Road to Alaska Final Day

“I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow; but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing.”
– Agatha Christie

This is an attempt at a recap as I now see it. Outside the light is extremely bright even though the clock somewhere says 0300 am. There’s some sort of time change warp going on here now but, I can’t wrap my head or mind around it.

My left knee hurt while sleeping soundly. , like the others are road worn. We all slept soundly until we didn’t. Our back home internal clocks are now on overload.

I don’t remember banging my knee into anything recently. My scull, specifically the backside of my head feels like it’s been drilled by giant mosquitoes. I felt them attacking the sweat from inside my helmet while we waited to be escorted by a pilot truck to the next part of the road construction.

That native Alaska Indian baclava that I purchased a while back makes me look like a fast rider as parts of it is pulled out and flows with the wind. It’s orca colored with some dull red. For once I match. A red and black Klim jacket and Klim orange pants complete the ride gear.

My little Klondike’s top speed is 80 mph. I travel at around 75 mph. I’m usually the first one to depart from a gas stop, break time or meal time location. Yesterday I had her wide open to reach Tok. No one ahead or behind me. The roadside was nice and twisting. Some of the newer patches of asphalt looked like a baker had smeared chocolate frosting on it. It wasn’t done very well as compared to the Canadian side. The trees are now all stunted as you travel. The views are majestic, the air is cold and you see lots of melted snow up on top and sides of mountains.

As the honorary groups chronicler with no competition for the title I don’t feel like I’ve done a good job of it. Possibly because it’s all relative to the time I’ve had to devote to writing.

This story at times writes itself. I wish I would not have forgotten that micro recorder I started out with. If only I could paint the final details like in yesterday as we crossed the border, for the second time; from Canada to Alaska.

Seeing all our faces and hearing firsthand how these three guys I’m traveling with from Mexico city dreamt up their adventure. Roberto contacted Kevin ten years ago to help them lay out a course for them to Alaska. It’s taken them 13 years to get here as friends, family, children and life has a way of doing.

In a fairly entertaining way the characters the two Roberto’s are part of the original group that first started before Federeico, aka Freddy joined them. They have all learned a thing or two about themselves and each other while on their journey of life and the adventure. It’s no doubt in my mind that the journey is the adventure. Man needs this sort of release in life to overcome the obstacles and challenges that society, work and family back home introduces. Bad behavior can result if things go unchecked.

Last night Yoda Kevin bought pizza for everybody and we sat in his cabin house room for the evening and ate pizza and drank water. It was supposed to be our celebratory dinner but, Fast Eddy’s was the only game in town and the tour buses were still disgorging tourists.

Perhaps the biggest changes noticed as we departed together from Prince George was the weather, scenery and wildlife. The Canadian people so far are the nicest, friendliest and most down to earth people we’ve met. The riders are all just glad to have someone to share their experiences with. Everyone or mostly everyone waves at each other. Even two Japanese bicyclist’s that were so excited to be here were frantically waving at us as we passed them by. Or, perhaps it was on account of that grizzly that was nearby?

Today we woke to a light rain, about 25 degrees of celsius equals 77 degrees. A welcome surprise to locals who say, we’ve been experiencing unusually warm weather. That was written so long ago I forgot what it now feels like to be warm.

“To do or do not. There is no try.” Without his words of wisdom, chain-breaker tool a battery powered cut off wheel grinder I would certainly not be here now. Thank you Yoda Kevin for lots more than you’ll ever know from your loyal group of followers. You’ve given us the roadmap to adventure. All we did was ride, meet new friends and live life to the fullest that we know how while doing so.

On the first motorcycle ride blog to Alaska I shared with you that this story and the ones that follow will probably be about passion for motorcycle travel, the travelers themselves, the locals and our experiences along our journey.

For those that think the adventure is now over you couldn’t be more wrong; it’s only just begun. When we arrive in Anchorage our group’s founder and ride team leader Todd and Tom are waiting patiently for us. Then through their eyes we ride Alaska!

Ralph Waldo Emerson quote.

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate the beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded!

End