Bright early (0630) and cold we departed White Horse, Canada. Or, at least that’s the way it was supposed to be but, NOT. Roberto and I were on our way towards coffee (0545) at a Tim Hortons when I noticed a peculiar sound coming from my rear chain area. It seemed like every revolution of the chain it would hit a high spot and try to jump the sprocket. Not a good thing. Motorcycle dealers in the area open at 0830. So, everyone in our little group chimed in on their preferred course of action. All I wanted was a cup of coffee and a Tim Horton donut, muffin or whatever. Roberto 1 thought we should go fill up. I said my chain was won’t get me there.
While at Tim Hortons the great one, the Jedi Master himself contended with the consequences of my non functioning chain. He agreed that not going to the dark side was a good thing and so he had me prep everything while he took a grinder to the chain.
This place is truly historic says I. Legend has it that Whitehorse got its name when gold seekers thought Miles Canyon’s wild rapids resembled the manes of charging white horses. Those stampeders as they were called, were the true adventurers of their day; as they wondered if they were going to survive the unknown wilderness that awaited them. A simple poor man could head off from there and come back wealthy enough to live the rest of his days like a king.
In 1897 unemployment in the USA was hovering around 47%. Alaska’s gold rush began around that time 1896-97when gold was discovered in the Klondike in Canada’s Yukon Territory
Many reports say that Deadhorse got it’s name because of a company called “Deadhorse Haulers” which was hired on a seasonal summer contract to haul away all the dead feral horses in the Fairbanks/North Slope area.
And speaking of horses we almost hit several. Just as we left Whitehorse up ahead were some dark shapes that didn’t immediately register as there was a sloppy hill. As I got closer I saw several baby horses and about a half dozen others. Absolutely beautiful coats on them. I sounded my horn to get them away from the road and that started a stampede for the tree line.
And speaking of crap you should also know that yesterday while at a gas stop Freddy finally was able to go! He was holding back according to accounts about as much as three days worth of, well shit.
And sometimes the boys from Mexico City teach an old dog like Kevin some Spanish words. He made the mistake of asking what does muey bien mean? His attention span is very limited when it comes to non motorcycle talk, a future ride, his van or world peace.
Today at this place (Thulane) don’t quote me on it we enjoyed the best lunch ever and French coffee from a machine. It was cooked by a Filipino food crew working there. The soup, sandwiches and desert pie and carrot cake was delicious.
The little Klondike with a new chain performed superbly on those vast rocky roads that are being worked on.
We crossed from Canada onto Alaska at 1555 or 3:55 civilian time today- June 14, 2023. I’ve been on the road since the first of the month.
End
Trawlercat Chronicles 