I almost forgot to share!

What?! Two posts to this blog in one day?

I just wanted to share (for those of you using Facebook - and who doesn't these days?!)

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150123992102457

This is a quick (20 minutes?) video recap of the Vancouver Adventure that I put together a little while back. I think you'll enjoy it.

It was my very first attempt at creating a slideshow and then - of course - I had to edit out about 10 minutes because FB has a 20 minute time limit. The songs that accompany the video are all in my collection and are some of my favorites that inspired me along the road.

You might like it, and who knows, you may even remember some of the songs (and some of the pictures from reading this blog!)

Lemme know!

What's next?

Hey kids,

I realize it's been a really long time since I updated the Vancouver Adventure Blog, but that's mainly because that 'adventure' is over.

However, the fight for a cure of Chron's and Colitis continues...

With that in mind, I'm looking for ways to benefit the CCFA some more, perhaps in a continuing basis, that still involve my passion for motorcycling.

I've had a bunch of weird ideas, and I even passed some of them on to the CCFA, but sometimes more than one brain is needed for a successful idea coming to fruition. That's why I need your help.

What should/could I do next do help bring awareness to the CCFA and the plight of those affected by Chron's and Colitis?

• Another ride? If so, where?
• Organize some other sort of event (poker run, touring ride, some sorta biker hoedown)?

I want to get others involved this time, in terms of riding. Having Myles and Deb join me for a leg or two of the Vancouver Adventure was great. Myles became an 'associate spokesman' on our 2 days together (okay, two and a half days together), which leads me to believe that adding more voices (and butts in seats) will help spread the word and generate more benefit.

And what the heck, we can have some great fun doing it at the same time!

So share your ideas and let's hear what you think. Can't promise my schedule will allow anything this year, but I like to plan so I'll probably need the time!

Gordo

Just when you thought it was safe to look here again, a new post!

Couple of other things that I wanted to share now that the GVA is over...

1. The fundraising seems to continue. You can keep donating to the CCFA all you want (and the more the better). My buddy Travis just donated yesterday (seems he finally got caught up with the blog and donated). Thank you Travis!

2. The News-Sentinel continues to surprise and impress me. They have done a wrap up story in the print and online editions. Once again, I thank them for their support!

3. I recently found the national CCFA facebook site and joined as a 'fan' or whatever. It may seem a bit depressing to read through many of the wall posts (because most everyone on there has been diagnosed with Crohn's or UC or both) but it's heartwarming to read as they comfort and counsel each other.

4. I continue to get great feedback from this blog and from my FB posts and emails. Just so happy I did this trip and this effort! Really makes me feel like I've given a little bit back! Still a lot more I've got to give, but I feel like I've made a great first step. Thank you all who have commented on these posts, emailed or FB'd me.

I'm sure I'll post again, but for now....

This is why I did this...

If you'll click this link, you'll see one of the MANY reasons that I chose to combine a 'vacation' with a charity effort. This is a letter to the editor (At the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette) concerning a column Frank Gray did about "Gordo's Vancouver Adventure"

I can't make this stuff up, nor would I want to.

I cannot even begin to count the number of times I've had people express these same emotions to me in person.

But please don't thank me. I don't feel like I'm doing anything all that special. I'm just doing what I think is right, and it starts with the man in the mirror. The thanks belongs to folks like Aubrey who live every day to battle these diseases, and do so with honor.

Somebody needs to do something, and it may as well start with me. Let's just hope it doesn't end with me too.

The Wrap Up

Gordo's Vancouver Adventure, I'm happy to report, has been a complete success.

This was a journey of Discovery for me. I've discovered many things about myself, about this country of ours and our neighbors to the north, and I've discovered many things that I thought no longer existed in my fellow man. I've discovered the limits of my abilities and many times they were beyond what I thought possible previously. I've discovered that there is great truth in 'where there's a will, there's a way.'

I've discovered so many things and I want to share them with others. But I'll save most of that prose for my book, which will get underway in a few hours. In the meantime, let me take a moment to kind of wrap up the blog and summarize this trip as completely as I can.

The money is still coming in, and I'm happy to say that I've surpassed $1,000. I suspect that it will be more than $1,500, but while I don't have a tally for you on that just yet, I can tally up lots of other things:

Miles ridden: 6,602.7 miles (10,630 kilometers)
Times stopped for fuel: 73
Number of days spent riding: 13
Number of days NOT spent riding: 0
Hours in Vancouver: 1.5
Hours in Alaska: 13
Departure date: July 3, 2010 7am
Return date: July 15, 2010 7:30pm
Average miles per day: 507.9 miles (817.7 kilometers)
Average miles traveled per fill up: 99.44 miles (145.6 kilometers)
Major weather events that I was involved in or within 50 miles of the event at the time it happened: 2 (Calgary hailstorm and Eau Claire, Wisconsin tornado)

Number of beers enjoyed on the trip: 13. Yep, just 13. Happily, I was eager to try local brews from the areas where I was staying.

Times I was Hyderized: 1
Times I had planned on being Hyderized: 2

Hotels that donated a room as part of my charitable effort: 8
Hotels that didn't: 4 (although a friend came through and popped for one room for me).

On to the most important part, the thank you messages.

First and foremost, thank you to my beautiful and understanding wife and family. They have undergone quite a lot with this trip, and I'm sure it can't possibly have been easy. I've probably been called far worse than 'crazy' but they knew my heart was set on this and supported me the entire way.

My closest friends - Matt and Lorraine. Matt was supposed to accompany me on this journey of a lifetime, but for a variety of reasons, couldn't make it. I understand completely and am glad he was able to take care of his other commitments. It would have been more disappointing to have him start the journey with me only to have to turn and go home alone after we started. Someday Matt and I will make another momentous journey together, and I'm sure I will apply many of the things I learned on this trip. Matt and Lorraine have been so supportive of my effort, even when they sat scratching their heads and saying things like, "so what do Colitis and Alaska have to do with each other?" or "Wait, you are going to Vancouver, but only for an hour or so?"

To my trusty metal steed, Cheeto. Girl, you are solid as a rock, baby! I know we went through a lot together, and I put you down some pretty treacherous roads and through some wild conditions, but you held it together and got me where I needed to go every day. It's good to have you to count on. Thank you for keeping me mobile, safe and stylish!

To my rekindled friends from the past that have supported me on this effort. Myles, who rode with me for two days, including a day through Glacier National Park in Montana with his charming and affable wife Deb. This trip allowed me to rekindle our friendship in person after 24 years. Also Bob and Teri Starkie, who I knew from around the same time as Myles. Bob & Teri shocked me with a rather large donation to the cause. And rather than seek the limelight for doing so, they are remaining quiet about their reasons why. I respect that.

To Stacy Baker, my 'agent'. Stacy knew that one of my goals in life was to write a book. She also advised me not to bother unless I was writing about something I was passionate about. At first, it was a simple "discover America on motorcycle" idea, but then quickly because a charitable effort and included Alaska, because (following her sage advice) it was something I had become passionate about. Stacy is nothing if not kind and helpful. She challenges me constantly, but only because she knows that my best efforts are -like pearls- most productive after great irritation or work. If it's easy, it's probably not going to be good. If it's difficult, it can't help but be good.

My inspirations for this charitable effort: Sarah and Russ. These two have the most positive outlook on everyday life and never have a bad thing to say about the hand they've been dealt. They both constantly focus on the good, and only after repeated prompts will acknowledge that perhaps today 'isn't the best they've had in awhile'. It's because Crohn's and Colitis has deeply affected the lives of these two genuinely good souls that I got interested. As I learned how many more were affected directly or indirectly, I knew I was on to something good. And doing good feels great!

My co-workers and followers online. I cannot possibly list them all, but folks who I knew long ago and folks I just met from this effort combined to keep my energy levels high. Their feedback and comments reminded me that what I was doing was the 'right' thing to do. The new folks that became 'friends' on facebook or simply joined the fray on this blogsite were also instrumental in my mental health and attitude. There are far too many to list.

The media. Hardly anyone ever thanks 'the media' these days. Instead, we just heap blame on the media for blowing things out of proportion or keeping dead issues alive. In my case however, to be thanked are: The (Fort Wayne) News-Sentinel, The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette, WANE Newschannel 15 (Fort Wayne), WJON in St. Cloud, Minnesota and countless others who had picked up the story and run with it as a 'feel good' happy news item. It was through many of these efforts that new folks learned of my endeavor and that brought them flocking to this blog connecting with me. Thank goodness that they did.
Specifically, I want to thank Melody Schmitt-Foreman, Frank Gray, Cindy Larson, Terry Lee, Kevin Kilbane, Alyssa Ivanson and Craig Klugman.

To the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (Indiana Chapter) - Dawn Drinkut and Scott Baumruck specifically. Scott was my reassuring voice when I thought I was going to seriously be traveling across this country both literally AND figuratively alone. Dawn got me started and really helped me with my initial research so that I wouldn't look like a total idiot. I guess you could say she helped 'school me'.

All the folks that took the time to speak with me out on the road. I'll do my best to mention them all here but I'm sure I'll miss some folks. Please know that I don't mean anything by it. It's just that I met an awful lot of people in a very short period of time:
Mary, Neil (from S.F), Dan, Linda (clerk at Select Inn, Bismarck, ND), Cindy and Carol in Dickinson, ND, Ben in Glendive, MT, David and Kathy from Lafayette, Indiana, Patty & Jan (Motor Maids from Saskatoon), Charles in Havre, MT, Brian the Lay's guy in St. Mary's, MT, Glenn from Ann Arbor, Mi, Wes in 100 Mile House, BC, Jason & Paige from Terrace, Tracy at the Mohawk station in Quesnel, Jerry at the Publik, Lee from Stewart, BC (we met in PG), Calen and Ben from Smithers, Suzi and Robin at the Sealaska, Gary and Michelle at the Sealaska, Caroline at the Glacier Inn (breakfast mate), Gary from Prince George (met in Burns Lake), Bulldog and Laurel in Burns Lake, Michelle at Esther's Inn in Prince George, Brad from the Saskatoon area, Jessie in McBride, Robert Darling (met in Jasper), Constable Raz in Calgary, Toronto Tony (IBM guy) in Regina, Marla in Regina, Todd in Minot, Cheron in Grand Forks, Montana and Rylie in Grand Forks, Marie from Evansville, Sheila at Subway in Alexandria, Mike from Stillwater, Jake from Anoka Ramsey, Jack and Tika west of Eau Claire, Rick from Janesville, Pam & Courtney from Huntsville, Texas, Dave in De Forest.

And MANY others who spoke with me but I didn't get their name or photo or just plain forgot to write it down. Every single one of you is important to my effort. Thank you so much for listening!

To all the hotels that saw the light and ponied up a room for the night for me. Please take a moment to remember these folks in your prayers and for the love of all things positive, STAY in these places when and if you get a chance (my reviews/impressions are forthcoming):

• Best Western Countryside Inn - Lodi, WI
• Outlaw Inn - Kalispell, MT
• Coachman Inn - Bellingham, WA
• Treasure Cove Hotel - Prince George, BC
• Sealaska Inn - Hyder, AK
• Esther's Inn - Prince George, BC
• Hotel Saskatchewan - Regina, SK
• Comfort Inn - De Forest, WI

Finally, a few random thank yous:

• Todd - you literally saved my ass. Thanks for the Anti-Monkey Butt Powder.
• Roger and Matt - You made Cheeto in tip top shape. She thanks you, as do I.
• Big O - even though you acted as though you could care less when I returned home (as cats do), I know you missed me. Thanks for sticking around, even with your growing illness.
• My sister, who supported me mentally, prayerfully, and monetarily.
• The ghost and/or spirit of my Mom. I believe she was possessing the bodies of birds, swooping down to remind me to be careful, or just to remind me that she had my back.
• To the gas stations and rest areas across the US and Canada: You don't know how welcome a sight you are. Thanks for having (mostly) clean restrooms and conditions.
• To the Internet - with you (and God) all things truly are possible!

Post-trip, pre-wrap up

This morning, I got up after an amazing night's rest in my own bed. As I promised Cheeto, I spent about 2 hours finely scrubbing her every nook and cranny and reminding her how much I appreciated her hard work to get me through the 6,607 miles.

Once she's all put back together again, I'll post a picture or two. I can't just yet....she's 'naked'.

Next on the checklist is oil change, and putting her all back together followed by a nice waxing.

I have to be good to Cheeto, she was good to me.

Then it's on to the blog wrap up.

I'm hoping to put together a dvd/slideshow with commentary but quite honestly, I'm not sure how to do that. I have a lot of wonderful friends with all sorts of talents so perhaps one of them can come to my rescue.

And I'll thank you followers in much greater detail in a future post, but you need to hear it again now anyway...thank you! You helped keep me going on this amazing journey that's been so positive in so many ways!

Home again, Home again, jiggity jig!

Success! I made it home! But please keep tuning in over the next few days because I think you'll enjoy some of the updates I have planned.

I got home around 7:30pm and just as you'd expect, my teenage daughter thought going to see Lady Gaga would be more interesting than seeing her dad return after 6,607 miles (that was the official tally, but the way).

But let's start with the photos and the day...

This is what the day was looking like as I prepared to leave De Forest, Wisconsin. The Comfort Inn is awesome by the way! I had a great room with a full sofa and everything. This place even had a TV in the bathroom!

This was the sky I would be chasing. It would break up into sunshine soon enough. HOT sunshine!

This is Dave at the Exxon station across the street from the hotel. He was quite kind to me, and was interested in the trip. But hey, it was still pretty early, so maybe he wasn't listening as much as he was still waking up!

Traffic was kind of heavy at the Illinois border so I couldn't do my normal 'pull over and snap a picture' thing. So I stopped at the first rest area, which doubles as a visitors center.

You may have to zoom in on this to see it, but whoever did the marketing for this campaign for the Illinois rest stops was brilliant!

Here's Cheeto posing at a different rest area. Just a few more shots of her before this trip would be through.

A little closer this time. Mind the grime, would you? Poor baby.

Well, here it is, the shot I've been waiting for. I pulled up in the driveway at 7:30pm and Jannette came running out to snap my picture.

Then I rolled into Cheeto's 'stable' to put her up for the night. Tomorrow is a full cleaning day.

And of course, the most important picture of all....the welcome home kiss!

Much more to come folks, so keep coming back!

Now that's what I call a FULL day of riding!

Day 12 Grand Forks, North Dakota to De Forest, Wisconsin

This was supposed to be an average day, but it's been anything BUT average. You'll see....keep reading.

Mileage today: 594 miles.

Time on the road: 10:00 am til 10:30pm (12.5 hours!)

So let me give you the brief overview-

I chased rain today and was chased by rain today. Once again, the rain genie looked out for me, for the most part, but I think even the genie got tired and went home early. I got wet at the end.

I started off by chasing some rain clouds out of Grand Forks as I headed toward Fargo to pick up I-94. I did a great job of cussing them to get out of my way and it worked. At least for a long while.

Even got to the point near Minneapolis where I got hot. Yes, I know there's only been one other time on this trip where I said I was hot, and this wasn't as bad. I applied sunscreen because the clouds gave way to beautiful sun for the majority of the morning. Well, technically early afternoon. I'm jumping ahead of myself, so let me start at the beginning with pictures!

This is Marie, and I believe she is from Evansville (Evanston?) Illinois. Marie was very nice and was treking around carrying a bike on her car. After 12.5 hours of riding, I cannot remember where the heck she said she had been on their trip, but she was obviously enjoying her retirement (again, I'm tired. Is she the person I met today who was retired?). Anyway, she promised to look up the blog, so Marie please comment and let me know you made it here!

As if the Super 8 in Grand Forks didn't have enough of a cutie with Montana, along comes Rylie in the morning (sounds like a radio show, doesn't it?). Rylie was very kind and just as cheery as can be. Somehow I stayed up until 2am last night blogging (just for you folks, I might add) so I missed my alarm completely and woke up at 8:30 am in full panic mode. How the heck was I going to get to De Forest (near Madison, Wisconsin) before dark?! Not when it should take a little over 10 hours of straight driving and no stopping (according to Google Maps).

I got the bike loaded as quickly as I could and that's where I chatted up Marie. I hope she doesn't think I was rude, I was just in a hurry to get moving.

Plus, Rylie told me there was another storm moving toward Fargo, so I figured I probably better get going. Sure enough, it had just passed to the west when I got to that depressing little town, but I was glad to have missed the rain.

Here's the sky in Grand Forks as I was leaving. Looks great, hey? It was.

I stopped for fuel and Monster at a gas station near the I-29/I-94 interchange. Not the friendliest folks in the station, but that's okay. I'm getting used to being treated like a second class citizen because I am a biker. It could be worse - I could work for BP. (sorry Marie, I couldn't resist!)

Not much here, but then again I just chose a random exit to get some fuel. I'm sure Fargo has at least one redeeming value. Wait - it does: It has two major interstates that will get you out of that town!

Shortly after departing Fargo, I crossed the Red River, and into Minnesota. I'm sure the traffic thinks I'm nuts for pulling over to the side and taking pictures of their 'welcome to our state' signs.

A bit closer of a view.

I stopped at this place for lunch. It was near Alexandria, Minnesota. Sheila is the manager of the Subway and was interested in my story. She told me that if I had told her what I was up to, she would have given me my sandwich free! Now Sheila, you don't have to do that. I'm happy to pay for my meals! I love Subway anyway. Sheila also hooked me up in an important way:

All along this trip, when I buy something I get change. When you are wearing chaps, you cannot get to your front pockets to put the change away. Since I don't (and will never) carry a 'man-purse' or 'manny pack' or 'European satchel', it goes into a baggie in my luggage. After awhile, you accumulate a lot. Like more than $10 worth of change. Sheila hooked me up by trading me paper bills for my coins (take THAT, Canada!). And thank you Sheila!

I bit later on, as I got heated up, I stopped at a rest area for a quick potty break and to reapply sunscreen. As I was walking back to Cheeto, this guy on a beautiful bike swings back around the parking lot, looking at Cheeto. He says he just wanted to see how she was packed. Turns out, the guy is Mike Berens and he has his OWN card to pass out! It's hilarious! It says his name and then, "Licensed Motorcycle Rider, chauffeur, pool boy, lawn mower". He's from Stillwater, Minnesota and was heading back home from about 30 days on the road. At least I think that's right! Great to talk with you Mike!

Now this guy....I could go on for days. I stopped again for fuel somewhere (nearing Minneapolis), I think it was St. Michael, and these three college kids get out of a car. This guy, Jake, went over to throw something away and I struck up a conversation. At first you could tell his momma taught him not to talk to strangers. But then, I got the feeling about this kid. You could tell he was a good kid. And you could just get the sense that he is probably the life of a party at Anoka Ramsey College. But, he also seems like the sneaky one who cracks lots of jokes, but never seems to get more than 6 feet away from the kegger. Let's just say I suspect he gets his fair share - and then some. And I don't mean that in a bad way. I just mean to say, he seems like he'd be a fun kid at a party, and probably not one to get into a lot of trouble. He seemed pretty smart like that.

Much later on, I stopped fuel again nearing Eau Claire. The weather was holding up, but I had been chasing this storm. I could see it, I could tell it was moving the same direction I was, but I didn't want to catch up to it too soon. However, I did want to get to the hotel before "Deer-thirty". So I stopped for a fuel up and had problems getting the pump to read my credit card. So I go inside. There the clerk, Tika, was talking with another customer, Jack, about an approaching storm or tornado sighting. Looked great outside, so I kinda thought they were nuts. But turns out Jack has HIS own card and he's an actor and stuntman. He is currently driving a van across the country promoting this charity effort to provide dolls (and money) for underprivileged kids. I wish I had gotten a picture of the van, it was pretty cool! Anyway, the site is http://www.junobaby.com/ Thanks for the weather update Jack. You were spot on! And Tika, thank you for your hospitality!

This was a truck that belonged to the owner of the same convenience store/gas station where I met Jack and Tika. He had parked under the canopy because he heard there might be hail. Hail yeah there was!

Ominous looking clouds. They were trying to tell me something.

They were trying even louder by the minute.

So I get down the road a bit, about an hour from the hotel and I start catching up to this storm. Turns out it's a massive one, and indeed a tornado did touch down in Sparta, Wisconsin (more on that in a minute). So after I fuel up, along walks this gentleman. named Rick. He's from Janesville, Wisconsin so he had about 2 hours to go. He had jsut been up in Eau Claire with a friend (and the friend HATES storms) and he was kinda waiting out this one with me in Oakdale. Really friendly guy, this Rick.

We decide to get back underway and both take off. A few minutes later Rick passes me and waves. Not more than 5 minutes after that, the skies began to open up. I took the next exit and found an old gas station that was no longer open. It still had a working canopy so I just took refuge there until it finally passed (about 20 minutes.) Then I had just about 60 miles to go.

As I get back on the highway, with less than 60 miles to go and some wet pavement (but nothing falling from the sky) I hit a construction zone that had all traffic completely stopped. Two guys on bikes roll up behind me, see Cheeto's plate and assume that's my name too. They were headed to Milwaukee but had already been soaked twice today. Hope they got there fine.

Finally, another bright spot to end my day (and I'm not being sexist, it's just that I seem to always end my day on a positive note, brought on through some conversation with attractive females.) This was the case again tonight. These two beauties are mother and daughter and they were checking into the Comfort Inn just after me. Pam (on the right, the Mom - I know it's hard to tell who is younger) and Courtney (on the left, with the cool shades) were only a few hours from Pam's Mom's house, but that was in Sparta. And that's where the tornado touched down. (Don't worry, her Mom was fine). They decided that rather than drive and drive through another storm, they would bed down here for the night. They are from Huntsville, Texas (they come standard with the pre-requisite Texas accent, by the way) and had just been out to Virginia to visit Pam's son (Courtney's brother) who was in the military there. Looks like they had a good plan: It's storming out there as I type this and lightning is everywhere. Poor Cheeto, she wasn't allowed under the awning so she's out there in the wet. And it's coming down hard enough to wash some of the grime off of her.

A long day of riding, but another great day of meeting very special folks. Thank you to all of you who took the time to speak with me! I hope your travels are safe!

Second Open Letter to North Dakota

Dearest North Dakota -
I must apologize. I slammed you pretty good in an earlier post for your heat; for your boring landscape; for your borders. And probably for even more than that.

But you have educated me well, and I appreciate that.

Today, as I visited your northern portion heading east, I was made all to aware of the power you have over us mere visitors.

You gave me perfect riding weather to start my day. It's as if you said, "Oh, you think it's miserable here all the time? Try this on for size." And you gave me partly cloudy sunshine and nice cool breezes. In short, simply perfect.

But as if to remind me again who is in charge, you made your point abundantly clear. About 100 miles from my destination (the town you call Grand Forks), you reminded me that perfect riding weather is in the eye of the beholder. you showed me your immense storm building power - yet let me slip right through the middle of it completely unscathed! It's as if you opened a path for Cheeto and me and said, "Look around. I could really mess you up if I wanted. But here's a free pass this time. Now, go easy on me in that blog of yours."

And I will.

I griped about your boring landscape. The northern portions of your state, starting with Portal, North Dakota were quite pretty. Meadows and small valleys with lakes and trees. You had the insight to show me North Dakotans enjoying your landscape by flying bi-planes where I could enjoy them. You showed me many a truck pulling a boat on a trailer, headed for some North Dakotan lake to enjoy the watery portions of your state.

Finally, I griped about your borders. However, today I was never as glad to see a border sign welcoming me to North Dakota - and specifically back into the United States.

I'm truly sorry, North Dakota. You have trained me well. I will pass along your lesson to others that I hear disparaging your good state. And I will return, and find more joys that lie within your borders.

You are wise, and good and benevolent. And I thank you!

Just a note about the hotel 'reviews'

Just wanted to give you a quick update on why you aren't seeing my 'reviews' of the hotels that have put me up as part of this trip...
I want to give that writing some of my best effort and I can't do that bleary-eyed from the road. I'll post them individually once I'm home, as part of my overall wrap up. There were so many great things about each hotel, I don't want to short-change any of them.
And did I mention I stayed at the 'Ron Ayres Suite' at the Sealaska Inn in Hyder, Alaska? I'm honored! If you don't know who Ron Ayres is....Google him! (Or if you are too lazy...here.)

The News-Sentinel Steps It Up Yet Another Notch!

I can't believe all the great things people have done for me on this trip:

• People handing me donations, despite my pleas to just donate online (that way I'm not carrying anyone else's money).


• Hotels and businesses putting up signs, welcoming me to their town/city/village.


• The folks back home at The News-Sentinel. Between Cindy Larson, Kevin Kilbane and notably Melody Schmitt-Foreman, they have been tremendous about updating their online readers! Here's the latest.


• All you folks following along online. Your feedback really jump starts my energy at the end of a long riding day. Once I log in to post an entry, I start reading your comments and I'm charged up so much I can barely sleep! (Okay, so it takes an extra 3 minutes. I'm beat!)


• Those of you who have made donations above and beyond what I could have ever wished. People I haven't spoken to in person in years are jumping on and donating. And not small amounts either. I hope they feel as good about their donation as I do! You can bet the CCFA is loving it too! They could really use that money!

Seriously, go and check out The News-Sentinel's online coverage...phenomenal!

Day 11 - Regina to Grand Forks and more rain?

Day 11 was an exciting one, and one that seemed to take forever too, but lots of stuff happened, so bear with me! Lots of great photos today and I didn't think I took all that many!

This is a marker about an old west trail that's about 20km from the southern border of Saskatchewan. You may have to zoom in to read it, but I love history! Keep reading, you'll see.

Here's Cheeto posing with the marker. Sorry Cheeto, but you need a bath!

The wind was really blowing and I set up the camera to do that timer thing. The whole time the seconds were ticking off I was sure the wind would blow the camera off this precarious ledge and smash into bits. I'll bet I looked like an idiot high-tailing back to the camera after it clicked.

A view of the landscape in southern Sask. Rugged country. I can't imaging being one of the first natives out here, nor the white folks who came after. I thought I was being tough with my schedule, but it took these folks 3 weeks to travel 250 miles by wagon.

This was another "Historical Marker" just about 5km from the border of North Dakota. Actually, this is a picture of Cheeto while I stood uphill next to the marker.

The landscape behind the marker.

You can zoom in and read this, but it's a three parter. You'll see the whole thing in a minute.

Part Two

And Part three.

And the whole thing all together. Pretty cool marker, hey? (Oh cripes, am I turning Canadian with all the 'heys'?) It was bound to happen at aboot any time, hey?

I can't begin to describe this country. Fascinating that folks back in the early days could see so much potential out here. The mining was immense, and now the place is littered with oil derricks!

This marker talks about a famous trail that claims you can still see the ruts of the original trail (I couldn't). What would you give to go back in time to see these things happening in real time?!

So you can read it.

This was (I think) the Canadian Border patrol building. I guess you aren't supposed to take photos of it, but what are they going to do, throw me in the hoosegow? Wait a minute, they just might!

More of that building.

Just past (and I mean literally JUST past) the US Gate there was a gas station...a US gas station that gladly accepts US currency (including $1 paper bills!) and dispenses fuel in GALLONS instead of litres. Ah, I was feeling nostalgic about home and I'd only been out of the US for a few days (even less if you count the overnight in Alaska!). I had a bite to eat here too, it's on the table behind me. Yes, that's either a Monster or a Rockstar. And yes, I know that Monster 'sponsored' me but sometimes I just couldn't get a Monster and had to settle for a Rockstar. I guess it's fitting, since I'm both a Rock Star and a Monster.

Remember my post from the other day, disparaging North Dakota? Remember my 'warning' to North Dakota last night giving them a second chance to impress me? (It's at the end of that post) You'll be able to see the results in another post (gimme a minute, hey?) but this was a very welcome sign to me. I loved Canada. Just LOVED it. But there's something near and dear to my heart when it comes to the good ol' USA.

This is a picture mainly for Jim Gallagher. Jim will instantly know what this is, but I'll give the rest of you a few clues and if you comment and guess correctly, you'll win some Canadian coin currency (God knows I've got enough of it and can't use it). Jim: Don't you spoil if for the others. You (and only you) can respond by email or FB message. the rest of you (to be eligible to win a Loonie or a Toonie) have to comment here.

Here's your clue: This is in North Dakota, west of Minot. There are hundreds of them.

Here's another. Looks pretty harmless and plain, huh?

Here's a little valley in North Dakota that I thought was peaceful. I really ripped North Dakota the other day, and wrote about how there was simply a whole bunch of NOTHING here. I was wrong. This is Little House on the Prairie stuff.

More from that same small valley.

And still more.

Check this out. I had to rush to get this picture because this bi-plane was zooming by and I had to get off the road on a curve to do it. How cool is that, hey?!

More of the bi-plane. (And for those of you with dirty minds, a bi-plane is one with two sets of wings. And NO other meaning!

I stopped for fuel in Minot at a station I had been to two years ago, when I traveled out here for work. Mind you, last time I FLEW to Minot and just walked from my hotel (the Kelly Hotel), but I remembered exactly where it was, and knew it was easy to get in and out of (that's what she said).

Anyway, this is Todd, who works on asphalt paving in the Minot area (at least for now). He was very interested in what I was doing and we chatted for probably too long. It was hot out though and the shade just to the left of Todd was quite nice.

Ah yes. This is what I saw as I was about 90 minutes outside of Grand Forks. "Here we go again," I thought.

More of this storm. It was VERY wide and at first I couldn't tell what direction it was moving, but I didn't think it was headed toward me. I knew it was either going from south to north or from west to east.

The 'tail end' of the storm? Maybe, depending on which way it was going.

So at some point, I apologized to Cheeto, because I had promised her all day I wouldn't get her wet again. I didn't think we'd run into this. I buckled my chin strap and off we went, probably faster than we should have. Luckily, it wasn't nearly as wide as it was long, and within about 30 minutes I had gotten to the other side of it and the skies were getting lighter.

Here's the bonus kicker: I went through some black, black, black sky and nary a drop landed on either Cheeto nor I. Somehow, US-2 took us right through the area where no rain was falling, although the pavement was pretty soaked so i must have been dumping some good rainfall as it moved through the area. That caused some spray from passing cars to land on Cheeto and I and get us moist, but nothing like the previous afternoon!

Does this look ominous or what? Yikes!

Just outside of Grand Forks Air Force Base, I stopped for fuel. This is Cheron, and she was helpful. Side story: outside the bathroom door there was a sign -

"Attention - there is no smoking in the bathroom. Anyone caught smoking in the bathroom will be removed from the store immediately!"

The bathroom is literally 15 steps from the outside. If you have to light up that badly, can you not make the 30 foot walk to the outside?

Ah yes, Back to Montana. You can read about her in my other post. Remember to comment on that one about how cute she is!

Closer shot of Montana.

Tomorrow I'm off to Madison, Wisconsin, for my final night on the road. Just two more riding days and one more night without my wife beside me!

Don't forget to enter my impromptu contest about the photos above! Comment away, followers! I love your feedback!