoria instead of riding up to Port Hardy and spending one night there. We will instead have the same accomodations for two nights and do different exploring from Victoria, B.C.
On that note some pictures will say more than I can write. Bythe way we discovered that if you click on the posted pictures on the blog they enlarge greatly. So till tomorrow.. goodbye and goodnight...
Randy!!!

Prince George, Britsh Columbia

Well, as you can tell I missed adding anything for a couple of days. Coeur d' Alene to Banff was 398 miles of very winding and mountainess roads and by the time I got to my room I was wiped. The trip is going great. Lots of great scenery and the roads are really good generally...lots of sweeping turns but not enough passing zones. A lot of the drivers up here have never heard of letting the twenty or so cars stacked up behind them go by without a fight.
Up here in Canada they don't waste any money on direction or highway signs. Infact we had a couple of highway turns that weren't labelled at all from the direction we came from.
Banff to McBride, B.C. via Jasper was about 275 miles of unbelievabe views in the Mountains and the glaciers. After seeing these mountains along the Continental Devide I was thinking the Sawtooths were babies compared to them.
We saw lots of wild life too. Mountain Big Horns right beside the rode. Lots of deer and elk. We even came upon a small black bear crossing the road. As we all quickly slowed from highway speeds the sounds of the pipes scarred him back over the metal railing and down the hill.
We are in Prince George, B.C. tonight. It was a short ride today only 127.6 miles. We rode through a little weather but ridable without having to put the rain gear on.
We are off to Cache Creek, B.C. in the morning.
I will figure out how to post some pictures soon. Sal downloaded his, Tom's and Daves pictures to my computor tonight. There are lots of excellent ones.
I will try to edit past posts with relevant pictures as soon as I figure it out.
So if you have been following this blog check back on previosly posted blogs to check for pictures.

Couer d' Alene..first day on the rode

Wow, It was a long day today but very good riding. A little over 370 miles. We left Beacon Light Chevron a few minutes before 6 am. Were eating breakfast at the pancake house in McCall two hours later. Had lunch at Lewiston and checked out the Harley dealer there.
Got to Couer d' Alene about three and checked out the new harley dealership here.
Tom R. had a minor electrical problem with the starter on his bike. AAA plus saved the day by picking the bike up at the motel and delivering it to the dealer. After an hour or two they discovered the problem, repaired it, and all is well.
It is after midnight Mountain time as I write this. We were invited to a barbeque at one of Sal's and Mike H.s' soccer referee friends here in town. After a few miscues and an impromptu tour of Couer d' Alene we finally sat down to a well prepared patio meal. We are all stuffed and tired.
Off th Banff, Alberta, Canada in the morning. I will try to write more tomorrow night.
All for now...Randy!!!

Beginning of Canada ride

Well, the time to pack has finally arrived. I am loading my bike and getting everything tied down for early departure in the morning. I will try to write a little every night so those that want can vicariously ride along. This will be my last post till on the rode because I want to make sure the computer is secured on the bike tonight. I don't want to discover a problem in the morning. I think a blanket and a garbage bag should do the trick.....Hope so anyway. Till I write again...have a good time yourselves. Randy!!!

Tomorrow Pack for adventure

I have heard from a couple of my travel companions that they are packed and ready to go already. WOW! They are efficient. I will put my materials together tomorrow and see if they fit in the areas I have on the bike. I have been getting odds and ends together that I think might be needed but haven't put anything in the T-bags yet. I am riding a 2005 Dyna Wideglide. A "sporster" on steroids. Lots of diference between packing for one main motel for six days at Sturgis and 11 or twelve days at a different motel each night in Western Canada. Plus I want to bring my laptop to keep up on this blog. I have had rain gear for over a year but have never had to take it out of the package. I haven't melted in the rain so far. That could be interesting in Canada though. For you younger readers camping would be fun...but with me if I got down on the ground over night I would have a heck of an experince to get to my feet the next morning.
I wanted to have some contact with those that are following this today and will try to let all know more tomorrow on the eve of "The Canadian Adventure". Bye for now! Randy!!!

Itinerary and four days till on the rode

I am thinking that once the trip to Canada begins I might not have too much time to cover some items of our adventure. I think I will give a little information this few days before we leave. Our group consists at this time of six Harley riders.
Those of you in the club will recognize the names. I am reluctant to give last names without permission. Here goes, Mike, Sal, and Randy, we were three of the four that rode to Sturgis and back last year. Harry being the fourth. Mike, Tom, and Dave, heard us talking about this trip in the early stages and signed on. Harry and Dennis helped alot in the planning for most of the year but have decided not to come along now.
I for one will miss both of them.
Our itinerary is as follows. I will probably be repeating parts of this over the next couple of weeks, but as I have some spare time now I think some of you would appreciate information.
We will leave July 18th from Boise, Idaho and spend the first night in Coeur D' alene, Idaho.
The next night the 19th will be in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The 20th will be McBride, British Columbia, Canada. The 21st should be Prince George, B.C. You might have noticed I said should, that is why this is called an adventure. July 22, Cache Creek, B.C. July 23, North Vancouver, B.C. July 24, Port Hardy which is across by ferrie on Vancouver Island. The 25th Victoria, B.C. The 26th back to the mainland by ferrie and spend the night in Kamloops, B.C. The 27th, Castlegar, B. C. Then south back across the border through eastern Washington to spend our last night on the rode at Orofino, Idaho.
That is our plan.
Now to see what our adventure turns out to be...I can hardy wait. Thats all for now..Randy!!!

One week before trip

Well, one week before taking off on the adventure to Canada. I have not done this blog thing before. I hope it is entertaining.
My riding buddies, I will name them, later, and I have been planning this trip since we got back to Boise, Idaho from Sturgis , South Dakota last year.
Four of us went to Sturgis. Eight had ended up planning on going on this trip up to Banff, Alberta, Canada and circling through British Columbia. Our midway point will be Vancouver Island. As of now there are six of us still planning on going. We plan to take 11 or twelve days and If I remember correctly it will be approximately 3400 miles.
I will try to write a little each night about the days happenings. Maybe if I fgure it out a few pictures too.
We Plan to leave for our first days destination, Coeur D' alene, Idaho next Friday morning the 18th of July at 6am.
I will read up on this blog stuff and try to do a good job at this blogging.
Enough written for now....Randy!!!

Setting Up Randy's Harley Adventures Blog

Hi! This is Scott, Randy's younger brother. Our family wants to keep tabs on our "Big Brother" (kind of the opposite of what you'd think, Big Brother should be keeping tabs on us, eh?), so I created this blog for him to chronicle his adventures.

I hope he will keep it current! We sure will enjoy hearing from him and seeing pics posted from along the way (hint, hint Randy) We hope each one of you that come accross it will enjoy the blog as well.

ta-ta for now!

Scott