July 26th 2011

MEGA Post!

Congratulations!!!  Anyone who wished for a better riding weather day we got it.  Still got some rain on us but not nearly like since we left Anchorage!  We actually got to see some of the views we missed on the way out of Seward this morning riding to Whittier.  So, we thank you all!

Got a late start this morning on purpose.  Cheryl needed to try to sleep in because I kept her up all night snoring quite badly according to Cheryl.  Not sure why some nights she kills me with her snoring and then I kill her.  As if we take turns trying to disrupt a good nights sleep.  Another reason not to leave too early was that the ride to Whittier was only about 160 KM and our ferry if we got on left at 1445.  I said if we got on because you are supposed to make reservations and we did not. 

We stopped at  a local internet cafe for some coffee, upload the new update and of course check our emails.

Cool little cafe

with a very interesting bathroom

Right out of the gate from Seward we stopped at the local Chevron for gas.  We have noticed many gas stations when using a credit card at the pump ask for a zip code.  Since we are from Canada we only have a postal code.

Anyway, I went inside like always to actually guess the amount we need and literally prepay that amount.  The lady behind the counter said “if you can’t use your card at the pump I can not take it in here, security reasons.”  I said, “it’s not taking it because we do not have a zip code the card is good to use.”  She said, “OH NO, you not being able to use the card outside tells me I can not and should not take the card in here.  Cash only please.” I said, “I do not want to use cash.”  She said “there is another gas station down the street.” What attitude.  So, off we went to Shell and paid at the pump no problems.  We hate attitudes.

Despite the low cloud coverage we still got to see a lot that we missed on the way into Seward.  The bigger plus was that it was not raining.  Still having to use our heated gear though.  It was about 14 degrees C, around 58 F when we left and it did not warm up that much either.

Our moods and spirits are so much better when I can take pictures. 

I can imagine the tops of the mountains when you can see where they are leading up too.  The road didn’t even look familiar to me because last time we road this it was so crappy out that all we did was ride.

The Turquoise glacier fed lakes remind me at times of the one’s I saw in New Zealand.  Just a really interesting colour.  I heard if you drink glacier water you will get the “runs” forever.

The road had some nice curves but who cares it’s the scenery once again that wins.

No words just pics. Enjoy.

Oh, here is how I communicate with my SPOT Connect via my iPhone.  So far it has been working pretty well as long as I pay attention to the red lights and change the batteries when needed.  It gets about 60 hrs per 2 AA batteries.  Lithium batteries that is.  SPOT needs to come out with a rechargeable SPOT.

Can you tell who the kid is in this relationship?

White water rafting would also be a good diversion.  Why does everything have to cost so much $$?

Portage Glacier right outside the tunnel we took to Whittier.

The tunnel to Whittier, which we hope we got some HD helmet cam video of is only about   2.5 miles long and you have to pay $12 to go through it.  Motorcyclists go last after cars and all other traffic for safety reasons.  The toll booth lady gives you a speech about how to ride inside this tunnel which is in between rails for the train that uses this tunnel as well.  the trains get their turn too.  It is all rock, dark, has 2 BIG blower fans that they warn you could blow you off your bike.  You stay right in the middle, no deviation and you will be fine.  Needless to say no one handed riding for me while in the tunnel, hence no still pics.

It was worth the $12 because of it’s uniqueness and sense of adventure.

We got to the tunnel and had to wait about an hour until it was our turn to go.

That “A” framed building off in the distance is the tunnel entry.

On a slightly different note we changed our configuration for our rotopax and dry bag.  For the longest time the latches on the Jesse bags were not closing all that well.  We figured it out about a week ago that the pax and then pulling the dry bag down onto the lids using the Jesse mounts and our roxstraps were screwing with the mounts just enough to make the latches not want to really lock.  So, we did this and now there is no undo strain on the Jesse mounts and everything works great.

Lesson?  Just watch how much weight you put on the top of the panniers and make sure you distribute the weight as well.

Got into Whittier a little after 1300 and went to buy our ferry tickets to Valdez.

Nothing really in Whittier but some cute food joints and outdoor activities like sea kayaking, fishing and tours.

This is Cheryl trying to be patient with the guy writing the tickets.  We also were trying to find out if the ferry had straps on board or rope and NO one could answer us.  I know that many riders bring their own tie downs but we were confident to some degree that the boat would have something to secure our bikes.  We really did not want to spend about $80 on tie down for just 5 1/2 hours. 

 

Just some of the shops in Whittier

This is our Ferry the Aurora coming in

Whittier Harbour

Our friend that Cheryl calls a rat with wings, a juvie Raven

the ferry had a lot of rope on board for us to use.

Leaving port for Valdez

Portage glacier from the water

Now I will promise to shut up and jus take a look at the sensory overload this ferry ride is providing us, or me.  Cheryl fell asleep.

Sea Lions.  Hard to see them as my other camera is on the deck with the bikes.  Not allowed to go back to the bikes after we leave port.

Now that is a sky we would love to see more often than not!

Glacier Ice

Looks like Valdez is in the rain….well, at least this is our pit stop for the day.  Still about an hour away.

Look at that sky!

Coming into Valdez and it started to rain. Surprise!  We got off the ferry and went for a local hotel.  We need showers by now and it is raining after all.  I do hate spending the money on hotels, I really like camping but it’s late and we took the easy way out.  My credit card is going to hate me for this day! 

refinery outside Valdez

The beauty that surrounded us today was so incredible I could not take a nap.  It’s so hard to capture in pictures how large this state feels in more ways than one.  I hope you are getting the idea.

First we had to go to Safeway Foods to get beer and stuff.  There we met Bobby and Lynn from North Carolina.  All three of their kids are in the military and they were having a reunion it sounded like for one of their boys who just got back from Afghanistan.  Nice to meet you guys and thanks to your boys!

Our dump of hotel that cost too much but we have a roof over our heads for tonight.

We can hear the trucker dude next to us blow his nose and jut make white trashy noises.  Why is it that these hotels attract loud people? 

And finally this is how Cheryl looked on the boat.  A little sea sick but mainly tired.

Not sure what exactly is our destination tomorrow but as soon as we know I am sure I will post it.  Sorry for all the pics.  I got carried away but today was a great day!

July 25th 2011

We thought about staying at Homer Spit for another night but the forecast was not good.  As we packed up the tent the winds really began to blow and the rain started to fall.  Seems that way for us, the rain just follows us while we are riding.  The tent almost blew away because I took the stakes out while Cheryl was doing something else.

Today like yesterday was not an eventful day picture wise.  It was too wet to really stop and take pictures no less try to while riding.  I know we missed the beautiful views once again on the way of Homer to Seward and this disappoints us.  We know it is all part of ADV but when you know you might never be up this way again sure stings when you can’t see what everyone brags about. 

Enough complaining, the ride was not as bad as yesterday.  The rain was on and off and gave us a chance to dry out in between down pours.

This is what we practically saw the entire way to Seward unfortunately.  Too bad for us and the update.

Good news is that we stayed warm last night in Homer with temperatures dipping down to 38 degree F or 4 degrees C.  The Mutha Hubba tent we have really kept it together with all the wind that blew up over night and we actually felt insulated for the first time.  Could be that the bikes helped as we positioned the tent strategically. 

I tried to get some shots in but to be honest the mood was low so taking more pictures was not really on my mind during the ride.

The lightened sky in the above picture is actually towards Seward and we were thinking how cool would it be if it dried out by the time we got there and could camp?  We hate setting up camp in the rain.

Sure enough we arrive in Seward, light drizzle only and then clears up with some thick clouds around the mountains.  Good enough for us.  Got a bite to eat and off to a $10 tent site on the water. 

Cute town Seward is, there is sort of a town by where the cruise ships come in and then the older part of town by where we are camping.

We thought about staying at this famous historic hotel but the “discounted” rate was $149 US.  $10 for our camp site much better.

Greek pizza for dinner.  Not bad, almost like NY pizza.  We should have only ordered one but at least now we have breakfast.

I think this is the same hip we saw in Homer last night.  Leaving port here in Seward as we got in.

Here’s our water view site although we do have close neighbours like the Spit.

Shows you how much we do not research where we are going.  I was surprised to see this sign.  Who knew?  I bet many readers of this post knew! But then I found out that this was the original mile “0” and now they start just north of Anchorage.

Had to run to the store to get firewood.  $6 for wood that Cheryl could not really get going and it was dry too.

I knew the top box was meant for something

Our view

Not bad for $10

We have such style when traveling it kills us.

This woman has been living out of her Toyota Sienna for over a month here and is just traveling around by herself.  Nice enough lady.  Kept Cheryl company with some Rye while tending to the fire and I am doing my homework, the update.

While sitting here check out what has popped out of the clouds.  Not to dwell on what we are not seeing while riding on these amazing roads but when you see this you know we are missing something spectacular.  We need everyone to send good weather vibes again!

This glacier is right across the water way from our tent.  Amazing isn’t it?  That makes me happy!  So far no wind tonight but getting cold again.  Expected lows to be high 30’s F or 4 or 5 C.  We are sooooooooooooo prepared now.  No more cold feet or hands.  Socks for the hands and PJ’s and our riding underwear for the legs.  Covered from head to toe.

Tomorrow we think we will go Whittier and try to catch a ferry to Valdez.  We have no reservation for the ferry and we think it leaves at 1445.  We will find out when we get there.  We did not get a phone package for the US and we are too cheap to call using the roaming feature.  We will take our chances and see if what we read when we had WIFI was correct info.

July 26th 2011 in the morning

I woke up to hearing Bald Eagles trilling and some juvies crying out for food.  The seagulls and Ravens were going nuts towards the Harbor off I went.  Not only to see what all the fuss was about about but in search for my morning real coffee.

Good morning Seward as the sun did actually rise.  It’s about low 40’s now and there are clouds but you can also see some blue sky.

Forgot to change the setting on my camera but here are the eagles I was hearing.

No matter how many times I see these raptors, still feels new to me.  Not so much Cheryl but for me every Bald Eagle sighting is a pleasure and privilege.

On my way to town there were tons of visitors heading to the boats for their fishing tours.  Cheryl and I thought about going out but what would we do if we caught the fish?  Cheryl sort of eats fish but I don’t. 

Here is why the gulls and Ravens were making such a ruckus.  They were having breakfast from all the left over guts and heads of the fish caught later in the day.  There is a cleaning station right about this feeding orgy. 

It’s was only 0600 and the harbor was full of life.

Just amazing how a day can make in what we get to see.  Such a beautiful tranquil harbour surrounded by snowy mountains.  This range is called the Chugach Mountains.

Fishing here as in many Alaskan ports is a must for not only food for the fisherman but for the economy.  The signs says commercial fishing up here is the largest privately owned industry.  I did not know that it was privately owned.

How about this next picture and a bit of Trivia.

I have noticed what seems to be hundreds of miles of bike and pedestrian pathways running all over the place since Fairbanks.  I do not think they all link together but they sure seem to have an extensive system for people to use other than roads. No matter where you are every once in awhile you see this info plaques.

Got my coffee by the way.  Really good when it is cool out and the sun is almost shining.  Cheryl is sleeping because I was really annoying her with my snoring last night.  Weird how when she lovingly taps me I feel like I am not even sleeping, so I must NOT be snoring right?

Can still hear those juvie eagles calling out.  Now that is an awesome way to end this post.