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March 12, 2024
Motorcycle Tour of Alaska Highway - 2003
Join Ruth and I on the Alaska Highway, in 2003. We had just bought the Honda ST1300; outfitted it with a communication setup for our helmets, and were putting our Nikon Coolpics to the test. It let us down at the most important points. The Elk that was inches from us, etc. Photos that are out of focus are due to movement - Ruth was shooting from the pillion seat while we went much of the time.
Sun was not in abundance on this trip. It was around 2 degrees C much of the riding time. We were struck by the lateness of darkness, and full dark never really occurred as we got north.
It's cold! But it isn't raining.
Rain in central BC
Dad and Nancy.
There will be an aweful lot of these!
.. of a sort. Its kind of like 80 grit sandpaper. Tire eating stuff.
There are quite a few, in fact.
Gas, snacks, restaurants are not THAT rare along the way. The days of needing a spare gas can are over.
Let's see.. if those trees are 100 feet tall ...
This was a festival of sorts that Yukon Tourism had that summer
No fancy camera work required.
The lush foliage is there for good reason.
The only reason there is no rain in these photos is, we didn't want to wet the camera!
Sorry, I just love these.
The water colour is correct. The water is suspending ground rock eroded by the glacier which has finally been released.
I had applied a peel and stick rock protectant to the leading edges.
You may notice the texturing. Paved, but with largish material.
Prices varied. If you only stopped every three hours or so, they were not insane. In between, watch out!
Wildlife is very common along the way.
In most places, the verge of the road is very wide, allowing drivers a better chance to see the critters.
Poor Ruth. Musta just hit a bump.
Options: Be dry & smell like campfire...
I thinkk this is after the creature had walked away, as we struggled to cycle the stupid camera!
Probably under ten degrees, but not threatening rain!
except where it is not! Road work is constant.
A sign that an oupost is coming up!
There's a whole lot of greens and grays. This was nice!
Very 'cool' hot springs that you ought to visit.
Signs of civilization. And clearer skies!
VERY civilized, a paved pull-out even!
The old riverboat museum
These paddle wheel, shallow draught boats were the supply link.
A column of harder rock eroding thousands of years slower than the surroundings.
... could easily drag me away.
Is she studying the ground?
and lots of them. But imagine an earlier time with ford crossings and ferries?
Or Mrs. We didn't ask.
Someday, if I get old, I will have them to ruminate on.
When the military built the highway, they took along hearty "beef on the hoof".
Imagine Ruth, twisted to 60 degrees back to take this shot!
Breaks my heart. I can't see this sort of trail and not wonder where it leads?
The famous MILE ZERO of the Alaska Highway.
( isn't it supposed to be "in the sun shine"? )
Sign Forest at Watson Lake, BC.
With a bit of Fireweed in the foreground.
The Bison were left behind as the crews moved on or finished.
We ran out of tire tread. Had to wait for one to get shipped up.
The classic tourist's Guide to the Alaska Highway. Get one before you go!
Not a flash photo
Rained like a *****
Gangly moose calves
Ah, the glamour of road life!