Day Six - VANCOUVER!

What good soldier ventures out with non-shiny boots? I don't know, it's not me! I told Myles that all the rain earlier in the trip had really put my boots through the wringer. He brought me Kiwi and a brush so I could be stylin' and profilin' (and have a little extra protection if (and I say IF) it rains on me again.




Here we are waiting to go through customs. Gee, you'd think with all those lanes, more than one would be open, huh? Musta been a big donut sale at Tim Horton's this morning. THAT'S why all the Canadien security folks are missing.




The beautiful buildings in the beautiful city of Vancouver. Love this town! Perhaps not quite as much as Fort Wayne, but still....very diverse, very cosmopolitan, and always something to do.


More great views of the city. Note the way back, background...That's one big reason why I love Vancouver. Note as well the electrical wires overhead. The city buses run on electric, but look like regular buses. Weird.


Me rolling on to Lionsgate Bridge from Stanley Park. Shortly after this I began my ride up BC-99 on the north side of Whistler Mountain. That section (the first 150 miles or so) is just fantastic. Great views, great pavement. I started off with a ton of fun!


The view from the bridge itself.

Hokety, hokety hokety. This is what Cheeto looks like now. Bought a gas can 'just in case'. I have a feeling if I EVER ride BC-99 again, I'll need this. And I'll need a visit to the chiropractor. That road shook the heck out of me. Crappy pavement.

Another view from just past Pemberton (I think). You should have heard the rapids in the creek beside the road. The water was rushing so fast and loud you could barely hear the cars, trucks and so on that were happening by where I had parked.

Saw this sign at the gas station in Lilloet. I thought it was a joke, but no. It's real. There isn't much warning. By the way, BC-99 changes about- an hour before Lilloet. That road over the mountain is a hazard to all creatures big and small. Including us riders. It needs to be re-paved, and SOON.

The view behind the gas station in Lillloet. It's seriously hot there. Someone told me it was regularly the hottest point in British Columbia. I believe it!

This is Wes, a man I met at 100 Mile House. Nice guy, very friendly! I just can't figure out that Canadiens didn't change the names after they switched to metric. But don't worry, I'll keep you Americans informed about Canadien culture as I have been for the last quarter of a decimeter! (last line stolen from XM Comedy channel. I think it's hilarious!

I don't remember why I included this one, but check out that sky! Great weather pretty much all day!

These lovely folks are Jason and Paige from Terrace BC. They were both very interested in the trip. Paige was very helpful about the area. I was nearing the end of my day, so I'm sure they thought I was a nutcase.

Also in Quesnel was Tracy at the Mowhawk Gas Station. WAY friendly, eager to help, and I think she had the hots for me. I guess she must have a vision problem. Just kidding about the hots. She was really quite kind and got me straighteded out and leaving in the right direction.

Another cool bridge near Quesnel (someday I'll learn how to pronounce this, but it's nothing like it looks).

Cheeto's resting spot for the night. Right next to an '84 Honda Magna 1100! And the owner works in Stewart, BC. That's about a mile from Hyder, Alaska! Small world indeed!

Tomorrow is the culmination of the first half of my trip. Worn out like a big dog, but having fun and meeting a lot of great people. Hopefully they are thinking just a little more about Crohn's and Colitis after having met me and hearing what crazy stunt I'm doing.