We have landed (Doug)

FYI...we survived the scurvy and piracy aboard the ferry boat ;-) and managed a 600-mile day on the bikes. We're beat. The Mexican restaurant in Yreka forgot our special tequila request so provided those shots on the side of the margs. So...this is a quick way of saying we're too tired to tell you all much right now. Tomorrow...we promise. Only a piddly 300+ miles to home.

On the Boat (Doug)

Hell...that almost sounds like we're on the wagon...which isn't likely given the stash of Jack in our tents on deck ;-) Haines seems to be a melting pot of travelers waiting for the ferry, and it's been fun yacking it up with other bikers who are heading back to the lower 48 or just starting in Alaska. We re-packed bags for the ferry and hung out at the Fogcutter playing pool and enjoying Alaskan Amber. A somber moment for me as I learned of the death of a friend today...you cannot travel far enough to escape that, no matter what. Cheers, Larry. We learned a little bit more about the ferry ride from other travelers...the food isn't too bad, nor too expensive. And now that we're on board, the full bar has a dance floor (like my shoes will touch that ;-)), there are two restaurants, showers, etc.. We didn't spring the extra $$ for a cabin, but pitched our tents on the deck and traded stakes for duct tape. The lower deck, we learned, is much less windy than where we were - one person's tent was almost blown off the boat within ten minuts. So, with the help of our rider-acquaintances we relocated to a more sheltered area on a lower deck. We have a few stops along the way...Juneau for now which is why I have a signal to do a quick update. A few days of this and then the 900 miles of riding back to home. How fast will that go? ;-) Goodbye, Alaska...until next time...

Bears {Wesley}

We have a different definition of Bears in San Francisco. They mainly reside in SOMA. But same rules apply. I know this joke will go over most of your heads and thats OK...Its funny to me. Today was our shortest day yet but somehow felt like the longest. Maybe it was the rain but I think its more that we are heading home. We did our last miles in Alaska and Canada today and now just have time to kill before the ferry. Had another close encounter of the Moose kind today in the rain and fog. Not fun trying to stop in time to let a Moose cross when you can barely see and its pouring rain. He made it across the road just fine and I kept riding only to repeat the event with a porcupine. They are wayyyyy bigger than I ever thought and pretty weird looking. Pretty country around here and nice riding despite the head wind and rain. Looking forward to our poor mans cruise. The Alaska Ferry to Bellingham. Sleeping in tents on deck and cooking freeze dried food. The Beef Mac is pretty good though.

Haines Junction to Haines (Doug)

Probably our shortest day of riding so far from Haines Junction (Yukon, Canada) to Haines, Alaska where we chill until the ferry carries us and our motorcycles to Bellingham, WA...4 nights, 3 days of floating. The ride today was gorgeous despite the wet crossing through the mountains. We could see the rain coming before it hit, and it got so dark at one point that we both stopped to take sunglasses off so we could see through the fog...er, cloud. Only one construction stop for a long section undergoing re-paving. Only a couple of miles were gravel...not too thick and deep, so cruising speed of 50-60 mph was pretty manageable. The border crossing was nice and easy..."firearms?"..."no"..."welcome back." OK...there were a few more questions, and answers that a polygraph test may have contested, but nothing guantanamo-worthy ;-) Haines is kind of quiet on a Sunday but we found our home at the Thunderbird Motel...roomy, and the bikes are right outside the door for easy unpacking/packing. The Fogcutter bar seems to be the place to be for drinks (love Alaska Amber and Red!) and we're wishing we had a way to cook the fresh crab that can be bought off the boat in the harbor. But...mmmmmmm...is the smoked salmon good! We'll be buying some of that up for the ferry ride! We'll spend the day tomorrow doing laundry, organizing the packing for the ferry, and keeping our eyes out for the legions of bald eagles. It's been quite a ride...15 days, 4,839 miles...with 900 to go. Nice to be heading home.

Border Crossing - Top of the World hwy (Doug)

Just going through some older stuff and throwing out some eye candy. Here's a quick clip to give you an idea of Top of the World highway...although it was a gravel road before this section right before crossing into Alaska.