Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride

[BcDano]

Hello fellow inmates!

Well we are little slow in getting things happening here on ADV. What can I say the riding has been fantastic and sitting in front of a screen typing falls very low on the priority list. The scenery has been incredible and the adventure has been better than we had hoped for in the Yukon and Alaska.

We have already met a lot of great ADV riders in the three weeks we have been on the road and look forward to connecting with even more as we now turn south for Ushuaia. To cut the screen time we will be posting the links to our blog. The first few entries can be viewed here http://www.worldwideride.ca/blog

A tad late, but welcome to our worldwide ride.....


Daniel & Sara




6 month update


Ten Countries Ten Months…..Just the start.

In Canada’s North West territories this is the half way point at eagle Plains on our trip up the Dempster “highway”.



DSC00745 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We were over the top of the world into Alaska and 19 other states.



DSC00859 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Ten weeks in Mexico was just enough to scratch the surface.



DSC04807 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Ambergris Cay Belize was just voted best Island on earth.



DSC02736 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Guatemala has many hidden jewels, like the limestone formations at Sumec Champey.




Sumac Champey 56 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



El Salvador has lots of adventure riding starting with the road to El Impossible.




Fr Gränsentill Santa Ana, Salvador 062 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Honduras was a short but luckily uneventful ride.



crossing Honduras 7 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Nicaragua has lots of great riding up north and historic beauty in Granada.



Granada Nicaragua 15 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Costa Rica has beaches, lakes, and volcanoes.



Nuevo Arenal 26 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Panama has a lot more than the canal at Miraaflores.



panama city 43 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[huzar]

[BcDano]

Well its weird to be back at day one, but here it goes. Leaving the lower mainland on June 22, 2012.


Getting out of town by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We made it drop off some things for storage and then set off from near Kamloops, BC.


Horizons Start map by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Here are the bikes a loaded up.


Ready to Rock on the Ranch by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


F800GS Loaded by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Starting odometer reading on the F800GS.


Daniel bike odometer start by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Here we are camped the first night at Lac la Hache


First evening of freedom by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

It seems weird to be riding north, but we had to get to the top so we can ride south to get to the bottom.How is it possible that we have never been to northern BC and the Yukon! This land is massive and spectacular. We followed the Gold Rush trail thru 100 mile, Burns Lake, and Dease Lake.

Camping by the lake in Vanderhoof.


A Palace for Two by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

A frequent sign.


Into the land of the moose by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

The highlight has been the ride into Stewart, BC with the valley dripping in green and dotted with dozens of waterfalls streaming down the steep sides. The Bear glacier comes down to meet you at the bottom of WINDY hill. We visited Hyder, Alaska at mile zero then headed north to the Yukon.


Stewart - Alaska trun sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Sara & Bikes North to Alaska Sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Hyder Alaska Sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Bear Glacier by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Sara & Daniel Bear Glacier by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Daniel bike mile 0 Alaska hwy by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

Finally we were leaving Beautiful British Columbia for the Great North.


Sara Leaving BC by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Welcome Yukon Sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We met up with fellow RTW rider Deb Hewson returning from Deadhorse, while on or way to Whitehorse.


Sara Daniel, Deb, Coffee time by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This rider was travelling with two german shepherds in his side car.



DSC00661 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

Step one get a fishing licence.


Yukon fishing lic by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We set out from Whitehorse on a three- hour tour………


Sara & the Mirror Craft by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


well we drove 90 minutes with a stop at Jake’s Crossing for lunch and a bear encounter.



Sara polar bear encounter by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Trolling on the Teslin River for the “big one”, Daniel landed an almost 20 pound trout.



The Big Catch 2 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We headed for the shore where our master guide/chef Daniel's Uncle Bruce whipped us up a 5 star meal over an open fire.



Now thats fresh fish by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


With the stunning Midnight sun still shining, we had time for some target practice.



Sara Shooting by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Whitehorse has so many things to do in the out of doors and in summer its light out all the time.



DSC00666 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00673 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00672 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Leaving the comfort and hospitality of Whitehorse behind we headed north in the rain to the frontier town of Dawson City.


Sara the Dry Gal by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

Dawson city did not disappoint! We loved this friendly gold rush town. The buildings are as colorfully painted as the characters that live here.


Klondike kates by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


I am Indian by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

This place is very biker friendly.


Motorcycle fiendly by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00502 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We toured the engineering marvel the Dredge #4, panned for gold, and ate Canada Day hotdogs.



DSC00505 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




DSC00503 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00509 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00512 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




DSC00520 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Sara & The Mounties Dawson by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We stayed at the hostel across the river and used the free ferry to commute. Deiter is a bit crazy, but the wood fire heated shower house is so worth it.



DSC00688 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00451 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00476 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Sara led a historic walking tour of the old town.



DSC00461 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00464 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00470 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00483 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00494 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We met up with fellow travelers Miquel (retracing the path of the great Spanish explorers) and Alicia (Attempting to be the first Spanish woman to circumnavigate the globe by motorbike).



DSC00706 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




The Midnight Sun Hotel by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Sara and Alicia by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Now we are off to conquer the mighty Dempster.

[BcDano]

Sara: It was all smiles and sunshine as we started out from the mile zero sign up to Tombstone. We had an amazing view from the campsite. We were such newbies on the trip we really didn't prepare food for the road. Luckily we had left over Chinese from Dawson City. We hiked up the Klondike river trail to see the ice still on the river. There had been some rain and we knew from One Wheel Drive that one should not attempt the Dempster after the rain. We naively said oh it's not rained much and it's stopped now. That was our first mistake. There will be no photos from the day up to Eagle Plains because it poured rain all day. The riding was challenging at best. The mud was 4 inches thick for several hours and was like trying to drive in peanut butter. Thank goodness for our rain over suits! I dropped my bike at very low speed in the thick mud. Later that day there was very deep mud on a hill and one minute I was ok and the next I was face down in the mud with the bike on top of me and spun 180 degrees. Poor Dan had to try and get off his bike and run back to help me while listening to me on the intercom. Worst minute of my life. Luckily for me the road got much better after this for the last almost 60 km. I did badly injure my right knee and I could not walk on it at all. I could sit on my bike and stand a bit. We had to spend an extra day at Eagle Plains so I could ice my leg. (update I hobbled on it for 4 months and it was mostly better by 6 months. At 10 months its 90%).


Sara & Daniel Dempster Highway sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00531 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00537 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00539 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00552 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Sara klondike river hike by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Tombstone Park Ice by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00846 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00568 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Daniel: A little note about Sara is in order here. Wow was the mud bad. Like hardcore for the big guy bad. Like OMG we may not make it and why are we doing this stupid Dempster highway bad. Okay with this in mind picture tiny Sara on a very big machine, loaded to the max and weighing over five hundred pounds. Wow what a trooper. My wife is officially a hardcore adventure rider forged out of the mud of the Dempster at its very worst.




DSC00745 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Eagle Plains “lodge” is quite the place as some of you will know. The locals say being stuck here is like being stuck in a dentists chair. The sun was finally out though and shining almost 24 hours a day. Despite the pain in my leg we pressed on. I really wanted to get on a truck and go home at times. Dan did lure me with that option if I still felt the same when we got to Inuvik.




DSC00595 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00599 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00573 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



The first big landmark of the trip was crossing the Arctic circle. 50 km further north we entered the NWT.




DSC00757 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00753 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




DSC00762 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00768 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




DSC00765 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This is what we called the good mud since it was not very deep or slippery.





DSC00770 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We had 2 ferry crossings. Finally we arrived in Inuvik! We checked into the Arctic Chalets and the owner Olaf gave us his truck to get to the North Mart before it closed. There was so much mud on the bikes that both fans were so clogged they were not working. Thanks again to Olaf and his power washer.



DSC00771 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00777 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




DSC00772 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00778 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Sara & Daniel end of Dempster sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00781 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00783 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Here is me trying to sleep with the midnight sun.




DSC00807 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We toured the town sights, including the igloo church, the visitor’s center, and the Jak’s tower look-out. We went to the cloud 9 at the airport for musk-ox chili and dipped our toes in the Mackenzie River at the east channel.



DSC00606 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00618 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00621 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




DSC00631 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sara east channel mckenzie river dipping toe by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This is the end of the 10 km of paved road in Inuvik and where the dirt road back to Dawson begins. I had recovered enough mentally to drive the road back south. My knee was very swollen and painful, but I was actually most comfortable in the riding position.



DSC00655 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We set off early to get on the road while the sun was still shining. Stopping for a snack we took in the glory of the vista.




DSC00653 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00841 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Having travelled over 900 kilometers so far on the Dempster we had only happened upon six small rabbits. Disappointing to say the least. The scenery is amazing. We ran into a few of these unimog types up here in the North.



DSC00677 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00712 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00710 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Sara & Daniel Arctic Cirlce by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Daniiel Snack time above the Arctic Circle by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Just when we thought the northern highway was not going to reveal its wild inhabitants wow did we get treated to an arctic spectacle. Fifty kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in the gleaming sun and green tundra we happened upon a massive herd of Caribou. This day was adventure riding at its very best.




Herd of Caribou by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00729 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC00749 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Hunting Inuit style.



DSC00747 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

Done with THE DEMPSTER, we were over The Top of The World!



top of the world sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




650 On top of the world by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We had a well-deserved spa treatment while camping at the Chena Hot Springs.



sara hammock at Chena by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This 90 km side trek provided 90% of the wildlife we saw in Alaska.



cow and calf moose chena AK by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sara and the moose butt by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



mile 15 denali by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



bull moose Denali by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



There was no more stopping for photos after the 17 th moose. Denali National Park was a bit too “Disneyland” like for us, but our riverside tent cabin at the Grizzly Bear Resort did not disappoint. The mountain is not visible from the park, but you can see it well from the road to Talketna.



hobbit hut by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Dan riverdance Denali by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


On our way south the mountain views were spectacular.



mt hunter by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



tip of denali by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Arriving at Talkeeetna Air taxi at 104 pm to enquire about “flightseeing”. They said be ready at 1:15!!! We were so lucky as it was an amazing sunny flight with breathtaking views of Denali just before the clouds rolled in. The landing on the glacier was surreal. The town of Talkeetna is full of charm and lots of colorful locals.



TAT by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



denali reflections by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



glacier view by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Denali summit by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




plane on denali by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Dan sara glacier by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



general store Talkeetna by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Dan blogging in Talkeetna by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This is a sign you don't see too often.



musk ox farm? by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




During a 700 km ride to Valdez, there was 100 km with gusting wind blowing us sideways and 100 km in the pouring rain. That did not diminish the spectacular trip there over the high mountain plateau. What a gem this place is.



Dan at Worthington glacier by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




valdez coastline views by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



glacier view by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




high mountain pass "skiers" by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




fishing fleet in Valdez by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We ran into German bikers Anja and Torsten whom we had last seen at Tombstone.



Anja Christopher by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Torsten Hinrichs by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We had an incredible day on the Lu Lu Belle seeing sea otters, seals, sea lions, puffins, Dall’s porpoise, and Humpback whales. The highlight was the masses of ice flow and the huge icebergs.


valdez coastline views by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



fishing boat by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



lu lu Belle by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



waterfall valdez coast by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sea otters by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Dall's porpoise by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




humpback whale by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



humpback whale by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sea lions by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sea otters on the ice by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



ice burg by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




sara and iceburg by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Dan and sara at the iceburg by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



ice by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We stopped by the side of the road for a break and looked up to see this guy.



Bald Eagle by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

After a whole week in Alaska we did not see a bear of any colour! We had incredible hospitality at Kluane B&B! Rabbit (Snowshoe hare) is delicious. What an amazing wilderness setting with all the comforts of home. We tented out by an old settlers cabin.



kluane by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




kluane by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The museum at Burwash Landing has the “largest gold pan in the world” and an incredible natural history display for a village so tiny.



sara & worlds largest gold pan by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We ran into the crazy Spaniards again there too.




Alicia & Miquel at the tomb by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

On the way to Haines, Alaska we finally saw a small brown bear.



brown bear by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The drive there is also over a high pass and then meanders along the Chilkoot River. These contraptions are Salmon Wheels, which are essentially automatic salmon catchers.



salmon wheel by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Haines is a very quaint town with a charming old Seward Fort area. We camped right on the seafront.




camp site Haines by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




DSC01470 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


After 3 weeks in remote wilderness areas finally a Grizzly….on the beach 2 km from the ferry dock.



Grizzly bear by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Grizzly bear by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

The trip from Haines to Skagway is just 15 miles, but takes 4 hours including the pre-boarding checks, security, 1 hour cruise time, and complex loading and unloading of huge motor homes thru the side of the ship. They actually drive in and turn around inside and exit thru the same door. This town is tourist central with 4 huge cruise ships docked in the harbor. Now back to civilization for a few days of R&R in Whitehorse.



Mismaloya ferry by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Dan on the ferry to Skagway by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Skagway harbour by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[rtwpaul]

good stuff guys, looks like you are in Mexico according to your blog...check out my RR on here, lots of info on Central America border crossings, they are not difficult just confusing if you haven't done them before...have a great first christmas on the road

[BcDano]

Thanks Paul we will!!

[BcDano]

Daniel did a major bike cleaning and maintenance and changed the oil in the Walmart parking lot. We were then ready to head south from Whitehorse.



sara changing the oil by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We stopped at Watson Lake for the obligatory photo at the sign Forrest.




Watso Lake sign Forrest by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Liard Hot spring was nice for a relaxing soak, but the mozzies were voracious. The campers across from us never left their car. We packed up in the morning fully dressed in our gear and helmets.



Liard Hot Spring by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Sara at Liard by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Muncho Lake Provincial Park is teaming with wildlife. We saw moose and lots of Bison. We had said that we were not going to stop again to take a photo of a moose unless it had twins.




Sara at Muncho Lake by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




moose with twins by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Bison by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Sara and the Bison by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




dan and the bison by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



The mile zero sign is in Dawson Creek, BC on the other end of the highway from Hyder, Alaska.




mile zero alaska highway by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



There will be no photos from the day we road to Jasper since it poured for 7 hours. What an amazing test for our gear though. It was incredible when at one point we were driving over a pass with the clouds super low and at 11 am it was almost dark. It was like driving into Mordor. We had planned to camp, but no way. The rain was so hard it was shooting out of the culverts and straight up in the air. Luckily it cleared up that evening and we had some nice views of the mountains. The Elk here just walk thru town.




DSC01049 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We toured the sights at Maligne Canyon, Athabaska Falls, and the Columbia Ice fields. We hiked up onto the glacier and had lunch. It is so weird because it is not slippery at all. Some people were walking up there in flip flops.




maligne Canyon by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




dan at Athabasca falls by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Rainbow Athabasca falls by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




dan and sara columbia icefields by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Sara crossing the glacier melt stream by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




sara on columbia glacier hike by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




columbia icefields glacier river by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Camped by the Bow River we were lulled to sleep by the rushing water.





Bow river Campsite by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



The route south thru Kananaskis and Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is incredible. Here we saw Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep and mountain goats. There was a freak hail storm. We came upon the deep hail on the road and luckily some cars had passed so there were tracks. Unfortunately some guy on a Harley was not so luckily. His bike was in the ditch and his gear was spread all over. We got off to search the ditch and under the bike to make sure he was not still there. Someone must have seen him crash a taken him to hospital.




Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep Peter Lougheed Prov park by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Our first UNESCO world heritage site was Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.




Head smashed in Buffalo jump by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




head smashed in Buffalo jump by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Thanks so much to Stan and Shelly Davey for the 5 star hospitality at the Broken Rail Ranch! We headed for Montana at the Chief Mountain crossing. The border official only asked me one question "when did you leave home?" And I was worried they might have an issues with us wandering their country for months. We were sitting in the sun at our campsite in St mary's when ash began raining down on us. There was a huge brush fire near by requiring a visit from the volunteer fire department.




koa fire by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The next day we were lucky to have a sunny day and a totally unimpeded ride on the Road To The Sun. This is unheard of since usually it is a traffic jam all the way from the east gate to the west.




Road to the sun by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Road to the sun by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Road to the sun by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We were disappointed to learn that bikers are not welcome at the National Bison Range. They told us bikes are not allowed because they have unpaved roads……do they know about the Dempster?



National Bison Range by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

If you’ve never been to Coeur d’Alene in August you should. This place is stunning. Silverwood’s Amusement park in Athol (don’t say that too fast) is a great way to spend a hot summer day.


Welcome to Idaho by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Dan log flume by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

We needed to have our new sprockets and DIG chains mounted. We can’t say enough about the service we had from the Honda dealership in Coeur d’Alene. Thanks Randy (ex BMW master) for your help!



Honda by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



It was enough of luxuries and was now time for some back roads and gravel on our way to Moscow! The winding highway 12 follows the raging rivers and takes you thru Lewiston then east to Kamiah. The Old Spiral Highway outside of Lewiston is like driving down a corkscrew. We then followed the river south thru Grangeville to the rafting Mecca of Riggins. We needed our cooling gel neck wraps and a swim in the river to beat the 36-degree heat.


sara's gas station lunch by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Moscow by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



gravel plus by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Old spiral highway lewiston ID by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




free beer in Riggens ID by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



rafting Idaho style by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


The next mile stone was crossing the 45 th Parallel.



45 th by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC01132 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Heading south from here we started to see the smoke of the many fires burning in the state. Several roads were closed, but luckily none on our route. There were active fires in Boise National Forrest, but fortunately highway 21 had opened to get us to Stanley and Red Fish Lake. We did get to see the famous Sawtooth mountains, but thru a smoky haze. The high here was 32 but the low 2.



Sawtooth Mountains at dusk by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Sawtooth Mountains by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We were heading south- east to Arco and the Craters of the Moon National Monument. Following the Peaks to Craters Scenic byway we arrived in Salmon. Thanks Joe for the tip on Syringa lodge! FYI the Junkyard Bistro there is awesome. No more messing about…. Off to Montana and the Gravelly Range Road!


sunrise in Arco thru the smoke by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC01150 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Ontop of the Inferno cone by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



North Crater rim by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



caves by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Indian Tunnel by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr

[BcDano]

Welcome to the BIG SKY of Montana! We followed the old west trail to Ennis. This might be the perfect town for Daniel they have auto parts and ice cream in one location.



welcome to Montana by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



old west trail by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



napa cone by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We wondered into a dive bar and were surprised to find the most delicious best rib eye ever.



22 oz ribeye by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


This is a quirky little town.



hot chicken by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



quick draw atm by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



DSC01200 by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



We rode just out of town to the lake near by.



Ennis lake by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


Following the Varney road to the Gravelly Range we passed thru forests and alpine meadows. There were stunning views of the grassy valley and the Black Butte. We saw several herds of Pronghorn.



Pronghorn on Varney rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sign post by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Varney rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sara in mirror by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Sara on the Varney rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



primative road by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Gravelly range rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



View off the Gravelly by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Eureka Basin Rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Continental divide rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




primative road by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



lulu on the gravelly range rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Gravelly range rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



wwr with view by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Sara riding the Gravelly by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr


We camped at the Eureka Basin Road junction. I was worried about bears bothering us, but I really should have been more concerned about the cows tripping over the tent. The sunset was stunning. The ride continued down the Continental divide road to end near Spencer, ID.



gravelly camp by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



Camp site off the Gravelly by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



290 sign by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr



sun set by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Sara on the continental divide rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




Sara & Lulu on the Gravelly by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




F800 on the Gravelly by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr




end of the rd by Worldwide Ride.ca, on Flickr