the queen travels

Missing my mojo on the Grand Circle Loop Ter

It promised to be a Labor Day free-for-all as five of us headed out for the Grand Circle Loop Ter weekend. Birdie, Jaz, Zookeeper, 101 and I were heading to Chitina for the first night. (Where the hell is Chitina? Jaz knew. Good thing she was leading.) It was mostly an uneventful day, except for the stop at Liberty Falls and going down a muddy, steep road and then wondering how we'd get out. But, more importantly, I was having issues.

The Grand Circle Loop Ter Five ... by the Copper River heading into Chitina.

About two weeks ago while riding with Jaz and Uncle Glen, I lost my riding mojo. Suddenly, for no reason … no close calls, no near misses … I was not comfortable in curves … not twisties, not gentle curves, not my favorite sweeping curves. What happened? I was stiff and off balance, and nervous because I couldn't get through them at the speed I normally do, and not able to keep up with my friends. I dropped back and rode my own ride.

Saturday's ride was no different. I was stiff and hung back … uncomfortable and nervous. I didn't even like riding fast to pass cars. Good grief. Don't say it's time to put up the bike!!!

Liberty Falls. Glad I was wearing my FX boots ... waterproof, you know.

The water near the falls is just as beautiful ... the color, the rocks. Just don't fall in. Jaz did that the week before. We did not have a repeat performance.

There were two little rock formations near the river. It reminds me of the ones someone is building on one of the creeks in Anchorage. They were very cheerful and enjoyable to see where unexpected.

This one looked like a woman with a big hat and a long cape. Amazing how they can look and how someone can find rocks that work the imagination so you see a face and clothing.

When we got to Chitina we registered at the Chitina Hotel, a nice old place that's been refurbished. The rooms were small, but very nice and we had a private bath, always a plus. The floors are beautiful, polished wood, even in the bathroom.

We enjoyed our stay in the old historic hotel, and found a gem in the dining room. The food was excellent and worth a trip back in the future.

We decided to walk to the river as Jaz and I wanted to look for fishwheels for photos. We walked and walked and walked, maybe a mile-plus. That is unusual for bikers. We should have ridden. The wind kicked up and the rain began coming down. Then the two teamed up and it became miserable, so while we'd gotten to the bridge, the weather was nasty enough that we turned around. By the time we got back to the hotel we were all soaked, and two had hypothermia. Not a good time for bikers.

The road to the river passes through these portals and with all the rain they've had was a bit of mud. I was glad to have not ridden as it would have been quite slimey.

Along side the road, just behind the guardrail, was a pair of shoes. Mostly you only see one shoe and wonder how someone could lose only one. This person lost a whole pair of shoes. How does that happen?

The weather was just ugly and gray. Add some rain and a lot of wind, and it was time to head back to the hotel.

When we got back near town, we saw an old broken down building. They are fascinating because you don't always know the history; I still like to photograph them because there's so much character.

Even old, with broken doors or windows, character is never lost when these buildings still exist.

Old vehicles of any type are a draw in an old town. There were several of these across from the hotel, some in deep grass. I wasn't willing to get even wetter to crawl around trying to get a better photo.

Wooden wheels and flowers make a pretty picture. But rain curtailed that and inside we went.

A wonderful meal at the hotel and to bed and to sleep. But that didn't happen immediately. What sounded like gunshots erupted … we were heavy and had bear spray. Thankfully, we did not need either as it turned out to be fireworks. The last weekend for the tourist season in Chitina and celebrating by the locals for the finale.

Sunday dawned mostly clear but cold. That was okay … no rain on the horizon. We were up, moving and on the trail of the yak. Zookeeper had had a yak burger the night before. I'd thought it was just a name, but turns out it really was a yak burger, and the yaks were down the road. Our mission was to find them and photograph them and then make yak tracks for Glennallen to gas and go.

Tibetan Yak making tracks. They are raised for meat, riding, fiber, packing and herd development.

Domestic yaks can live to 25 years of age. Wild yak are considered an endangered species and can grow to 7 feet high at the shoulder and weigh more than 2,000 pounds.

Glennallen to Tok found a slight return of my riding mojo, curves in Jaz's shadow, and nearly running the ton. What in the world brought it somewhat back? I don't know, but am hoping for a complete mojo recovery.

The colors of fall have sprung out all over, and the smells are heavy in the air. It's my favorite time to ride.

Fairbanks was mostly clear as we rode in but the streets were wet. We'd pretty much dodged the rain bullets all day. To Pike's, to dinner, to free ice cream for Alaska residents and to bed.