The Long Way North

 Day 7

Last night when we checked in we were soaked clear thru to our skin.  Once we hit the room which was kind of like a Motel 6 back in 1980 I went on a mission to get things dry.

A little lady was working on cleaning rooms. I went up to her and asked if they have a commercial dryer. She didn't speak much English. She is a native of the Indian in this area and spoke their language.   

Well I got creative in my communications skills. She loved that I at least tried to be part of her world.

She ended taking all our wet cloths and our heavy riding gear and got all of dried for us.

I wanted to pay but she said, after I figured out that she was trying to tell me that she can not accept tips. Well there were other employees behind me so what do I do.?

I block their view and put money in her pocket. She looks at me and then throws her arms in the air for me to hug her. Well she gets a full Dave bear hug. How can you not love life?

 After our first night in a motel we felt much better after yesterdays ride. We had breakfast and went to fill our fuel bags as we knew we were in for a long run of gravel with about 230 miles of muddy gravel and dirt with absolutely no civilization in between.

We are about to peg up when a fellow biker brother comes over and asks in his  accent from Bosnia if I have jumper cables?

About 15 years ago I made a set of motorcycle jumper cables. They have to have a small clamp and be thinner wire and at least 8 feet long. He was thrilled when I said "I do."

After we helped him and his buddy get the bike started Boyd and I headed out.

We hit Sign post Forrest before we pulled out of Watson Lake.

We both had signs we brought from home jus for this. We pulled up and Boyd had this look of amazement on his face and says "WOW just WOW!"

We start walking and looking for a spot to mount ours and that proved to be a challenge.

We achieved our mission and were very happy now have part of our lives in 

"Sign Post Forrest."

 

We head out Hwy 4 and about the first 20 miles are paved with absolutely no cars. We never saw a car on this stretch.

 We hit dirt and at first it was not bad then it went to crap. Soft mud light rain and about 47 degrees. Hard packed gravel then loose gravel then a guy turning it with equipment mud and muck. We both almost spilled out in the muck but we dropped gears and rolled the throttles. By the grace of God we stayed upright and got thru it. Only to hit more gravel.

I had to stop about 100 miles into it as my hands were numb. Yes I brought heated gloves and a heated jacket liner. Did I start with them on NO?

Why not Dave "Because I a one tough SOB!" Well this guy had mother nature show him the She has a sense of humor.

I will let the video do the talking.

We hit some beautiful areas along this stretch and was a fantastic day and ride even with the challenges.

I have to say this "You go along in life and think every capture of your life is in your control and created by you. Then you meet someone you never knew. You both look at each other as if you have known each other your entire life. Then a capture you did not plan to insert into your life starts."

I have only known Boyd for not even 3 years and I will make sure that his world allows me to live in it. Thank you Boyd.

How can you not love this.

Let's see what tomorrow brings.