imported post
imported post
The ride today was certainly promising to be wet, if not chilly, or both. During the night I awoke to a howling wind and plummeting rain. Set the alarm to alternate beacon mode, dosed off again and was irritated by the second announcement of my laziness. Java was the first order of the day, second (hold your breath, a diaper intervention, o' come on not mine), then slap the missing pieces back onto the Pig. Check all my messages/forums to see if anyone has bailed out yet! Nope, rain or shine as promised. For a change I managed to be late out of the gate, Kitty rang the bell and I still wasn't ready. Gassed up and ran an errand, and off we went. Kitimats' Pig had no functional headlight, which he bypassed breakfast to remedy, damn little ancient fuses. Fill up yet another Pig and off we went.
I wondered to myself how this trip would be for me today, just having done the same route weeks ago on a colder but sunnier day. I've been swayed lately as I've been reading Epic RR's of other peoples adventures, the places they've been and the amazing photographs they have taken. Knowing nothing about photography, even with all the cameras I have compiled, I opt to just stick with the cellphone since the weather isn't going to cooperate anyhow.
Charge! Off we go, the first thing noteworthy I see is 3 eagles perched upon a desolate stump in the Skeena River, indicating that some damn fine food is in them waters. As my head does the Exorcist 360, I ponder the obligatory cellphone shot. Hmm, that really wouldn't do any justice for such a sight, instead I fix my eyes back to the road they are supposed to be glued upon, and contemplate getting that shot on the return leg if at all possible.
Up the Exstew we go, a little side detour suggest by Kermode. Kitimat already went once but it was somewhat wetter then.
Here we are about 2 Km from as far as we can go before snow, reported from someone returning with truck and sled. Seems wherever you go lately, you can be almost certain to run into someone else.
Looking down the valley to the river.
The guys were faster than I thought, so this time I got my adrenaline flowing and lit her up so to speak. Apparently missed a photo op of some cormorants, nonetheless nature called in another manner and allowed for redemption on some missed action shots.
Back from Exstew, ready to hit the highway again.
The rain becomes a fearsome foe now until Rupert. So we just trod along enduring the seasonal Liquid Sunshine. The rail line on route is a hub of activity, and seems only two take notice of us 3 idiots riding the monsoon, accompanied by sympathetic waves of jealousy. No doubt, bikers. The rest just think we are idiots.
We saunter into Rupert and stop for lunch at Cowpuccino's. A well needed warm up and enjoy the "Beauty" and charm of the place. Stomach's are fueled, quick gas up and head back home time, with one or two detours. More rain, on and off as was the motto of the day.
Rest stop, pit stop and planning.
Scenics or lack thereof!
Next stop was to investigate Kasiks, an interesting and promising FSR by the accounts of all the maps I scoured. Lesson learned, don't rely on these for trip planning, if you do be prepared for an alternate plan of attack. We didn't get far, it was greasier than:mad3: (you fill in the rest)!
Kitimat was wiser and didn't bother, Kermode also found this to be as much fun as I did, having opted for the KLR instead of the KLX. Enough of the puddles and grease. There definitely is something to see along the way, but at this time of day and condition, the Pot 'O' Gold will have to wait for drier days. I must add that was one of my most strenuous trail U-turns to date, actually breathing heavy and formed a bead of sweat.
Back to the highway and head homeward. Frikkin rain! The bonus is I had the opportunity to run my gear in the extremes to learn what I was lacking or needed improvement to make it more enjoyable. No Grip heaters today, but the toes needed some help all day.
Today I learned some valuable lessons and perhaps in our daily rush these are things we often take for granted. The road traveled is never the same twice. The camera versions of our journeys compiled with any medium or media format can never be replaced by actually enacting it and retaining these moments in our minds. I can't count how many times I forgot that I was on two wheels and let my eyes wander. No I didn't stop to capture the eagles on the way home, they were there and the vision is firmly implanted. To document the whole wet expedition, or even a dry version would almost certainly ruin it for others. That highway is majestic in every way, and definitely needs to be seen with the mountains adourned with snow to appreciate its grandeur.
Kitimat and I part ways with Kermode in Terrace. On the way home we detour at Lakelse Lake as my ears hurt from the pressure of my helmet. Take in the calmness and serenity of the lake and break for home. Warm up the toes for a while and contemplate the day. Good ride all things considered with great companions. Mostly highway, but clearly evident that it really doesn't matter whether the surface was tarred or not!
:hb::clap:
