Category Archives: Lodging

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2 months, 3 Weeks & 4 Days


Not too much longer until the day we get hitched.  I mean why not?  We have only been together almost 16 years….;-)  Here is our post from our scouting out the venue ride last year SUNSHINE COAST onward to the venue POST here and here is a video showing you WHY we picked the WESTCOAST WILDERNESS LODGE

We rode up on our 2010 BMW 650′s and this year we will be riding up on our ’13 BMW F8′s.  And, YES of course we will have our pictures taken with our bikes.  ;-) The sunshine coast of BC is not that far from the lower mainland, but once you get there you feel like you are in another world!

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Section Two – Baie Comeau to Chibougmau


TNE Phase Two

Section Two – Baie Comeau to Chibougamau

This chapter of the True North East route could best be described as remote.  The route begins in the town of Baie Comeau.  This town has a population of approximately 26, 000 and has been around since 1889.  A few years later the first saw mill arrived and the town has been functioning as a resource town ever since.  Located on the shores of the ST Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Manicouagan River, the town is not without its charm.  This is the last place to gear up for a few days of the route and the town offers typical modern amenities for a town of its size.

The route leaving Baie Comeau follows gravel roads for 380 kilometres before you’ll find the next location for fuel.  Needless to say you must stock up on fuel prior to leaving this town.  This chapter of the TNE is also used for the Trans Canada Adventure Trail (TCAT) and was created by Fabric Tremblay.  Fab is local to the area and without his local knowledge it would have been very difficult to have created this chapter of the route, Thanks!

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Photo by Fabrice Tremblay
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TNE Phase One-True North East


compass north logo

 SOURCE:  GRAVEL TRAVEL

The Dirt

Name: True North East (TNE)

Location: New Brunswick & Quebec

Distance: Approx 2500 km’s

Duration: 7-10 days

Rating: Primarily Class 2 roads with Class 1 roads making up 30% of the route.  2 short sections of class 4.

Creator: Ted Johnson and Fabrice Tremblay, a special thanks to Steve Vardy

Section One – USA Border to Matane

This chapter could best be called “Welcome to Canada” as the TNE route begins at the border between Canada and the USA.  A mix of gravel and paved roads, this section of the TNE will take travellers across the province of New Brunswick and into Quebec.

img_4700  Continue reading →

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If I don’t camp am I not a true ADV rider??????


I find there are three sides to the concept of camping while traveling on a bike. 

  1. Stealth Camping:  Living temporarily in a location, usually for recreation, in a covert or secretive fashion.  Stealth camping is also referred to as wild camping, ninja camping, or free camping.  (source:  stealthcamping.com)
  2. Tent Camping: Enjoying the great outdoors living in a tent usually in some sort of park or campground
  3. No way tent camping: Enjoy riding a bike from hotel/motel to hotel/motel

Cheryl and I are mostly #2 and #3.  Our theory about riding and camping/tenting is this…..If it’s not raining when we stop for the day and we are not too tired, we camp.  Our definition of camping can be setting up our tent or staying in a cabin.  We usually don’t mind if it rains on us after we get camp set up but truly dislike breaking down wet gear and having to pack it.  If it’s raining, we are tired we might still cabin it or hotel/motel.

We have foam pillows ;-)

camping gear can pack small

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Ottawa & Old Montreal (Part II)


We took the train from Ottawa to Montreal which was great the way there.  Unexpectedly I bought economy business class seats which included a full course meal that was actually good.  Plus, alcohol, snacks etc.  All for about $10 more than the regular economy class.  On the way back all those seats were sold out and we were out of luck but heading to Montreal was a treat…literally!

After arriving at the Montreal station we walked about 15 mins through town to get to our very contemporary yet warm and inviting hotel Continue reading →

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Space Needle Weekend


Feb 2-3 2013 (click on the pics and see the slide show)

Took a short 700 KM trip down to Seattle to ride up the Space Needle and spent the night in LaConner, Washington.  Left in FOG, had some sun, came back in the cold rain.  All in all great to get back on the bikes and just ride for fun!

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She Lives In A Boeing 727


Some people are just so motivated and this is for sure one creative HOME!

SOURCE: AVIATIONHUMOR

What a creative idea! Joanne Ussary bought a used Boeing 727. She paid $2,000.00 for the plane. It cost $4,000.00 to move and $24,000.00 to renovate. But not bad for a $30,000.00 investment… The stairs open with a garage door remote and one of the bathrooms is still intact. There is a personal Jacuzzi in the cockpit. The Boeing home is featured as part of a collection of creative conversions. It has a spectacular view!

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KLIM Adventure part VII


Last day of riding for us was actually something we expected…pouring rain almost all the way home from Fort Stevens.  But in meanwhile who does not LOVE a fire while camping…?  The second to last day was a mix bag.  We just took our time and enjoyed exploring.

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Sunshine Coast, Riding & Our Wedding Journey!


May 5-7 2012

Once again there are twists and turns in the life of Cheryl & Leslie.  After 15 years as many who read this blog Cheryl proposed to Leslie and we are going to get hitched next summer 2013.  Yep, in Canada we too can join the sector of marriage and it’s legal.  I know this is a hot topic for many but at this point in our lives and careers we really have little patience for those who struggle with any two people who love each other and want to show their commitment in whatever fashion they choose.

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CABIN PORN ;-)


What a cool sight this is….Free Cabin PORN

No, it’s not porn but holy check out the cabins ranging from huts to glamour.  I actually spent sometime at the Greenleaf Hut in New Hampshire.  I used to work for the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) there is a great hut system up in the White Mountains that you have to hike to.

Anyway, that should be for another post.  Just gave myself an idea.  ;-) But if you have the time not only check out this site but as well as the AMC.  There are 37 pages of these cabins and I highly recommend flipping though all the pages.  Such a cool site!

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The Famous DALTON HIGHWAY!


Once again thanks Gary from AK for this great idea for a posting.  It’s that time of year when many of you will be heading up to Alaska for your own adventure.  This time last year we were planning our own Northern excursion.  So, we are envious of those who will be making this trip.  The Dalton Highway is a MUST ride and getting yourself to Deadhorse in one piece would be the goal.  ;-)   Here is a great web site which has all the information you will need to learn about the Dalton and it’s services or should I say lack of services.  Bring extra gas and enjoy this unpredictable yet beautiful highway!

I have also included some previous posts of ours that shows you where we stayed and a place where you can change your tires or oil!

Adventure Cycleworks

CLICK HERE FOR ADVENTURE CYCLEWORKS WEB SITE

Dan the man


If anyone has questions about this road and what you might experience please feel free to post in the comments. Continue reading →

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Comfort Trailer Home “ProtoHaus”

trailer home

Every once in awhile, most recently when we got back from Alaska this past summer, August 11th 2011, Cheryl will bring up the idea we should down size our 3200sq house to something much smaller.  She has even talked about living in one of these Tiny houses.  I have thought about it but that’s about it.  Am I too attached to my space?  All our “stuff”?  Could I consolidate that much to fit into a Tiny space like this?  In theory I think I would love to say yes, but in reality I think I am just spoiled and love having space and things.  I really do not want to be this way but it is what it is.  Does that mean we will not down size someday?  No.  We will….as we get “older” and want to ride further away from home, we will need to have something less high maintenance and be able to travel with our bikes more freely.

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MACLAREN RIVER LODGE ON THE DENALI HIGHWAY

The Denali Highway

Mile 42 on the Denali Highway is the Maclaren River Lodge owned and operated by Alan and Susie with their gracious host Heidi when we visited this lodge on our Alaskan Adventure Summer 2011.  We arrived on a really rainy day, it was cold and we were hungry.  As usual not really planning where and when we would stop we came across the Lodge.  Settled into our rooms, Heidi gave us a space heater, went back to the restaurant, ate, used the WiFi and drank beer.  Most impressively was we were able to get warm and were greeted by very nice folks. Continue reading →