DAY-57 Sunday

We checked at the office, and yes the Internet was down. Someone in the office was checking e-mail, which needs to be switched back. So that is why you needed to wait for the posts.

So we're only about 450 miles away and we're missing our dogs. We were also thinking about staying near Hamerport,NY and go to the Glen Curtis Museum.

We headed down the QEW. We got to customs and in the center of the lane is a trough with a catch basin. I went to the edge of the trough with the front tire. Trying not to get in it and to leave room for the agent to get out of the booth. I shut the motor off and leaned it to put the side stand down. The bike slid sideways into the trough. The bike stayed up and we're looking up at the agent. We did questions and back in America Baby. 190 to 90.

What can I say we miss the dogs! We kept trucking, by 5:30 we were home. Hey what's with all this heat and humidity.

Now some Stats......Remember this was our vacation NOT to see how fast we could do it.

Starting Mileage for the day: 111,681

Ending Mileage for the day: 112,138

447 MILES for the day

Starting Mileage for the Trip: 099,098

Ending Mileage for the Trip:112,138

**************************13,040 Miles for the Trip*******************************

Miles per Day of Trip

Day-1. 290 mi....Total:...500 mi....Location:.. Wilkes-Barre PA

Day-2. 500 mi ...Total:...790 mi...Location:..Springfield, OH

Day-3. 376 mi...Total:...1166 mi...Location: ..St. Louis,MO

Day-4. 245 mi...Total:...1411 mi...Location:.. Chillicothe,MO

Day-5. 233 mi..Total:...1644 mi..Location... Lincoln,NE

Day-6. 367 mi..Total...2011 mi...Location...Alliance, NE

Day-7. 230 mi..Total...2241 mi...Location...Custer, SD

Day-8. 119 mi.. Total..2360 mi...Location...Custer, SD

Day-9. 115 mi..Total..2475 mi... location...Sundance, WY

Day-10.348 mi..Total..2823 mi..Location..Cody,WY

Day-11. 309 mi..Total..3132 mi..Location..Cody,WY

Day-12. 334 mi..Total..3466 mi..Location.. Cody,WY

Day-13. 182 mi. Total..3648 mi..Location...Big Sky, MT

Day-14. 43 mi. Total..3691 mi..Location...Big Sky, MT

Day-15. 585 mi. Total..4276 mi.Location..Colfax, WA

Day-16. 121 mi. Total..4397 mi... location..Wilbur,WA

Day-17. 258 mi. Total..4655 mi...Location..Merritt,BC

Day-18. 300 mi Total..4944 mi...Location...Quesnel, BC

Day-19. 309 mi. Total..5264 mi..Location..Smithers,BC

Day-20. 247 mi. Total..5511 mi..Location.. Hyder,AK

Day-21. 211mi. Total..5722 mi.. location..Terrace,BC

Day-22. 91 mi. Total..5813 mi..Location..Ferry

Day-23. 08 mi. Total..5821 mi..Location..Sitka,AK

Day-24. 15 mi Total..5836 mi...Location..Sitka,AK

Day-25. 35 mi. Total..5871 mi..Location..Juneau,AK

Day-26. 63 mi. Total..5934 mi.Location..Juneau,AK

Day-27. 51 mi. Total..5985 mi..Location..Skagway, AK

Day-28. 00 mi. Total..5985 mi..Location..Skagway, AK

Day-29. 110 mi. Total..6095 mi..Location..Whitehorse,YT

Day-30. 396 mi. Total..6491 mi. Location..Tok,AK

Day-31. 223 mi. Total..6714 mi..Location..Fairbanks,AK

Day-32. 00 mi. Total..6714 mi..Location..Fairbanks,AK

Day-33. 30 mi. Total..6744 mi..Location..Fairbanks,AK

Day-34.176 mi. Total..6920 mi..Location..Denali, AK

Day-35. 04 mi.. Total..6924 mi..Location..Denali, AK

Day-36. 371 mi. Total..7295 mi..Location..Cooper Landing, AK

Day-37. 126 mi. Total.7421 mi..Location..Homer,AK

Day-38. 00 mi. Total.7421 mi..Location..Homer, AK

Day-39. 500 mi.Total.7921 mi..Location..Gakona, AK

Day-40. 235 mi. Total.8156 mi..Location..Dawson City, YT

Day-41. 247 mi. Total. 8403 mi..Location..Carmacks, Yt

Day-42. 380 mi. Total. 8783 mi..Location.. Watson Lake, YT

Day-43. 330 mi. Total. 9113 mi..Location..Ft. Nelson,BC

Day-44. 570 mi. Total. 9683 mi..Location..Hinton, AB

Day-45. 291 mi. Total. 9974 mi..Location..Radium Hot Springs, BC

Day-46. 282 mi. Total. 10256 mi..Location..Glacier N.P.(St. Marys,MT)

Day-47. 272 mi. Total. 10528 mi...Location..Lewistown,MT

Day-48. 245 mi. Total. 10773 mi...Location..Glendive, MT

Day-49. 263 mi. Total. 11036 mi...Location. Bismarck, ND

Day-50. 49 mi. Total. 11085 mi...Location. Bismarck,ND

Day-51. 334 mi. Total. 11419 mi...Location. Baxter,MN

Day-52. 351 mi. Total. 11770 mi...Location..Iron Mountain, MI

Day-53. 341 mi. Total. 12111 mi...Location..Gaylord, MI

Day-54. 15 mi. Total..12126 mi...Location..Gaylord,MI

Day-55. 312 mi. Total. 12438 mi..Location.London,OT

Day-56. 145 mi. Total.12583 mi..Location..Niagra Falls, OT

Day-57. 457 mi. Total 13040 mi... Location...Home, MA

Hotel.......11 nights

Motel......12 nights

Tent........16 nights

Teepee......2 nights

Cabin.........4 nights

Homes.......4 nights

Ferry.........1 night

Hostel........2 nights

Trailer.......3 nights

B&B............1 night

Day 56 Saturday ***TWO DAY POST***

We broke camp early and headed down 402 to 401 a few miles down.

We followed 401 to the 403

into Hamilton and took the QEW to Niagara and 420 to down town. Ok, enough about the route numbers. We hit the visitors center and found a campground for $38, with water at the site. Smith's campground just happened to be next door to the $70 KOA. We did have to pay an extra $1.99 for Wi-Fi, I'll get back to that.

At the visitors center we got a VIP Adventure Pass that got us Four Passes and transportation. The woman at the visitors center told us to park up at the Butterflies Park for free parking. We navigated ourselves there and I rushed Karen. We got on the bus and started north towards the falls and Karen had forgot the extra cards for the camera. We got off for the Maid of the Mist, it was crowded. In my rushing Karen she discovered her wallet was still in the suit that was locked on the bike. We hopped on the bus ( we figured some one should arrive home with their wallet) on the bus we were talking with the bus driver. She told us the buses only run that far South until 7pm and we should move the bike down to the White Water Walk. Parking is free and the bus runs until 10pm. We moved the bike got back down to the Maid of the Mist. We got in line and it was a push through the mob to the stairs.

This is where we meet Kerry and Al, they rode in from Pittsburgh. We ended up hanging with them all day. They are great people. So, we got to the top front of the boat. We got real wet, it's un-real how close you get it was a blast. The four of us hopped the bus headed up to the White Water Walk, we then headed to the Horseshoe Falls and took pics of the double rainbow. We took the incline elevator and we walked up a block. We saw the "Worst Canadian Driver" being filmed and the four of us about dropped our jaw at the food price. At this point I didn't care, I was about to kill something and eat it. After eating we walked back to the falls and said our goodbyes. We hit the Niagara's Fury 4D movie, and the to the Journey Behind the Falls. We had a great time but it's past 9pm. We wait for a bus it finally comes and the lights are on the falls. We talk to the bus driver on the ride. He drops us off. We're getting on the bike he already made it to his last stop and turned around and gives us a toot as he went by.

We head back to the campground it's a little after 10pm. I try to do the blog. No Internet! Ok getting too late, with late nights and early mornings. So today's blog will be done tomorrow, with why there wasn't any Internet.

Starting Mileage: 111,536

Ending Mileage: 111,681

145 miles for the day

Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario

DAY-55 Friday

We got up and headed out by 8:30. We started out on 75 South and we are going to put some miles on before breakfast and coffee. Ya, before coffee! We stopped at a Shell for gas and it has a McDonald's in it. So while having breakfast I fired up the netbook and looked at the radar. The edge of the thunder storms are still in London, Ontario stretching past Buffalo, NY. Humm, I guess we'll stop in Bay City, MI and move funds so we don't need to rely on my good looks. (We'd most likely would starve). Figuring this would give the storms a chance to move further east.

We started back down 75 South and hear on the CB there is a long, long back up. There was a fatal car accident in a work zone. They were talking about jumping off and heading East to Rt 13 and following it around. So we asked about the exit we were coming up to and crackling over the CB yup I'm getting off there and following 13 South. We saw a Pepsi truck getting off and asked if he had his radio on yes. We told him we were the two wheeler coming up behind him. We talked he ask were we have been and were we where going. As luck has it, the detour brought us two blocks a way from the Bank. We were in and out a lot quicker than I thought it would take. 13 was slow going, it runs right through Bay City. We make it back to 75 and we made it around the back up.

We hit 475 to 69 East, we stopped to fill up in Port Huron. Got gas and talked with a few people and on to Niagara. We go over the bridge and wait in line for customs. We get in and follow 402 until about 24 km/ 14 miles to you before London. We go down this back road in search for the 50s Dinner. About two miles down the road we find it. Dirt parking lot and a building we almost no windows and looks like a 'Pickers' place to stop. We go in and it is cute with 50s memorabilia all over. There is also a consignment shop inside. We eat and we had stayed at a KOA in MI, and had the pamphlet. So we call the KOA in Niagara. They want $70 for a tent site with OUT electricity or water. For a patch of grass and a bathroom to use. You've got to be kidding me. We called the London KOA they were $30 for the night. So we stayed in London. There Internet has been in and out all day unable to get a post out.

Starting Mileage: 111,224

Ending Mileage: 111,536

312 Total for the Day

Location: London, Ontario Canada

Day 54

Woke up this morning to drip....drip...drip. It's starting to rain a little, forecast was possible showers with thunderstorms possible. Well it's 7 am maybe it will break up. Nope it only got worse. Pull up the radar and the kicker is if we made it to Bay City we could have easily out run it east. There is nasty looking thunder storms to the south and west. The good thing is it's not looking like a two day storm or anything like that. We can sit here if need be, the bad thing is very sketchy cell service in the campgrounds.

So we ended up staying and by noon time it was nice enough for a dip in the pool. About 20 min into the swim the skys darkened and it looked like it was going to rain again, but it didn't. We went to down town Gaylord in search for the Bank of America that turned out to be a home loan center. I guess I'll have to rely on good looks and charm. We hit Tractor Supply and got a #6 torx so I can fix the GPS. We hit the Gobbler for dinner real good food and back to camp.

We talked with a couple from Canada there traveling by bike and he just sold his business and retired. They are going to hit Mt Rushmore.

Have you ever seen a 42 wheeler? There are 8 axles with 4 tires per in the trailer, plus the 10 wheels in the tractor.

Still no news on my wallet - so -

*****If you a gave me your contact info it is in my lost wallet. You can leave it at rshavron@gmail.com******

Starting Mileage 111,209

Ending Mileage 111,224

A small jaunt for the day - 15 Miles

Location: Gaylord, MI

Day-53

Today we started out and it was a little chilly we were riding with out our jacket liners, but had to close the vents on the suits, and the airwings. I hear it's hot back home. Well it's official we entered Eastern Time Zone. Alright we did have rolling fog coming over the trees, it is amazing how the Great Lakes kept us in the cool.

About a hundred miles out we stopped for gas and four guys on Harley's pulled in to put on there chaps. We got to talking they are headed for two Veterans rides. They looked at our bike (you know "the Honda") and told them how many miles on it and where we've been. One of them used to hunt around Chicken, AK and we told him we took it up and over The Top Of The World Highway ( Chicken to Dawson City). They then really started to check out the bike and trailer. We said our good byes, they took off and we took off shortly after. A few min. down the road we passed the guys and waves all around.

We got to the Mystery Spot, it's about 5 miles before (West) of the Mackinac Bridge. We went into this strange mystical spot for a tour. It's a real Road Side America Spot. We had fun with the water going up hill and the chair floating on two legs against the wall with a child sitting on it. What great nonsensical fun. We then went across the street for the maze. We ran into a family who hit a dead end and I told the little girl we've been in here for two weeks. She told us to follow her. As you guessed we did make it out.

Ok Bay City is 188 miles away and it's around 3pm, let's go for it. So over Jimmy's favorite bridge (Mackinac) and the outside lanes are closed. I would have rode the inside anyway, I like to look down. Ok explaining time! The Mackinac bridge connects the Upper Peninsula (the U.P. as the locals call it) to lower Michigan. It is a long 5 mile Suspension Bridge (3rd longest in the world) and the center lanes is made of open grate to let high winds flow through the bridge. If you ride over open grates and look down the speed makes them seem to disappear and you can see the water and ships if any 295 feet below. We did this three times.

So over the bridge once and 30 or so miles later I pulled in for gas and my wallet. Ok, not in this pocket, not in this one. Karen payed for the tour. I took it out of my suit. Did I put it between the suit and pants, was it on the bike. Ok don't panic. I had a brochure and called the Mystery Spot, to hopefully solve the mystery of my wallet. Nobody found a wallet. Karen runs across the street to get cash at the ATM. There are the 4 Harley riders again. They wish us the best of luck finding My wallet. Back on the bike. We run 38 miles back and yup over the Mackinac bridge a second time. Nothing around the parking lot, the intersection. Call the police to report it gone and give them a contact number in case it turns up. I start calling credit card/debt card numbers and Karen gets rubber gloves and goes through the trash barrels outside and in the rest rooms in case some one found it and took the cash and dumped the wallet. She also checked the edge of the woods. Nothing!, bummer. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Glad that if it was going to happen it was on the way home. Much better this than a crash or major break down. Hope that karma thing comes around (remember we found and called,and returned a wallet in Fairbanks?).

We have done what we can here so lets cruise down the way we went just in case. Over the Mackinac Bridge for the third time. Down the highway back to the gas station and top it off again a 76 mile round trip. There was a McDonald's at the gas station. We had a bite and a older couple come in on a bike we talk for a bit and say our goodbyes, it's 7:30 and we have 30 miles to go to get a camp site.

Starting Mileage: 110,868

Ending Mileage: 111,209

341 for the day.......................12,111 miles for the trip so far

Location: Gaylord, MI

Day-52

It never rained last night. We headed down 210 for Duluth. Why would anyone head for Duluth? One word AeroStich!!!! We went to visit were our suits had come from. We got there just around noon time. We saw them putting suits together and they have a small show room. We were there for close to two hours. There was a other guy there. I should know his name but it escapes me right now. Maybe he'll ad it to the comments later., but I'll get back to that. So we looked at all the stuff that's in the catalog. I mentioned I needed to send in my suit when I get back there is a small place where the stitching came loose on the ballistics from my peg. No problem. one of the guys came out he was going to go on break and said it will take a little time. He needs to un-stitch the lining first, re-stitch the ballistic piece, and re-sew the lining back in. He came back which seemed to be just minutes and told me he replaced a the snap as-well. We looking around touching and playing with everything. I remembered one zipper pull was at and angle. No problem they took the jacket and it returned it with a new zipper slide. Now that's service. While we were there I called Hank, on the way we saw Hardware Hank. I forgot to tell him, but he was near the computer and had him log onto AeroStich web site and go to the outside web cam to see me with the bike and then to shipping and receiving to see Karen and then the both of us.

We left Duluth and headed over the bridge to Wisconsin. We saw Lake Superior and rode along it. We stopped in Ashland and had a bite. We crossed the rest of Wisconsin and the plan was to stop at the visitors Center get a map and find which route would be better for traveling and stopping for a campground. So we cross the boarder to Michigan and pull in the visitors center. It's 4:15 and a couple is walking towards us, and they say the visitor center is closed. We start talking and just like that the woman ask if we could go up to the grass to visit with us. We talked for a bit. I hit the bathroom and a guy came in and told us he just drove up from Macknac and said rout 2 was great and there campgrounds every 15-20 min. We told him we where looking for private, the Federal ones do not have showers. He said there where even KOAs.

So, Route 2 it is. We hit the split and you're in the National Forest and there isn't anything around. Well take a look at the pic with the deer. You can see the windscreen and how close the deer is. You can't hear the front tire groaning with the brakes near lock. We were doing 60 MPH. A few after that we come up on another bike, and two turkeys are in the road facing our direction, luckily they turned and ran off the road instead of trying to take flight in front of us. We pass the motorcycle and realize it's the guy we were talking with at AeroStich. We motioned we were pulling over. We talked and looked at maps. We ended up riding to Iron Mountain and it's close to 8 pm and going to be dark soon. We find a hotel for $40 with a pool and take a quick dip.

Starting Mileage: 110,517

Ending Mileage: 110868

351 for the day

Location Iron Mountain, MI

*****TWO DAY POST****

Day-51

We had a late night which equaled a late start. We headed east on 94 went over the line to Minneapolis.

In Moorhead we got onto 10. We went through Detroit Lakes continued on saw Amber Waves of Grain, and some old barns. We saw Turkey farms we came into Wadena and we notice a building with out a roof, then another , and another, we stopped at DQ for an Ice Cream. The building across the street was damaged with wrecked cars in the lot. We found out a F-5 tornado touched down through the center of town two weeks ago. Karen found a clip from Discovery Chanel Storm Chasers www.m.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&client=mv-google&hl=en&v=wY5rp4E10fI&fulldescription=1 I asked the obvious question, was any one hurt? He said no they had a 10 to 15 min warning. We got into Baxter and the clouds were building and rain with thunder storms to the east. We got a room.

Starting Mileage: 110,183

Ending Mileage: 110,517

334 Miles for the day

Location: Baxter, MN

DAY-50** 4th of July**Happy Birthday USA**

Day-50 July 4th 2010 Happy Birthday USA!!!!!!

We decided to take bin the local 4th of July festivities. Deluth and Mandan are sister cities seperated by the river. If you remember your 5th grade geography. Deluth is the capital of North Dakota. So Mandan has the largest parade in the state, I am told. So we headed down and they have the classic cars go first at 11:30 am followed by the parade My guess is so the classic cars don't have to keep stopping for overheating reasons. The parade itself takes well over two hours to pass. The striking thing that you notice comming from New England is there is nothing about the birth of the nation. What do I mean you ask? No fife and drums, no muskets, no one in revalutionary uniforms. And why not? That all happened in the east, the high plains was the western expantion deal.

We watched for a while and headed to the "Art in the Park". Downtown we beat the begining of the parade. They have all the crafts booths and all the food including, of course, funnel cakes and two foot long corn dogs. Speaking of food we hit one of the picnic tables to eat and talk with people. The corner of the bench opened up across from us and Boyd sat down, he and his wife sell hand woven hammocks and swing chairs. He lives 6 hours east in Minasoder. He offered for us to stay in a camper at his house. I went to his booth later and told them is was there to redeam my ticket, I paid a guy $5 for a 15 min nap. They laughed, we pushed on, we decided to leave and the parade ended. Not good timing there was a lot of trafic.

We got back to our campsite and talked with the people across from us until about dinner time, dinner time? Time to go to the Rodeo. This is the 132nd 4th of July Rodeo. It startes at 7:30 and ends with fireworks at 11 pm. We ended up lucking out. The place was packed the bleachers were so full, people are standing up at the back and where ever they can. So were are we sitting? Front row. Karen is sitting next to one of the many sponsors for the Rodeo. We had a great time. So what went on? Bareback Bronco Riding, Tie Down Calf Roping, Miss Rodeo Mandan Queen & Princess Coronation, Chuckwagon Races, Saddle Bronco Riding, Steer Wrestling, Stunt Riders, Team Roping, Ladies Barrel Racing, Extreme Mini Motorcycle Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding, Then the Ranch Hand Rodeo. One interesting point Rock and Roll is playing not country music!

The Ranch Hand Rodeo is great, it is were the Rodeo Started. These are teams from real working Ranches. They have their every day working horses. They compete in a few events. One they have two four door pick up with a large horse trailer with their four horses in side. The horn goes off and the race is on. They have to jump out of the truck and unload the four horses and one will take off with a baton and race around the opposed truck and trailer and back to pass off the baton in the relay race. once the last cowboy gets back they have to load all four horses and run back to the truck and the time stops when all four doors are shut. There is also a few more events. What a great time!!

Now while all this is going on, fireworks are going off all around (Fireworks ARE legal.) They are just short of the professional stuff we are use too. It's going off everywere. They also set off a small hot air balloon with a candle. You look out across the sky and see more than fifty of these amber glowing floating across the sky. Then the real fireworks! They are set off right in the track, with music going on. You can see and hear each one being launched off, there isn't a delay from the flash to boom of the lunch. We had a great time. Traffic jam 2 ! We get back to camp the next day. Ya after 12am making it July 5th.

Starting Mileage: 110,134

Ending Mileage: 110,183

49 Miles for the day 11,085 for the trip so far

Location: Bismarck, ND

Day-49

We got packed, emptied the cooler and threw everything out (Ketchup, mustard, and pickles). We haven't had any ice in it as it has been cool and never hot. The last time I put ice in it, it lasted three days and at night it would re-freeze into a chunk. Today is cooler. For the record yesterday was the first day in the whole trip that we didn't use Jacket Liners any part of the day.

We got going and about 2 miles out Karen had me pull into a self car wash bay to get the dirt out of the lower part of the bike. Ok 2 more miles later we're on I-94 and before long we hit North Dakota. Exit 24 we get off and go into the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We get the passports stamped and head in to ride the 36 mile loop. Karen wants to get wildlife shots so she puts on the telephoto lens and around we go ( 1 1/2 -2 hr ride) we get to the end of the loop and now Karen wants to do it again with the wide angle lens so she can take shots of the landscape. (it's the North Dakota Bad Lands) So the first time we saw Bison, Elk, Wild Horses and Prairie Dogs) The second time we went at a spirited pace even though it was a 25 MPH speed limit.

We took off back on 94 and got off at the Painted Canyon. We went into the visitors center to get our passports stamped and we see people scrambling around outside. It's hailing out, the bad news is the Zumo is on the bike, the good news is my helmet is covering it. Hail turned to rain and a few minutes later it's partly cloudy. We took, ok mostly Karen took pictures of the canyon.
and off for a late lunch.

Now, just 130 miles to camp and we also lose an hour. We made reservations at a KOA at just shy of 7 pm. Good thing we called ahead no more tent sites left. We are here for two nights we are planing to get to one more national park and go to a rodeo that end with fireworks.

At camp we spoke with a lot of people who are riding or have a bikes. It's past midnight, again!

Starting Mileage: 109,871

Ending Mileage: 110,134

263 miles for the day.................11,036 for the trip so far

Location: Bismarck, ND

Day-48

We survived last nights weather. The weather report is for temps in the 90s, with damaging thunderstorms and 30% chance of tornadoes. The next place to stop is about 250 miles away. We are heading into to Montana Bad Lands. Just a strip of road and open land. Ok now we're ahead of schedule....so we worked on my intercom, it stopped working (my mike) a week ago. We pulled the mike apart, cut the wires, unsoldered the wires to the mike and resoldered the wires to the mike and reassembled. So now it's 10:30....oh scr#w it. Lets go for it.

10:45 we're on the bike heading out. We get through town on 200 East and crank it up to 70ish MPH. The skys are mostly clear some clouds behind us. The nice thing about being on an open strip of road there really isn't any slowing down. We left those clouds in the dust. About 130 miles out we come to a small town called Jordan, we get gas, feel the hubs (constant ritual) of the trailer. Hubs feel warm/also first day above 70 deg. So we put a couple squirts of grease in the Bearing buddies and off we go. We see a few cows and horses here and there. About 70 or so miles later we hit Circle, MT and take 200 South for close to 50 miles following train tracks to Glendive. We get to Glendive no real clouds, there is a haze and it's only 2:30 pm.

We pulled into the motel and the was a 1988 Goldwing with a trailer with Heather and Terry. We got our stuff in the room and walked to a restaurant and Heather and Terry were there so we had a late lunch with them.

Starting Mileage: 109,626

Ending Mileage: 109,871

245 miles for the day

Location: Glendive, MT

****THREE DAY POST******

THURSDAY DAY-47 July 1st

After having a freezing night. The sun came up and the tent warmed. As we packed up camp, and we stripped off layers.

We headed down were we had dinner for breakfast. They're closed! Hit the market next door. Had a Gatorade instead of coffee, and a three pack of mini-muffins. We get out of the market and the other place is open. We eat our muffins and took off on 89. It starts off climbing and lots of curves, then down with curves...then cows in the road around the corner. We got to Browning and the terrain starts to flatten out. Less than 30 miles away from these great mountain roads the road is straight and flat. We turn left onto 44 a 90 degree turn and just as flat and straight. We see smoke.... it's grain being transferred. We reach 15 and turn south.

We pulled off at Conrad and had lunch. We continued down 15 until Great Falls, we took (89/3/200/87) we stopped at the visitors center to find out what was up the road and what the predicted weather was going to be. Lewistown is just over 100 miles away. Weather this afternoon - thunderstorms with damaging hail. Great! We come out and the sky is getting dark to the west. The race is on!!!! We get going!! Finally, out of town and making tracks. We notice military helicopters all around. Some are landing with an open door facing the road. Humvees around and were at a stop. Then some trucks with humvee escorts and SUVs marked Security Force. We started to roll. Rain has started. Black clouds started to thicken. We're riding in the wide open and lightning is off to our right. Then a few flashes lightning coming from our right going over our heads and travailing in the direction we are going. We use horse power to push through. We got to Lewistown and get a room. We watch the spinning clouds that were following us. Then the wind - it is fierce. The wind is blowing on the bike pushing it on the side stand and the bike is rocking.

Starting mileage: 109,354

Ending mileage 109,626

272 for the day

Location Lewistown, MT

DAY-46*****WEDNESDAY

We got to sleep late, even though no blog to write due to no Internet. We got going and it's sunny and almost warm, what's going on? We followed 93 South to the border. Back in the Good Old USA! No more math in the head - take the speed divide by 1/2 and add 10% of the original posted speed. Not exact but gets you close, same goes for distance.

It's Rt. 93 in the US as well. We get caught behind a RV with no passing for a mile or so. A black Goldwing 1800 was following and passed when I did. He followed us for a while. I pulled in for gas so did he. Mitch is his name, He yelled over "you keep a good pace". He is an investigator and also serves papers. He likes to say he gets paid to ride. We went our separate ways, we followed 93 to Whitefish and picked up 40. We took a left off of 40 into the Park after seeing a sign flashing. Highway to the Sun....OPEN!!!!!!

We got our passports stamped and off we go. We started out and pulled over to walk across the bridge over the rapids and in front of some water falls. We had some water and something to eat. Karen even took off her jacket liner. It was warm and still dry. We got going again and up,and up, and up, and up. Karen took some great photo's. We did hit to small, but long wait for construction zones.

We got to the end and left the park and had dinner and filled the bike. We went into the park about a half mile to the St. Mary's campground. We got our tent up and Karen went to the next site over. They have a Britneys. Maggy a 12 year old female and Bella a pup. It wasn't even dark yet and the temps dumped. You could see your breath. Holy crap did it get cold.

Starting Mileage: 109,072

Ending Mileage: 109,354

282 for the day......................10,256 for the trip so far....

Location:St. Mary, Mt USA

TUESDAY 29TH *****DAY-45********

Day-45

We got going heading for Jasper National Park. On our way out the door we were talking to a local who worked at the Hotel. She suggested that we take a ride through the town of Jasper. It's a Quaint overpriced ski-town, but it's worth a ride through.

So off we go and enter Jasper NP and the views are breath taking. More Green Ponds with Ice Capped Mountains. We take a quick right and your in Jasper (Town) a cute town that looks like it's modeled after a story book town from Switzerland. We start down the Icefields Road 93S. The road is incredible, you see glaciers, ice fields on the mountains, waterfalls, and rain. As you know if you ever traveled, a picture just can not capture it. We both thought Jasper is hands down nicer than Bannf.

Remember Todd "1 of the three guys we rescued in Carmacks? He had told us if we are going through Jasper into Bannf, we had to go to Lake Louise. We headed into Bannf and took a right and headed over to Lake Louise. Very nice spot with dark green water lake with glaciers above with mountains framing it in. We talked to some people in the parking lot and told us the went through Glacier National Park and the road wasn't open, but should be open now.

We continued through Bannf down 93S to Radium Hot Springs. It straddles over from Alberta into British Columbia. Yes the town of Radium has natural hot springs. We set up camp and headed over to the Hot Springs pools. They add cold water to keep the temp to 103 deg. They also have a hot tub that is hotter and a cool pool (86 deg). So we relaxed in to spring, got out had a shower, and as we are getting dressed (8:45 pm) an announcement (crackle, crackle) "There is a tree across (something?) canyon and the road is closed for at least two hours or possibly all night. So, I asked the question. Yup. That is the way out of the park and towards town.

We're stuck there and there are vehicles piling up on the road. (It's hundreds of miles to go around). We talked to a couple who were stuck on the road, Karen and Keith. Their family owns a campground north of Raduim. They had some Venison peperoni. Well after three hours the road was cleared and we headed back to camp to go to sleep.

Starting Mileage: 108,781

Ending Mileage: 109,072

291 for the day

Location: Radium Hot Springs, BC Canada