I finally got on the road earlier than 8:30. It was 8:04 I need to run a little harder to make up for the construction and lost time from when I stop to take photos, which I cannot help doing. As I ride down the road, wearing the usual snowpants riding gear, I'm thinking about how late I was up (1 a.m.) blogging and putting photos out there. Maybe that's not the concept of a blog, and I'm writing way too much, more detail than anyone wants to know. But then, hey, it's my blog. It's a diary, a trip report of my travels, and there are lots of things that I see, feel, do, so the mission of this blog is to share. But it is different in that in a diary you could talk trash about people because it was secret. On a blog not so much, or shouldn't since the whole world can see it. There should be some tact and taste to it. So there you have it, blogs according to the queen.

I have not taken enough flower photos.

Cloudy again, low-hanging and looking like rain … yet again. Jaz has had good weather. Hope she shares when we meet up tomorrow, cuz I'm tired of this. I can ride in crappy weather, with gray days, clouds and cold any day of the week at home. Guess it's still better than working, of course!!

So I'm riding down the road, feeling a bit depressed, listening to one of the CDs Jaz made for me. Then on comes Mike McDonald with the Alaska Flag song. How could anyone be depressed with that? My state song; so I joined him in a rousing rendition. Mike was one of the best, with a voice that was so large it would give you chills. I believe it could have filled the Grand Canyon. No one will ever do that song again as well, in my opinion. I immediately felt great and rode on down the highway.

On I went, happy and now listening to Bob Dylan, an unventful day. Then Mother Nature decided to make a statement. A drizzle started, then I saw a flash of lightning just to my right and immediately heard the crack of the thunder. The F-bomb escaped my lips at the top of my lungs. I knew I was going to get hit. And I rode faster, only to have the skies cut loose throwing down rain in sheets. It hit my windshield in waves, and blew back up. I couldn't see, and then the hail started. I held one hand on the throttle, the other to shield my eyes. It was impossible to see, but I kept going, and saw three bikers pulled over to the other side of the road. I continued on … bulling my way through the water running like a river down the road. Miss Scarlet handled admirably well. I have no complaints about her at all. She was like a tank in a mud bog, slogging through it all, and coming out the other end in all her glory, even dirtier than before if that's possible. I thought as heavy as the rain was that it would clean some of the grime off. It did not. But it made my mascara disappear, and my eyelashes no longer had any curl. That's riding naked, in my mind.

Every time I think I'll wash Miss Scarlet up for the next day,
we hit rain.Maybe when we get the new tire and 10-k
we'll just let the shops take care of a wash.

So what's worse than having to ride in the rain, not being able to see in the rain? Sitting in a puddle of water in your seat, knowing your snowpants don't really keep you dry. Is there possibly any pants that do? My jacket keeps me dry; my boots keep me dry; my gloves keep me dry. WHY NOT PANTS?

I took a well-deserved 20-minute break near Fort St. John and ate another granola bar. At the rate I'm going they aren't going to last a week.

Headed to Chetwynd. Rode through the Peace River Valley. Beautiful country. Lots of farmland and farm animals, including llamas.

The Peace River ...

Peace River Valley, a beautiful place.

Chetwynd is logging country. Lots of trucks with logs, log remnants on the road. In Chetwynd itself there are wood carvings all over.

The carved bears were the first ones I really noticed
of all the carvings.

They are very intricate and the photos I took cannot begin to do them justice.

There was a whole row of carvings along the street and
I stopped to photograph a bunch of them. 
This doesn't do justice to the carving.

That's one huge squid ... and a lot of work to
get the tentacles just right.  I think I was most
impressed with this one, except they were all
exceptional in their own way.

I had to take some close up photos to showsome
of the detail on these carvings.  It's incredible.

This was one of my favorites.  The lines of the hair, the legs, the
clothing, the wood are all so strong, and tell such a story.  The
artists who have created these carvings are exceptionally talented.

This photo is not of the entire carving.  It did not do it justice as I needed flash. 
I know this is a RCMP but it reminds me of the movie "Night at the Museum"
 with Robin Williams playing Teddy Roosevelt.

This is another I did a close-up of, and another favorite. 
Really do love lots of the Southwestern-style art.

Would have liked to spend more time to look at them and others in more detail, even to spend the night, but I'm burning daylight and gotta ride. I'd like to get to Prince George at least, in an effort to make tomorrow a shorter riding day so I meet up with Jaz at a reasonable hour. It's probably a good thing to meet up with her. My diet of granola bars, nuts and apples with peanut butter is getting a little old. I forget to stop for food, or don't want to take the time. And that's how I get miles done … ride, stop for gas, pit stop, snack. Repeat more than once.

Didn't see anything that called to me in Prince George and decided to go on to Williams Lake, although Quesnel looked pretty cute when I came through. But I had already decided I wanted to push on. Plus the weather got spectacular and I didn't want to quite riding. If I'd eaten lunch or some real food, I'd probably have pushed on to Cache Creek, about another 120 miles from Williams Lake. But I was running on empty, and needed to stop.

Not much game today. Saw an eagle and three deer. One of the deer was on the other side of the concrete divider that keeps the traffic in its own lane, and not going over the side of the hill, near Williams Lake. She was on my side, and I saw her a ways away. I knew what she was thinking. She wanted to go over the divider and cross the road. She put one of her hooves on the divider, then down, then looked around, put it up again, and I got close and yelled at her. She stayed on her own side, and I happily went about my business. I don't want to hit any animal (except maybe a snake but not even that though I hate them). I'm just too tender-hearted when it comes to the brown-eyed critters. When I see one of them dead in the road, I say a little prayer and ask God to take them up to him, make them safe and well, and keep them with him forever and ever. Amen.

And by the way, the goats yesterday are really sheep, according to Biker Bill. I always get them mixed up if they don't have the big horns.

So the grand total for today is 667 miles, and I'm all in.
 

June 24


Got up to discover it was not raining, but appparently had not stopped to much earlier as there were still huge puddles and mud in the parking lot where I was staying.

Packed up and got ready to leave. Gassed up the bike and turned in my key. Wearing my snowpants for the third day in a row. If I'm on vacation, why am I not in jeans and chaps??

I left the motel, and went right to the grated bridge that Daizy Korn likes so well. She hates the way the bike shimmies and shakes when it goes across. This photo is for you, Daizy.

The Teslin River Bridge is the background.  Just to the right of it is the little motel that took me in out of the cold and wet.

It's just not a trip without seeing some of the Sign Forest in Watson Lake.

It's a cool place and you could spend hours wandering around looking at the signs people from all over the world have left.The day was a great one.

Someone will always take your photo for you. 

I saw lots of bison, four black bear, sheep, goats and one moose who was just as surprised as I was when I came around a corner.

The bison were in several different groups throughout the day. I only saw a couple the first few times, then two larger herds.

Some bison like to claim the middle of the road for their own. One stood there today, directly over the center line, claiming both lanes. He dared vehicles to try to move him. I was off to the side when an old guy from Alabama in a sedan told me to follow him, that he was going to move the bison. I did not follow him. Eventually the bison moved after he realized an 18-wheeler really is bigger and probably does own the road. I made sure to keep my distance.

The road was his, all of it.  I did not argue.

Another encounter later in the day had me on one side of the bison, and multiple motor homes on the other. This time two bison claimed the road. Some vehicles were trying to edge by and I was concerned they'd push the bison toward me, so I rolled the bike backwards, then when I thought I had enough room, I stopped. Clop, clop, clop. I looked behind me, and here was a bison no more than two feet from the back end of the bike. I quit breathing and made myself not think fear, show fear, when all I really wanted to do was get off the bike … couldn't get the kickstand down, and where would I go anyway. But he wasn't interested in me and just went down over the side of the road. The photo I took is after he walked away from me. Couldn't even think to get the camera pointed in the right direction … too much angle anyway. Later in the day saw a herd with three young ones. Too cool.

They're just about as cute as they can be.

The black bears were awesome, too. I photographed two of them.

Another was way small and right next to the road, so I figured not to stop as there might be a mama somewhere close by. The first one was just rooting near the road and I watched that one for a while until he started moving. Another was near something dead. How did I know? I smelled it long before I saw it. I thought at first it was a moose, but later figure it was a bison since it was in the area where there were a lot of them.

At one point the bear came toward me, and I figured I was in its way where it wanted to cross the road. I moved forward and a car behind me moved also, sheltering me … nice of them.

As it turned out, the bear was only going to the kill to snack on more of whatever dead thing it was.

Had to make a gas stop at Toad River … Daizy's place. She loves the toads.

Vern made his first appearance as I took him out of the tour pack. Hope he doesn't think he'll be out all of the time now. But I did let him pose with a toad just for Daizy.

Chicken Vern is the little dude you can hardly see.

Did get photos of the goats, but not the sheep. At that point I was dealing with winding mountain road, a downpour and traffic behind me. Bummer. Oh well, maybe coming home.

There were two of these little guys hopping around with their mamas. 

The road today was absolutely the best. Lots of winding turns, gentle and good corners, mountain terrain, loads of wildlife.

Of course all good things must come to an end. As I was coming down out of the mountains toward Fort Nelson, the skies were getting darker and darker. I decided it was time to bump it up a little. Some places I could; some I could not. Then the sky opened up. Still some winding road. Gravel patches, and then a heartstopper. I came up on a piece of road that was not gravel, but that dirt that turns to slime when it gets wet. Oh what fun, slip sliding away. I had a moment or two of wondering if I would stay upright. The luck of the Irish held, and upright we were, Miss Scarlet and me.
I pulled into Fort Nelson in rain that was hammering me, wondering if I could find the hotel where Harvey, Zookeeper (Tom) and I stayed in 2006 when my Road King broke down, for the second time. Went to it like a homing pigeon and pulled into a full parking lot. Walked in dropping water from every piece of clothing and the helmet, and lucky me, got the next to the last room. I think it was a Holiday back then, but it's a Ramada now. In chatting with the guy who I remembered, he didn't remember me particularly, but he did remember the incident. Love this place. So nice. Full of construction workers.

Anyway, a great day. Miss Scarlet and I flew through the corners, bonding, holding hands right and left. She is absolutely AWESOME in the corners, and the handlebar adjustment has made all the difference in the world.

So folks, as some say on the CB, I'm all in.

June 23, mileage start 8,530
Woke up freezing to pouring rain. One of my throttle fingers was cramped. Must have been because the night before had been so beautiful and warm I'd left windows open … and then it cooled right down. But I don't have to wash my windshield this morning.

I decided to get a cup of coffee from the office and wait a bit to see if it slows down. Supposedly there were to be “showers” and I'm hoping the weather folks are right. In looking around outside, though, it's not looking good. Low, gray clouds everywhere I look.
Bikers pulled in here last evening, so there are several of us. The ones in the room next to me are pulling a trailer and are from Washington state. I haven't met them. There's another at the end of the building, but haven't looked at that license plate. Those folks all back in, where I'm just kind of parallel parked next to the building. Gravel, the kind my feet slip in. Any parking upright is good parking.
I'm wearing my riding earrings, Texas stars from my friend Slider (Jgayle). She gave them to me many years ago and I always take them to wear on my trips. Love you, Slider. And thanks again … the earrings ALWAYS remind me of you.

So my next deep question is, what will the official run food be? Last night I had a BLT. I often eat one kind of food many times and across the country on a trip. One time it was Caesar salads, another it was chicken fried steak. Of course, how hard is it to mess up a BLT?

Today, I may start letting Vern out of the tour pack. Vern is one of the chickens I carry. The story is each time I go to Chicken, Alaska, I get one of those silly, plastic chickens and into the tour pack it goes. Vern is a chicken of a different type. He was given to me by fellow biker chick … Ann. He's one tough chicken and sports tattoos and a haircut reminiscent of Elvis.

Jaz is carrying one of the original chickens Stacey (Daizy Korn) gave us, and that little chick has made many trips and been photographed hundreds of times. I took a woodpecker once that I found in the land of the redwoods, and gave the Flight of the Woodpecker story and photos of that woodpecker to our friend Ken, who hates them. Was pretty funny. And I could tell you some stories about that, but that's another time and day. This trip is all about the travels, unless I get sidetracked like I so often do … and ramble and ramble and ramble.

So the chickens will appear in photos from time to time. In fact, if you check out Jaz's blog, you'll find one there already. I need to find out what her chicken's name is.

Just met the folks from next store. They're pulling a trailer and usually camp, but last night hoteled it. They're going to Homer. They crashed yesterday this side of Beaver Creek in the construction. The bike threw them off and then it and the trailer righted itself and kept going until it went over the side of a hill into a ditch. WOW!! A couple of dual-sports they'd met in Destruction Bay helped them get it out, and it started right up. It's got plenty of road rash on it, but it runs, the trailer pulls and the couple is okay. Very nice folks, Jan and Gordon (Scrappy and Flash). He actually is a member of the Viet Nam Vets, I guess, as he's gone to some of their meetings and has met Bulldog from the Anchorage chapter. The dual-sport folks will meet them here in Tok to have breakfast and help them make repairs. They said people in motor homes and all stopped and offered them a seat into town. They warned me … and I'd already heard about it from Wilfred in Beaver Creek. So must be very, very careful.

Talked to the folks from Vermont for a few minutes. He builds bikes. I also met Jeff Foster from Albuquerque, NM. So did my queenly duties in meeting and greeting.

I've finished my coffee and had a granola-type bar, and it's still raining at 7:30 a.m. So, time to suck it up, put on my big girl snow pants and helmet (yes, Carol, my helmet and I'm not even in Canada yet) and hit the road.

More of the queen rambles later.

It's after 11 p.m. It's been a very eventful day. I took off just as it was raining the hardest, but it actually got better as I went along. I was traveling the Purple Heart Trail, a highway that honors veterans. I would like to thank the veterans, too, for all they've done for us … freedom of speech, freedom of religion. Many of them gave life or limbs, and they deserve our gratitude and respect.

At the Tanana River, 11 miles out of Tok, there was a flag person, and we had to wait for a pilot car as they are building a new bridge and have lots of trucks going back and forth. A bicyclist chose to ignore the flag person and went on. She had motioned me to the front and said she hoped he went to jail. Several minutes later, here came a bicycle. It was him. One of the workers had turned him back. They put bikes in the back of pickups and haul the bike and cyclist in vehicles for safety. I heard him arguing with the worker but couldn't hear what was said. He was pretty hot, though. Guess the rules didn't apply to him, he thought.

As I was just running along, a boxer bike came flying by me, then another at a little more sedate speed. A little further on there was another flag person and pilot car. She motioned me forward, and there were the two boxer bikes. One of the guys came to talk to me. Turns out they're from near Banff. Then I heard him up ahead speaking loudly (must have been because he had a helmet on) and he was talking about me. She's going all the way to Vermont. That's pretty ambitious.

Later on at Border City I ran into the two boxer bikes again. The one guy then told me it was pretty ambitious to ride to Vermont. I just said I was an ambitious rider. Nuff said. They left.

Stopped just short of the border to dig out my driver's license and passport. The lady at the crossing asked where I was from, where I was going, if I had any drugs or alcohol. Then we joked a little and I went on my way. She was very pleasant. Mileage on the bike was 8,641 at the border.

Blew through Beaver Creek as I really don't much care for the place anymore. Seems dirty and really not like it used to be. But did stop to take a photo of a church ... always like the architecture.  Was happy to stay in Tok and ride the extra 90 miles today, even though Beaver Creek had been my destination for night one.

The little church at Beaver Creek ... the best part of that town except for Buckshot Betty's.

Lots of gravel patches, packed dirt, frost heaves, several sections of construction with pilot cars and waits. It took a long time to go from Beaver Creek to Destruction Bay. I may have been able to do it a little quicker but I was staying pretty much at speed limit or 5 over, sometimes less, and was being cautious since I would go long without seeing much of anyone else. There were also loads of potholes. The good thing about the rain is that it fills them up and makes them easier for me to see. I still hit a few … a couple of which were perfect 10s.
I was really glad to get to Destruction, though, as I was beyond STARVING! I stopped there for a cup of soup, a cup of hot tea and a BLT. Needed the break after being on the road for six hours and barely going 250 miles. Met two couples on trikes from Arizona, and they had been to our rally. They enjoyed themselves. Neither had done the Kenai 500.

I've determined one of my butt cheeks must be larger than the other. It seems that one side always gets a bit sore, like it's hanging over the edge of the seat. So, does this bike make my butt look big? It must if it's hanging over. The trials of riding … and the things you think of. But there's a lot of time for thinking.

Finally ran out of the rain, but it continued to follow me off and on … then I'd see a little blue sky … just enough to tease me, then sprinkles. Can't seem to get ahead of the front.
Just after I left Destruction, a golden-colored grizzly bear walked across the road in front of me. I stopped, and debated parking the bike, getting off and going to get the camera. Chose not to and just watched the bear. He ambled along, went toward the trees and through a few of them. Then he stopped and turned and looked at me. Was very cool. There was a motor home coming behind me and I signaled them. They thought I was waving, waved at me, and never even slowed down. Their loss. After that I took my camera out of the tour pack and put it around my neck, just in case I see another. I don't mind to stop, but don't want to get off the bike and put myself out there as lunch.
It was a decent day for wildlife, though. I saw the bear, one moose and probably a couple dozen swans. Love to see them. I'd like to see another bear, too, one I could get a photo of.

I wasn't really close at this point.  I'd ridden by and had to turn around and go back. 
By then they had gotten way back in the pond.

After I got around the end of Kluane Lake, which is so beautiful, I got hit with wind, and some pretty good gusts. Kept it up for quite sometime. But gotta keep on going. There's also still construction at the bridge at the end of the lake, and some gravel patches.

Along Kluane Lake, where the water is two different colors.

Made it to Whitehorse around 8 p.m., only to find out there were no rooms to be had. So I had to gas up, eat a granola bar, make a quick call to Hobbs to let him know what was happening and I just kept moving. Iron Butt training pays off sometimes. Just ride.

Started raining again, hard this time, but kept pushing on because there was nowhere to stop. I got myself positioned between a couple of vehicles thinking if something happened at least someone would know about it.

Arrived just before 11 p.m. At Teslin, to find out there were no rooms there either, and a young couple said there was nothing at the other places either. I asked what was going on. Apparently some big conference in Whitehorse had booked that town up. I had stopped at a little store in Teslin. The lady behind the counter told me to wait a minute. She asked if I was traveling by myself, and I told her yes. She said she had a room the truckers use to take showers, but the bed was clean, and I could have it if I liked. You bet. All in for the night. I did have phone service and gave a quick call to Hobbs, who was still up and tracking me. I treated myself to an apple and peanut butter. My stash of apples, peanut butter, nuts and granola bars has come in handy.

The queen ready to  travel

I'm off, although late.  I didn't get out until 10:34 this morning.  Waiting out the rain a bit, didn't have to meet anyone since no one is riding with me, I'm on a retirement schedule ... practicing.  I just didn't get enough done last night.  Ken Peep came to town and we went to dinner.  We went to my new favorite place, Yummy, in the little strip mall at Arctic and International.  I tried something different, and it was so ono ... good.  There are flavors that she (Shawn, although don't know the spelling of her name) puts in her food that makes them oh so flavorful.  Try it.  Thai, Hawaiian, Vietnamese.

Had a moose run in front of me a couple cars ahead on the Palmer Flats, not close.  But I could see him.  That was okay.  High ceiling ... maybe a sprinkle, and I could always see the sucker hole ... a patch of blue sky.  Would be great not to have to spend tons of time riding in rain.

Topped off in Palmer, made a pit stop, and headed to Glenallen.  I hit some showers, but avoided the big rains.  There are some things, though, that always make me feel good on these rides.  Around Kings River there are always campers and you can smell the campfire smoke.

At Mile 160 there's a kind of lighthouse type of building, with a parking lot.  I always remember Birdie's (Julie) flat tire, and how we flagged down a family with a big boy toy hauler and they hauled it in for us to Wasilla.

I'm always amazed by how folks drive; some have to speed up if you try to pass, one today oncoming in my lane.  There is no lack of poor judgement on these people's part.  Of course, you know I never make a bad pass.  Actually, I had one today ... not close, but should have waited.

It's been pleasant, just cruising mostly at 60 mph looking around. 

Didn't make it to Beaver Creek.  Decided to just do Tok ... I like the hotels better and it's only 90 miles to the border anyway.  Tomorrow is another day.

Met a couple of guys while I was gassing up ... one Canadian and one from Minnesota.  The Canadian was innovative and I've now seen another use for duct tape ... lowers to help keep the rain off.

Another fancy and practical use for duct tape

The other guy, the one from Minnesota, saw the Iron Butt sticker on my back fender.  So, what do you think he asked me???  Am I a member and done an Iron Butt?  Good grief!!!  No, I just steal stickers from people and put them on my bike.  Here's your sign.  Actually I was quite pleasant and told him, yes, I was and have, the 1,000 and the 1,500.  Then he seemed to be impressed.  Strange ... but I guess there are folks who will claim to do things they haven't.  Not me.  I want to experience things.  But he did notice the Scarlet O'Harley decal, and they both said she was a smoking hot-looking bike.  And here I didn't believe Roadrunner all this time.

So I'm eating at Fast Eddy's, but staying at Golden Bear where we usually do since I know someone who is related to them.  They're always nice.  But Fast Eddy's has wi-fi, and I can use it while I'm eating.  Yay!!!

So some of my peeps just came in and are sitting at another table.  Do I want to talk to them?  Nah.  Don't feel like being friendly, unless they talk first.  We'll see.

Beautiful here now, hope the weather holds. 

I see I have a new follower.  Welcome, Jan, my good friend from Montana.  I'll be seeing you soon.

Mile 8190, starting mileage

Scarlet O'Harley has 8,190 miles on her.  That will be the starting miles for the WOW 2010 trip, AKA the Maple Surple Run.

There are a few things I've done since the trip to Soldotna last Saturday to get the saddlebags put back on after the paint repair (which was excellently finished by Chris at KPHD, thanks, Chris) and to get the handlebars adjusted so I now have more leverage for corners.  Love them.

Scarlet's name is now official.

I've put two decals on the bike, her name, and an Iron Butt Association one.  It's only fitting, and I think we're done with the finery.

I also have a bandana for friend and fellow rider, Gene, who is fighting cancer.  He rides with the DHD chapter and has held offices with them.  His chapter-mates made bandanas and sold them at the rally as a fundraiser.  With the various things they did at the rally, more than $3,000 were raised for him.  Good job.  Anyhow, the bandana is attached to my bike for the ride.

Bandana for Gene, from Denali Harley-Davidson HOG chapter.

So, everything is coming together.  The players are moving into position for the ride.  I'll just use the road names now as this really is all about a motorcycle trip.

Jaz (Stef) left on a big bird Friday night/Saturday morning.  At 5-something in morning while I was sleeping, I heard a noise ... it was my cellphone with a ring to let me know a text had arrived.  It was Jaz, "landed sfo."  She had made it to San Francisco where her bike is at her mom's.  I texted back, but didn't let her know she'd woke me up .... nice to lay in bed and text.  New concept for me since I don't do that too much ... company phone and they don't like you to do that ...

I have talked to Jaz since and she will also depart on Tuesday and make her way leisurely to Banff, which is our meeting place.

Sunday I hit the street early, about 9:30 a.m.  Wanted to find a particular kind of sock like ones I'd found in Seward.  Couldn't find them.  Carr's, Costco, decal place, sandals, can't remember everything, but got home about 1:30.  Hobbs and I rode the old bikes to the Father's Day car and bike show.  It was beautiful, and enjoyed it a lot ... classic music, classic cars, visits with people we know.  All on a day that turned gorgeous.  Was very enjoyable.  Then we went and had a good meal at Lone Star.  They must be one of the most consistent restaurants in town.  I've never had bad food there. 

 Then Rebecca (AKA Roadrunner) came over and she helped me bake chocolate chip cookies, which I'd promised to do before leaving.  Then the three of us hopped on the bikes (Roadrunner on Biker Bill's old '76, me on the '84, and Biker Bill on the 2010), and putted down to the Tastee Freeze for an ice cream. 

Biker Bill has a good heart ... we'd come through construction at Jewel Lake and Strawberry.  So he got a couple of ice cream sundaes from the Tastee Freeze to take back to the workers.  It was appreciated as it was quite warm.  Good deeds from the heart are always the best kind.

Roadrunner and me at the Tastee Freeze parking lot.

So, now it's time to finish getting ready.  I've got the bike half-loaded, but still need to finish loading clothes, paperwork and snacks.  I'm not in too much of a hurry since I woke up at about 5 a.m. to the sound of pouring rain.  Aagghhh. It's since quit, and is starting to dry out, so guess it's time to get my queenly butt in gear.

Just wanted to get something out so people don't think the trip ended before it started ... lol.  I plan to be in Beaver Creek tonight, just across the Alaska/Canada border.  Don't know if there will be Internet access, so you'll have to track me with the Spot tracker to find out if I make it.

Signing off.

Look out KPHD here we come. Rebecca, Julie, Tom and I rode to Kenai Peninsula HD as I needed to get my hardbags back after the paint repairs. They were also putting the powdercoated racks and lights on them, and were going to lower my handlebars. Yes. Feel much better. And I ended up with the Road King bags, too. An excellent price on them.

Rode down with just a little sprinkle here and there. I saw a moose on the way to the Potter Marsh train, a little bull, with pretty horns in velvet. He crossed Minnesota in front of me, but not too close. Always a pleasure to see them when there's plenty of room.

Met up at the train and headed south. Saw two sheep right next to the road and some eagles, always nice ... makes my day.

Spent a little time at the shop and then went to get a bite to eat. KPHD let me pick a bike to use ... I chose the Road King police bike. Just got a thing about cop bikes. White, and my feet were flat on the ground. Someone must have lowered it. Liked it ... 28k. Too bad ... don't need another RK police bike. Sure enjoyed my little ride on it although we hit rain going to Kenai to eat. Tried to wait it out, but that didn't happen. Mother Nature is way more patient that we are. So back to the shop.

And now for a little commercial. If you are looking for some help, KPHD is awesome. Although, Kym and Lisa are VERY bad girls ... they'll help you into shirts, pants, whatever you don't even need. We all came away with something, even a hat for Tom. They're nice, they're pleasant, they're fun, and they sure know how to sell. And lest I leave out someone, everyone at KPHD is super ... I feel like I'm home when I'm there ... they're like family, and they're always glad to see us. Okay. Enough mush about a Harley shop!!

Headed home then after gassing up. Saw more eagles, and then in Cooper Landing, coming up on the bridge, there was something that didn't belong. We slowed down. It was two horses with people on them riding across the bridge. We slowed way, way down, and stayed back. Did not want them to spook and have someone or the horses get hurt on the side of the bridge, or even go over. The 18-wheeler coming from the other direction also slowed way, way down. Good job, everyone. The horses and riders got to the other side to a parking lot. As we went by, the guy on the lead horse gave us the thumb's up. It was a great experience, something different.

Rained pretty much most of the way home, but never too hard. Stopped a couple of times for a few minutes, to clear glasses, change gloves, have a drink, whatever anyone needed to do. It was still a great day ... now I just need to pack. Tomorrow, tomorrow ... I'll pack tomorrow.