Day 58 - Wed, July 30, 2008 - North Vancouver to Vernon, BC - 535.4 km/334.6 mi - Total 13459.2 km/8412.0 mi

Thought about taking the Sea to Sky Hwy up to Whistler as a more scenic way to go start the way back east but turned on the radio in the morning to hear that a massive slide had closed it. Back to my original plan as loaded in my GPS.

It's very easy to get on the Trans-Canada (Hwy 1) from Leo's so off I went. When I reached Hope I had a choice of staying on 1, taking the Coquihalla (Hwy 5) or taking the Crowsnest (Hwy 3). Decided on the Crowsnest Hwy since it seemed to be more motorcycle friendly and I had already been on the other two. Went by the site where the Hope slide occurred and wiped out 3 km of the Hope-Princeton Hwy in 1965.

Temp dropped to 12C/54F at Sunday Summit on Hwy 3 but rose to 24C/75F in the Okanagan Valley. Had a few small showers on the way east but the sun came out when I left Hwy 3 and headed up the Okanagan.

Stopped off to visit Angelo D'Orazio and have a beer with him before going to Sicamous for the night. However, didn't turn the ignition off when I stopped and ended up with a dead battery. Angelo and Barb offered me a bed for the night since it was too late to get a charger.

Photos: Uncle Leo; Portion of the Hope Slide.

Day 57 - Tues, July 29, 2008 - Vancouver area - 0 km/0 mi - Total 12923.8 km/8077.4 mi

Leo took Barbara's van in to the dealership so we spent the morning talking and he informed me of some family details of which I was unaware. On the Doucette side of my family, my grandmother's maiden name was Delorey. I knew that we were related to Sir Wilfred Laurier but didn't realize that he had changed his name when he entered politics. Also found out that my ancestors on my mother's side came to Canada in the 1600's.

We picked up Barbara's van and went to her apartment where we exchanged it for Leo's car. Returned to watch the end of the Jay's game before going out dinner at C Lovers Fish & Chips.

Photos: Lion's Gate Bridge in the rain.

Day 56 - Mon, July 28, 2008 - Vancouver, BC area - 40 km/25 mi - Total 12923.8 km/8077.4 mi

Leo had to go out of town to attend to some matters so I went into Vancouver to visit my cousin Barabara. Spent most of the afternoon with her, doing some work on her computer and talking while doing it. Left her with a much better performing computer.

Headed toward GM Place to find Kayla's, my niece, apartment. The street didn't exist on the maps in my GPS but after I got the cross streets from her I wandered down a dead-end and found the building. When she said she lives across from GM Place she meant it. Could easily throw something from her balcony and hit it. Met her boyfriend Stephane and he fired up the BBQ on the balcony to cook. Talked with Kayla and Stephane until about 22:00 and then headed back to Leo's. With no traffic and a fairly direct route, I was back at Leo's in a very short time, thanks to my GPS.

Photo: Kayla, Stephane and his car.

Day 55 - Sun, July 27, 2008 - Ladysmith, BC to Vancouver, BC - 46.9 km/29.3 mi - Total 12883.8 km/8052.4 mi

Said goodbye to Rick and Heather and headed up to Nanaimo to get the ferry to Horseshoe Bay. Payed at the booth and was directed to line 1, which was the shortest and bike lane. Just as I prepared to turn off the engine and wait we were instructed to board the ferry. Was ready to strap down my bike but found wooden, stepped blocks that motorcyclists could use to wedge under the high side of the bike when it's on the sidestand and in gear. Spoke to a few motorcyclists while securing bike and spent most of the trip talking to a guy with an older Goldwing. He's originally from Newfoundland but now lives in the Vancouver area and is studying to get a law degree.

Departed the ferry in Horseshoe Bay. Just had to go straight on the highway until the Capilano exit and then go uphill to Leo's place.

Spent the rest of the day getting re-aquainted with my uncle and then he took me to dinner at the Beach House, a very good restaurant down by the water in West Vancouver with a great view.

Photos: Ready to leave Ladysmith; Rick's Car; Rick and Heather's dog; Arriving at Horseshoe Bay.

Day 54 - Sat, July 26, 2008 - Ladysmith, BC - 0 km/0 mi - Total 12836.9 km/8023.1 mi

Rick and I were on delivery duty again to their and Tate's property on Oak St. We picked up a fridge at The Brick, where Heather seems to be a regular customer. Then we set out to meet Heather and Jody who were to pick out some flooring.

After we made the delivery, we met Heather and Jody at the Rod and Gun Cafe in Parksville for dinner. The food was washed down with Granville Island English Bay Pale Ale.

Jody underwent a traumatic experience at the restaurant when her first gray hair was pointed out by Heather.
Photo: View from Rick & Heather's Deck

Day 53 - Fri, July 25, 2008 - Ladysmith, BC - 0 km/0 mi - Total 12836.9 km/8023.1 mi

Went golfing with Rick and Mel at a nine hole par 3 nearby. First golf of the year and shot par on the first 2 holes before my beginner's luck ran out. Rick was hot and shot the best game of the group.

Had breakfast after across from Pamela Anderson's property where she plans to build condos overlooking the bay. Was told Pam, who was born here, is in town quite often but didn't see her.
Mel invited us for a beer at his place after and our stay was longer than planned. Construction crews hit a gas main and Rick was instructed not to start his truck by a fireman on the scene. Well over an hour later, and a few beer, we were allowed to leave after the leak was capped.

Went downtown for a mocha latte and sat outside at a bench to enjoy it. Rick entertained the passers-by with comments. We were photographed by 2 Japanese women and Rick then took their picture for them.

Day 52 - Thur, July 24, 2008 - Ladysmith, BC - 0 km/0 mi - Total 12836.9 km/8023.1 mi

Jim took us out on his boat for the afternoon. I was given a tour of the area by Jim and Rick and learned quite a bit about the history, logging and mills in the sea area around the harbour in Ladysmith.
Jim tried his luck at fishing but only caught a sea cucumber, starfish and a very small fish that even my zoom lens couldn't make much bigger. Jim endured many comments about his fishing prowess, or lack thereof, from Rick and I. Rose tried to bail him out when we got back to their place but since we haven't seen him have any success, we weren't buying any of it.

Photos: Cruisin'; Ladysmith from the bay; Jim's very small Rockcod; 49th Parallel.

Day 51 - Wed, July 23, 2009 - Ladysmith, BC - 0 km/0 mi - Total 12836.9 km/8023.1 mi

This was Theo's last day in Ladysmith so Rick, Theo and I spent some time talking and walking around Ladysmith. Visited a dead people' stuff building that we won't tell Heather about. Saw a marker mentioning the 49th parallel and wondered whether it actually went right through that spot. Will check it out on my GPS when I leave.

When Heather got home from work we all jumped in the Subaru to take Theo to Victoria to catch his red-eye flight back to Ottawa. Heather called Tate at work and we joined him for dinner, where he works, at Four Mile House Bar and Grill. Unfortunately, Charlotte, Justice and Tasha were unable to join us. Had a good meal and beer before driving back to Ladysmith.

Photos: Rick & Theo at Ladysmith Marina; Boat in Museum; Spring Salmon

Day 50 - Tue, July 22, 2008 - Ladysmith, BC - 0 km/0 mi - Total 12836.9 km/8023.1 mi

Today brought me back to the old Tippet-Richardson days since we had to pick up 4 appliances that Heather had purchased at the Brick and deliver them to properties that they owned. The first property is undergoing renovations so Rick and I used a strap to carry the appliances while Jim, Justice, Tate, Tasha and Theo supervised. Next delivery was to one of their tenants that had been complaining about a stove - their daughter Jody. Once again Rick and I carried the new stove upstairs and the old one back down while everyone else looked on.

Next stop was Jim's to move a couple of hide-a-beds. This time we got Jim to participate by carrying one end while Rick and I both had turns at the other end.

Photos: Too busy moving furniture to take pictures today.

Day 49 - Mon, July 21, 2008 - Victoria to Ladysmith - 93.4 km/58.4 mi. - Total 12836.9 km/8023.1 mi

Rode up to Ladysmith and Heather and Rick's place. Stopped off at a vista on Hwy 1 at The Malahat at an elevation of 356 meters/1156 feet to take a few photos.

Today was a birthday party for Tate, Justice, Tasha and Steve so family and friends were over for a BBQ and cake. Heather made a cake rather than buy one because the last two times she bought one from the bakery, it snowed.

Photos: Leaving BA's; View from The Malahat; See You Jimmy - wi a hat like this ya canna miss!

Day 48 - Sun, July 20, 2008 - Victoria - 0 Km/0 Mi - Total 12743.5 Km/7964.7 Mi

Was a late night so today was a lazy day. BA made baked blueberry pancakes for breakfast and we ate and sat around outside and talked for a while. Took another tour down by the beach area and since it was very clear had good views of the snow covered mountains.

Just got Susan to the 16:00 ferry and BA and I returned home for dinner. On what is becoming a tradition this trip, I made Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops for my last stay at one place. We were unable to find any jerk seasoning at 3 grocery stores so BA successfully made one from scratch.

Made it an early night to make up for last night.

Photo: Betty-Ann and Susan

Day 47 - Sat, July 19, 2008 - Ladysmith to Victoria - 89.8 Km/56.1 Mi - Total 12743.5 Km/7964.7 Mi

Arrived back at Betty-Ann's from Ladysmith and she told me I had 10 minutes until we leave to pick up Susan at the ferry terminal.

After picking up Susan we took another tour, this time to Sidney. Walked around through the downtown area, sent a postcard to Ruth, and went to the Pier Bistro by the seaside for a drink. Returned to BA's where we had prime rib for dinner accompanied by beer, wine and single malt scotch. Also smoked a cigar to celebrate being with my two cousins in Victoria.

Day 46 - Fri, July 18, 2008 - Victoria to Ladysmith, BC- 113.6 Km/71 Mi - Total 12638.5 Km/7899.1 Mi

Rode up from Victoria to Ladysmith to visit Jim, Rick and Heather.

First stop was Jim's place where I found out I had just missed Rick and that Theo, from Ottawa, was sailing with them. They had stopped by to drop off Jim's prawn nets from Irish Mist, their chartered Beneteau 423 sailboat, and would be returning the boat to Nanaimo and be back in Ladysmith later in the evening.

Met Jim's wife Rose and she prepared a delicious pork roast for dinner. After dinner we drove/rode up to Rick and Heather's place, and I stayed there for the night.

Day 45 - Thur, July 17, 2008 - Victoria - 62.6 Km/39.1 Mi - Total 12540.1 Km/7837.6 Mi

Went for a ride around Victoria Area while Betty-Ann was at work. Stopped for a while to watch some paragliders by Dallas Road. Then rode up to Mt. Douglas, rather than walk as I did yesterday, to take a few photos.

Found out that Susan would be coming over from Vancouver on Saturday so I planned to take a trip up to Ladysmith on Friday and return on Saturday in time for BA and I to pick Susan up at the ferry terminal.

After work BA took me on a tour and explained some of the things I had seen earlier in the day. We went to Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub for dinner and I tried a pint of their "hand pumped" Jameson's Scottish Ale and their regular Nut Brown Ale. After an excellent meal we shared a Mile High Apple Pie a la mode. Pie was delicious but as BA said, their crust isn't as good as Millie's.

Photos: Paragliding; Views from Mt. Douglas

Day 44 - Wed, July 16, 2008 - Victoria - 13.6 Km/8.5 Mi - Total 12477.5 Km/7798.4 Mi

Rested up from trip today but took a ride downtown to get a picture at Mile 0 of the Trans Canada Highway. After work Betty-Ann took me for a walk to Mt. Douglas and then up to the top at an elevation of 213 meters/699 feet. A great 360 degree view of area and worth the exertion. Forgot to replace the memory card in my camera after downloading pictures so will have to make another trip up the mountain.

Photo: Mile 0

Day 43 - Tue, July 15, 2008 - Astoria, OR to Victoria, BC - 434.7km/271.7mi + 90 minute ferry - Total 12463.9km/7789.9mi

Highest temp noticed today 24C/75F

Soon after leaving my campsite I crossed the Columbia River into Washington on the Astoria-Megler Bridge. This bridge is 4.1 miles in length and the main span of 1232 feet makes it the longest "continuous truss" in the world.

Took Hwy 101 all the way to Port Angeles, going through a small portion of Olympic National Park on the way. Caught glimpses of Mt Rainier and Mt Baker on the way with snow on their peaks. Passed by Lake Crescent as I neared Port Angeles and this was the a portion of Hwy 101 that comes closest to what is experienced on Hwy 1 in California. The highway follows the lakeshore around the southern edge and as a result has many 35 mph corner signs.

Trip to Port Angeles took less time than expected so rather than stay there overnight I caught the 17:15 ferry to Victoria. Motorcyclists have to sign a waiver that the ferry company is not responsible for tying down the bikes but they do provide tie-down ropes near the stern for our use. The other motorcyclists figured out how to attach the ropes to their bikes but I had some tie-down straps with me so used them to attach to the side of the boat. On the voyage I spoke to some motorcyclists from Arkansas, Colorado, Victoria and Oregon. Michael, from Oregon, gave me his business card and asked me to email my blog site address to him. It was a smooth 90 minute crossing and all bikes arrived upright.

Went through customs and my GPS got me right to Betty-Ann's front door. Unfortunately I will not see David since he left earlier in the day for the north end of the island to captain a ferry for two weeks.

Photos: Astoria-Megler Bridge; Lewis and Clark Trail; Beach in Olympic National Park; Waiting to board ferry to Victoria; Looking back at Washington State; Looking ahead to Victoria.

Day 42 - Mon, July 14, 2008 - Gold Beach, OR to Astoria, OR - 516.2 km/322.6 mi - Total 12029.2 km/7518.3 mi

Highest temp noticed today 29C/84F
Only experienced the above temp intermittently when I strayed inland. Most of my day was spent along the coast with temps of 15C/59F.

Left Gold Beach in fog and had fog for a few hours. Since most of my trip today was in cool weather I was glad I decided to wear my motorcycle pants instead of jeans. Wore my cold weather gloves and put my polar fleece jacket on under my motorcycle jacket.

Hit some heavy winds in some places in mid Oregon so had to adjust riding to fit the conditions. From Coos Bay to Florence - a distance of about 64km/40mi - the Oregon Dunes were between me and the ocean. This is the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America and in some places rise to 500 feet above sea level. Large areas have been designated for off-highway vehicle use and explains the high number of ATV rental places, dune buggies on trailers and along the road, and places advertising rides in multiple seat buggies.

Saw multiple signs warning of entering or leaving Tsunami Zones. Fortunately no earthquakes off shore so all that I saw were signs.

In Astoria now so just a few kilometers/miles from the Columbia River and Washington State on the other side.

Photos: Oregon coast and fog; ATVs on the dunes; Rough water where I experienced high winds; Gyser like effect in hole in rocks due to stormy weather.

Day 41 - Sun, July 13, 2008 - Crescent City, CA to Gold Beach, OR - 148.2 km 92.6 mi - Total 11513.0 km 7195.6 km

In and out of fog on the way up to Gold Beach, Oregon. Had read about jet boat rides on the Rogue River and thought it might be fun. Stopped by Jerry`s Rogue River Jet Boats and found there was space on the 14:30 80 mile round trip so I found a room for the night since the trip ended at 20:00.

Tim was our captain for the trip and was very informative and fun, even if most of his jokes were a little hard to take. We started off from the coast in foggy, cool conditions but it warmed up as we headed upstream. In addition to taking some rapids upstream, Tim showed us the jet boats capabilities by making sudden stops and sharp turns. This resulted in the passengers getting a little wet and in some cases soaked, depending on where you were sitting. Along the way we saw sea lions, otters and various birds such as osprey and bald eagles. Tim told us that this river almost had a dam built for hydro electric power but was saved from this fate and left in it's original state for us to enjoy.

There were 3 optional places to have dinner and then we returned to face the fog and cool conditions of the coast. Tried an Oregon brew - Green Lakes Organic Ale from Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR.

Photos: Jet boat; Rough water ahead; Fog as we approach the bridge and coast; My front row in the boat and dinner companions from Phoenix;