For the last few weeks I've had the itch to go north, mostly just an excuse to go for a ride and see some scenery I haven't seen in a few years. Leona and I had talked about maybe doing it over the September long weekend, but when Saturday came it didn't look like the weather would be good for it. After church yesterday the sun was out and it was warm. The decision to go was easy to make so we ate a quick lunch, packed a small bag, and off we were.
The weather was absolutely beautiful yesterday, about as perfect a day for riding as there can be. The temperature was warm, 18-20C most of the day, sunny, and barely a cloud in the sky. We had a quick fuel stop in High Level and pointed the wheel north. Before getting to Meander River we stopped so I could take a quick picture of the odometer as the bike turned over 25,000km. On the Harley Limited I hit that mark 8 days less than a year. On the Goldwing it happened 16 days less than a year. It's been a great riding season so far, one that will end up being the highest mile season I've done so far.
Before we knew it we were at the 60th parallel and the Northwest Territories. We stopped for a few pictures and to enjoy the sun, though the bugs apparently also were taking advantage of the nice weather and swarmed around our warm bike. Not too far down the road was the Twin Falls Gorge, and we spent some time walking down to the first set of falls, hanging out beside the river. From the Alexandra Falls to the Louise Falls is only a couple kilometres, and we spent some time there as well. It was great to get away for a couple of days and it even felt like we were on vacation far from home.
I've never been up to Hay River before, and though it's not that spectacular, it's a nice little town. We rode right through so we could go see the Great Slave Lake (the deepest lake in North America at 2,014 feet deep). It's a very large lake as well, the 10th largest in the world, and standing on the shore it almost felt like we were at the ocean. Our time there was cut short due to rumbling stomachs, so we headed back into town to check into our motel and get some dinner. We were done dinner by 8:30 and spent the rest of the evening relaxing. It was interesting to see license plates from Wyoming, Texas, and California in the parking lot of the Ptarmigan Inn. I'm not sure what all of them were doing this far north.
I ended up meeting a fellow on the way out later in the evening, and we chatted for about 15 minutes. His name was Carl Stark, from Wyoming, and he was also an Iron Butt Association member. Not only just a member though, but a rider that had competed and finished 24th in the 2007 Iron Butt Rally. That's a very big deal in the long distance riding world, as more people have been in space than have finished an Iron Butt Rally. Having completed three IBA rides I understand just a little how tough riding an 11 day rally would be, and have nothing but respect for anyone that has ever finished. It's great to make a little connection like that with a fellow LD rider, and who knows, maybe someday I'll get my chance to ride in the IBR.
This morning after breakfast we ended up chatting with Carl and his wife Jonnie again. They are on their way to Alaska to see family. It must have been at least half an hour that we talked, and if we are ever in Sheridan, WY again we have a place to stay. I've said it many times, but the people that I've met over the years because of riding are such a big part of why riding is so enjoyable.
It was cold and windy today but thankfully the rain that fell overnight had stopped. We stopped in Enterprise for at least half an hour again to chat with Leona's dad, who was on his way up to Yellowknife on the truck once again. It was great to talk with him for a while and we were glad it worked out to meet with him.
Leona and I stopped to use the restroom at the border, watching a few snowflakes fall during our stop. Thankfully it was just a few though so it didn't really affect us. By the time we got to High Level it was high time to warm up with a coffee and an early supper at Tim Hortons. The warm weather from yesterday was a distant memory, from 5C up to a high of 10C today. The final leg from High Level felt warmer as there was more sun, though that hot shower upon arriving at home still felt great.
I'm glad we got this little ride in yet before winter, and though today was not that fun, the little weekend trip was just what we needed.
