Jatz's travels

[JATZ]

Great plan! Yeah, looking unlikely is right, but certainly something to look forward to. TAT?
Trans America Trail. A gps route across America, mostly unpaved.

[Gearup]

Trans America Trail. A gps route across America, mostly unpaved.


Even more of an adventure then:niceone:

[JATZ]

Left Sydney today....before it all went downhill. Hopefully I can still get in to Queensland and it's settled down by the time I'm ready to come home.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210622/cb498ebe49722dfcd32a9fd02db218aa.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210622/e139c83821cb6254f6ac0f6e511d8af6.jpg

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[JATZ]

Continuing the escape from NSW. I got as far as a place called Willow tree and called it a day. No pics I was in flight mode :whistle: On to Tamworth the next day. After grabbing lunch from my swanky room
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Tried unsuccessfully to get a fuel bottle for the cooker so ended up getting a cheapie gas cooker. Then another frantic run to a place called Mungindi. Picked up groceries from a bizarre little supermarket and shot across the river into Queensland to set up the tent :banana:
Rained next day...
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Stopped in North Talwwod for a coffee and warm up
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Then gapped it for Chinchilla. Still raining off n on. Scored a cheapish room in a nice place and did some R&M on the steed.
Today looked like another wet day, not a good day for watermelon
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I'd set the routing options on the GPS to "surprise :bleh:" and it didn't disappoint
This is supposed to be a road
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I turned around here.
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Got into Bundaberg, still wet and getting wetter, found lodging, ordered a pizza, booked a distillery tour and tic tacked on my phone.
How the tour goes will determine how far I get tomorrow :msn-wink:

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[Moi]

Nice to see you are out and about and telling us about it - always enjoy your trip stories and photos!

BTW, where's George?

[JATZ]

George stayed home this time, he's getting old, and space is at a premium this time.
At least someone's reading....

Distillery tour was a oncer... interesting, but I wouldn't do it again. Of course I had to grab something on the way out the door, and a t-shirt
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Otherwise it was just a grind up the A1 to Rockhampton in the pissing down rain. Quite a few road works too
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Today I wondered what the hell I was doing here. Things can only get better... right ?
On the + side... Im warm and dry, my gear is hanging in the shower draining and I found a tray of ice in the freezer :niceone:

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[JATZ]

In Cardwell tonight.... with a few other Townsville refugees.

I left Rockhampton, aiming for a camp at Moonlight dam. What a cool/straight/bumpy road that was, nice twisties over the ranges then a slog along some plains over "undulating" straights.
Pics on the camera so you'll have to wait.
Into Nebo for lunch and gas
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Then to find my camp for the night. Mrs Garmin led me up a gravel rd and onto some "unpaved road" as she called it. She gave up giving me directions in the finish and left me to follow a dotted line on the screen. I had to get off a couple of times to check if I could get back up the slopes, but I eventually made it to the camp site. On the wrong side of a locked gate. A bit of work undoing the barbed wire had me on the right side and it turns out I'd been on a walking trackhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210629/730a2efaedf705eeddad757895ee3dd1.jpg
Camp...
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A couple from WA showed up so we spent the evening with a part bottle of Bundy and a map book.
Next day I went out on the right road https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210629/46b00766bd2c0885c155f884a5068504.jpg
and made my way through typical farmland... sparse trees, camel cows and not much grass before getting to Eungella dam, then into heavy fog and drizzle, and thick rainforest and a crazy descent to Finch Hatton for breakfast.
Then onto Airlie Beach, simply because I recognized the name from somewhere
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Not really my cup of tea and it was still a bit drizzly and crap so I wobbled my way to Bowen
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Eventually found a place to stay, after a few "sorry we're full" places. They had good food and watery beerhttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210629/3cd7fd629ac7346896251f5865ad05f2.jpg
Finally did some washing too

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[JATZ]

I diddled about in Bowen for a bit in the a.m. just cruising around looking at stuff, then set off leisurely towards Townsville. Got there mid avo, mildly peckish and I wanted to do a couple of things. Figured I do my jobs then retire to the botanic gardens for a spell. I sauntered into the post shop and while I was filling in a form I overheard someone say Townsville was going into lockdown for 3 days at 6... mild panic, I talked to a fellah who understood my plight and he recommended how far to go.
Back on the horse and I flew outa town, at legal speeds, it seems with a good portion of the locals, stopping only for an egg sarnie and coke at Rollingstone. To top it off the drizzle set in again.
I ended up in a place called Cardwell where the lovely lady at the info center scored me a room at some place that needed revamping. But they had a restaurant and bar, and it was pizza and pint night too, how good is that. I only took 3 pics that day on my phone. Of the bar. They're pretty crap. So I won't include them. It was an interesting establishment, somewhat entertaining, yet disturbing at the same time.
I woke the next morning to heavy rain and a full carpark. It seems a good portion of Townsville left town too.
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I coffee'd up and set sail north, heading for Cairns, a new set of rubber and a day off. Once again, no pics till I reached Innisfail. When its raining that hard you struggle to see a white car in front of you until it's only 50m or so away, stopping was the last thing on my mind.
Here's a shot of my bike taking refuge in Innisfail
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Got to Cairns... got tyres fitted and a bearing replaced then buggered off to the BnB.just outta town.

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[JATZ]

Spent the evening with my host (who also rides) talking shit at the local, only 2 doors away.
Next day I sorted out part of the next leg. Took a walk along the promenade just out front of the house and revelled in the fact I wasn't packing up and moving on.

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Then I buggered off up to Koranda for a look. Nice place if you like that thing, the road to get there could be great if it wasn't for the traffic and speed cameras. I intended to take the gondolas up and the train down, but the stars didn't align.
There's a butterflyarium (is that a word ?)

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Then cruised into the birdarium

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I'd had enough by this stage so skipped the koala thing. Stumbled round the markets for a bit, got my first fridge magnet of the trip and left the tourists to it.
Spent the avo stocking up provisions, taking a gander at the botanic gardens in town,

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Eating healthy

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and generally relaxing.

Tomorrow I'll indicate left and head west for a bit

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[JATZ]

Where was I....
It was crazy humid in Cairns, just thinking about getting dressed made me sweat...
So, I indicated left and headed back up the hill and past the turnoff to Kuranda, and carried on following the signs for Savanah way. I already decided against detouring through Chillago and taking the long way.
Past Mareeba and Ravenshoe, Queenslands highest town (where I understand there is an excellent bakery, I found out later that day)
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Carried on past some more little localities and turned off to go check out the lava tubes at Undara, I'd been looking forward to this, but you have to do an organized tour.... the next free space was 4 days away, so I rode away disappointed, and got to Mount Surprise

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Where I indicated left again and wobbled down a little back road that'd been recommended. Only a couple of moments in some sandy sections...

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Crossed this little river... where the exit was deeper than I expected.

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I'll leave it here as reception is not so good and my phone is going flat.

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[JATZ]

Right... I've got a bit of time to kill as I wait at Hells gate roadhouse for fuel. Got here yesterday and the tankers supposed to turn up tomorrow.

Anyway, I camped the night at Einesleigh and picked up a hand crafted souvenir while enjoying happy hour round the fire with other travelers.
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I could've had that branded into my soft white flesh, but chickened out.
Strolled down to Copperfield gorge in the morning and video called home from this spot
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There was a roo bouncing round out there too. Here's the pub.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210706/887caa64f723ca9c357cb593ee3061b6.jpg
Then I packed up and made my way to Georgetown, past some interesting rocks, there was quite a few of them and I don't think they're man made
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Had to line up for fuel there as it was very busy, as it is everywhere. Then carried on to Croydon. The road was pretty straight with not much worthy of taking a pic of. I LOLed when a group of Harleys went past, the last vehicle in their group (I assume) was an SUV towing a 2 bike trailer.
Anyways.. here's Croydon
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There's some sculptures there
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And a pub, where I stayed
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I noticed this was getting worse, better do something about ithttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210707/35fcdf17ab480f86211b4a80278eb1f4.jpg
.... tomorrow.
I carried on towards Normanton and met Krys the croc
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Then made my way to Karumba, where I snaffled the last available spot in the sunset campground. I stopped at a place advertising cruises, but they were full. I put on my best puppy dog face a wrangled a spot on that evenings cruise.
There was a Crocodile
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A cruise up the river learning a bit about the history of the place, then we shot out to a sand island for drinks and nibbles and to watch the sunset
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Pretty cool, right ?
Next day I went to Normanton to see if someone could take care if my leaky seal. The first place wasn't interested, the second said yes, but it'll have to be tomorrow. That wouldn't do, I had the seal and the tools and talked them into supplying a work space and hoist
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For a small fee
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Good to know "a box" is legal tender here too.

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[JATZ]

After sorting that I made my way outa town, still heading west
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And made it to Burketown, where I had to wait for the info center to open so I could get a camp site. They gave me one down by the river, with steep banks as I am tenting and there's crocs in the river, I set up a safe distance away, I hope.
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Next, I continued westward

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Stopping in Doomadgee for supplies. These little tykes knew I'd just got $2 change so came looking for it, of course nothing is free so I swapped it for a pic.

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Which brings me to here... . Hells gate roadhouse. No unleaded,until tomorrow, hopefully.I've got about 150k's max in the tank. And just out front is this sign

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Not looking forward to meeting one of these on the rough dirt road ahead.

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Could be worse... I've got food, shelter, brought a book about a local rascal and they sell beer.

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[JATZ]

Better crack on...
After 2 days at Hells gate there was still no sign of a fuel tanker, they'd also run out of diesel. I thought, bugger this and I'd finished the book. So wandered up to a roadworkers camp and asked if they had any lying around,managed to get a tank full. Happy days [emoji3]
Quickly packed up the next morning and idled out the gate.... past the tanker "Doh"
The road to the border was being worked on and was smooth as.

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After that it went downhill rapidly. First was this patch of deep bulldust

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The pic doesn't do it justice. Then a mix of hard pack dirt/gravel/corrugations and sand for a couple of hundred k's. I managed to stay upright, thankfully.
After a drink/snack stop. I took of down the road, it wasn't for about a k that I realized something was missing. That could've been disastrous.

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Otherwise it was pretty uneventful. Some creek crossings.

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And into Boroloola for gas and a snack. I had planned on heading for the southern lost city campground in Limmen Nat. Park, however that Garmin skank had other ideas. She directed me out towards a place called Bing Bong

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Past some burnoffs

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And tried to make me go down what looked to be a farm track. A quick consult of the map and I backtracked the 60ks to the turnoff, and headed for the right road.
I didn't quite make it before I turned around again, realizing I wouldn't have enough gas for the next leg.
Grabbed a room in a swanky (not) motel in Boroloola, which is surrounded by a 8ft fence topped with barbed wire. Had Barra and beer for tea and crashed into bed exhausted.

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[JATZ]

I had words with Ms Garmin and put her on the right path, so set of full of confidence the next morning. Got yet moar gas, even putting a few liters in the bladder(fuel bladder, not mine :D )
Got on the right road, Ryan's Bend rd, and made my way to Nathan River rd. Limmin nat park. Time to celebrate with a jelly baby

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Well I'd though yesterday's corrugations were bad, this was next level. Bit less sand though. Getting closer to the Lorella springs turnoff I noticed signs advertising "shady areas" and "tea and coffee". The thought of sitting in the shade with a pot of tea was quite appealing, until I realized it would a 60k+ round trip. Water, a snack pack of dry nutri grain and a bickie would have to do.

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The road got better after the Lorella springs turnoff. But still had its moments.
I found the turnoff to the southern lost city... very cool place, it's a shame didn't get to camp there.

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Then it was just a case of rinse and repeat, the sand getting worse. I dislike riding in sand, and the corrugations getting bigger, and still hundreds of k's to go.

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This mailbox caught my eye though. Anatomically correct and everything.

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I eventually made it to a campsite at Mundabila or Tomato island. Nice spot, and settled in. Dingo's were howling in the night too, quite eeeerie, cool but.
Next day.... today. I wanted to make Katherine. Bike service tomorrow and hopefully fix the leaky seal, the last 2 days have finally finished it off.

Ayyyyeeee.....Tapatalk won't let me upload any more pics this month, shame [emoji20]

Guess y'all have to wait till next month.



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[MXNUT]

Guess y'all have to wait till next month.


James, your ride reports are the only reason I ever visit Kiwi Biker now.
Rest of the site is dead and buried.

[F5 Dave]

Grumpy old man.:bleh:

Love the pics and story. Keep riding.

[pete376403]

The pictures of the outback pubs bring to mind the cartoon Ettamogah Pub that used to be in the Australian Weekly News (?)

[Moi]

Thanks for the write up and the photos... us Kiwis don't really understand the idea of distances until you get to somewhere like Australia... road disappears into the distance and you can see the curvature of the earth.

[JATZ]

Thanks for the write up and the photos... us Kiwis don't really understand the idea of distances until you get to somewhere like Australia... road disappears into the distance and you can see the curvature of the earth.
True story... k's and k's of straight road only going up and down. I haven't been bored yet though.
If I want to go from my place to Chch I can think of about dozen places to get fuel reliably. Here not so much.
I might want to check out a scenic attraction here, it could be a 60k round trip, which may mean I won't get to the next gas station.
As WA is pretty much off the table now (personal choice) I thought about the Tannamai rd as an alternative, sadly I can't carry 800 odd k of fuel, so that's out too. Just as well I've got a plan B..... dunno what it is yet, but I'll work it out, after a couple of days in Darwin.

Still trying to sort the pic thing. If anybody has any grand ides, I'm all ears. Hopefully have some shots of magnificent Tuna and/or Wahoo.

[Moi]

True story... k's and k's of straight road only going up and down. I haven't been bored yet though...

Still trying to sort the pic thing. If anybody has any grand ides, I'm all ears. Hopefully have some shots of magnificent Tuna and/or Wahoo.

A couple of years ago drove from Sydney to Sydney via Adelaide - Aussie nephew-in-law says, "A weekend's drive..." Came back via Sturt Highway and following the Murray River - side trips off main road to look at weirs. Parts of the Sturt dead-straight with a "curve ahead" which was a gentle sweep to right then left for next straight...

As you say, it's interesting, it's quite different to what we are used to, it's fascinating, it's a bloody big back yard.

As for photos, sorry no idea what to suggest. As for fish, try fresh Barramundi.

A couple of snaps from that trip... crossing the Hay Plain.

[JATZ]

Fukc I hate it when I type a post and when I try to post it I'm not logged in and it disappears :mad:

2nd time lucky....

[JATZ]

Right... I think I have things sorted... and a new surface go. Android is good but sometimes it lacks the functionality of microsoft/windows :blink:

Here's that termite mound

https://i.imgur.com/GcQZXnz.jpg

Anyway, I made my way to Mundabila/Tomato island and pulled into the camp ground there. Met Fritz, another traveller on a WR250 who'd spent the last 6 months doing 1/2 of what I'd planned to do in 3 months. Hence the decision to leave WA alone. No point in rushing through and only seeing what's either side of the road and not experiencing it. We had a good chat, both being of the same age and at a crossroad in life, but I digress....
After Mundabila I made my way to Roper Bar and fueled up, Fritz had said it was the middle of nowhere, and he was right, pics on the camera. With a full tank of unleaded I carried on towards the Stuart h/way. Was good to be back on the seal

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Past a little creeky/billabong thing

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I didn't get a shot of the water buffalo, but trust me it was HUGE !!

and made my way to Katherine for a bit. The bike was booked in for a service and to get the left fork sorted.It'd spewed oil all over the left side of the bike and my left leg:shit:
While that was happening I wandered around town, checking out an Aboriginal art place, doing the museum thing, getting my park pass for Kakadu and snapping pics of some murals

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and some bats in a tree

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I thought they lived in caves ?

I was ready to moove on. I made my way up to Katherine Gorge, past this awesome garden ornament, certainly beats a gnome IMHO

https://i.imgur.com/0jWHIUK.jpg

Walked (wheezed, puffed and sweated) a bit of a loop track to take a gander at the gorge, glad I didn't have to walk up these steps :sweatdrop

https://i.imgur.com/R7knUae.jpg

Then made my way back down the road to a hanger for a flight.

https://i.imgur.com/8YbMSCL.jpg

That's a Robbie innit ? don't they have a habit of falling from the sky :confused: ? at least they took the doors off so I could bail if needed.
Anyway, here's a bit of the gorge from the air

https://i.imgur.com/LnhNF3P.jpg

seriously cool. It's from the air I got a true appreciation of the country. It's a harsh, harsh landscape.
After that I made my way north and into Kakadu for a bit

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You may have noticed the lightweight pants in that shot ? Normally I'm an ATGATT kinda guy, but goodness it was hot. Mid to high 30's.The riding pants were strapped to the top of the bag, the gloves stayed on the tank bag and I didn't shut my visor at all.
I made my way to a campground for the night and spent the evening chit chatting to other campers before the mozzies drove me indoors.
Next day I wanted to do a couple of short walks, one to a lookout, more sweating and puffing.... and then to check out some local artwork.

https://i.imgur.com/UwyAJ6P.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JRZrdA8.jpg

Pretty cool right ? and ancient.
Then into Jabiru to restock water and grab a late lunch, before carrying on. I didn't bother heading up to Cahills crossing to see if there was any crocs, it was to bigga diversion. Got to the turnoff and made my way down 12k of this track

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to find an empty campground. Cool:niceone: I set up camp, a suitable distance away from the water :blink: got some firewood together and watched the wildlife.

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A couple of other parties turned up later, but they were doing their own thing so left me alone.
Next day it was off to Darwin, but not before I'd stopped and gone full tourist and took a cruise on the Adelaide river. There's real live crocs there. I did feel somewhat out of place in my filthy/sweaty/unwashed clothes, but never mind

https://i.imgur.com/P22Dnbx.jpg

While waiting for the cruise I booked a spot in a resort so I had somewhere to sleep.
Spent the day (today) rushing here and rushing there getting stuff done, domestics some might call it, still managed a little bit of sight seeing

https://i.imgur.com/fLQwCGe.jpg

Darwin's quite a nice city.And on the + side.....
They have proper beer

https://i.imgur.com/bTZ32kb.jpg

[JATZ]

Better catch you fullahs up, while I have good internets, and before I take off again.

After doing the tourist thing in Darwin, visiting sites like the old Fanny Bay jail, and the old Quantas hangar, which is fulll of old cars/bikes/machinery and still bears the scars from a bombing by the Japanese in WWII

https://i.imgur.com/yBVc3ph.jpg

That's shrapnel holes in the steel framing, highlighted in dazzle.
Bikes....

https://i.imgur.com/heDYkrZ.jpg

And some massive underground oil tanks

https://i.imgur.com/voMV9Bf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NefDOkc.jpg

The bombing by the Japs is quite a big thing there...
I took a half day fishing charter, expecting BIG things, unfortunately the reality was quite different. I didn't keep 1 fish, IMHO keeping something that small is just wrong. It's different to what I consider normal fishing, but that's why I did it, to get a different perspective.

https://i.imgur.com/ubFbGjK.jpg

Oh well... Noodles for tea again :lol:
I set the GPS for a campsite in the Litchfeild NP and set off early afternoon. Got there no worries... and set up camp. Unfortunately the swimming hole was shut due a sighting of a Croc, so there's no image of me swimming in a pristine swimming hole. There is a waterfall there though

https://i.imgur.com/7tK7Hp8.jpg

I wandered around a bit, found a pocket of WiFi to call home on and retired to watch the flying fox's (Bats) head out into the dusk.
I packed up the next day and continued on, enjoying actually having some corners to go 'round. I think the tyres liked it too

https://i.imgur.com/TMVfWbs.jpg

Made my way out to the "Lost City" along a pretty cool 4WD track

https://i.imgur.com/oWntKq5.jpg

I don't think it was as dramatic as the southern lost city in Limmen NP but it was pretty cool anyway

https://i.imgur.com/yqKOn5P.jpg

I stopped off at another lookout thing

and.... well..... Looked out.
Then checked out some magnetic termite mounds

https://i.imgur.com/LvJsUNB.jpg

They build them pretty much North/South, pretty amazing for little critters. Then I popped into the Zebra gallery for a look, another traveller had recomended it. Some cool stuff in there

https://i.imgur.com/rQs6TQk.jpg

All natural rocks too, quite bizzare. Of course I had to leave with one. Then carried on to a place called Batchelor, got some fuel and decided to make my way back into the park and check out Florence falls, maybe set up my tent there. Unfortunately, both campsites were full, and the falls were heaving with people swimming. Headed back to the Zebra and grabbed a bit of dirt there.

https://i.imgur.com/bmZLHRl.jpg

They had pigs running round the campground

https://i.imgur.com/4VkOjv6.jpg

The hosts warned me not to leave anything lying around, so I didn't. However I was woken in the dead of night by a mob of pigs snuffling round the tent, no drama though, they didn't get into anything.

Next day I carried on south, back through Katherine

https://i.imgur.com/7dldiCH.jpg

heading for Daly Waters. Unfortunately there's not a lot to see. I was feeling somewhat lethargic so couldn't even be bothered twitching my thumb to indicate to stop at anything.
Rolled into Daly Waters and parked appropriately

https://i.imgur.com/mObn1NU.jpg

The place was dripping with people, all the campgrounds were full, they were qued up at the bar, and I didn't rate my chances, however I managed to find a spot and set up. I wandered into the bar later that evening and wandered straight back out again, that many people in a small area didn't do it for me, so I had a backcountry meal and hit the hay.
I got up early next day and cruised around town, taking random pics in the half light. Unfortunately , none of them made the grade for inclusion here.
Packed up and got out of town, I couldn't find the Stuart tree, but I'm not to worried about it, and continued on South...
Once again It was a pretty uneventful day, passing some cool looking side roads, but I was heading for SA who I figured would be coming out of lockdown by the time I got there, even had my border pass sorted and tracer app downloaded.:2thumbsup
I made it to the Devils Marbles for the night. I'd popped in here briefly a couple of years ago on another ride, and thought it'd be a cool place to hang for a bit.

https://i.imgur.com/vl3cobP.jpg

It is... Who knew rocks could be so photogenic , I have lots of pics after doing a short walk. Once again the campground was full/chokka, but there's always space for a leeedle tent

https://i.imgur.com/8VUTunU.jpg

[JATZ]

I got up early next morning so I could catch the sunrise and snap away on the cell phone some more...

https://i.imgur.com/2F3N9Ja.jpg

and here's a rock, colors straight from the cell camera, no filters or editing

https://i.imgur.com/OGFkUwT.jpg

I knew it'd be worth getting up for.
Then it was more packing/prepping and hitting the road again, only stopping for gas and food. I actually put some tunes on to while away the time. There's a few little plaques and things to look stop at but once again my left thumb couldn't be bothered indicating. I did stop at an old derelict house though...

https://i.imgur.com/knDvAoj.jpg

and this was at one of my gas stops

https://i.imgur.com/uZzqpUC.jpg

I passed the spot of Woodmans SWM failure on the last bike trip this way, but didn't stop. I didn't want to open up old wounds. Also called into a road house that'd piqued my curiosity last trip. Something about Aliens and spaceships

https://i.imgur.com/XazDsvF.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/hItF4uG.jpg

I did ask the Indian gentleman behind the counter about the significance and or reason for the display, but he just shrugged and gave me that "I Dunno" look. I bought a fridge magnet and a juice and left none the wiser

Otherwise it was just a day of making miles to Alice
Oh.... here's a couple of shots from when I stopped to have some party mix, as I was falling asleep
Looking back....

https://i.imgur.com/YkgHLdQ.jpg

Looking where I was heading....

https://i.imgur.com/KBMGC1Q.jpg

A day of not much, other than I got overtaken by a crampervan, and I was sitting on 110 :crazy:
Anyway... I made it to Alice and had to que for a beer, again :yes:

[JATZ]

No pics here as they're on the phone and I can't be bothered faffing about with SD cards and stuff right now.
Spent the day wandering around Alice, looking here and peering there... while the steed was having it's forks fixed properly. It even has a couple of Harley bits in it now :crazy: Not sure that's a good thing, and getting a new tyre.
I spent the morning making phone calls, checking websites and generally freaking out. Thanks Jacinda....
Do I cut short my holiday, pay lots to have the bike freighted back to Sydney, grab a flight from Alice home in the next couple of days (not cheap) and slink home with my tail between my legs.....
OR....
Say F#*K you covid, sort out a border pass to get into WA, get the G2G thing happening and head out west for a minimum 8 weeks, down some of those interesting side roads I'd by passed.
I choose the later....:banana:
See how it pans out...

[Moi]

The photo of the sun rise... Wow! That's spectacular.

Thanks for the write-up and the amazing photos.

[F5 Dave]

Good luck. Still loving the pictures, just forget to post to say so.

[eldog]

:headbang:Always an excellent read:first:

[JATZ]

I thought I'd throw up another of pics from the last 2 days, nothing to exciting...
I left Alice with a plan, head North then go West just past Dunmarra (where I am now) It should pan out, so long as WA doesn't shut up shop in the next couple of days.
Nothing much happened, just rode along sobbing into my helmet about the nice new D606 wearing out on the seal. Went past a couple of dead cows together on the roadside yesterday, they were accompanied by a smashed up car. No pic as it didn't seem the right thing to do. Then today past a "fatal" as the police lady called it, still very fresh.Other than the police there was no other services there. The car was on its roof on the roadside with bits of car a luggage strewn about the place. With a speed limit of 130 the results of a mishap are intense. Quite sobering really.
Anyway, on a brighter note, I spent another night at Devils Marbles
Just to set the mood...

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Sunset

https://i.imgur.com/cjCXZCP.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/N5BPJNg.jpg

And if you'll turn around.... Moonrise

https://i.imgur.com/hP9u6UP.jpg

I ran into a guy today riding a postie round the country, very keen, and he has more gear than me :gob:

https://i.imgur.com/yfY5CjT.jpg

And a couple from tonight, taken just after I'd finished arguably theee best risoles I've ever eaten, with heaps of fresh vege's. Sometimes it's the little things that brighten ones day :D

https://i.imgur.com/dol1Yjb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EuDrT0a.jpg

Camp for the night

https://i.imgur.com/sAWyDtZ.jpg

Seeya...:wavey:

[Laava]

Nice one!:niceone:

[JATZ]

Better catch you guys, and gals up....
I left Dunmarra road house and made my way North a bit before hanging a left onto the Buchanan h/way. It was good to be back on the dirt again and making dust clouds after so much seal. I stopped here to let a couple of 4wd's past and snap a pic, hoping a train didn't suddenly appear

https://i.imgur.com/td5MkUU.jpg

A bit further on the 4wd's were pulled over and I could see a cloud of dust coming so pulled over too. They didn't move after the first truck went by so I whipped out my phone. You can see why it's best just to get out the way and wait for it to clear

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/COwTGadmArY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I stopped in at Top Springs for fuel for me and the bike before carrying on to a ford over the Victoria river.
https://i.imgur.com/ugG8mjx.jpg

According to Wikicamps there was a campsite there. There was and I had the whole place to myself

https://i.imgur.com/p5JXpdY.jpg

I got some firewood together, wandered around taking pics

https://i.imgur.com/CmIGWVx.jpg

and generally enjoying the solitude. It was still hellishly hot so I decided to take a dip, it just looked to good not to. Stipped down to my grutts and about to take the plunge, when I spied this....

https://i.imgur.com/TvpLUlR.jpg

I lobbed a couple of stones in his direction but he didn't care and just lay there. It was only a freshy, about a meter and a half long, but the teeth looked menacing. Swimming was out, so I went and found some shade :cool:
Next day it was through Jasper gorge, another pretty cool place

https://i.imgur.com/74HVJ2F.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4ddgtNc.jpg

And out to the main road and on to Timber creek for fuel and stuff before carrying on towards the WA border. There wasn't really much to take a pic of.... just some trees, termite mounds and cows

https://i.imgur.com/njj7pBs.jpg

This popped up on the GPS screen....

https://i.imgur.com/k8h7BIp.jpg

I LOL'd... the bikes alright, but it ain't that good

I made it to the border, pass was checked and the app was scannned, a couple of questions from the customs people and I was through, too easy :2thumbsup

https://i.imgur.com/caWLyqG.jpg

There was quite a number of people there, filling in the online application and waiting for approval. Just as well Telstra had recently put in a cell tower, otherwise they'd be stuffed. Apparently they still have people turning up from NSW without any clearance, they get turned around and told to go home.
Anyway, onward to Kununarra. Call into the bike shop to see if the chain and sprokets I'd ordered were there, not yet,. A look at Wiki again to find a campsite and sort that, then it was off to the bottla for some refreshments, I think I'd earned a beer. The camp was about 15k's out of town, down a dirt road

https://i.imgur.com/z1pzMeg.jpg

I was given a spot in the shade, with no one else around, set up camp and enjoyed a nice coolish ale

https://i.imgur.com/cgVPT4t.jpg

[JATZ]

Sooooo.... I spent a couple of days hanging around In Kununarra, doing "stuff" and getting "stuff" done.
There's a lake there, Lake Kununarra

https://i.imgur.com/YINMgfJ.jpg

A rum distillery,

https://i.imgur.com/vgmZs2A.jpg

where I managed to join a tour 1/2 way through and got a couple of wee tasters

https://i.imgur.com/gWxSIEf.jpg

I didn't see the lake this painting was done at. It must be down the back of the farm.

https://i.imgur.com/60yMKPY.jpg

Still very "Boutique" it seems but they do supply quite a bit around Oz. It's called the Hoochery, if'n you want to look it up. I did end up with a bottle of their product, but that's another story...
There was some wild life...

https://i.imgur.com/UfHKi1q.jpg

I think thats a blue faced honey eater. I took a scenic flight over Lake Argyle and the Bungle Bungles
A local being escorted to a private flight while we going through the pre flight stuff. He's hand cuffed to the guy on his right. Must've done something really bad.

https://i.imgur.com/7JcTiZ8.jpg

Lake Argyle

https://i.imgur.com/8wvxAe4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hieeRta.jpg

I'm pretty sure that's a banana plantation down there, and sandalwood growing on the right

https://i.imgur.com/G3CCKNi.jpg

Quite a few things are grown around there simply because they have the massive irrigation scheme. Here's part of it...

https://i.imgur.com/ErxUe6X.jpg

Bow River, the one Jimmy Barnes screaches about

https://i.imgur.com/H3YAkX2.jpg

There's quite a story about the lake and irrigation scheme if you want to look it up, some pretty big figures.
Here's a sub standard shot of part of the Bungle Bungles. The plane windows didn't make for nice shots

https://i.imgur.com/hcv54lA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7Cxx2Qj.jpg

Northern Tanamai desert

https://i.imgur.com/gsrDHrQ.jpg

and a gorge

https://i.imgur.com/eYdxr8r.jpg

Got back just as the sun was going down, grabbed a burger and beetled out to camp. I thought it was strange I had a few vehicles pull out right in front of me on the way to camp, I thought they were just being dicks, but it turns out I had no low beam, so they couldn't see me :blink: I got back to camp, inhaled the burger and then rode about a K to have a beer with another camper I'd run into that morning, along a very sandy track. I got some good intell on places to see where I was heading.
Here's one from the camp

https://i.imgur.com/f2PTTDd.jpg

and another tree, simply because I think they're pretty cool

https://i.imgur.com/BwSx2KQ.jpg

[JATZ]

I figured 3 nights was long enough in 1 place so packed my swag and hit the road :ride:
Not far though, I still had to sort out the headlight issue

https://i.imgur.com/wDRvHEO.jpg

Sooo much easier on a beemer :lol:
Just a short strop up the road to Wyndham (WA's most northerly town) I went past "the Grotto" on the way

https://i.imgur.com/aoNx9d8.jpg

Apparently it's a stunning swimming spot way down in a gorge.... down 144 steps :gob:

https://i.imgur.com/tZausvQ.jpg

Then back up those 144 steps. :gob: :gob:
I'm sure it is stunning but I was not going down there in this heat. Even some locals were admitting it is warmer than usual.
I got up to Wyndham and went up to the five rivers lookout. It's a pretty good view of the area from up there

https://i.imgur.com/sUXTcO2.jpg

Other than that there's not much there. I did hear the bakery is pretty good but there was a tour bus pulled up outside so I gave it a miss. Just fuel, a milk drink and a fridge magnet from the servo and I was out.
I did stop to get a pic of the giant croc, but thought what this woman was doing with the fruit from the Baobab tree was much more interesting

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j83HlkF4_H4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Then I just made my way back south and turned right onto the Gibb river road. I reached the turn off to El Questro

https://i.imgur.com/1JqrtSi.jpg

Where I figured I pitch up for a couple of days. I actually got wet feet crossing the Pentecost river getting into the camp/station/resort. It was deeper and rougher than I was expecting. Anyway... after about a week sleeping in a tent, I figured I'd splash out and get something with a bit of comfort.... I ended up in .....

https://i.imgur.com/3nFcJJk.jpg

a tent :facepalm: At least this one has proper beds and lectricity. They also have phone signal, a restaurant/cafe and a bar.

Next update probably won't be till I get to Derby, or even Broome.

:wavey:

[pete376403]

That painting on the barn might be a scene from the movie "Sirens" (Sam Neil, Elle MacPherson, among others)

[Laava]

Jeez, tough life there Mr! Loving the pics.😁😁

[JATZ]

Guess I'd better catch you mob up...

Naturally, I spent the evening at the bar, chitchatting to other travelers and listening to the live music, which was actually pretty good, even the open mic bit turned up some talent.
I'd planned to do walks around the place the next day. First up was El Questro Gorge. Unfortunately the river crossing to get there was way to deep. So a visit to Zebedee springs seemed in order. Quite a cool place, however the pics I took look rubbish so I'll leave them out. except this one of a palm I thought was quite striking

https://i.imgur.com/k4NcUzz.jpg

It was heaving with people though, so I left. Next on the list was Emma Gorge. Once again very cool.

https://i.imgur.com/JCM0aMk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ngJS3lW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7t14Z60.jpg

I even saw a snake :shit:

https://i.imgur.com/USDlFz4.jpg

First one I've seen in the wild. I got back to the bike about 11, half dead from the heat and beetled back to my tent to recover, the rest of the day I just pottered around.
After living in the lap of luxury for a couple of nights it was time to hit the road again.

Pentecost river... time to drop some tyre pressures :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/0a6ZbgY.jpg

No dramas at all, It can be quite treacherous closer to the wet season.
I popped into Home station, before carrying on. It was just a case of keeping on keeping on, Hills, trees, sweeping vistas, rocks and corrugations. I made it to Ellenbrae station for the night, nice swimming hole. It was still blazing hot though. This 'lill tyke was just hopping across the path in the sun

https://i.imgur.com/QCb3XWu.jpg

The DR got put on firewood gathering duties

https://i.imgur.com/4JIfjcd.jpg

A quiet night was had, contemplating the stars and what it all means. I saddled up next morning with a plan to head up the Kalumburu rd and go see Mitchell falls. I'd heard through the grapevine that the road was in pretty bad shape, confirmed by a couple I was chatting to at the turnoff. I carried on though, the road into Drysdale station was pretty bad, heavily corrrugated, deep loose sand sometimes mixed with pea metal. I asked the dude who came out to fill my tank what it was like, hoping a report form someone who lives there would paint a better picture. His response..... "It's Fucked" And there's a group of riders ahead of you, one of them is here waiting for the RFDS to pick him up. But the road gets better from here to the turnoff. OK, I'll go that far then. I went past where the rider had fallen off and looking at the marks it wasn't hard to see what'd happened.
The road only got marginally better.... in places:crazy: The pic really doesn't do it justice

https://i.imgur.com/7h7jJzT.jpg

I got to the turnoff and made my way to a campground there. Another stunning evening

https://i.imgur.com/6jnkVzx.jpg

After a fitfull night, there was bats whizzing around and making a hell of a racket in the trees. I got up and went to check out some local falls on the King Edward river

https://i.imgur.com/Csbd1a8.jpg

The rocks were pretty cool

https://i.imgur.com/0pt7r6H.jpg

As were these holes, made by a smaller rock grinding it's way down when the river's in flood

https://i.imgur.com/RbeXFiO.jpg

I had a couple of swims as my clothes were getting pretty dusty by this stage, and checked out some local Indigenous art

https://i.imgur.com/rtgfhb6.jpg

I thought this rock was pretty cool, it just needed an eye

https://i.imgur.com/BLnPFAZ.jpg

Once again DR was turned into a pack mule for firewood.
I got away early next morning as I find it easier to pick my line when the sun is lower in the sky, before it becomes just monochrome dirt/sand/rock. At one stage I stopped to check on my chain and have a drink (water) and noticed my bag had moved, not surprising really, as the tent had jettisoned itself some where. I don't know how many times I've tied a load on the back over the years, and never lost anything. This road was different though. I started back tracking and had done about 10k's when a ute coming towards me stopped, I asked if he'd seen my house, he indicated the back of his ute. He'd found it about 30k's back. :woohoo:
Made it back to Drysdale for more gas, and find out another couple of riders required medical treatment. To be fair, when talking to other road users who'd seen them they were riding like dicks.

[JATZ]

The next 35k's from Drysdale were pure EVIL !! The sun was getting up, the sand/pea metal was thick and the corrugations were steeper and taller. I prevailed though:headbang: Back to the Gibb river/Kulumburu turn off and onward to Mt Barnett station, where I fueled up again. I could've stayed there but it involved a fee to camp and a park entry fee, I reckon I could do better. I found a spot on a ridge about 20k's down the road, no one else around and the price was right :niceone:
I did some route calculations over night and figured I'd best get back to the roadhouse for more fuel and chuck a few liters in the (fuel0 bladder, while I was there.

https://i.imgur.com/lmdK4Mq.jpg

I stopped at Galvins gorge on the way, another quite pretty spot, had the place to myself so took a quick dip :msn-wink: Got to the road house, fueled up and grabbed a decent coffee. While I was sipping away at that a couple of 4WD's came in, I thought they were going a bit quick. They pulled up at the bowser and a guy I assume was the owner came out and had a go at the speeders. Some bad words were said. The owner stalked off telling driver, he could pick up the nozzle all he liked, he wasn't getting served. The nearest other option was 80k's back the way they'd come or another 170k's to Drysdale. He was parked under a tree as I drove past. Don't know what happened there, but I'm confident he wouldn't speed into a roadhouse again.
Carrying on it was more of the same.... still pretty cool though, beats working :laugh: I made it Windjana gorge for the night.

https://i.imgur.com/Ok3VgJ9.jpg

Found a spot for my tent and went strolling

https://i.imgur.com/3VezTzk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TgnINSs.jpg

I took so many pics, but they don't fully capture it. It is one seriously cool spot. If you're ever in the hood I can recommend it. Just be carefull if you do decide you'd like a dip though

https://i.imgur.com/jPq6bjG.jpg

There's 4 crocs in that pic, and plenty more scattered around the place. Spent the evening with a couple from Perth, chatting about this 'n' that. They even gave me some salad to go with my curry, how cool is that ?
I packed up next morning and made my way to the next significant gorge. Sadly it was shut due to an unstable looking rock. Nevermind, a nice couple made me a proper coffee out of the back of their camper in the carpark while we discussed stuff.
I got back out on the main rd, aired up and beetled into Fitzroy Crossing for gas. I think the Maori girl in the shop was surprised to be greeted with a Kia Ora. Then it was just a slog along the h/way. Into Derby for some fresh meat and fuel/water. Past this prison Boab tree

https://i.imgur.com/EMGDUfG.jpg

And onto a free camp on the Fitzroy river.

https://i.imgur.com/JFg2qLS.jpg

Lamb curry for tea

https://i.imgur.com/BExLlzJ.jpg

It was recommended I keep the tent zipped up as there was a crock just on the other side of the river :eek:
Here's the view from my bed in the morning, not bad for cheap accommodation

https://i.imgur.com/OGgOPHM.jpg

I buzzed into Broome next morning, did some stuff, sorted out a possible camp for the next night or 2, picked up some food
and water for the next couple of days and hit the road. I didn't get far from the turnoff before this happened

https://i.imgur.com/FNg0RLV.jpg

That extra food and water made themselves known at this point. Luckily a passer by stopped and gave me a hand to get it upright. The "road" didn't get any better apparently. I put my tail between my legs and turned round. I found another place only a hundred k's or so away so set off. Found the turnoff..... the next one.... Oh Dear :facepalm:

https://i.imgur.com/I4peXyr.jpg

Nobody else around this time, and for the first time in my life I had to unload a bike to pick it up, oh the shame.
I got to my destination, grabbed a waaaay overpriced cabin and licked my wounds. I couldn't face the bike next day so just mooched around, wandering here, snuffling there, reading my new book and not taking many pics. I liked this one though

https://i.imgur.com/uGalk3W.jpg

Today.... I let some air out of the tyres :facepalm: and hit the track early, before the sand got to loose and churned up by 4wd's. And made my way back down to Broome and an AirBnB. Once again, not to many pics were taken, but I thought the colours were pretty cool in this one...

https://i.imgur.com/Pa28XDX.jpg


:wavey:

[F5 Dave]

Nice. .

[JATZ]

Update again.... Seeing as how I'm in a town and have decent cell, However, it's surprising where I can get enough cell to video call home.
I diddled around in Broome for a couple of days, looking at thisnthat, and I changed my flight to leave from Perth instead of Sydney, for obvious reasons.
There's Cable beach there.

https://i.imgur.com/auO1xOz.jpg

It seemed alright as far as beaches go, Some people rave about it. Of course I had to try and find the dinosaur footprints out at Gantheaum point, once again, another quite cool spot.

https://i.imgur.com/RWyyio9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YWO8GC8.jpg

I couldn't see any dinosaur footprints, apparently they're hard to spot if you don't know what your looking for. I did find this ancient bottle. I wonder how long it's been buried for :scratch:

https://i.imgur.com/0wNCi4k.jpg

and a pair of sunnies

https://i.imgur.com/NzakPlv.jpg

The pink would've clashed with my outfit so I left them for someone else.
I'd heard from several people about a bar called Matso's. It was supposed to be the place to go, so I went :yes: It was alright. I didn't stay long though.
I hung around a bit the next morning, actually had breakfast, and set off around lunch time. Stopped at Roebuck roadhouse for fuel and to introduce myself to this guy

https://i.imgur.com/F84REOl.jpg

Before beetling off South. I'd actually had a decent haircut in Broome and managed to scrape a couple of weeks growth of my face, Looking pretty sharp...:banana:

https://i.imgur.com/lMxEpoA.jpg

I didn't go far, only about 150 odd k's down the road to a free camp. One of the more unsociable ones I've visited.
Packed up the next morning..... again....:rolleyes: and made my way to Sandfire roadhouse

https://i.imgur.com/JlGxngF.jpg

The place was heaving with caravans, lined up waiting to get diesel

https://i.imgur.com/idMWG5D.jpg

You cant see the line behind me coming from the other direction, or all the other ones parked to the side. I rode right past the lot of them to the unleaded pump where there was no one :clap: Fueled up and with a belly full of giant sausage roll I carried on south. There really is not much to see between Roebuck and Port Hedland. A lot of nothing

https://i.imgur.com/Rm2qyq1.jpg

The meter + lizard sunning himself on the side of a termite mound was probably the highlight of that stretch. I got to the turnoff to my next port of call and indicated right. Out to a camp at Cape Keraudran, just West of Pardo roadhouse.

https://i.imgur.com/suK1bFw.jpg

[JATZ]

This post is coming to you live from a free camp about 100 k's from anywhere. Gotta love the Telstra cell coverage...:woohoo:

Cape K was a very cool spot. Water almost the same color as lake Pukaki, red rocks and stunning white sand. I got chatting to a guy from Tekapo there who works for Meridian energy, he's having his annual 6 month break and touring around WA. I set up and lounged around a bit, as you do, did some jawing with my other neighbors and went for a wander along the beach. Just as I was starting to cook tea, neighbor comes and tells me he's got some left over fish cakes if I'm keen. Took about 2 sec's to reply, and I was in his camper having an entre. They told me turtles and occies sometimes get caught in the rock pools as the tide goes out (it goes out a looooong way) even showed me some pics and vids. My entertainment was sorted for the a.m.
I got up early next morning, tide was waaaaaaay out, and went strolling. I walked for miles, looking here and looking there but I didn't see any turtles or occies. Lots of other stuff though

https://i.imgur.com/JncsN9e.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZzNaYo4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ebSPPkk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/G48OYTH.jpg

The rocks are pretty gnarly and some are covered in oysters, if you tripped over it would most certainly involve stitches.

https://i.imgur.com/HLvLKiM.jpg

I reckon these are turtle tracks, from a leeedle one

https://i.imgur.com/Zj3Txpm.jpg

But I could be wrong :scratch: I'd been for a long walk during the day up to the end of the point and reckoned I'd found a good spot to watch the sun go down, so I beetled up there at the appropriate time.
It was pretty cool, but some turkey parked a bike in the road

https://i.imgur.com/UKqohj5.jpg

Then it was back to camp to have a beer with left hand neighbor before heading over to right hand neighbor's for crumbed fresh blue thread and vege's with a glass of white. Sometimes life is great :woohoo:
I packed up next morning and made my way down to Port Hedland. The pics from that are still on the SD card in the phone. I'll transfer them at some stage and carry on with the tale.

[F5 Dave]

That's probably the best picture so far.

[JATZ]

That's probably the best picture so far.

Cheers. I'm trying to not post to many pics of rocks with bikes, roads with bikes and trees with bikes.
Sometimes there's not to many other options

[F5 Dave]

Well that's sunset over sea with the most attractive angle on that bike. It also conveys a story, a 'wish I was there now' emotion. I have a few of my own bike on tour that make me feel like that. For someone else's bike that's rare, especially, I think it's not cruel to suggest, a Utilitarian looking bike.

Well done.

[JATZ]

Couldn't help myself..... :bleh:

This ones got a bike... with road, trees, a rock and a bonus mountain :D

https://i.imgur.com/hPIBSKO.jpg

excuse the filthy lens. I did clean it after the fact

[eldog]

That red stuff gets into everything, dang hard to get rid off...

your posts :Punk:

[Toocs]

EXCELLENT pics and great commentary, Mr Jatz.

Bit curious about the place you mentioned as having been closed because of an "unstable rock". Bloody hope the bustard wasn't running around armed with loaded pebbles or anything.

[JATZ]

That red stuff gets into everything, dang hard to get rid off...

your posts :Punk:

I don't think I'll ever get it out of my jacket. Some items of clothing will just get binned if and when I get home.


EXCELLENT pics and great commentary, Mr Jatz.

Bit curious about the place you mentioned as having been closed because of an "unstable rock". Bloody hope the bustard wasn't running around armed with loaded pebbles or anything.

Tunnel creek or something, just down the road from Windjana gorge. I guess somebody looked at the offending rock and made a comment to Parks or who ever controls these things. Absolutely an, over reaction. But if it did fall and hadn't been closed.....

[JATZ]

Hairgamma.... thought I'd update this so y'all had something to read while stuck in lockdown

I packed up slowly at Cape K and wobbled out of the park, grabbed some gas at Pardoo road house and hit the road south :ride: There really wasn't much to see. I rolled into Port Hedland around lunchtime and started phoning around for somewhere to spend the night. After quite a few "No sorry we're full" responses I found a place. Just about had a coronary when I was told the price, but it is what it is. A nice place right on the beach. quite up market too, I could tell it was up market when I was greeted by this on my bed

https://i.imgur.com/UUiVmJu.jpg

I've never seen a towel presented like that before :cool: possibly won't again either. I didn't have the heart to use it so just shifted it onto the table.
Port Hedland was... well... an industrial town. Everything had an orange hue to it from the iron ore. Lots of trucks, massive trains, the mining company's have their own rail networks, largest in the world, and workers in hi vis going about their business. It was quite pretty in places, but there was no escaping the industry
Nice sunset, complete with clouds, haven't really seen clouds for a while :D

https://i.imgur.com/u78yHO7.jpg

I wandered along to the in house bar for a couple of ales and a feed, but I didn't stay long. Now here's something I've been ruminating on for a while... A few people have asked if I ever get lonely traveling by myself. I usually reply No, but it got me thinking. If I'm camped out somewhere with no one else around, I'm not lonely, just alone. I'll spend all day cruising around, looking at stuff, taking pictures, working out the next move, I'm not lonely, just alone. The times it is lonely is when you're in a crowd, on a tour, in a bar. Surrounded by groups of friends, couple's, families, all having a good time and interacting. Anyway... enough about that.
I didn't hang around town long. It was the sort of place I'm happy to leave. View from my deck in the a.m.

https://i.imgur.com/86MU8U8.jpg

There's up to 30 ships out there at any one time, waiting to come in and get full of iron ore. It's a bit hard to see in the pic, but there was a cloud of iron dust along the horizon, from the port, hence why everything had an orange colour.
Leaving town... there was a sculpturey type thing. Notice the truck behind it ?

https://i.imgur.com/1IYgTAC.jpg

They were everywhere. I had a few goes at getting that shot, trying to get the truck in the right spot. If it didn't come out, there'd be another truck along in a minuit or 2 so I could have another go.
I made my way down to a camp I'd seen on wikicamps. It was only just gone mid day, but I stopped anyway. Walked around on the pile of rocks there, excuse the dirty lens, I did clean later

https://i.imgur.com/wEdHz1B.jpg

looking for snakes, none found:(. Set my tarp up so I had somewhere to shelter from the sun and relaxed with a book. I set up camp in the evening and was just didling about, when my new neighbor came wandering over to make sure they hadn't set up to close, it was all good, they must've been a good 20m away. Turns out they'd just stocked up with groceries and would I like to come over for vege burgers later ? Of course I would, never had a vege burger before. It was pretty good too :yes: We even did a book swap as I'd finished mine and they thought it sounded interesting.
I don't think I'd stay there again, the road trains thundering past every 10/15 mins or so most of the night put me off a bit.
Packed up next morning and made my way further south to Karijini N.P. I was filling up when a guy started yakking to me, he recomended I take the road along the north of the park, to Hamersley gorge. it was dirt, corrugated but I should be fine on a bike. It sounded alright. despite the fact he was trying to get tyres fixed as he'd used the last of his 2 spares.
So I paid for my fuel, grabbed a couple of sammies and a chocolate milk and was sitting outside when there was an alighty BANG !! I think a little bit of milk came out my nose... Turns out the work ute just in front of where I was sitting had had a battery malfunction when the guy, Kevin, had started it. It had exploded with enough force to blow the top of the battery clean off. We got chatting and he recommended the road through the center of the park. More scenic. It was :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/aQqh5sc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8qiC5oG.jpg

I don't know what the other one was like, but this was pretty cool. I even snapped a pic of a bike with a tree a rock, a road, and a mountain. See previous post... I got to a shortcut to get me onto the northern road, aired down and made my way to a free camp just outside the park and Hamersley gorge

https://i.imgur.com/2M9owTg.jpg

It was a rocky spot. I had good cell on the ridge just behind camp too. Got some firewood together and settled in for the night. I had to have a look at this gorge in the morning. Was quite a climb down into it.

https://i.imgur.com/D3sME4Q.jpg

I can't decide which of these is better, so I'll bang them both here

https://i.imgur.com/2xBY6Um.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UOvJQ0H.jpg

Then it was just a slog back up to the carpark and make my way out to the highest town in WA. Tom Price. I went to the info center there and they could only suggest a couple of lookouts around town. I'd done Karijini and the mine tour was gone for the day, and wouldn't be another for 2 days. I asked about the road through to Panawonica (?) as I liked the sound of the name. I'd need a permit to drive on the Rio Tinto owned bit, and the road to Panawonica was pretty bad after the recent rain., but I could go right through to Karratha. So I watched the safety vid, donated a couple of bucks to the RFDS and had my permit.
I sat in the shade for a bit, stocked up on water, thought some more, and decided I couldn't be arsed riding ~300k's north to go to a town I didn't really want to go to (Karratha) then having to come back south again.
I rode up to a close lookout of the town

https://i.imgur.com/fmcsCPK.jpg

and headed the opposite direction, towards Parapurdoo. More gas, and I made my way west. There wasn't much in the way of recognized camps, so I made my own, a couple of hundred meters off the road, down a steep rocky bank and beside a dry creek. I would show you the camp pic, but it was a stealth camp and I don't want word getting out where it was, but it was here somewhere

https://i.imgur.com/b4kMDxl.jpg

[JATZ]

I lay around in the morning on my partially inflated mattress, (it developed a leak back on the Gibb rd and I haven't been able to track it down. It's good for about 4 hrs then needs re inflating. Might have to go back to the supplier and see about a warranty claim, it's only about 4 yrs old.) Googling and checking options for accom in/around Exmouth. My possible next port of call. everywhere I tried was booked out so I gave up and went with plan B. A little place called Onslow. Sorted that online and got up to make a brew and watch the ants start their day. there was a massive nest about 15m away. Fascinating :eek5:
Lifting up my tarp in the morning there was a massive spider under it, musta been 6 inches across , venom dripping from his fangs and an evil look in his eyes. Guess he's not a morning spider :angry:
I got back up the bank :niceone: out onto the road and towards Onslow. Some stunning scenery in the Pibarra region. I've said it before and I'll say it again. My pics don't do it justice.

https://i.imgur.com/KCNc87Y.jpg

even the panoramic ones look shite. It's an ancient landscape and the colours are next level. That rain I mentioned in the last post, well you could see evidence of it. Lots of flowers flowering and the smell was something else in places. Those people in their suv's/ 4WD's towing caravans with their comfy beds and fridges full of fresh food and cold beer wouldn't be getting the experience I was.

https://i.imgur.com/PnArqHu.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GFxhQee.jpg

I made it to Onslow and my swanky resort digs. It's a cool little town right on the coast. I like it, like it a lot. I've even extended my stay another night. I'll have a snuffle around and see if I see anything worth sharing.

[Moi]

Wow! That folded rock... fantastic. :shit:

And the wild flowers... don't rush as the wild flowers are spectacular.

Again, thanks for sharing.

[JATZ]

Soooo.....
I spent a couple of days in Onslow, snuffling round, checking out a few things.
There is an ANZAC memorial

https://i.imgur.com/LHLb5bP.jpg

and a bit of a walkway around the foreshore

https://i.imgur.com/zsfc29N.jpg

with some old relics

https://i.imgur.com/io8D3Bb.jpg

and this sculpture on the foreshore, I'm still none the wiser what the significance is :scratch: The real dog just happened to be there, it's not part of the instalation

https://i.imgur.com/toukXvn.jpg

I rode out of town, to where the old town used to be. They packed it up and moved it to it's current site when the river silted up and the wharf got damaged in a cyclone
Not much there these days, lots of notice boards telling you what was there
The Police station and Gaol are still standing. It was in the too hard basket to move stone buildings.
Goal

https://i.imgur.com/DTBVZEe.jpg

Note the broken bottles on top of the exercise yard, I guess you use what's at hand if you don't have razor wire

https://i.imgur.com/kl1e0dM.jpg

and one of the cells. Complete with iron ring in the floor for restraining inmates

https://i.imgur.com/3ujC1Nw.jpg

The Police station/Courthouse

https://i.imgur.com/4lOEiV4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9Wc26vx.jpg

And there's always a heap of old broken bottles at derelict town sites

https://i.imgur.com/7zP0PlJ.jpg

Then back into town to have a look round the museum. There's a massive collection of shells there, here's a small selection...

https://i.imgur.com/xrwwY0B.jpg

Feeling as though I'd done Onslow, I saddled up next day and headed south :ride:, down the old Onslow rd. Quite corrugated in place and lots of sand, and I only passed one other vehicle, going the other way.

https://i.imgur.com/bY811ag.jpg

I'd put an extra couple of liters of fuel in the bladder, just incase. When I got back to the main rd and went to air up I noticed the seam on the side of the bladder had parted, spewing fuel onto my tent :eek5: I still got a couple of liters out of it though. Then I just made my way to a campground on one of the stations, where I got a goldfish site.
Packed up next day and tootled of to Exmouth where there's a giant prawn

https://i.imgur.com/APZ3bQe.jpg

I got robbed here for some lunch. They wanted to charge me $50 for an unpowered site in the camp overflow, and were not entirely helpful at the info center. I got out of town. Very touristy and overcrowded :yawn: Still managed to take a couple of detours on the way out though

https://i.imgur.com/N5h8b9s.jpg

I buzzed South a bit. my planned overnight stop was full, the next couple had sign's stating they were full too. It was a bit of a detour to go and find out for sure. I spoke to a couple of couple's towing caravans who were searching for somewhere for the night too. They told me Coral bay was booked out as well.
So I left them to it and continued on. Checking down a few little side tracks, but all were gated and locked. There was no vegetation to hide behind for k's all around so I kept going, starting to panic :sweatdrop as it was getting late. I started to get into some taller trees/shrubs and eventually found a thicket to hide behind. Not far off the road, but totally hidden :niceone:

https://i.imgur.com/0qEchp1.jpg

Next tent is going to be camo or green :msn-wink:
So I got up late next day, packed up and headed off. I'd been told to get myself to a place called Quobba, it was quite something... cobba :D
There was a blowhole on the way

https://i.imgur.com/zYzSQf7.jpg

I spent ages trying to get a decent shot, but I was always looking the other way when it really went off.
What an absolutely stunning spot. :gob: Watching the Indian Ocean smashing itself to pieces on the reef and rocks

https://i.imgur.com/gJPX6E4.jpg

I booked into Quobba station for a night with the option to extend...

[JATZ]

Naturally.... being on the West Coast there was a sunset, so I'll bore you with another sunset shot

https://i.imgur.com/YELwpgJ.jpg

I must be getting a bit 'Strayinized, as I rode into town the next morning to pick up some food/water and see if I could get another rear tyre (I couldn't) It was only a 160k round trip and I thought nothing of it.
I got back out to Quobba, offloaded my groceries, paid for another night and went exploring.
More waves...

https://i.imgur.com/Z5o5w5c.jpg

Lots of tracks

https://i.imgur.com/YVtNi8U.jpg

Reef things to look at, down the bottom of cliffs

https://i.imgur.com/05s8mqm.jpg

Some interesting rock formations

https://i.imgur.com/AWwdZI6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iDxaJZq.jpg

and stunning views

https://i.imgur.com/B1XVSWO.jpg

Thats Rio Tinto's salt pile in the background. They've got quite a big operation there. I almost strayed onto one of their private haul roads when I got "lost" :laugh: in my exploring.
I finished the day with a gentle hoon back to camp along the main drag

https://i.imgur.com/ta8hWwb.jpg

and ended the day socializing :drinknsin with other campers.
I could've stayed another day there. I find the sound of the ocean peaceful, more so than the absolute silence of the outback, where you can hear a cricket fart 100m away.
But it was time to move on.
Heading South again...

https://i.imgur.com/rRL328C.jpg

Following the ribbon of seal, stretching away, arrow straight, in front of me.
I stayed at another roadhouse. it was packed with workers developing a mineral sand mine a bit further North. I only took one pic the whole day. the one above.
And the next... only one pic...

https://i.imgur.com/Dbe3azK.jpg

however... I did actually feel a couple of spots of rain, not a lot, but a couple. I haven't felt that since Cairns.
It started to feel a bit like home, except for the canola crops, heading through Northhampton. Rolling green hils and dodgy seal on the road. Making my way to Geraldton for a couple of nights, and a new rear tyre, which is desperately needed.
I think I'll head back north for a bit, check out Kalbarri, then go East.

:wavey:

[MrKiwi]

finally caught up with this thread, nice chatting last night.

[pete376403]

The dog sculpture -These custom designed statues are a replica of Gillie and Marc Art's Paparazzi Dogs and have been installed on the Onslow foreshore to capture the daily sunrise and Stairway to the Moon along Onslow’s Front Beach.
Shire of Ashburton President Kerry White said they are a symbol of the transformation of Onslow and celebration of the natural beauty surrounding our coastal community.

Mmmm okay
https://gillieandmarc.com/products/paparazzi-dogs-dumbo-brooklyn-new-york?fbclid=IwAR0DHTiA-il-rf5Y38XWdUzlZ53od2F64PPq7PgDBAc-cWpLLtHp1-vG2y0

[JATZ]

finally caught up with this thread, nice chatting last night.
Likewise MrK. It was quite random how the stars aligned and there was a zoom link posted.


The dog sculpture -These custom designed statues are a replica of Gillie and Marc Art's Paparazzi Dogs and have been installed on the Onslow foreshore to capture the daily sunrise and Stairway to the Moon along Onslow’s Front Beach.
Shire of Ashburton President Kerry White said they are a symbol of the transformation of Onslow and celebration of the natural beauty surrounding our coastal community.

Mmmm okay
https://gillieandmarc.com/products/paparazzi-dogs-dumbo-brooklyn-new-york?fbclid=IwAR0DHTiA-il-rf5Y38XWdUzlZ53od2F64PPq7PgDBAc-cWpLLtHp1-vG2y0

Thanks Pete, I figured it would have something to do with the sunrise or stairway to the moon. Your research is appreciated, simply because I'm to lazy to do it :lol:

[JATZ]

So I spent a couple of nights in Geraldton, where I arguably had the best steak I've ever eaten, cooked to perfection. However, I was ravenous so this is the only foodie shot I got

https://i.imgur.com/8MkBLwe.jpg

:done:
I mucked about, looking at this and checking out that...

https://i.imgur.com/Gw9ttIk.jpg

Part of the memorial to the loss of the HMAS Sydney. All lives were lost. Sad.
There wasn't to much other photogenic stuff, so I'll leave it at that.
Then set off back North to have a look at Kalbarri. Stopping here and there to look at stuff. Like the Pink Lake at Gregory

https://i.imgur.com/1VGlnm8.jpg

It's Keratin gives it that colour, donchaknow :whistle:

https://i.imgur.com/oeE6yBY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zzEYsvZ.jpg

A slight resemblance

https://i.imgur.com/SZmiIG2.jpg

I got into the small settlement and grabbed a coffee, which took 20 mins to arrive. It seems everywhere is snowed under with visitors.
Nice wee town though. It got hit by a cyclone a couple of months ago and the damage was still quite evident.

https://i.imgur.com/Sam49Z4.jpg

So I finished my coffee and made my way into Kalbarri N.P. It was worth the $12 (?) entry just for the corners on the road in :ride: They have these skywalk things jutting out over a gorge

https://i.imgur.com/nuYFvbt.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8xz7lcP.jpg

and some pretty lifelike sculptures

https://i.imgur.com/Mk4nOz3.jpg

Pretty cool :niceone:
Then I picked a campsite of WikiCamps and made my way to Fig Tree Crossing, where I happened to get involved with a zoom call back to N.Z.
So just as I was finishing packing up in the a.m. this guy sidles over and we get chatting. He recommends a route, based on my rough direction of travel. "Go down this track, just after this bridge" he said.
Some quite big country I rode through getting to the bridge.

https://i.imgur.com/b3Xowft.jpg

I took the left... and it ended in three dead end 4wd tracks :facepalm: There was a picturesque little pool though

https://i.imgur.com/HqrNSsi.jpg

I should've known.... "Naah, it's not sandy, you'll be fine" he said... for the next bit

https://i.imgur.com/auMHi3S.jpg

I consulted the Garmin, and it only looked like a few, or more k's so didn't bother letting the tires down.
I made it to the main drag and set a course for a place called Coalseam, which I'd heard about, something to do with wild flowers.
I'm not normally a flower guy, but this was pretty cool

https://i.imgur.com/2YdxwAq.jpg

The valley was awash with flowers. It was pretty stunning

https://i.imgur.com/IL8kL3s.jpg

I made my way back out to Mullewa, for supplies and found another WikiCamp. Was pretty cool, bush camping, with the sun going down, and wee taoscán a fire and some chick singing somewhere else in the scrub, she had a good voice too :yes: Perfect.
I planned to get to Mount Magnet the next day, just a transit leg, there's not much to see. This is the sole pic I took, on a piss stop.

https://i.imgur.com/RsVLZPL.jpg

I got to Mt Magnet, nice little mining town and couldn't find accom anywhere. It was busy with workers. One provider I spoke to had 5 units booked and paid for by a mining company, however they had only used 1 for the last 2 nights. But he couldn't double let the units. I got gas and buggered off. About 10k down the road, down a little side road a bit, then along a couple of wheel tracks for a while

https://i.imgur.com/Ckd5u2K.jpg

Found a spot amongst some trees and settled in. No fire as I could still see trucks on the road. Gotta be stealthy.
Carried on next day towards Sandstone.

https://i.imgur.com/oWeNNJv.jpg

That's a looooooong truck :gob: The last trailer can be quite random in it's travels, pays to keep clear when over taking. So I got to Sandstone

https://i.imgur.com/9n5r6H1.jpg

and was having some trouble with the fuel bowser. It was card only and wouldn't accept my Kiwibank card. There was a nice lady taking a walking tour of the town who saw I was having trouble and came over for a look. She used her own personal card before continuing on with her tour. I caught up with her later to give her the cash. Things like this almost restore my faith in humanity.
I left Sandstone and made my way to Leinster, but not before I'd checked out London Bridge, or the local variation anyway...

https://i.imgur.com/jDHDx4Z.jpg

I'd seen the sign and had gone a couple of k down the road before I won the debate with myself and decided to turn around and go check it out. After all, who knows if I'll be back this way... :scratch:
So I got to Leinster, fueled up... and had to get my reserve cc out from it's hiding spot to do it, before hitting the road South. I found another wild camp behind a rest area, opposite the Thunderbox mine. A fire was had that night :yes:
They know how to shift a bit of dirt in these parts. The mine worked 24hrs a day so I had a low background noise for my stay, hardly noticeable

https://i.imgur.com/oTdcITg.jpg

That big pile of dirt had flood lights on top of it, which lit up the trees around camp, so I didn't need a torch when venturing out of the tent at night.

[JATZ]

I wasn't in hurry in the a.m. so spent a bit of time googling and ringing to get some digs for the night. Kalgoorlie was packed, so it seemed, so I ended up in Coolgardie. Not a bad choice as it's turned out :yes:
I stopped in Leonora for a breakfast.... at a servo :facepalm: and carried on. By the time I'd made it to Menzies I was feeling quite ill so stopped to grab some water. Strange/dead little town. I eventually found a shop, in a back corner of an old pub. They are trying to get people to stop for a bit, there was quite a few of these sheet steel sculptures around, describing various things from history...

https://i.imgur.com/UPs4zUY.jpg

I chatted to the Indian who owned the store. He also owned the rest of the building and was trying to do it up, get it going again. Unfortunately it was a loosing battle, the heavy trucks going past 24/7 weren't doing the building any favors.
I still had a ways to go, so carried on... lots of this...

https://i.imgur.com/RkiaJSZ.jpg

With the odd little random thing to see road side

https://i.imgur.com/hz4ph3Y.jpg

I cruised through Kalgoorlie and made it to my oasis in Coolgardie. Absolutely exhausted from battling a side/head wind all day and broken sleep for a few nights.
If'n your lucky I'll post up some pics of the super pit tomorrow. I had a look today from the view point. Seriously impressive. And managed to score a spot on a tour in the p.m tomorrow

:wavey:

[JATZ]

S'pose I'd best catch you all up....

I mucked around most of the day, just filling in time. Found a book swap place and got a new book :yes: before embarking on the mine tour.
It's pretty impressive, that super pit. The machinery is next level BIG ! and the quantity of stuff they shift is mind boggling :crazy:
Digger bucket, with a helmet for comparison

https://i.imgur.com/lQxtayE.jpg

Some info on it...

https://i.imgur.com/bnVQvhp.jpg

This is the view from the lookout

https://i.imgur.com/E9jQK9Q.jpg

Once again, the pic is just not giving the right scale of the place.:brick: And another view, looking across the other side.

https://i.imgur.com/lo2a3MZ.jpg

We had a look around the "bone yard" where old machinery goes at the end of it's life

https://i.imgur.com/LgP4vdc.jpg

metal fatigue on the trays means they're past their usefulness. They get cut up and recycled.
The digger gets canibalized (?) for spare parts

https://i.imgur.com/LUY01oS.jpg

Here's a digger working in the pit. I had to use max zooom

https://i.imgur.com/01w3mpI.jpg

and a couple of trucks. They can carry up to 273 ton per load :eek5:

https://i.imgur.com/8xR3D0U.jpg

The tour was well worth hanging around for.
Then i made my way back to Cool-g for the night. I wobbled back into Kal-g again next day, had a look at a lookout, where the water pipe from Perth ends, and wandered into the museum. They've got a vault there, with $4.5 mill of gold in it :blink:
Here's a wee bit of it...

https://i.imgur.com/MsmB8bf.jpg

Would be nice to just slip it into a pocket and exit, looking like this guy -->:whistle:
So I's all packed up and ready to roll, about mid day... heading South. I only got as far as about 30k north of Norseman and found a nice little bush camp off the main rd. Found some firewood, set up and settled in. Under surveillance from a local

https://i.imgur.com/9nQLlpd.jpg

For the first time this trip I actually woke up cold in the night:eek5: so I had to kick the fire into life when I got up. Of course that made it an even later start.
Fuelled up in Norseman, and continued on. I didn't even stop to get a pick of the camels on the roundabout. I just wanted to keep moving. Besides.... there's not really a lot to snap on the way. Except this small lakeette. I'm sure it was a dry salt lake last time :scratch:

https://i.imgur.com/pgmHIDO.jpg

So I got into Esperance, found a bed for the night and relaxed.

[JATZ]

In the A.M. I grabbed couple of lures (I 'd picked up a telescopic fishing rod and reel in Kal) and some local knowledge and headed out to Cape LeGrand N.P. for a night. Real nice spot too :yes:
On the way that Garmin skank tried sending me down here...

https://i.imgur.com/lHJayPG.jpg


I should've known when there was a "No Thoroughfare" sign at the turnoff. I spotted the boggy swamp in the gully before I was committed and made a U turn :sweatdrop
I set up camp.... once again, under surveillance by a resident

https://i.imgur.com/ekqumWk.jpg

and went hunting for somewhere to try out the fishing rod, unsuccessfully. I wasn't game to try clambering along here

https://i.imgur.com/hYOndYt.jpg

It just looked super slippery and there was quite a swell running. I rode along to a different beach and tried my luck, but only succeeded in losing a lure. The swell meant I had to stand well back from the edge which made retrieval problematic with all the oysters and barnacles;) Nevermind back to camp to enjoy happy hour with some fellow campers, where I found out I could stay a second night on someone else's ticket. Even got dinner supplied by a couple of girls staying there. # winning @ Cape LeGrand :D
I wandered up the hill next to the campground in the morning, to take in the sights

https://i.imgur.com/L2KlVRE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vHfpeGw.jpg

Mindful of snakes :eek5: there'd been a couple of nasty ones hanging around the campsite.
Then buggered of to have a look at some other stuff.
I found some artwork on a rock.

https://i.imgur.com/UBTpdUo.jpg

a lizzard

https://i.imgur.com/IurFYBW.jpg

who didn't want to get off the road. I was only trying to preserve his little lizzard life :yes: In the finish I left the angry little thing to take his chances. Popped out to Lucky bay

https://i.imgur.com/ylzF082.jpg

and swung by Thistle bay for another crack at the fishing.
Success !!!

https://i.imgur.com/53K2w3h.jpg

I know it's only leeedle, but it's a start, and I've never caught a yellow tailed pike before :2thumbsup Don't worry... I threw it back.
There was still quite a swell coming in... Apparently they lose a few fisher folk off these rocks every year. It's not a place I'd like to be swept off by a rogue wave. They even have life buoys at popular spots and a few of these rings, so you can tie yourself on before fishing.

https://i.imgur.com/MlIeyjC.jpg

Back to camp at the end of the day for a communal sausage sizzle and refreshments.
I packed up next morning and made my way back to Esperance, for a couple of nights. Better charge some stuff up, maybe grab some food/water, have a snuffle and plan the next move...


:wavey:

[Laava]

Awesome write ups mate! You are living the dream!

[pete376403]

No pics of the girls at cape LeGrand?

[JATZ]

Awesome write ups mate! You are living the dream!Yeah, it's alright....

Until this, the other day...
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210912/d70d5ff0f9763d4a3fc7c6d4bb506441.jpg

I'm picking I'll need to email Santa my new WA address

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[JATZ]

No pics of the girls at cape LeGrand?Sorry, no pics


Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[JATZ]

I muddled around Esperance for a bit. Nice spot. Good fish (Nanniguy(?)) and chips, I even had a dinner guest for my picnic on the sea shore

https://i.imgur.com/rcOVaO5.jpg

I had a ride along the coast for a bit, stopping at several viewing points

https://i.imgur.com/9KrbgFA.jpg

and went to have a look at the pink lake

https://i.imgur.com/5jinBq0.jpg

which was a major disappointment :weep: Once upon a time it was quite pink apparently.
Feeling let down I wobbled back to town :ride: grabbed some lunch and then did the museum thing. Some of you will be old enough to remember Skylab. for those of you not able to, it was a space station thing that fell out of the sky, back in the late 70's. Looked like this...

https://i.imgur.com/B0Ngefi.jpg

It just so happens to have scattered itself around SW oztralia. I'd seen a small piece years ago at Belladonia roadhouse, but this collection of space junk was waaaaay better

https://i.imgur.com/it4NfiW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oAVMeRK.jpg

Pretty cool right ? There was heaps of stuff in the other sections of the museum, so much it was almost overload.
I spent another night in Esperance, before making my way along the coast to a little spot called Starvation Boat Harbor. Along some beautifully un corrugated dirt roads :2thumbsup
Set up camp and settled in with a spot of fishing. Only got a handfull of herrings :o

https://i.imgur.com/0GWvA9Z.jpg

I had a bit of a walk around the foreshore next day, taking the rod for a walk, and to try find something interesting.
Rocks ?

https://i.imgur.com/RFBuvO4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4wdhYbi.jpg

Sea...

https://i.imgur.com/Xumg5YV.jpg

Maybe a dead tree ?

https://i.imgur.com/eUcXz32.jpg

Or where some sea creature had been cruising around in a rock pool

https://i.imgur.com/qdMC6fr.jpg

Managed to pull a few more of these from the depths :facepalm:

https://i.imgur.com/xivyvfn.jpg

After another night there, I threw my stuff on the bike again and headed along the coast, once again stopping at a few view points. I got into a place called Hopetoun and pulled up at a bakery. Now I've posted this pic elsewhere, but I'll stick it here too :yes:
It is arguably theeeee best pie I've ever eaten. The "Ned Kelly"

https://i.imgur.com/9pNbn9e.jpg

Steak, Bacon, Cheese and Egg. No sauce required :headbang:
I noodled around Hopetoun for a bit, not really in any hurry. Before making my way up to Ravensthorpe, past a giant watering can.

https://i.imgur.com/nE2KAfV.jpg

I seriously needed to get some supplies, I was down to 1 packet of noodles and a muesli bar.
Y'know... I didn't get the camera/phone out once for the rest of the day, not even to get a pic of the giant lollipop, or even most of the next. But I camped a bit North of Ravensthorpe, had a pitiful fire and left the next day, not even bothering to see the wildflower festival, or attend any of the weeks events.

[JATZ]

I'd planned out a route to my next port of call, just outside Bremer bay, through the Fitzgerald N.P. I got to the start of the dirt road, let some air out of the tires, as there was about 90k of dirt road and they've had a bit of rain here abouts

https://i.imgur.com/BGK9zd1.jpg

I only got about 5k in when I was stopped in my tracks :shit:

https://i.imgur.com/gGaAesv.jpg

It seems, when it rains they shut the road so the dieback isn't spread. Would be nice if they'd put a sign at the beginning of the road :mad: Nevermind, back to the main drag and put the air back in the tires. I got to my spot, eventually and set up. It was an unusually cold night that one, couldn't even have a fire :mad:
Packed up.....again..... next day and shot into Bremer bay for a look and some breakfast.

https://i.imgur.com/qW8J2UH.jpg

Before making my way to Albany. WA's oldest town. Once again there wasn't anything of note, just making the miles.... however I did snap a pic of this blue tree.

https://i.imgur.com/HxWHeLC.jpg

I've seen quite a few during my travels. I'll do some research about what it all means after I've finished here :yes:
Spent today snuffling around here, checking out "The Gap" where you stand on a platform hanging out over a cleft in the rocks. I had to satisfy myself it was safe before venturing onto it.

https://i.imgur.com/v99W94W.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QTtjJ31.jpg

It seemed ok :blink:

https://i.imgur.com/BxMcL1e.jpg

If I remember I'll chuck a video of it up here later. Done...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WJ5QI3WthmI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I had a look at a natural rock bridge

https://i.imgur.com/iwiIFNG.jpg

went up a hill, and out to a historic whaling station. Also checked out a wind farm...

https://i.imgur.com/S4BP2V3.jpg

Before making my way back to town, where I went aboard a replica of the brig Amity. The ship that bought the first settlers/convicts to Albany

https://i.imgur.com/CldMMnt.jpg

that's the living quarters. Seriously cramped :shit: headroom would only be 4 1/2 ft. t was a bit awkward for a 6'2 frame to be mooving around in I don't imagine life would be to plush on the voyage.
Cool ship though

https://i.imgur.com/Tu1vCp1.jpg

Next was the old town Gaol. More glass topped walls

https://i.imgur.com/gV6qbPf.jpg

It dawned on me, they must've drunk a power of piss back in the day. Maybe that's how they coped with the sea voyage :confused:
Couple of inmates....

https://i.imgur.com/fv5AFfs.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3WPrngc.jpg

And, I think the face of the chick says it all, about being locked up back in the 1800's or maybe she'd been at the Opium :blink:
Another interesting place :yes:

More later....

:wavey:

[JATZ]

That didn't take long.....

Why are trees painted blue in WA?
Image result for blue painted trees WA
The Blue Tree Project began in Western Australia and encourages people to choose a dead tree that needs a "blue lease on life" and paint it in memory of a friend who lost their life to depression or had battled the illness.

https://www.bluetreeproject.com.au/

A very very worthy cause. I'll look at them a bit differently now.

[Racing Dave]

My brother lives in Beaudesert (Qld) and there's a blue tree on the outskirts there. Very poignant.

[Racing Dave]

Here's the Beaudesert Blue Tree.

[JATZ]

Here's the Beaudesert Blue Tree.

They are quite striking. I'm glad I found out what it's all about now.

[JATZ]

S'pose I'd best wrap this up...

I spent a bit more time in Albany, I'd been hankering after Lasagna for some strange reason and found a nice wee Italian place. It was alright, but I think I can do better :shutup: Limited to 1 glass of red as I didn't want to risk being stopped. Last time it was a chick cop and I used my boyish good looks and irresistible charm to escape, not sure that would work here...
I poked about the town next morning, it was raining of'n'on and blowing a gale so I didn't go to far. I did pop up to the ANZAC memorial/museum thing. It's quite a big deal in Albany as that's where the troop ships mustered before setting off for WW1. I didn't take many pics, I was to busy reading and taking it all in
This one is in the room that shows where the ships were in the harbor

https://i.imgur.com/UQx5GtD.jpg

When you enter you're invited to grab a card, on that card is a picture of a soldier and his/her name. At various stations you can put the card on a reader and info will appear on a screen, telling you about the soul on your card.
Here is my card's info

https://i.imgur.com/ktoE5DX.jpg

A punter from Whakataki in the Wairarapa. What are the chances of getting a soldier from NZ. He had an interesting time, going to Gallipoli, fighting, being sentenced to death for desertion, being given a reprieve and sent back to the battle, where he was killed.
I can recommend a visit if you're ever in the hood, a very worthwhile and humbling experience.

Lest we forget.

On a brighter note..... here's some wildlife :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/8kbUwd8.jpg

The weather was still crap so I had another night in Albany before moving on... a massive 85k's to Parry beach camp. While seeing the camp hosts, paying the fee, my bike got blown of it's side stand :shit: at least there was someone to help right it.
I scored a spot down the back next to a shelter and the showers :Punk: on the recommendation of the hosts. It was mint.
didn't take to many pics while I was there, here's the driveway :facepalm:

https://i.imgur.com/KBAM6fK.jpg
I wandered around next morning with the fishing rod, without any luck, and booked some accom for the night of the 19th, cause I could get internets out on the point . Afternoon was tent time, reading a book about a trainee Jackaroo, not a bad read, more wind and rain :blink:, glad I'd banged an extra couple of pegs into the ground.
I packed up next morning and headed for Pemberton....

[JATZ]

I made it to Pemberton without incident and found my diggs for the night, funnily enough the same place I'd stayed at last time, about 10 yrs ago, I'm still a cheap c#*t :shutup: It was much the same, still run down :facepalm:
Grabbed a burger in town ('kin Yumm) and retired to the room. Where I spent the evening cruising websites, making notes on flight numbers and days/dates from all available departures in Oz. I even checked out flights through other countries with arrival dates that might line up.
Reason being.... there was going to be a MIQ room release the next day. I've been checking the MIQ website almost daily, since the bubble burst, looking for spots but with the pause and everything it was a lost cause, so I wanted to be prepared :done:
I duly got up next morning at 3:30am, made sure everything was working through the cell, no WiFi in my room. and entered the "lobby" then got my spot in the "Que" #865
While waiting I was flicking back to a Facebook group and I could see tens of thousands of people behind me.
Anyhooooo.... I got a shot at getting a spot, consulted my list of options and picked one that suited :wings: Flicked over to Air NZ and grabbed a flight and returned to MIQ to finalize it.....:done:
GODDAM it was tense. You've probably all seen the news items about those who missed out. While the system worked for me, it is definitely broken. It should be so much better considering how long the Government has had to streamline it. It should be sooooo much easier.

I could go on..... but.....

I tried to get back to sleep after the event, but was to amped about getting a spot, and full of guilt for taking one from someone else who may have been waiting for months and months for one, or had sick or dying family/relatives.
The whole process was quite an eye opener, and I think I'm a better person for it.

Normal programming will resume next post... :corn:

[JATZ]

So with no chance of any shuteye I loaded the bike, dropped of my key and hit the road, briefly. Only a couple of k's out of town is a tree. It's a lookout tree :yes: I had noted it last trip but the stars didn't align, so I made sure to visit it this time. It looked a bit sketchy to me :blink:

https://i.imgur.com/E862O8P.jpg

Steel rods, bashed into the trunk, which you use to get to a viewing platform about 5 miles up . 10 yrs ago I would've made the climb, but on this day I declined :facepalm:
So I went for a nice elderly walk through the trees

https://i.imgur.com/agWMwiH.jpg

then rode back to town...

https://i.imgur.com/NIfX48m.jpg

Where I felt I'd earn't a decent breakfast

https://i.imgur.com/5rV7SLP.jpg

Once again..... 'kin Yummmm
I didn't get a good vibe from Pemberton last time, but I was warming to the place :yes:
After that I made my way to Augusta. took a couple of back roads and got there in time to score another cheap room. I couldn't be arsed setting up camp. It'd been a long day and I was worn out.
After a good nights sleep I packed up again and headed down to the light house

https://i.imgur.com/kKiOuHg.jpg

Once again I was to early to get in. so I had another look at the water wheel that pumped water to the light house during construction

https://i.imgur.com/86u5fce.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9kb0M9s.jpg

Then I just wobbled my way north. not really stopping for pics. Popped up to Cape Naturaliste. Bustled through Bussleton, only stopping for groceries, gave the pier a miss this trip and headed for a free camp inland at a spot called Glen Mervyn dam

https://i.imgur.com/Hb9AlCf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EJOy2MN.jpg

Wikicamps sortof said NO FIRES !! but someone had left a pile of wood there, so what's a fellah to do....:o

https://i.imgur.com/vlhCFHX.jpg

Gave me something to do waiting for the moon to come up and it kept any mozzies at bay.
I slowly packed up next morning. I just felt like lingering there. and made my way north some more, through some small towns and locality's, and made my way to Taopin weir

https://i.imgur.com/8vDt7bf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NkEgYhN.jpg

I found a spot of ground suitable for a tent and set up. Knowing this would be my last night under nylon for a bit.
No fire and the mozzies from the dam were relentless so I turned in early.
Once again I packed up at a leisurely pace :yawn: and made my way to Perth. Only stopping at York for a brekky burger (NZ really needs to adopt those :yes: ) and a call to my Air BnB host to let her know I was on my way...
The following day was D-day ( D being drop off)
I found my way to the drop zone, and met the owner of the hire company. Nice guy.
Now... I never felt like I'd "bonded" with the farm bike, but there was almost a tear as I opened the gate to drop it off. It may be undersprung, under powered, ill fitting and lacking decent brakes and 6th gear but it had carried my fat arse and all my gear for 20k+ k's and never missed a beat, would always start when I pushed the button and had always been a constant over the past 3+ months.
Would I own one ? Depends.... But probably not.
Aaaanyhoooo.... Mark from https://www.bikeroundoz.com/ (look them up if you're thinking of heading this way) dropped me at the airport so I could pick up this

https://i.imgur.com/hyMi5F1.jpg

crappy pic, I know :facepalm: so I can hang out till my flight in a few weeks.
Not sure what I'll do now. I've turned down an irrigation install job already, so I can check out some things I missed.....but who knows??? Might just take that job....


:wavey:

[F5 Dave]

Wow, lucky with the miq, real lucky by the sounds.

Trip near the end but what a trip. Thanks for sharing so we can live vicariously. And no doubt you can skip through in a few months time to rekindle memories.

Cheers dude.

[Moi]

As F5 Dave said, Thanks for taking us along on your trip, vicariously of course.

Had a short stay in WA a few years ago, mainly to catch up with a friend who now lives in York - it's a pretty wee town. One day, hopefully, will be able to get back and see some more.

Cheers.

[RedKLR650]

Hi Jatz,
It's been many years since I posted on here but I still lurk and keep up with some of the adventure being had.....
( Yes, I still ride and yes, still the trusty Red KLR 650 )
Pleased to see you've managed a space in MIQ and will soon be winging your way home
I'm not quite sure what your field of expertise was/is but you mention irrigation work
A couple of weeks ago we had some extreme winds on the Canterbury Plains and a whole lot of irrigators are currently on their backs awaiting repair ( and parts probably - due to supply issues )
So there's plenty of work in Canty when you get out of MIQ :-)
By the way, from someone who's been a fulltime photographer for the last 34 years, I must say, you have some EXCEPTIONAL imagery on your blog, you should look at putting some of it up for stock and perhaps earning a $$ or 2 to fund the next trip
Look me up upon your return, it's bike riding weather here again.....
Cheers, Stu
0274 342 372
www.photographs.co.nz

[JATZ]

Wow, lucky with the miq, real lucky by the sounds.

Trip near the end but what a trip. Thanks for sharing so we can live vicariously. And no doubt you can skip through in a few months time to rekindle memories.

Cheers dude.

Cheers.
I consider myself very very lucky to have got a spot, ahead of others waaaaay more deserving.
The whole thing had consumed me for about a week or more before hand, lord knows what people who have been living with it for months go through.
And yeah... I'll skip back through once the dust has settled :niceone:


As F5 Dave said, Thanks for taking us along on your trip, vicariously of course.

Had a short stay in WA a few years ago, mainly to catch up with a friend who now lives in York - it's a pretty wee town. One day, hopefully, will be able to get back and see some more.

Cheers.

No worries Moi. glad you enjoyed it.
You're right, York is a pretty town, as is much of SW WA. We just blasted through it last time hence the reason I wanted to slow down a bit and savor it this time. Still a couple of things I want to see though :yes:

[JATZ]

Hi Jatz,
It's been many years since I posted on here but I still lurk and keep up with some of the adventure being had.....
( Yes, I still ride and yes, still the trusty Red KLR 650 )
Pleased to see you've managed a space in MIQ and will soon be winging your way home
I'm not quite sure what your field of expertise was/is but you mention irrigation work
A couple of weeks ago we had some extreme winds on the Canterbury Plains and a whole lot of irrigators are currently on their backs awaiting repair ( and parts probably - due to supply issues )
So there's plenty of work in Canty when you get out of MIQ :-)
By the way, from someone who's been a fulltime photographer for the last 34 years, I must say, you have some EXCEPTIONAL imagery on your blog, you should look at putting some of it up for stock and perhaps earning a $$ or 2 to fund the next trip
Look me up upon your return, it's bike riding weather here again.....
Cheers, Stu
0274 342 372
www.photographs.co.nz

G'day Stu. Funny who turns up, out of the woodwork...
Isn't about time you retired that old Kawasaki dinosaur ? Surely a museum would like it for an exhibit :girlfight:
Re. the center pivots. If they're on dairy farms on the Canterbury Plains, I'm not interested, on principle :argue:
I looked up stock photos after you mentioned it. Seems like a bit of mucking around for not much return. I'll give it a miss. They're public photos, if someone wants to use them, it's fine by me. If they made good coin from doing so I'd hope they'd share.
Thanks for the compliment re some of the pics, coming from a professional that's quite a compliment :2thumbsup

[Laava]

Thanks for the pics mate. Where you going next? Haha!

[Calix Lee]

The photos on this thread look so cool. It seems like everyone is having fun and they get to see great things along the way.

[JATZ]

Thanks for the pics mate. Where you going next? Haha!

I've maybe got something lined up. Not fully confirmed yet though. However I've had discussions with Vancouver, and the Strom has been given a run in preparation.... nek year :psst:


The photos on this thread look so cool. It seems like everyone is having fun and they get to see great things along the way.

Yeah, there's a few bods out and about enjoying life.

[JATZ]

I've cleared my schedule so I can wrap this up...

I generally just mooched around Perth for a few days. trying to find things to keep me occupied, and getting a routine going. Checking out some parks... some with wildlife, like Koala bears

https://i.imgur.com/tYL09WO.jpg

A reptile park, where I had my hands on snake experience. No pic though :bleh: Lots of snakes and lizards
This little beggar wouldn't put on a show for me.

https://i.imgur.com/o0KKq5d.jpg

And a Dingo. I sooooo wanted to give him a fuss

https://i.imgur.com/c0ki0mb.jpg

When I was getting the new tyre in Geraldton the guy at the shop recommended a place called New Norcia to check out. I went the other way after I left Geraldton so missed it. It was only a day trip from Perth so I went for a look.
It is a very cool place. Very tranquil

https://i.imgur.com/YZjBI15.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uYMqfWx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZFpbpGE.jpg

The town is a Benedictine community. Wiki link >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Norcia,_Western_Australia
worth the drive, and the toasted sammy was pretty good too :yes:
I was getting a mite sick of the city by this stage, so threw some gear in the appliance and took of east, back through York.

https://i.imgur.com/JdN4YzP.jpg

I love these old brick buildings.

through some other small towns and locality's. I'd seen this little church when I'd been making my way to Perth on the bike, so stopped this time. There is pretty much nothing around it, quite random really

https://i.imgur.com/Ki1L4z3.jpg

Past the rabbit proof fence

https://i.imgur.com/CQemWJY.jpg

Through Corrigin, a town that holds the record for the most dogs in utes. From Google...
"10 years ago Corrigin WA took the world record of the most dogs in utes from Victoria. Corrigin still holds the record with it's total of 1527 set during the 2002 event." and they don't want you forget...

https://i.imgur.com/Cbuq29r.jpg

I stopped at the Corrigin Dog cemetery. Quite moving. You get a sense of what "mans best friend" means to some people.

https://i.imgur.com/EXGs8Qw.jpg

And made my way out to Hyden. Wiki camps wasn't coming up with anything suitable in the area, and trying to find a stealth camp was to much like hard work, so I grabbed a room at the inn, and made my way out to Hyden rock. Also called Wave Rock

https://i.imgur.com/QR4Kexz.jpg

I wandered around on top of the rock for a bit

https://i.imgur.com/WNdkTfy.jpg

There's a reservoir there and they've built these walls along one side to channel the run off into the dam

https://i.imgur.com/0rZNUCO.jpg

I gave Hippo's yawn a miss as it was getting on, so headed back to town and a smorgasboard at the inn. It was not what I expected, the place was punching well above it's weight with the food.:2thumbsup and went to bed with a tooo full belly :D
Next morning I cruised out to check out the Hippo's yawn, another rock formation

https://i.imgur.com/g0ene4m.jpg

Then beetled off to have a look at Mulkas cave. There's a bit of an Aboriginal legend about the place. I'll leave yous to take a look If interested

https://i.imgur.com/QDkLwad.jpg

Then I just noodled my way back to Perth.

[JATZ]

More muckin about in Perth followed. I tried to get out every day to check something out and go for a wander.
Cape Peron....

https://i.imgur.com/bzRGnXm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qOYKPJH.jpg

Out to Hillarys Boat harbour

https://i.imgur.com/0KY70gF.jpg

I couldn't find a park anywhere so gave the aquarium a miss this trip. I did go back though, quite a cool place

https://i.imgur.com/o0MdhxT.jpg

there is a fish here...

https://i.imgur.com/ilFHdTH.jpg

there was a couple of large groups of excitable primary kids there so you can imagine the noise in a confined space:eek5:
I gave the zoo a miss too, much as I would've like to see the new baby giraffes there was long lines to get in and more school groups. God I'm sounding like an intolerant grumpy old goat :facepalm:
Took a trip north to have a look at the Pinnacles desert... another cool spot

https://i.imgur.com/C2CrJPf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RYBrKQl.jpg

Here's a random sculpture near where I was stayin. Just thought I'd chuck it in here.

https://i.imgur.com/eQXiwv8.jpg

Once again I was startin to get restless.... I'd missed out on Windy Harbour when on the bike so decided to shoot down for a look. It was worth the drive :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/zId2RmL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4FfjxH3.jpg

and I finally figured out how to turn off the steering correction thingy that'd been pissing me off :woohoo:. It's quite un nerving when you don't feel in complete control of the wheel :eek5: and I could only get a maximum of 4 consecutive beeps out of the lane departure warning. Small things, small minds...:weird:
Anyway, it's a harbour, so there was a boat...

https://i.imgur.com/2PzcTCb.jpg

naturally... some water

https://i.imgur.com/HGZAhDV.jpg

and this could be a little challenging after leaving a beach party

https://i.imgur.com/9FuxyTI.jpg

The rain drove me indoors early, so it was a long night.
But it had stopped by the a.m. so I went to have a look at Point D'Entrecasteaux.

https://i.imgur.com/jwdd6lh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QrqP7BV.jpg

Some interesting flora

https://i.imgur.com/5wcMJyz.jpg

Then I made my way back to Perth. I had a snout test to undergo and I needed to try and get proof of a jab I'd had compliments of the WA govt. No luck on the proof of vax thing, despite hours on the phone and websites, and visits to a few chemists to see if they could access it. I guess it never happened :crazy:
Test done... confirmation received and printed out. then it was just a waiting game... I've never been so nervous before a flight in my life :sweatdrop and to top it off a low tyre pressure warning light showed up on the way to the airport, like I wasn't stressed enough.
All went with out a hitch though. Got into Auck and had the most bizarre entry ever. before getting bussed to my home for the next 2 weeks
Quite a shock, from this...

https://i.imgur.com/F65tArR.jpg

to this....

https://i.imgur.com/A7sNQk1.jpg

Foods good though and I get to walk in circles outside for 1/2 an hour a day :facepalm:

[F5 Dave]

Wave a baby in front of the dingo.

There's usually one about.

Sorry ma'am, just doing some scientific study.

[Moi]

Thank you for the photos and the commentary.

[JATZ]

Wave a baby in front of the dingo.

There's usually one about.

Sorry ma'am, just doing some scientific study.

LoL... I wasn't going to mention it :shutup:

[F5 Dave]

So you've had vax over there and no proof? That may prove interesting when you get back and want a certificate.

Wonder how much testing has been on having 4 jabs inside a year?

[JATZ]

So you've had vax over there and no proof? That may prove interesting when you get back and want a certificate.

Wonder how much testing has been on having 4 jabs inside a year?Didn't seem to make a difference, however I do have a twitch I didn't have before the booster [emoji28]

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[JATZ]

On the road again.....
George is along for the ride toohttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220701/f51b366d146a59aab1690727c291bea7.jpg

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[F5 Dave]

Cool, where are you off?

[JATZ]

CAUTION Lots of pics so those of you on dialup might want to navigate away now..... CAUTION

So I left home at 16:05 last Sunday, flew to Aucktown and jumped on another plane (after a little wait) :wavey: Auckland

https://i.imgur.com/1oQlaui.jpg

flew for 13hrs and landed in Vancouver @ 14:15 on Sunday :blink: ... Grabbed a cab to my Air BnB and settled in. The shops were about a half hour walk away so I downloaded a couple of Uber apps and placed an order, it turned up in the driveway 20 mins later. Never used any Uber before, that was pretty cool :yes:
Bike shops here aren't open Mondays so I took care of some other admin first. Rego and insurance, a little over 2k for 3 months :gob: Makes NZ's rego look like peanuts. New sim for the phone, more $$ and I got a monthly account because it was cheaper. I had a quick google to try find an alternative and I discovered Canada has some of the highest mobile data charges on the planet. It is what it is... must remember to cancel it before I leave or the debt collectors will turn up at the Air BnB I stayed at
Next morning I hailed another Uber ( I really did embrace that while I was there) and had to go into downtown Va. The bike shop had shut their branch within walkin distance of my digs. I was expecting another BIG bill for all the storage and the check/run and fuel swap last NZ winter, but was pleasantly surprised... Here it is, fresh out of storage :D

https://i.imgur.com/IFiiepP.jpg

I installed the harness I'd made for GPS and powered it up..... OH. No routing. update the thing through my mobile connection..... still nothing.... it worked fine at home and across the ditch. After about an hour I gave up. Plugged some earbuds into the phone (lucky I brought those) and navigated back to the accom using voice only. I was a little strung out by the time I got there, but I made it :clap: Turns out I needed to download/update the maps using a pc/cable and memory card, none of which I had :facepalm:
Packed my shit had another crap night sleep and got out of dodge the next morning :scooter:
First stop was a little eating place in an industrial area about 20 mins out. They also sell used clothes, local crafts and trinkets

https://i.imgur.com/I1FAcUC.jpg

Good food though and Al (who was also having breakfast) kept me company and provided conversation. I beetled out to Hope, took a wrong turn, got back on track and made my way towards Kamloops

https://i.imgur.com/r6r0lML.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IKpMDZq.jpg

Been a while since George has seen snow... I think he was glad to be out of the house :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/K4kBMPb.jpg

I turned of the main drag at a little place called Ashcroft and made my way up a hill.... got a bit foggy/rainy/cold up there

https://i.imgur.com/HJnewVJ.jpg

then a little bit of main rd before mrs Google had me heading for Lac Le Jeune

https://i.imgur.com/dIdH9B1.jpg

That was slipperier than it looks :blink:
Made it to Kamloops, grabbed a room, a feed, a shower and had the first decent nights sleep since I got here :sleep:

[JATZ]

Next morning I grabbed a coffee

https://i.imgur.com/6HSLccF.jpg

stocked up on some tucker and hit the road... I had my phone tucked into the pocket on top of the tank bag. When I pulled it out to take a pic it told me it was over heating so there was no camera. also no google maps. I tucked it inside the bag and went and found a tree with some shade. While there I figured I'd chuck some air in the front tyre as it was a bit low. Extract the pump from the pannier, plug it into the 12v socket, turn it on..... and it went for about 1/2 a millisecond. Blown fuse :facepalm: While I had the seat off I figured I'd just use the clips and hook it straight to the battery, also blown fuse :facepalm::facepalm: I had a bit of wire from the failed GPS wiring so used a bit of that to make shit happen... It did :woohoo:

https://i.imgur.com/ZO5JXP4.jpg

By this time, the phone had cooled down, so I set off again. A cool bit of road on the other side of the river to H/way 1 :woohoo:

https://i.imgur.com/tSORgpe.jpg

While I was in the hood, I called into Dreamcycles museum. Some cool shit in there :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/MtqfeUY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZZXSb1y.jpg

This was lurking out in the workshop awaiting restoration

https://i.imgur.com/PDNMumG.jpg

The 1 bike I wish I'd never sold. If anyone knows of one needing a new home let me know plz
this was my second favorite

https://i.imgur.com/YIMojDa.jpg

this was pretty cool too, in a rare kind of way

https://i.imgur.com/OeYGjdV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xslbNXj.jpg

there was heaps of other old/rare/unusual bike in there too. The owner came and gave a personal spiel on some before he had to rush back to the counter.
I also had a crack at this and remembered I am crap at video games

https://i.imgur.com/LvcOuRc.jpg

I got some intel on some places to see, roads to ride, grabbed a tshirt, liked the place on facebook to get a sticker and hit the road.
The main road was getting pretty hectic, seeing as how it was Canada day the next day, long w/end, so I shot off down a side road... with Googles permission of course

https://i.imgur.com/S4zmbOg.jpg

Past some farmhouses

https://i.imgur.com/ZhU3dSu.jpg

and this handymans dream

https://i.imgur.com/OvYZJMi.jpg

I got lost.... and had to ask for directions :facepalm: but made my way to Joyce lake for the night

https://i.imgur.com/LsWxTtr.jpg

There was a fire.... see above pic. and another good nights kip.

[Gremlin]

I'll be reading along with interest, got the very early stages of a plan for 8-9 weeks next July/August to go US-Canada-Alaska-Canada-US...

[JATZ]

So I packed up next morning, intending to make my way to Nelson BC for the night... I went back up the road a bit to Pinnacle lake to see if I could locate the pinnacle I'd heard about. No luck, but it was a nice spot

https://i.imgur.com/mcAbPVx.jpg

Buzzed back to the main rd and carried on. There was a ferry crossing. It was to full when I got there so I had to wait for it to come back...

https://i.imgur.com/lgdu3rt.jpg

the gate guy made sure I got off first so I had a good run to Nakusp. I'm convinced the speed limit signs here are like a vague suggestion, as no one sticks to them. Speaking of speed signs... if you thought Maori could be hard to pronounce, try this

https://i.imgur.com/G9Mzhbo.jpg

Anyway, I saw this LAMBORGHINI !! in Nakusp so had to get a pic

https://i.imgur.com/UmfYV8T.jpg

I had a bite to eat just out of shot and the number of people who stopped and looked/took pics was astounding.
So I carried on along H/way 6 and turned off along 31a, which had been recommended by museum guy. Quite a popular riding route apparently. And I can see why. It winds it's way up a hill then down a valley before depositing you at a lake
I'll let the pics do the talking

https://i.imgur.com/qPPgGdM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/UAkdbxZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HOQfjhv.jpg

I buzzed into Kaslo, a cool little town and decided to stop for the day. It had been showery and a bit windy coming down the valley, and I'm getting old and soft. A quick google and I found 1 place that had a room for $347 per night. That wouldn't do. There was a place just across the road from the beach, with a view of the lake and mountains, so I stumbled over to enquire. Scored the last room and it was less than half what google was telling me.
I'm up here...

https://i.imgur.com/sjVpq0I.jpg

looking out at this...

https://i.imgur.com/hDg4A3U.jpg

I like Keslo :woohoo: Good food, good beer and happy people.

Anyhooo... it's past my bed time, I'll give Nelson a miss tomorrow as I've got a good looking route planned, lets see if I can stick to it :crazy:

:wavey:

[JATZ]

I'll be reading along with interest, got the very early stages of a plan for 8-9 weeks next July/August to go US-Canada-Alaska-Canada-US...

You'll enjoy it. If I can be of any help let me know.
This trip I'm heading East until I hit the ocean.

[JATZ]

I'll try smaller pics next time, they all look a bit over exposed/edited:(

[Moi]

Yeah! Another Jatz adventure to enjoy... great photos and witty commentary.


Just remember that everything in Canada works better with maple syrup...

[Gremlin]

You'll enjoy it. If I can be of any help let me know.
This trip I'm heading East until I hit the ocean.
Would be going with this fella: https://kiwiken.co.nz/best-of-west-usa/ (went with him in 2011, but only as far north Jasper ish). Just need to replace some of the Harley type stuff with something more... interesting. Maybe some tame BDR stuff. Wouldn't be going further east than North/South Dakota, whether we get up to Fairbanks, I'll see. With shipping etc, too far out to form any definite plan.

Pictures are stunning already :clap:

[F5 Dave]

Golly, that Ferrari is ugly. And has Lamborghini written on it.

Questions.
You sent the bike there or left it there from a previous trip?
Do you have a contract style job that you can just leave for 3 months?


Wife and I had always talked about riding Canada when we retired. With our particular kids that is likely a pipe dream now, but maybe somehow.

[JATZ]

Golly, that Ferrari is ugly. And has Lamborghini written on it.

Questions.
You sent the bike there or left it there from a previous trip?
Do you have a contract style job that you can just leave for 3 months?


Wife and I had always talked about riding Canada when we retired. With our particular kids that is likely a pipe dream now, but maybe somehow.Doh.... I knew it... blutty predictive text. I've edited it... my OCD brain wouldn't let it slide

I bought the bike in 2019 as hiring was proving difficult, to go where I wanted to go. It's been in storage at a dealers since Aug 2019.

My last job, in horticulture, winter was the quiet time so I was able to bugger off. The Oz trip I was either semi retired (my version)or between jobs (the missus version) currently I'm contracting. My employer wasn't happy as a 30t digger with a pulverizer for sorting out several thousand cube of concrete had my name on it. But he knew when I took the job on I'm away for the winters.
I think I've still got a job when I get home :scratch:

Not sure on your situation, but if it's meant to happen you'll find a way to make it happen. Canada is pretty cool.


Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[JATZ]

Would be going with this fella: https://kiwiken.co.nz/best-of-west-usa/ (went with him in 2011, but only as far north Jasper ish). Just need to replace some of the Harley type stuff with something more... interesting. Maybe some tame BDR stuff. Wouldn't be going further east than North/South Dakota, whether we get up to Fairbanks, I'll see. With shipping etc, too far out to form any definite plan.

Pictures are stunning already :clap:

If you're going to Faibanks it'd be rude not to go to Pruhoe Bay. We did it in 3 days but 2 days is do able, weather dependant. Bear in mind it doesn't really get dark that far north in the summer. Doing it on a Harley is worth extra manliness points.
If it's not on the list then put Hyder on it. Ride above Salmon glacier, check out the bears feasting on salmon, if they're there. Remember your passport as you cross back into Canada afterwards, and don't buy any guns or drugs while you're there.... mm'kay

[Gremlin]

If you're going to Faibanks it'd be rude not to go to Pruhoe Bay. We did it in 3 days but 2 days is do able, weather dependant. Bear in mind it doesn't really get dark that far north in the summer. Doing it on a Harley is worth extra manliness points.
If it's not on the list then put Hyder on it. Ride above Salmon glacier, check out the bears feasting on salmon, if they're there. Remember your passport as you cross back into Canada afterwards, and don't buy any guns or drugs while you're there.... mm'kay
Yeah, we'll see what happens (don't have day-by-day details just yet). Upside of an organised trip is the discounts for accommodation etc, downside besides the fixed schedule (learnt last trip), we're going into Telluride, it's a dead end but worth it. Found out 6 months later it actually had 3 awesome mountain pass exits. So when I have an idea of where we're actually going, night stops etc, I'll... make adjustments :msn-wink:

Wouldn't be riding a Harley, hell no, length of the trip, more economic to ship my own, did it last time. Benefit is riding your own etc.

[JATZ]

Testing testing.... Reduced img size

https://i.imgur.com/DzQbgCX.jpg

[JATZ]

Some random pics from Kaslo that I took while out strolling after tea

Shame this was closed, It would've been interesting.

https://i.imgur.com/SqqpQlv.jpg

Pedestrian Xing

https://i.imgur.com/0fUTqdp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/G1TxwM3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Pw1OxuH.jpg

And George

https://i.imgur.com/8dg0rtR.jpg

[JATZ]

So I packed up in the A.M. leisurely like and hit the road down towards Balfour. Enjoying the sunshine

https://i.imgur.com/Yi9zmhM.jpg

and got to the ferry. I only had to wait about 15 mins. There had been a Ducati owners group rally in Nelson, and quite a few of them were out for a ride too

we all boarded the ferry together to the sound of Termignonies (? and chattering clutches. They were a friendly bunch :yes: Lots of Harleys on the boat too.

https://i.imgur.com/P8q5Ad7.jpg

A 25 min scenic cruise

https://i.imgur.com/LePOoAN.jpg

and we disembarked. I let the Ducs past where required, I'm good like that. It sounded pretty cool too.
Now I had planned to take the Gray pass road, Highest pass road in Canada, I think. it google maps said it was the most fuel efficient. It looked to have some squiggly bits on it too. I tried to find out some info on it and found a review that said "Steep, loose with some sharp rocks and the odd bog" essentially. The seed was sown...:whistle:
more searching, and it had been closed a couple of weeks earlier, they've had a bit of snow and lots of rain recently..... The seed was nurtured...:psst: I asked my hosts for any intel, they suggested there would be quite a bit of "Wildlife" on a road that high up..... I heard "BEARS" and the seed flourished :innocent: So I rode on past :facepalm: I'm comfortable with my decision. With some company It may've been different ( company who can't ride as fast as me or run as fast :bleh: )
Mooving along I carried on down to Creston

https://i.imgur.com/jacegZv.jpg

Then joined a h/way and beetled off to Fernie. I knew where the provincial park was there from the last trip, so made my way there. I stopped at the kiosk and saw where the un pre booked camps were. There was another guy there looking as well. Got my bearings and took off... massive mono down the road screaming of tyres, spotted an empty spot and skidded to a halt in a shower of gravel (actually NO, I acted my age :innocent: ) Turns out I got the last spot in the entire camp, and slow guy had to go else where. And because I had my new lucky T-shirt on there was even some firewood :wings:

https://i.imgur.com/6z5ibUh.jpg

When the attendant came round to collect the fees she mentioned there was bears in the area so be BEAR AWARE ! There was no bear proof lockers left, but I could put my food pannier in their truck if I liked. It was a bit of a hike, I noticed my new neighbors had a car so I asked if I could chuck it in their car "No problem" was the response.

I'll be right back....

[Joburble]

It's hard to describe the feeling of not being there. There are parts of my emotion that are in pain, made worse by your pics. :(
Looks like you are having a great time though, so that's cool. :) Is that the same campground in Fernie that we stayed at?

[JATZ]

It's hard to describe the feeling of not being there. There are parts of my emotion that are in pain, made worse by your pics. :(
Looks like you are having a great time though, so that's cool. :) Is that the same campground in Fernie that we stayed at?

It is.... :yes:

You had the option.... but bought a house instead. Memories wont keep the rain off your head aye ?

[JATZ]

Spent an uneventful night at Fernie, with a toastie warm fire :msn-wink: . Packed up in the morning, stacking the un used wood under the picnic table, it had rained over night and more was predicted and high tailed it towards Calgary. Fernie town seemed pretty chocka with people too.
Nothing to report on the ride towards Crowsnest, except for the "Pegasus warning" sign posted above, and I crossed into Alberta

https://i.imgur.com/aFnbgDx.jpg

The clouds were getting lowerer though, I stopped briefly at Crowsnest pass

https://i.imgur.com/VzBVVKd.jpg

and continued on.... pulling of the main drag into a little town, I'm pretty sure it was Crowsnest itself. Time for a bite to eat. I cruised around a bit, seeing what I could see and came across this place

https://i.imgur.com/IgfP0Q9.jpg

it was chocka, being a holiday w/end. You don't see places done up like that for Waitangi day or Matariki, Eh

https://i.imgur.com/TotTZmW.jpg

Apparently you need a reservation, so I found out from a couple of local ladies waiting to be seated. They assured me I'd be fine, seeing as I was by myself. The place has been going since the 50's and of the waitresses, one was a school teacher normally and the other worked in a lawyers office. They just wanted a bit of w/end work.
So I got my eggs, lots of. Toast, lots of, and coffee and spent the time chatting to a couple from Oklahoma, who want to come to NZ, he loves fly fishing. And the chef came out for a natter too, he has a sister in Chch. All the while the waitresses were buzzing about taking care of everything and everyone, and refilling coffee cups as soon as they looked like being empty. Honestly... it was gold:niceone: I left a good tip.
Suitably refreshed and with a bladder the size of a basketball, I headed back out into the rain. Traffic had built up considerably while I was being fed/entertained. I only stopped at the giant slip to snatch a pic for you guys, and it's pretty crap. But it'll have to do

https://i.imgur.com/vnCVa76.jpg

then I just made my way towards Calgary. The wetness getting wetter and the traffic getting heavier. Huge Rams and F150/250's muscling their way through the stream of cars/caravans.... it wasn't pleasant. I stopped in a leedle place called Black Diamond and consulted google. I had a bit of admin to do in Calgary, but didn't want to stay there, so settled on Okatoks. Found a nice place that includes breakfast and a 15% discount at the pub across the street, and settled in by putting the bag holder thing on a table in front of the heater and drying some stuff out.
The rain had turned to drizzle so I buzzed out for a walk.

https://i.imgur.com/34cy6A4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AhRq0fl.jpg

Lots of walking trails around the town. Lots of Deer around too apparently..

https://i.imgur.com/ItihzwS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XBPd0U5.jpg

and a little vid from the drive through just across the street from where I'm staying

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MTtUfz9cg74" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Then it was off to "The George" to take advantage of my 15% off voucher :drinknsin

[JATZ]

After a breakfast of waffles and berries (with maple syrup Moi) I headed the 40 odd k's to my first port of call. GPS city in Calgary. I wanted an X mount for the phone seeing as how the Zumo wouldn't play ball. I could not find one off the shelf in Vancouver :weird: I wasn't looking forward to the motorways (have a look at Calgary on google maps and you'll see why) I'm just a country boy from Motueka :sweatdrop But I got there ok.
The shop had what I needed, but I asked a question and hit gold.... Leave the Zumo with them for a couple of hours and it would be sorted. the next stop wasn't open Mondays, the other one doesn't open till Friday, and the 3rd option didn't open till mid day :brick:
No problem.... go to Timmy Hortons, which was just across the carpark, grab a coffee and second breakfast and sort something. Did that, and just as I was leaving I got a call that the Zumo was done. All software up to date and loaded up with routable maps for all of Canada..... aaaand the US..... aaaaaand a bit of Mexico :clap:

https://i.imgur.com/VVWfPqe.jpg

So I dicked around, putting the wiring back in and sorting out where to go next. Seeing as how the museum was shut, I figured Calgary tower could be worth a look, even though it was pretty overcast. I wobbled into the city...:ride: not to bad, but I was a bit on edge. eventually found a car park a few blocks away, noticed some dodgy looking folks loitering and thought .... "fcuk this" I'll find a hill instead.
Found one :D

https://i.imgur.com/q63iQ53.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FuzQEuF.jpg

They're setting up for the Calgary Stampeeeeed, which starts on Friday

https://i.imgur.com/biMvZ52.jpg

Part of me wants to hang around and take a gander, the other part says fook that. The population of Calgary plus all those tourists, I'd rather slam my wanger in a car door.
So I wobbled back to Okotoks, off loaded all the change in my tank bag, found a fridge magnet and got a new book, about cattle ranching, and some of the personality's involved. I'll let you's know if it's any good.
FWIW... I just finished Chris Longs book "The Boy From Gorge River" Interesting guy who's led an interesting life, so far. worth the read. 4 Stars.
I'll return in a bit for some more from Jatz's travels and Book reviews after I've checked out some Dinosaur stuff, some Hoodoos and a ghost town.... :wavey:

[JATZ]

Almost forgot......

Yummmmm

https://i.imgur.com/hzj7JaQ.jpg

:niceone:

[Joburble]

I see you mentioning hudus, if you are up that way, go check out Drumheller. The dinosaur museum (the official one) is pretty cool and worth a look. Also the town has a massive dinosaur statue thing.

[JATZ]

Re Gray's pass....
I just saw this post on AdvRider.

MCMXCIVRS
MCMXCIVRS
Long timer
New
When its open, its an easy road. Cars and SUVs can drive through on it. However, latest intel has it still blocked with snow at the summit. Maybe clear in another week or two if the weather warms up enough and assuming there is nothing burried under the snow to keep it blocked.

I made the right call... don't feel like such a wuss now :D

[JATZ]

Sounds ominous.... glad I've got my lucky t-shirt back on [emoji16]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220708/855f53dcce4bab43a100f40b31326084.jpg

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[Moi]

"After a breakfast of waffles and berries (with maple syrup Moi) I headed the 40 odd k's to my first port of call. GPS city in Calgary."

See... I told you... maple syrup makes things better... got your GPS sorted and with additions.

Enjoying your adventures - vicariously.

[JATZ]

Right.... I'll see if I can catch you guys up, or I'll get bored and hit the sack.

So I left Okotoks and headed off northish. After I'd been accosted in the car park by the owner of what turned out to be a 1200r in the carpark. I did wonder what was under the cover when I'd left the day before. So we stood about and yakked about travelling, where we'd been, where we were headed and a bit of BMW stuff for about an hour. I was well ready to get mooving by this stage. I called into a bike shop looking for some bits"n"bobs I hadn't been able to secure yet. No luck there either, and got out of dodge (after another natter to another fellow biker about bikes :facepalm: Thankfully it wasn't another epic)
Back on the road again...

https://i.imgur.com/hUMRUcM.jpg

I had to do a U turn to go check this out...

https://i.imgur.com/hQtYEfG.jpg

Horse shoe canyon. Quite a cool place. I looked down at the people walking around the bottom of it and decided that wasn't for me, they looked tiny. I also discovered I'd missed the town of Vulcan and its Enterprise sculpture. Oh well.... I would say "Next time" but I'm reasonably confident there won't be a next time.
I made my way to Drumheller to check out some dinosaur stuff. There was this big giant

https://i.imgur.com/L7LFW2p.jpg

and this little fellah

https://i.imgur.com/BqJD1yn.jpg

The town has really embraced the Jurassic thing. It's a shame it was crawling with kids, yelling and screaming and being kids... God, maybe I am the grumpy old goat I get called occasionally:shutup: So I pootled out the Royal Museum, expecting a bit of peace. The car park is the size of a small suburb and I eventually managed to find a park :blink: I could hear the little tykes from my spot, so used the time to find somewhere else to be... A place that had been recommended that very A.M. buy BMW guy

https://i.imgur.com/CoYHXPI.jpg

The Last Chance Saloon in Wayne. They had camping out back. I got instructions, eventually "anywhere will be fine" She said, and went and set up. Then had a bit of a wander around town...

https://i.imgur.com/AOMI4EK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8DIYW2M.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1HMc1B4.jpg

and stumbled back to the saloon to recover

https://i.imgur.com/lT5ACf9.jpg

Eventually....Suitably "recovered" :yes: I went back to my tent. When the camp owner? drove up and told me I couldn't camp where I was, I'd have to move... about 20m away. I guess he had his reasons, so I upped sticks and dragged the tent to an approved location. I risked it and went to the saloon for tea... eventually. The place was pretty busy... I had my meal, grabbed a couple of bottles of water, because the camp didn't have water, a beer to go and went back to my tent for a bread roll with tuna.
It's an interesting establishment, dripping with ambience and history where the staff smile and treat some customers like old friends, and some not. BMW guy must've been treated like the former.
I got up early. Packed my shit and left.... to have a gander at "The Hoodoos"

https://i.imgur.com/YqbIebi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hJK5iQn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/U6Kphu9.jpg

These aren't Hoodoos, but....

https://i.imgur.com/LW4XDgL.jpg

I wonder how long it'll be before we see these in NZ

https://i.imgur.com/7wZTj79.jpg

Then it was back into Town, grab some gas and hit the road.... See ya Drumheller

https://i.imgur.com/SwiWvtD.jpg

The ride out was very cool, nice corners through the cliffs. I couldn't help but think it'd be neat to have a video to record it....

[JATZ]

So... the waitress in Okotoks, who'd recommended Drumheller and the Hoodoos had also mentioned a place called Rowley. So I banged it into the GPS and made my way there. A little off the main drag

https://i.imgur.com/0lx5B7x.jpg

One or two soft spots :eek5: But I got there. Worth the detour.

https://i.imgur.com/L7DI846.jpg

It's a semi abandoned town in but*f**k nowhereville, I left the keys in the bike and went for a wander

https://i.imgur.com/uhb5JPk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eoRG5Ti.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/f5Nd14U.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JKdm7WD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0fB9FmV.jpg

You can camp there... But only in certain spots. And you have been told :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/MYK4Ata.jpg

Very cool :yes: then I carried on only stopping for a bite to eat in Settler. Now I've set myself a little challenge this trip. No eating in gas stations, eateries attached to gas stations or chain stores. lets see how this pans out.:scratch: I stopped at a cosy cafe for a pretty good sandwich and when I left I couldn't help but notice this sign. It just seemed so out of place

https://i.imgur.com/4y3TD7c.jpg

After that, I beetled up to Edmonton :ride: I knew there was a bike shop in town who had what I wanted, just not which one... so I picked the one with the glossiest pic on google and headed there. Now... My Sena had been giving me some issues and the one remaining speaker was reeeealy hard to hear and all crackly. Yet another technical issue :rolleyes:.... So I've invested in a Sena 10C. It's a work in progress, but the footage looks pretty good so far ( it's uploading, so I'll come back to it)

While I was in the shop, I sourced some fork seals ( for spares) and rear brake pads which are getting down. They also found me a front sprocket ( why is it so fcuking hard to find a consumable part for a common bike ??) But it's in Yorkton :shit: Nevermind, that's East, which is where I'm heading. The lovely lady in parts rang to make sure it was there, and they'd hold it, then suggested I head out to Elk Island park. Aaaaaand she gave me a "travelers discount" on the parts. Big shout out to Argyll Motorsports in Edmonton, if'n your in the hood and need something I think they'll have it or know where it is.
Edmonton was pretty busy and Miss Garmin decided Elk island park was an industrial area on the west side of town :blink: Not ideal. A bit of finger waggling and some terse words had us back on track.
Now, I never thought I'd have range anxiety in Canada, but... I thought I had enough. Turn's out doing 110 for prolonged periods kinda sucks through it. I'd seen the ESSO station, but that's got ethanol in it, so carried on. then decided maybe I didn't have enough to get through the park. Bear in mind, this is a 4 lane h/way, everyone doing 110/120 with a massive grass dividing strip so you can't just spin around.
I saw a sign for a town, found a turnaround and went back to the town. station was shut, had been for a while, so I asked a local. I'd need to head back to the ESSO but there was 2 servos there. I got there, but the fuel light was winking at me.
So, I got to the park, checked in, got the low down and went looking. Nice spot. Wildlife was a bit scarce, but I spotted this fellah

https://i.imgur.com/TS1z2J4.jpg

and a lake

https://i.imgur.com/mYwcxun.jpg

I think I may need to brush up on my French as I head east, Apparently it's more prevalent.

https://i.imgur.com/PrANk4e.jpg

There was a Coyote too but he/she was way to quick for me :yes:
Then I made my way to Lamont where the 2 accom. places I tried were full so I ended up in Bruderheim. Laundry, working out Sena and a mean Lasagna.

TBC...

[JATZ]

After a late night in Bruderheim I set sail again east. Past this massive wreckers yard in Lamont

https://i.imgur.com/xPgnpql.jpg

They even do limousines

https://i.imgur.com/cDwkplj.jpg

I've been through Horopito a couple of times but never stopped at "Smash Palace" I'm not sure how this place compares but they had acres of cars. Just checked, you can see it on google earth. On Range road 195, just out of Lamont
Anyway, wearing my lucky t-shirt, I hoped to see more wildlife. Unfortunately I must've just washed all the luck out of it. I only saw 1 buffalo or bison...
[Dad joke]What's the difference between a Buffalo and a Bison i hear you ask ?
Well a Buffalo is a large bovine that roams North America
A Bison is what an Australian washes his hands in [/Dad joke]
Oh Well.... I got back on the main road and continued. There can't have been much to stop for as I don't have any pics. I'd put in a couple a hundy K's and was looking for food when I pulled in to a truck stop, usually a good spot to stop. It was a good meal, thanks for asking.... looked like this

https://i.imgur.com/D8q8msl.jpg

I'd noticed some rodents zipping around out by the car park, apparently they're Gophers. Dam'n hard to get on the camera. Nice place to take a breather

https://i.imgur.com/tRIZrJX.jpg

After I'd finished almost all of it I wandered out to carry on when a woman asked if I was heading west. Turns out there was a severe weather warning issued and we were on the edge of it. I might've said some words your mother wouldn't want to hear and gaped it east. Going like the clappers trying to get away from the Red bit on the Enviro Canada map. Still time to snap a couple of pics though :D

https://i.imgur.com/2niNxRS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/m173h8K.jpg

I made it to Heinsberg, after another bout of range anxiety, which meant a detour into Dewberry to find gas which was out of sight behind a farm supply store :whistle:
Had a yak to a couple who were going biking on a trail hereabouts and set up camp, trying to find somewhere out of the wind

https://i.imgur.com/wlz0vh7.jpg

I wandered around, trying to find water, unsuccessfully, before biting the bullet and riding to Frog Lake to get some. When I returned the bikers came over, with a beer :drool: and we had a yak where they recommended some spots out Nova Scotia way.
So I did the tea thing.... Now it surprises me. How come the Canuks can figure out how to make a Ciabatta bun last for 7 days but can't figure out how to put a tear top on a can... and watched the weather, waiting for a tornado to come out of the heavens. Looked a bit dodgy to me...

https://i.imgur.com/u0nwxxz.jpg

It started raining about 9 so I turned in and was serenaded by the most violent thunder and lightening I've ever heard. No hail though and no tornadoes :2thumbsup

[pete376403]

After a late night in Bruderheim I set sail again east. Past this massive wreckers yard in Lamont

I've been through Horopito a couple of times but never stopped at "Smash Palace" I'm not sure how this place compares but they had acres of cars. Just checked, you can see it on google earth. On Range road 195, just out of Lamont

Had a look on Google Earth and yes it is huge. Doubt if Smash Palace was ever that well laid out

https://www.google.co.nz/maps/@53.7545271,-112.798574,441m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en

[Joburble]

Rach' and I went to the last chance saloon that you camped at and when we walked in we got such a bad vibe we turned round and left. We went to Drumheller when the kids were back at school so didn't have the noisy rug rat issue. Glad you got to see the big dinosaur though. Drumheller and the Hudus is as far east as we went, so you are now venturing into my jealousy territory. Hope George is enjoying the trip.

[JATZ]

carrying on... I figured Id be entering Saskatchewan at some point today. I'd just gone through an intersection when this sign caught my eye :blink: TPTB obviously want to let you know what's expected before you get there

https://i.imgur.com/RNshLP0.jpg

What the !!! I never saw the welcome to Saskatchewan sign... Oh, there it is, about a hundred meters up the road

https://i.imgur.com/ySaORJJ.jpg

Not as big as I would have expected. Nothin much else to report, just beetling along taking in the sights.
It got to about late morning and I was feeling peckish so pulled into this place in Turtleford.

https://i.imgur.com/iq9dkBE.jpg

I pulled the phone out of the tank bag and was greeted with this

https://i.imgur.com/KCPzeEb.jpg

That's interesting, I thought :scratch: I wonder where Langham is ?... A quick search and I discovered it was on my route :eek: So I finished eating and continued on. Langham was still a couple of hundred K's away so hopefully it'd be sorted by the time I got there. Nothing much to see. Just cracking on with some highway miles.
Drinks break

https://i.imgur.com/QXIYvUD.jpg

I rolled into Saskatoon late avo and started looking for somewhere to pitch up for a night or 2. I eventually found somewhere reasonable and finished up for the day.

TBC... I'd best put some pants on and go get some tea :D

[JATZ]

Rach' and I went to the last chance saloon that you camped at and when we walked in we got such a bad vibe we turned round and left. We went to Drumheller when the kids were back at school so didn't have the noisy rug rat issue. Glad you got to see the big dinosaur though. Drumheller and the Hudus is as far east as we went, so you are now venturing into my jealousy territory. Hope George is enjoying the trip.

Good... I thought as I was typing maybe I was just being a whiney little bitch. I'm glad you had a bad experience too, but in a good way :yes: I guess it's just the way it is with school vacation time. I could avoid it and come over in winter :cold:

[JATZ]

I figured it would be a good idea to hang in Saskatoon for a day, go see some stuff. I thought a trip to Wanuskewin ( https://wanuskewin.com/ ) would be a good start. Might as well try an learn something about the indigenous population while I'm passing. It was pretty cool, and informative

https://i.imgur.com/ueM01SU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2h05XMi.jpg

It is sited at an old Buffalo jump. When I arrived I wandered up to a lookout thing, The weather was looking pretty ominous, with lots of thunder

https://i.imgur.com/g92i8Jg.jpg

as it got closer I scuttled back to the main building, but not before another couple of quick pics

https://i.imgur.com/lCH8uDu.jpg

While the rain poured down outside I was inside exploring the history of the local Plains Cree people and the buffalo industry. Truly astounding how a species can be almost wiped out in a generation, simply through greed.
Then I joined a walking tour where I (and the group) learnt about buffalo some more and how they were driven to the "jump" by the local tribes. then back up the hill to look out over the small herd and learn more about them.

https://i.imgur.com/7wqwMJs.jpg

The Cree believe the spirit of the buffalo comes from the rock, hence this....:yes:

https://i.imgur.com/HvKqD9F.jpg

I left with a greater appreciation of it all.
Next stop was the Western Development museum ( https://wdm.ca/saskatoon/ ) Some really cool stuff

https://i.imgur.com/SnjQ933.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8iQnN9G.jpg

And when the cost of running that Caddy gets to much, you could chuck a boiler in it and go all steam punk, like this guy

https://i.imgur.com/jlmuePd.jpg

and even if there's a drought..... there's still options :D

https://i.imgur.com/5wF4DwF.jpg

I was all museumed out after that, so retired back to the air conditioning to escape

https://i.imgur.com/MmD76bq.jpg

Bike clicked over 20,000k's today too :scooter: Not a bad effort considering it's only been ridden for 6 weeks in 2019 and 2 weeks this trip. i may replace the front tyre at some stage.... or not :shutup:

Oh yeah.... This was pretty good

https://i.imgur.com/hzj7JaQ.jpg

would buy again :yes:

Moose Jaw tomorrow .... Because I like the name :D

:ride::wavey:

[JATZ]

And for your viewing pleasure...The inaugural jatz Canada vid :D

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oMUwlCRteag" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'm still getting my head around editing and stuff, but help is coming.

[Moi]

Thanks for the photos and the link to the site about the Plains Cree and the buffalo - that's been a most informative read.

Cheers

[JATZ]

So I left Saskatoon, heading south, towards Moose Jaw, named because of the shape of the river apparently. It was a pretty uneventful ride. Nothing really to see...

https://i.imgur.com/bHFzJQ6.jpg

I think I only made one stop

https://i.imgur.com/nf1kPEt.jpg

and rolled into Moose Jaw about mid day. I got the low down on some sights to see from Joe as I was standing on the road side, just about to find out what to do. I had a look at the park he recommended, it was alright :niceone: then went to see if I could join a tour of "the tunnels" sadly... they were booked up :crybaby: Would've been alright I reckon (More info here >> https://tunnelsofmoosejaw.com/ ) What next :scratch: A visit to Mac the Moose

https://i.imgur.com/JNqvl4V.jpg

Cause who doesn't love a giant moose :D. I picked up a fridge magnet while I was there so I can be reminded of Mac every time I go to the fridge. What next ? I was a bit museumed out after the day in Saskatoon... Oooh, a burrowing owl interpretive center. I know nothing about burrowing owls, so figured I'd school myself up on them.
Here's one of the ambassadors. Hand reared from birth so they can be taken around the countryside to schools and the like to raise awareness of their plight.

https://i.imgur.com/MA7s1IL.jpg

Now know a bit about the burrowing owl :headbang: but I wont bore you with it... have a look here >> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burrowing_owl
I was pretty much done for the day what with owls and mooses, so went looking for a spot for the night. I couldn't resist stopping here though. Tanks are cool too :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/kaA6wus.jpg

I found a place, settled in then went looking for some grubb. As I was strolling out the gate my phone started making the "Warning .. Warning" noise again. Apparently there was a likelihood of tornadoes. It looked ok to me :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/Z0nJ9qL.jpg


Nothing else to report... food was average, and there was no weather events.

[JATZ]

Following day I planned to be in Yorkton. I had a front sprocket to pick up :yes: This involved a trip through Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan. I couldn't just fly through and not stop. I singled out the RCMP Heritage center as worthy of a visit. I haven't had anything to do with them previously... except for this one time in Dawson Creek :innocent:
Very informative...

https://i.imgur.com/eB6XHgQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xFHYWY2.jpg

This'd take some hanging on to I think..:shit:

https://i.imgur.com/CHTsD2K.jpg

I'd love to have a go though, just once :D

The driver training thingamy didn't appear to be operating, or maybe it required a coin and I didn't look hard enough for the slot.

https://i.imgur.com/mjlUbHb.jpg

After my piss poor effort at the Motorcycle museum it's probably just as well :blink:
Feeling I'd done my bit for tourism in Regina I scooted out of town :ride: making my way north east, stopping briefly in Fort Qu'Appelle

https://i.imgur.com/xmAyJ6S.jpg

and went looking for a bite to eat. I found a café thing and wandered in... I swear almost every head in the place looked up or spun around to see the stranger.... it didn't take long before they went back to what ever they were doing and the hubbub started up again. More plains riding after lunch, nothing to report.... I got to Yorkton and made my way to the sprocket rendezvous. And it was here I got robbed :gob: I have never paid that much for a sprocket in my life and don't intend to again. I had thought about having them fit a new front tyre, but Fuggem.... ain't getting another cent out of me :no:
So I started looking for somewhere to stay, I was beat. The wind had been brutal most of the day.
Place #1... Nope... I didn't even turn the bike off. I rode in to reception, took a look around at the units and the rubbish strew around the place and left. Now I've slept beside crock infested rivers in the middle of nowhere and not been to concerned, but this place was one to be avoided IMHO.... Place#2..... Nope, almost as dodgy as the first. Place #3 and 4....Nope....I found a BnB so I went there... rang the bell and a little old lady (Jenny)came timidly to the door. Turn's out she'd shut the business down 2 years ago, because of covid, and her health issues. She was lovely though. We sat on rockers for about half an hour shooting the shit. I almost thought she was going to open back up again, just for me. But I carried on, Things were looking grim, so I went to a campground and found a nice grass site to set up on. Still sticking my resolution of not eating at gas stations, restaurants attached to gas stations and chain stores I found a place with good food and excellent wait staff..

[F5 Dave]

Being that Regina is a motorcycle chain brand I was waiting for the clever anecdote about your trip through the chain to the sprocket, but it never developed. I guess they could name a place the same.

[JATZ]

I had no real plan for the next day, just ride around a bit... see what I see :ride::yeah: I'd noticed a place Bacon Ridge when flicking around some maps, so figured that could be my destination, cause everyone like Bacon :drool: I left Yorkton with out a fridge magnet and breakfastless.... I was still dark on that bike shop.
I knew I'd be passing into Manitoba today. There was no "welcome to Manitoba" sign, the h/way went from #10 to #5 and a couple of little road signs describing what you cant do in Manitoba, and the road surface went from unruly to pretty good. I guess this is where the boundary is

https://i.imgur.com/HOpCl4b.jpg

And there was hills and bends :banana: stopped in Robin for a coffee and muffin. I'm sure I've actually put on weight this trip. No more big Canadian breakfasts :oi-grr: Nice little town that.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. These things still freak me out

https://i.imgur.com/7cRjnZz.jpg

Doesn't matter which way you're going, you give way to the vehicle that arrived before you, and any vehicle that arrives after you will yield to you. Lets see NZ try that system :killingme
I just rode along enjoying the sunshine and views of the farms, lost in my own thoughts. Pulled into a wee town for some gas (only had 89 oct or Diesel) nice little spot though,

https://i.imgur.com/2r5ln3t.jpg

I liked this place name...

https://i.imgur.com/7Sh7OMT.jpg

had to do a U turn to get that one. Same with the next one

https://i.imgur.com/KD477wc.jpg

Not really a lot there, so I carried on, through some more small locality's/indigenous villages. with resident access only, due to covid.
I bailed on going to the campsite I'd selected from Wikicamps, dunno why, I just wasn't feeling it, and the reviews weren't glowing. So I employed the powers of Garmin, which has I-Overlander installed and found something that could work, about the right distance away. I arrived in Gladstone early evening. Heading to the site I stopped to snap a pic of a Mennonite's Horse and buggy tied up in town, there's a hitching rail and everything. Unfortunately the horse started acting all nervous so I rode off... maybe next time.
I made my way to Williams Park, managed to get a discounted rate and set up, then actually knocked up some tea for myself

https://i.imgur.com/Ip06QDU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/duyB6L6.jpg

Not to shabby, could've done with some seasoning though, and spent the evening reading and looking at proper paper maps. Trying to formulate a loose plan.

[JATZ]

I'd been contemplating wheel bearings the previous day... again, and decided seeing as I was going that way, I'd call in to Winnipeg. I selected a bearing retailer (NOT a bike shop) and made my way there. Of course I needed to stop in Portage la Prairie, home of the worlds largest coke can

https://i.imgur.com/hB3NYbi.jpg

It's in a dirt lot out behind a hotel :yawn: Next was Canadas largest Grey Owl statue

https://i.imgur.com/YFXjQLC.jpg

In someone's front yard. This was pretty cool, spotted on the way to Owl

https://i.imgur.com/7EpTJRW.jpg

Then I found a park with some shade and a view to eat my orange, which was the size of a baby's head :cool:

https://i.imgur.com/gL85VBz.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jrmmy03.jpg

Just as I took that second shot a dood rode past on his pushy and said in a very thick Scottish accent "why don't you take a picture of that sign".... Eh ? Wot sign ?..... :scratch:

https://i.imgur.com/q0lWDRX.jpg

Oooohhhh... that sign. :whistle: The bike is hidden by the pole. No one else cared, I think the guy was just jelous of George getting to ride around on a cool bike, and he had to pedal.
So I made my way to Winnipeg and located the bearing shop. I swear it was the retail equivalent of Gliding On ( now I'm showing my age) It was pretty much an office with a counter. I got served by Jim ( seriously, if he'd had a smoke dangling from his lips it would've been perfect) who required my name and ph number to be tapped into his computer before he started tic tacking away to see if they had the bits I was after, just as well I went in armed with part #'s. Then he made a printout and shuffled off out the back. Meanwhile, Beryl had come and gone a couple of times... but she was a young Beryl and part Asian. While John finished his phone call, then his lunch (slowly) before coming round to serve the other customer who'd come in not long after me. Their exchange was gold :clap: I had plenty of time to listen. Then Jim came back, minus 1 bearing, so he went back to his screen, tapped some more, printed some more, before disappearing out back again... I left wondering whether to be annoyed at the time taken or glad I had just been involved in an 80's sit com. I chose the latter. Don't worry... the rest of the cast made an appearance too, going about their various duties
Next I found somewhere that had something I can repair my tent pole with. The Inuvik duck tape isn't really cutting it.
I was going to spend the day here tomorrow, but after the traffic today on roads similar to Chch after the quake I think I'll head off..... Thunder Bay looks nice :clap::yes:

Y'all have a good one Eh :wavey:

[JATZ]

Almost forgot... Video is still a work in progress, just as well there's been nothing spectacular. Looks like its been filmed by this guy though

https://i.imgur.com/U7NR94z.gif


Must work on that...

[JATZ]

Being that Regina is a motorcycle chain brand I was waiting for the clever anecdote about your trip through the chain to the sprocket, but it never developed. I guess they could name a place the same.

Sorry Dave, I use RK chains... I get your link but it's to much for my scrambled egg/OCD brain (the struggle is real :crazy: )

[_Shrek_]

hey Jatz been awhile, I see life isn't to shabby & you're still dragging your arse across the world, well done you :drinkup: must come back in more often :rolleyes:

[JATZ]

hey Jatz been awhile, I see life isn't to shabby & you're still dragging your arse across the world, well done you :drinkup: must come back in more often :rolleyes:
G'day Shrek, good to hear from ya. Yeah, lifes alright... can't complain.
I almost came down your way earlier in the year, was going to hit some trails on the CT125, but you know... stuff gets in the way,, :rolleyes:
Maybe I could park the ute at yours when I do get down there ?

:wavey: to Mrs Shrek

[JATZ]

I had planned to spend a day in Winnipeg, but I got the feeling it was just another city. I'm sure it has some fun and/or interesting stuff to do, but I just felt like getting out :ride:
I carried on heading east, only stopping for a coffee at a little java hut around McMunn somewhere.
Before to long I crossed into Ontario

https://i.imgur.com/3sgWzdJ.jpg

This sign at the border raised my eyebrows somewhat

https://i.imgur.com/LFXTxvV.jpg

They take speeding very seriously, and the cops are rigorous in enforcing it. I'd seen more in Kenora in 1 day than I'd seen in weeks

Another milestone :woohoo:
The road climbed up into some hills finally, developed some bends and I had some trees to look at. I made it to Kenora, and of course, had to snap a pic of Huskie the Muskie

https://i.imgur.com/tE6Or7D.jpg

I couldn't use the under pass to get to him...

https://i.imgur.com/v0OCDdI.jpg

They've had quite a bit of rain recently and on top of the massive amount of snow melting, water levels are quite high.

https://i.imgur.com/4TqOIFW.jpg

The business next door was even worse, but they were still operating. I grabbed some food, and headed out of town to Rushing River provincial park. Found a spot, set up and went for a bit of a wander around. It's VERY popular, and pretty big too. It took me a while to find my allotted spot.
There's a lake and a jetty there.

https://i.imgur.com/7olbSu8.jpg

I'd booked in for 2 nights, figuring I'd spend a day looking around the place. It is quite pretty :yes:
So I rode back into town the next day, and had a look.... I couldn't decide whether to take a slow boat cruise around the Lake of the Woods... or something a bit more interesting... I went with the later

https://i.imgur.com/O2XicWK.jpg

Never been in a float plane before :wari: It was very basic, a work horse. The company's main business is running supply's and guests out to camps around the place. Scenic flights are just a sideline when there's nothing else to do.
Good place to check out the lake from though, see all the little islands and houses, with boats darting about all over the place.

https://i.imgur.com/hLIKFYO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3oxAFkc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PlioywN.jpg

After that, it was time to find a fridge magnet, not as easy as one would expect. And for some reason I just felt like a steak for tea...:drool:

https://i.imgur.com/jCfOnfM.jpg

Next time some ones bleating about the cost of food show them that. It works out to $93.41 NZD per kilo. I went with the one on the left :whistle: Then back to camp stopping to pick up a bundle of firewood on the way..

https://i.imgur.com/0tB5HLV.jpg

I could've had Venison for tea :shutup:

https://i.imgur.com/2bW28du.jpg

and a walk around to see how the place got it's name...

https://i.imgur.com/POTZ9sN.jpg

Before steak and a sunset

https://i.imgur.com/iXsGZ0Q.jpg

Packed up next morning and got away early, I had decided to get to Thunder Bay that day, via Fort Frances and the international falls. a distance of a little over 500 K's.
As I was hurtling round a corner (at the correct speed, + change :innocent: ) something on the road caught my eye, first I thought it was a rock, then I realized, rocks don't have a head and feet. A quick U turn and I managed to rescue the leeedle fellah before he became road kill.

https://i.imgur.com/TG1AHdz.jpg

Made my way down to Fort Frances, got some gas, and stopped to gaze at the USA on the other side of the river

https://i.imgur.com/3aU6Ciz.jpg

Then It just became a bit of a slog, lots of trees, lakes , picture postcard vistas....

https://i.imgur.com/hTVzIS6.jpg

I got into Thunder Bay, found a room and because I hadn't eaten all day I pretty much went straight out looking for tea, still wearing my stinky riding gear. There was a bar a couple of doors down. I figured they'd have something.
I went in, sat down and ordered a beer. I didn't know which one, never heard of most of them. "Surprise me" I said.... the guy next to me ordered what he thought would be ok.... So we get chatting... He's a long haul truck driver.
Rounds were bought, the Other person at the bar was included of course... She was Nunnavut, from Hudsons bay, now living in Thunder Bay.
So things went on.... I had a meal.... nek minnit, truck driver comes back from one of his smoke breaks to inform us we were now on a bowls team, playing 3 locals. Kyle, Connor and Alena. There was a massive bowling alley attached to the bar. I had no idea :confused:
Game On !!!

https://i.imgur.com/rYGVaVb.jpg

I don't think I've ever bowled before, I could be wrong but it would've been about a hundred years ago. First one out the gate was a Steeeeeeerike, a celebration was in order :drinkup: It was only going to go one way from there....
I was still mid field when we eventually all got chucked out. Apparently... a night out with our new local friends involved Beers, Bowling and Boobies... :facepalm:
Lets go !!

https://i.imgur.com/ZEjlxIf.jpg

Then nothing happened, nothing at all :innocent: untill I got back to the unit at 3 am .....

I'll leave it there

[caseye]

Talk about leaving US, hanging by a thread.
Do you really expect us to believe that???
As always a great read, keep up the good work mate.
:banana::lol:

[JATZ]

I'd planned a little sight seeing around Thunder Bay, the following day... It didn't start so well when I got up to late for the free breakfast. I couldn't face eating anyway. I packed up, as I wasn't going to stay another night in that place. It was kind of spendy, specially if you're out all night.
First stop that had been recommended was Fort William Historic park.
It was pretty cool. A full size replica fort, complete with wharf and indigenous camp out side.

https://i.imgur.com/D7eHTXZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MTvOqXN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/26zFOAq.jpg

What makes it different is... as you arrive you're greeted by people in authentic period costume who give you a run down on the place, and each building has someone inside (in period costume) who tells you about what went on. The Indian outside the walls was really good :yes:
Sadly I just wasn't into it on the day. Being a group of 1 made it even more awkward. I hung around for about an hour before slinking away...
Next stop was a look out. Mt McKay scenic lookout... I could manage a scenic lookout:2thumbsup
Very scenic :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/dRcn0jj.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bYoeEEE.jpg

I'ts part of an Indian Reservation. I think they sell cheap gas too. There was 4 gas stations within about 1/2 a k in the village and they were all doing a roaring trade.
Next stop involved buzzing back out of town to check out Kakabeka falls. Quite cool....

https://i.imgur.com/i8s7nmi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oZ257Kx.jpg

By this stage the temps had risen over the 30's, George must've chucked my sunnies out of the tank bag and the 3 jackhammers in my brain weren't letting up. Find some shade and some water, then a cheap room...
I retired for the day to lick my wounds. Not sure if it was the Canadian beer or the various shots the night before, but I was crook :sick:
After a decent kip I set sail again next day, heading North. But not before checking out the water front in Thunder Bay. Nice spot :yes:

http://i.imgur.com/7FAplFk.jpg (https://imgur.com/7FAplFk)

https://i.imgur.com/wRbbayv.jpg

before beetling out of town. Apparently Thunder Bay is known for its Amethyst mining, so I went for a gander...

https://i.imgur.com/XGOBcZC.jpg

Then headed for Nipogon. I missed the turnoff to Ouimet canyon as it was in the middle of some road works. Nipogon was a quiet little town, they've got a massive bridge though. Then I carried on.
Along the shores of Lake Superior.

https://i.imgur.com/JAl1QDn.jpg

This road sign required a U turn

https://i.imgur.com/YmMWg8r.jpg

Should I have followed it ??

I got myself to Marathon and found a spot to park up for the night

https://i.imgur.com/WjoSNXK.jpg


Who knew Marathon had a celebrity ??

https://i.imgur.com/ai4vdVd.jpg

And wandered round the place with the phone..

https://i.imgur.com/m0dtR7X.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zE5ct50.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ECw26ma.jpg

Pretty boring Huh ?
Oh yeah.... Finished my book about the Alberta cattle industry and brand inspectors. Interesting, but I wouldn't revisit it.
Next day George was giddy with excitement. We were going to White River.
Don't ask me how he knew, but he did, perhaps he climbs out of the tank bag after I've gone to sleep and chats to other bears in the camp....
We got to White River, and he was out of the tank bag before I'd switched off the bike...

https://i.imgur.com/6ZupROj.jpg

Know for those of you who don't know. White River is the spiritual home of one of the most famous of bears. Winnie the Pooh

https://i.imgur.com/bcevvO6.jpg

Photo's done, information center visited, and I couldn't find a fridge magnet. George was pretty chuffed though

https://i.imgur.com/xMkWrOP.jpg

We set off again. I sort of had a spot in mind to stop for the night. I pulled into the Lake Superior Park headquarters and got a couple of options. I liked the sound of the cheap one. "bush camping"Just a picnic table, a lake, and a "thunderbox" she called it...
I eventually found my spot. Only one other couple and they were a good 50 m along the beach.
I don't think you're supposed to take your vehicle right to the spot. The lady mentioned parking out by the road. But I'm to lazy to carry all my shit to a campsite. I'm sure I can get over the mound and between the trees

https://i.imgur.com/L6MVlfJ.jpg

Glad the bikes got the muffler low, and panniers narrow.
What a seriously cool spot.

https://i.imgur.com/Qn6bJF5.jpg

I set up and wandered along the beach gathering a decent amount of firewood

https://i.imgur.com/QJzXDJ0.jpg

then had a brew and watched the world go by, including a bald eagle out for a cruise how cool is that ?
After tea, because it looked like bear country I took the food box along the beach and hung it in a tree

https://i.imgur.com/QyJ1CwU.jpg

then waited for the sunset that never happened and turned in. George was still fizzing when I put the rain cover on the tankbag for the night.
'Bout 2 am I was woken by a light. I thought someone was spotlighting... then the thunder started, and it carried on for the next 2 hrs., with some decent rain mixed in.
Rough night...:argh:
I got up and had coffee and packed up in between showers

https://i.imgur.com/dIpkFtt.jpg

The "thunderbox" proved to be less than ideal during a passing shower :facepalm:

https://i.imgur.com/mHAJUb7.jpg

I pulled in up the road a bit to check out some petroglyphs (?) near Agawa bay. Nice walk through the bush

https://i.imgur.com/ooY7g0d.jpg

I only saw 2 petroglyphs

https://i.imgur.com/W0nlImy.jpg

the rest required scrambling along a wet rock ledge above the lake, apparently its quite slippery.

https://i.imgur.com/MlfkJIV.jpg

I eventually made it to the destination for the day.

https://i.imgur.com/4yGyHpP.jpg

and just as I took that shot the thunder/lightning started again. Accompanied by torrential rain

https://i.imgur.com/P5Naiwd.jpg

I made it to my room for a couple of nights and dripped like a wet sponge on their reception floor.
I've been for a bit of a snuffle around and it looks like a nice spot with some interesting things. Don't think I've ever seen a lock before :scratch:
Think I'll stick around...

:wavey:

[JATZ]

Talk about leaving US, hanging by a thread.
Do you really expect us to believe that???
As always a great read, keep up the good work mate.
:banana::lol:

What happens in the club.... stays in the club :whistle:

[_Shrek_]

G'day Shrek, good to hear from ya. Yeah, lifes alright... can't complain.
I almost came down your way earlier in the year, was going to hit some trails on the CT125, but you know... stuff gets in the way,, :rolleyes:
Maybe I could park the ute at yours when I do get down there ?

:wavey: to Mrs Shrek

no worries Jatz, be good to have a wee catch up around Mrs Shrek's fire with a few :drinknsin & maybe a red or two,

[JATZ]

no worries Jatz, be good to have a wee catch up around Mrs Shrek's fire with a few :drinknsin & maybe a red or two,

Looks good... I'll bring the cask :drinkup:

[JATZ]

Righto... Quick catch up :psst:, while the rain belts down outside.
I had a relaxing day in S.S.M. I glanced at the bike on my way out in the A.M. and walked on by. took care of some house keeping first, then trundled of to the Bush pilots museum thingy. They have planes :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/ISXr5it.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qwuWzE9.jpg

doer upper planes...

https://i.imgur.com/fdMWhA7.jpg

and a 3D movie about bush pilots fighting forest fires. and all that's involved. Was pretty cool :niceone: Unfortunately the Insectarium was shut, shame :weep:
I wandered along the promenade for a bit looking at this and peering at that. there was a whole bunch of hand painted rocks lining the footpath.

https://i.imgur.com/zo7ihs9.jpg

Here's a couple that caught my eye

https://i.imgur.com/wXMTj5o.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/knqTktq.jpg

That second one got me thinking :scratch:
I made it to the lock. popped into the visitors center, got a map looked at some stuff and went awanderin.

https://i.imgur.com/CMiGM7y.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bx9dam4.jpg

Then walked around the tracks on some islands that are there. Under the bridge to the US

https://i.imgur.com/K4oyPcJ.jpg

Over to Whitefish Isl. where you can see the rapids that necessitated the lock. While I was cruising along a path a little snake came wriggling out of the undergrowth right in front of me, I had to LOL as the little fellah virtually tied himself in knots trying to go back where he came from.

https://i.imgur.com/M0CP7zX.jpg

Water levels are still pretty high. The US lock on the other side had a couple of large ships go through while is was there, one was a big cruise liner. I don't think the Canadian lock could handle them that big. Then I just loitered around. looking at the old buildings

https://i.imgur.com/qmcJ3Kl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jHnZk3T.jpg

And the new ones

https://i.imgur.com/cgYSdl7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MvkDMFN.jpg

That second one is the Roberta Bondar building, and it's pretty effin impressive. She also has a park named after her, which was pretty swish, and a school. Who is Roberta Bondar, I hear you ask ??
Well I had no idea when I woke up that morning, but there was a section on her at the plane museum.
Wonder no more... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberta_Bondar Seems being an astronaut (among other things) make ya famous.
Couple more shots of Sault Ste Marie

https://i.imgur.com/kggKEbQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uExCXLE.jpg

Electric Quad anyone ??

https://i.imgur.com/Pd7EIhs.jpg

Picked up another book :hitcher:, sent the other 2 home and went out for tea at a well respected joint not 300m from where I was staying.
You get 1 guess what it served :drool:
Next day it was time to leave S.S.M. I liked the place, it had a good feel to it.

[JATZ]

I headed north and turned down a road that my paper map said joined up with another road I needed to take. Google said it did too, but OH NO... Miss Garmin wasn't having a bar of it :angry2: I carried on regardless. It was pretty cool :yes: Past Ranger Lake

https://i.imgur.com/M1PIyke.jpg

A nice squiggly little gravel number

https://i.imgur.com/DwGfAUa.jpg

I had no idea the roads had a sand base, until I came to a grader who was churning it up and leaving windrows along the road :eek5:
Y'know... I think I may have only taken another couple of pics of lakes and trees and stuff which are pretty boring. I made my way to Chapleau to stock up on supplies, in a small town store where you're instantly recognized as an outsider, and made my way to Ivanhoe Lake for the night. Scored a spot with a nice view of the sunset :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/DJlZgLW.jpg

I thought this was pretty cool too

https://i.imgur.com/nFYu4Hf.jpg

It was another of those days where the phone camera stays hidden. Just cruising along minding my own business looking at the scenery.....
Late in the day I stopped for a comfort stop and a drink, just pulled off the road into a side road, found some shade and did what I needed to do. Gave the bike a quick eyeball, looking for anything obvious. I did think about heading down to the lake at the end of the road to set up camp, but I decided against it... I was wondering why I hadn't seen a live bear yet, saw plenty last time..... What would I do if one walked out of the trees ? Y'know... things like that.
I saddled up again and headed back the 20m to the road, pulled up, glanced left... then right.... then down.... :gob::eek5::shit:
Barely 10m away was this...

https://i.imgur.com/4fi91Jo.jpg

First instinct was to drop the clutch and gap it.... then I thought of Jatz's Travels, so whipped off a glove, dived into the tank bag for the phone and got a pic for the readers. Then the phone got chucked in an open pocket, the glove tucked into my crotch and I took off. Thankfully no traffic was coming.
After that excitement I made my way to Halfway lake and scored a spot to pitch my tent. Very large campsite, lots of people.... :sad:
Next day... Today... I made my way to North bay on Lake Nippising. I think I'll do 2 nights here, the place has a good feel to it.
Bike is booked in for a service and tyres on the 28th in T'ronno and I've got a meeting with an I.T./tech guy.

Later

:wavey:

[Joburble]

"thunderbox"

The privacy walls on the thunderbox looked a bit thin, but at least you'd be able to see the bears coming.

[F5 Dave]

Had to Google it as couldn't remember. Not such an important nugget of information in the Maugatuks for example.

The average brown bear encounter is more dangerous—3.5 times more likely to result in injury—than the average polar bear encounter, and 21 times more dangerous than the average black bear encounter, according to Smith and colleague Stephen Herrero, professor emeritus at the University of Calgary in Canada.


Ah, well, hardly worth worrying about, you know, statistically.:first: (the trophy is what I would award myself for fastest getaway).

[JATZ]

Had to Google it as couldn't remember. Not such an important nugget of information in the Maugatuks for example.

The average brown bear encounter is more dangerous—3.5 times more likely to result in injury—than the average polar bear encounter, and 21 times more dangerous than the average black bear encounter, according to Smith and colleague Stephen Herrero, professor emeritus at the University of Calgary in Canada.


Ah, well, hardly worth worrying about, you know, statistically.:first: (the trophy is what I would award myself for fastest getaway).
If it had been a brown bear there would be no pic. Maybe one from way up road ?

[JATZ]

Alright... Time for another lash at getting you guys up to date.
So I had a day to kill in North Bay, on lake Nipissing. First order of business, go have a wander around the fore shore and marina.

https://i.imgur.com/uPXt2yI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qg2vWNQ.jpg

I do love a good fore shore :yes:
Then it was off to have a look at the Canadian Forces museum of Aerospace Defence. It's on an active military base, and Garmin tried routing me through the middle of it :angry2: I found my own way there and found out they didn't open till 12.... So rocketed off to have a look at a waterfall

https://i.imgur.com/CghTJpq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XVVLr3a.jpg

Quite un developed. I also love a good water fall :niceone: It was pretty cool.
With that out of the way I headed back to the museum, it should be open by now.
Sadly No :confused: perhaps they were off at lunch. I left in disgust. Then it was a bit of a poke around the town centre. Nothing much to report there, it seemed quite dead.
Back to the accom. and a chill out session.
After tea I wandered down to a local park, where I had a chat to the owner of this


https://i.imgur.com/ZPdHmDV.jpg

The bikes electric and the trailer holds 3 windsurfers. He's going to build a closed in trailer :yes: I looked at the tow hitch and the welds holding that to the swingarm and figured he'd best learn to weld before venturing to far. Kept my mouth shut though :shutup:
Also had a chat to a guy fishing off the rocks, using live bait.
Leeches anyone ??

https://i.imgur.com/KC1xqKz.jpg

So feeling I'd done North Bay, I set sail the next morning. South into Huntsville then East through Algonquin park. It was pretty cool. Lots of trees and lakes. No pics though... I mean, how many pics of lakes and trees does one man need ?:blink:
Then I made my way to Round Lake and the Covered Bridge campground. They have a covered bridge there surprisingly

https://i.imgur.com/SrdZNs8.jpg

I negotiated an acceptable rate with the owner and he led me to my spot for the night

https://i.imgur.com/7KMVapY.jpg

It was a beautiful evening...

https://i.imgur.com/oxqcXMn.jpg

I slept well despite the frogs and woke up the next morning to this

https://i.imgur.com/XarRniK.jpg

I quite like those "Cabins" on the lake. I could see myself living in one. Riding bikes and quads and cutting wood in the summer, then riding a snowmobile and burning wood in the winter :D
Right... I was supposed to be in Toronto this day. But first a stop at a place I'd saved on Google Maps months ago. I just had to have a look... see if they had any problems I could help out with. Maybe find a produce stall ?

https://i.imgur.com/VJD8Mvv.jpg

It's a bit hard to read the sign, but that says Letterkenny Rd. There is a church there :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/6OBHhHw.jpg

No town of Letterkenny :cry: It's filmed in Sudbury, which I'd past through days before
What followed was some of the best riding of the trip so far. A rural rd passing over hlils and plunging into valleys like a rollercoaster, the trees crowding in on both sides. Occasional glimpses of lakes and cabins in the woods. Passing through the occasional little hamlet. Riding nirvana in my books.

https://i.imgur.com/EVqQzlE.jpg

I tried to film it but the card was full so that didn't work, and I didn't really want to stop.
It had to end.... at another little town I can't remember the name of. Where I actually did stop, at a car/ute/motorcycle/quad/side by side/snowmobile/small engine dealer ( I guess you have to diversify to survive :scratch:
It looks like they can also deal in Sherps

https://i.imgur.com/HLFv18S.jpg

Seriously cool :Punk: I think I'd neeed one of those at the lake cabin.
Then it was time to make my way to T'ronno. But not before I got held up in road works. The line of cars stretched for kilometers. At one point I decided to ride up the hard shoulder to get ahead a bit, an had some turkey pull right to try and block me with his ute and trailer. I got passed ok copping some abuse from the passenger. I'd been warned this may happen if I did use the shoulder(9its quite legal). Some people are just ass holes I guess.
I got to within sight of the front of the que and waited for a good 45 mins for it to start mooving. Pretty crap traffic management. The que on the other side stretched on for aaaaaages :shit:
Garmin had decided to route me in to town on the 401 :eek:.... at times 8 lanes of traffic each way, sometimes burning along at 110/120 sometimes down to 1st gear. Trucks and cars all jostling for position. It was quite nerve wracking :shit::eek::crazy: I had no idea Toronto was this BIG !!
I eventually made it to where I had to drop the bike off, and was more than happy to strip my gear off it and uber the last 50 k's to the Air BnB

[JATZ]

So I spent the Thursday just wandering around the streets of Burlington

https://i.imgur.com/zWDi5Zg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GV5fO1y.jpg

It's actually a pretty cool city of 185000 thousand people. Goin to Walmart, and no... I didn't see any "people of", for essentials like SD cards, food and beer.
Then today I had to go pick up this in Mississauga ...

https://i.imgur.com/9iNvPzd.jpg

and get back to Burlington with just voice commands. then later in the day back to Mississauga to pick up my freshly serviced ride, complete with new tyres, chain and sprockets :wari:
Still waiting for the I.T. guy.....

Thasit.... your all caught up

Later

:wavey:

[F5 Dave]

Well. Its rainin here. You're all caught up too.

[JATZ]

Well. Its rainin here. You're all caught up too.

Yeah... I get weather reports on my semi regular video calls home.
Sounds pretty rubbish weather wise. Was high 20's here today, over in Niagara falls :sweatdrop:whistle:

[JATZ]

Not really much to report this instalment...
I.T. guy showed up.... He's actually related. I cant decide what to call him here, "The Boy" doesn't seem too accurate, "The Man" is probably more accurate but he'll just get a big head and won't be able to get his helmet on, so I'll go with Tom. Last decent trip we did together was a Dusty Butt about 12 years ago, back when he was 16 ?
He arrived late after an extended series of flights. so we spent the night catching up and wotnot. Next day I took him to a Bass Pro shop to pick up a couple of items.

https://i.imgur.com/HouWnJN.jpg

Then, seeing as how we were so close we buzzed down to Niagara falls.

https://i.imgur.com/KMnbjV3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yx6GLCP.jpg

I have no idea where the pic of George in front of the falls got to, but he was there too. It was pretty crazy busy, being a holiday weekend. All the car parks were full, but we parked illegally with a father and son duo from the U.S, Tom and Thomas, with their friend. The father offered to stay and watch the bikes while the rest of us half ran along to the viewing area.


https://i.imgur.com/AS7PxMX.jpg

Very very touristy, cool though. We may go back if time permits. Be nice to do the boat ride right under the falls, but the que to get on was epic.
I picked up a fridge magnet and we left. Got back to the accom and hung out before walking into the town center for tea, very cool place

https://i.imgur.com/DsBev4K.jpg

then wandered around the foreshore

https://i.imgur.com/qJlTnsb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1FT0HGu.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/H2qgO12.jpg

Very nice :yes: there was a live band playing and a bit of a festival atmosphere.
Next morning we cleaned up, packed up and saddled up before doing battle with the Toronto motorway system again. Even though it was a Sunday morning it was still pretty hectic :eek: Sprot bike riders were enjoying it though, one was even enthusiastic enough to hoist the front wheel up, while travelling along at decent clip. I was pretty impressed :headbang:
We made our way Northish, through farms, past lakes and rivers, only stopping for a burger at a roadside stop (yumm) and ended up at a little camp called Jessups camp. They have a river and some rapids

https://i.imgur.com/SQTRRYE.jpg

It was a pretty low key spot. No signage, roll in, select a spot and txt the owner who then comes round to collect fees.
We got away next morning, heading for a covered bridge Tom had googled up the night before. Nothing really to report. More cruuuising :ride: through wooded hills, little hamlets and churches.

https://i.imgur.com/Q4ywjCT.jpg

The Sena was flat so no video footage.
We crossed into Quebec, over a couple of dam's

https://i.imgur.com/EyJ4Y9x.jpg

Instantly.... the road signs went from English with French subtitles to pure French :shit:

https://i.imgur.com/tXyYFzo.jpg

That's an easy one, some of the others are a leeeedle harder. My schoolboy French from the early eighties, may need to be resurrected. And Tom can ask for fish :blink: Least we wont go hungry :D
Anyway... We found the bridge

https://i.imgur.com/9fJBOjf.jpg

Found some cool cars

https://i.imgur.com/IcRvNzf.jpg

And made our way to Mont Tremblant and a horribly over priced camp ground. It'd been a long day :yes:

[JATZ]

So we got up early next morning, before the other campers started to rise, had coffee and packed up. Although Tom was virtual packed before I even poked my head out the flap. Then we made our way to Mont Tremblant village/resort thing. It's like something from a post card.

https://i.imgur.com/crqipmj.jpg

Because we were so early the crowds hadn't arrived, the stores were still closed and the first little lift wasn't operating. We wandered around, taking lots of pics and managed to find a wee cafe to while away the time, waiting for the lift to open. The time arrived so we shuffled down the hill to get on and get a free ride..... back to where we'd come from :whistle:
Was nice not to be walking back up the hill though

https://i.imgur.com/8GcOUUi.jpg

There was supposed to be a lookout at the very top of the mountain so a ticket was purchased for the long gondola ride to see it. Unfortunately the weather pretty crap, but we knew that before setting off

https://i.imgur.com/UYvZ3kh.jpg

At he top the cafe/restaurant/giftshop thing was closed for a private function so that was out. We just wandered around like lost sheep, staring into the mist

https://i.imgur.com/hkBAXqb.jpg

Then back down to the town. A good ride and the views were pretty cool once we got out of the cloud

https://i.imgur.com/MkCk3UL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CHebB2x.jpg

And on the bikes heading for Montreal. Traffic was once again very heavy, lots of motorways, sometimes crawling, sometimes speeding. Found a cheap motel and then went wandering

https://i.imgur.com/GV3kWN9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GcQlfqR.jpg

I'm sure it's a lovely city, there appears to be plenty of attractions, but..... It's a city and it was mutually agreed we'd only do 1 night and move on. I think we'd need 2 days to really get to grips with moving around and taking it all in, however there's a ferry ride to Newfoundland coming up and it'd be a shame to miss it.

Later...

:wavey:

[JATZ]

Crikey... it's been almost a week. We're tucked up in a BnB in North Sydney, waiting for the ferry tomorrow, so I might as well do an update.
We spent the night at a cheap motel in Montreal. There was a "club" :msn-wink: just down the road and the place kind off had that rent by the hour feel. After Tom mentioned the placement of the mirror I clicked and decided to sleep on top of the bed. Pretty sure Tom did too :yes: Despite that, I would stay there again.

https://i.imgur.com/eDDWDpQ.jpg

Almost forgot... I found this little number at a store down the road. had to have one, even if it tasted like ass

https://i.imgur.com/l7aSiDA.jpg


We hit the road next morning determined to put the city behind us. I had planned a route past the Notre Dame cathedral, but decided to bypass even that. Maybe next time :whistle: I feel that city needs some time spent in it. Learn the public transport system and see what it has to offer.
We planned to head for a wee place called Thetford Mines, passing through numerous little towns en route. Apparently Asbestos mining is a thing here.

https://i.imgur.com/zOdYsMT.jpg

We both held our breaths... :scratch: the results were quite visible from the road, massive hills of tailings (?) We decided there was enough daylight left to head to Etchemin and a potential camp.
We found the spot, a full on RV park, complete with tacky Xmas decorations

https://i.imgur.com/CtSOWqs.jpg

They wanted 130 $$ Can for a site. with 2 services which we wouldn't use, so we mooved on. Tom found one on line so we headed for that. Unfortunately the gate was locked :weep: Going back to the $130 place was not an option... I spotted a woman mowing her lawn just up the road so rode up for a conversation. For the first time in my life I had to actually try to have a conversation with someone who spoke no English :eek5: She knew "camping" though. Tom (I knew I'd asked him along for a reason) whipped out his phone and used google translate to get the message through. before long she was on the phone to a friend who spoke English, who gave Tom instructions. Then the Neighbor turned up with her Brother, she did speak English, and offered me a beer ( I can understand that in any language :D ) while Tom sorted out booking us in for the night on line and getting the combination. No pics of the site but this wee fellah was sitting on the bank of the river

https://i.imgur.com/RewBkhQ.jpg

It was a nice spot :yes:
We got mooving the next day, not sure where the next spot was going to be. just winging it. I don't think I pulled the phone out once for the day. We just rode along, looking at "stuff" and ended up in Matane. Once again Tom found a place to pitch up for the night and scored a bag of marshmellows for later

https://i.imgur.com/dpGmJb4.jpg

After Matane, the plan was to ride around the Gaspe, or Gaspesie if you prefer, peninsular. Very cool :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/bXI7VHV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mp0Dmhw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wpLCXXa.jpg

Passing through lots of wee seaside hamlets, almost every vista straight off a postcard.

https://i.imgur.com/6u1F6pQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/srxafl8.jpg

Something deepfried for lunch at a popular road side diner and through Gaspe National park. It was a bit late in the day for the walk out to the Lighthouse, se we bumbled into town and Tom got started finding somewhere to stay. He found a place... and by the time I got there the owner was showing us where to pitch the tents. The place was full, but the owner had a spot for m/cyclists and cycle tourists, who don't take up much space. Really nice guy, who loved NZ and would live there in a heartbeat, but... We sorted ourselves out and mooched back into town for a feed. Very nice :woohoo: then a quick wander around

https://i.imgur.com/bfM7T6Q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CdCcnnK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CGzOhoT.jpg

T.B.C.

P.S. Is it still a chain store if it's spelt different ??

https://i.imgur.com/RrVSrur.jpg

[JATZ]

Both of us were keen to get back into a province where you could understand the road signs and going out for a meal didn't involve a different colored menu so the waiter knew weather to speak in French or English. Sometimes it was pure French. So if you didn't understand you took a guess and hopped for the best.
It was a bit different. I'll admit. But you could tell there was people in Quebec who just couldn't be arsed switching to English, Despite our poor attempts at French. I must brush up a bit before future trips... :hitcher:
As a footnote... what is it with French ? I know it sounds kinda smooth and sauve/sexy, but English is so much more "to the point"

https://i.imgur.com/v2HPFrZ.jpg

Aaaaanyway.... We left Gaspe. Tom got a sticker, but I couldn't source a magnet, and headed for Perce. There's a rock with a hole in it there. The place was dripping with tourists, and I found fridge magnet :headbang:
We went out to a place where you could walk up to a lookout thing. I casually wandered past a booth where a woman was talking to a family and made my way up the hill to the lookout. It was a good view, but you couldn't see the hole in the rock. You could see the rock that had the hole, but not the actual hole

https://i.imgur.com/0fS3RPp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/h2Uib8O.jpg

I wandered back down and casually past the booth :whistle:, caught up with Tom. He took off to photograph some stuff, while I hid in the shade. and watched the bikes, as the parking machine had swallowed my coin but didn't give me a ticket.
Eventually we hit the road, but stopped in a restaurant carpark to get a pic of the actual hole in the rock

https://i.imgur.com/dB67OZk.jpg

Then bee lined it for the crossing into New Brunswick, and the town of Campbelton.Only stopped once for a quick pic...

https://i.imgur.com/kMRGlz5.jpg

I found a BnB for the night...

https://i.imgur.com/Xm0ECn5.jpg

Then we wandered around looking at stuff.

https://i.imgur.com/PHUjh4w.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/baMKQQI.jpg
And went to Maccas for tea :facepalm: but for the first time in my life I couldn't finish a feed of maccas.
Next day was a bit of desperately needed admin

https://i.imgur.com/AJABysQ.jpg

Just as well we were in there when the heavens opened up :eek5:
Before making our way to Bathurst.
The girl in the Info center said there was an Arcadian festival on on the peninsula, so accommodation was pretty much non existent, so we headed for a little place called Miramechi, and another cmpground. No fire though as there was a fire ban :mad: Just as we suiting up to head into town to find some food, the heavens opened up again.

https://i.imgur.com/Oa9DNWP.jpg

Glad we'd already set up the tents :niceone: Just as well we had a shelter to wait it out. It did clear so we buzzed into town for a feed.

M.T.C.

[JATZ]

Funnily enough, on the paper placemats at the family diner was an add for a place called Leftys. It was almost on the way back to camp so we decided to call in. I sotof half needed another vape anyway...

https://i.imgur.com/TXRx2iD.jpg

Those aren't tomato plants out front :doobey: That would never happen in NZ.
They had some interesting stuff in there

https://i.imgur.com/W6A5u7E.jpg

But no stickers or fridge magnets :whistle:
After a wet night it was time to move on... pack up in between showers and saddle up, and head for Moncton, about an hour away, which is just enough time to work up an appetite :yes: Tom had heard good things about this franchise, and after my slip up in Campbelton, what the heck...:shutup:

https://i.imgur.com/Tzxy75V.jpg

It was alright :yes:
I'd been watching Tom's rear tire getting sadder and sadder and decided to start making some calls. I'd already been in touch with the hire company voicing my skepticism about how new his rear tire was from day one. After numerous phone calls I tracked one down, and it was on our way, but they couldn't fit it. Better than nothing I guess :blink: I made another call and organized some fitting in another town and we were on our way.
Once again I neglected to take any pics, probably because.... I dunno.... lazy ?? seen similar before ?? apathetic ?? I don't know, but it was a nice ride :ride:
We stopped in a little place where I found a campground and made sure they had room while Tom stumbled around Walmart trying to find something to eat. I saw this when I went in...

https://i.imgur.com/pDsvz6p.jpg

Not only is there people of Walmart, but now there's Robots of Walmart. It just buzzed around cleaning the floor and would stop if you got to close to it.
We eventually got to our camp and set up, and Tom actually managed to dish up something pretty good before the rain came in again and an early night was called.
Next day we packed up, in between showers again, and set off for a place just out of Sydney, Nova Scotia. In Torrential (at times) rain. Heading for the shop I'd spoken to the day before.
Due to the rain they'd had some jobs cancelled so were able to fit us in, even changing out the front with one they had in stock that someone had ordered but not picked up :wari:
It really is awesome how a shop will bend over backwards to help when they understand you're just travelling through. Otherwise it would be a 2 week wait. Massive shout out to the guys from Cabots

https://i.imgur.com/8hmPk7K.jpg

He looks happy.... ish :shutup:
Then it was off to the BnB I'd organized, to dry out and think about the next segment, and also to use the super fast wifi to keep you guys up to date...

TTYL eh

:wavey:

[Laava]

No post for a while? Did you hook up with Itchy Boots or something?

[JATZ]

No post for a while? Did you hook up with Itchy Boots or something?
Naah.... she was on the other coast. I'm guessing about the same time I was there too.
Been home about a month now. I may chuck some more pics up when I get time, work and life seem to have got in the way

[JATZ]

Alright... It's a crap day here and I need a break from Legoing.
I've had a bit of time to process the trip, so I'll try 'n' wrap this up. It may take a while as I flick between imgur pages, folders of pics, google maps and the cobwebs in my brain.
After a night in North Sydney we had to be at the ferry around mid morning for some reason. The ferry didn't actually leave until 5 p.m. So it was a long day, hanging around the boarding area chit chatting to some of the other passengers. My social cup did runneth over after that and it was good to hop onboard and get underway pretty much on time. It was a long night as the trip takes about 14 or 15 hrs and all the cabins were full. The food was ferry food, the bar was mega expensive and the seating area we scored was not the plushest. However... it was worth it :clap:
We got off the ferry here...

https://i.imgur.com/2JQexuv.jpg

Found a gravel road and made our way across to the Avalon peninsula, through some small villages and into the Avalon wilderness area

https://i.imgur.com/bSKwsEq.jpg

then made our way to a campsite for the night in La Manche Provincial park. Next morning we saddled up and headed off, through Pretty Harbour, very pretty...

https://i.imgur.com/6C61OCb.jpg

and out to Cape Spear. The Eastern most point of North America.

https://i.imgur.com/lUArIzl.jpg

I had a bit of a scan through the lighthouse keepers house, chatted to the parks guy there, picked up a small stone that's been kissed by the Atlantic ocean... and a fridge magnet :D then we made our way back to Pretty Harbour where there was allegedly a pretty good Moose Burger. The burger was good... but this was next level

https://i.imgur.com/mOYpzjX.jpg

Pretzels with beer cheese. Would definitely eat again... double helping too :yes:
Then we made our way to St Johns and a campground in town. Quite a cool town, and bigger than I expected it to be.

https://i.imgur.com/n14CH8Q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NhwyK6Q.jpg

Next morning we pootled out to Signal hill for a look around.

https://i.imgur.com/cir0vKy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/FQwwns5.jpg

Another cool spot. We paid a visit to Johnson Geo center which was absolutely worth the price of admittance. It's not just rocks. A quick stop at a 5 Guys for lunch, where I just couldn't bring myself to add Bacon to my shake

https://i.imgur.com/U2nlzJ1.jpg

Then I wanted to visit a brewery in a little town about a hundy K's away. I'd already grabbed a t-shirt in St Johns so it'd be rude not to visit the place :yes:
Beer was pretty good

https://i.imgur.com/YRxCDFH.jpg

but I couldn't finish the Brown.
After our visit to

https://i.imgur.com/EnbpG8N.jpg

We made our way back to town, hit a souvenir shop and found something to eat. I don't think I'll be rushing out to have a feed of Cod tongues again :sick:
Next morning we struck out for Elliston. There's some Puffins there apparently.

https://i.imgur.com/ARai5c7.jpg

You can get pretty close to them too :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/sqhMXtB.jpg

It's also the root cellar capital of the world. Learn something new every day Eh ? :scratch: Then it was off to Bonavista. Where we wandered around another lighthouse

https://i.imgur.com/6123Z15.jpg

and found some accom for the night. Next day was a reasonably long day. Time was of the essence and we didn't want to just blow through Gros Morne national park. I think we ended up going down to Corner brook for supplies, then got split up. Not sure what happened to Tom but I managed to find a spot in a campground that wasn't full and settled in, after finding wifi to let him know where I was.
Next day we cruised along to have a closer look at "the Tablelands"

https://i.imgur.com/TMF6ObH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OTirII2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VUSIUs3.jpg

What a stunning spot, the pictures seriously don't do it justice :no: Then we nosed around looking at some other stuff, visiting sites and generally soaking up the place.

https://i.imgur.com/cMmO5JE.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JU7k7hQ.jpg

Next day we had to head back in to Corner Brook, after a visit to the Insectarium in Deer lake, another very interesting place to visit. Then made our way down to a campground just outside Channel Port Au Basques. It was time to take the ferry back to the mainland.
Newfoundland had been a very cool place to visit. I had under estimated how big it was and missed out on visiting places I wanted to see. Guess I'll just have to re visit it next year. Might even swing by that place in Pretty Harbour and grab a pretzel or 2 :2thumbsup

[JATZ]

After a short 4 hr (?) ferry ride back to North Sydney we buzzed around to a little place where we'd booked some accommodation. They were right next to an eatery which was still open too :clap:
Now... Time was running out and we had to be back in to Toronto on a certain date. We still had a couple of thousand K's to do, but there was a name that kept coming up when chatting to other bikers.... The Cabot trail. so we made a call to buzz around it, or part of it.... we'd done some on the way to North Sydney in the pissing down rain.
Parts of it were pretty cool :banana:

https://i.imgur.com/Obz0wKp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PalwuMG.jpg

It's a shame we were feeling rushed. found a very good French bakery though :drool: and made our way back to the Hyclass campground for the night

https://i.imgur.com/zyqWrCl.jpg

There was more people there than the last time

https://i.imgur.com/ZBpKaeA.jpg

Next day was just a transit leg. We got to Quebec city where we got separated. Tom ended up taking the m/way while I ended up cruising through tiny little streets with houses built virtually right on the road, and made my way to ferry which took me across the river and deposited me right in the guts of Old Quebec City. I think it was this moment I decided to come back here, someday

https://i.imgur.com/BgiLwiL.jpg

I knew where we planned on pitching up for the night so made my way there, a little spot at the NE end of Isle D'Orleans. Quite a nice spot, tucked in amongst tall trees., would stay again.... :yes:
Next day we completed the round trip of the Isl. and had a snoop round the old part of Quebec City

https://i.imgur.com/llyZAuL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gvHtn23.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HCFGyX7.jpg

Very touristy.
Then we continued heading West, just buzzing along the H/ways. Once again we got seperated and I ended up in some roadside town where I found a room, Tom carried on as he'd had enough of Quebec and the Frenchness of the place. I'd grown to like it. It was different, and at times a challenge. But that's part of why we travel, right ?
Next Morning I'd made a plan to catch up with Tom where he was stopped, over in Ontario, which required going through Montreal. The GPS was set to avoid motorways.... so I ended up travelling through what appeared to be every road works and set of traffic lights in Montreal (which were all red BTW) and arrived later than expected :facepalm:
We hooked back up and continued on... taking some back roads, he wanted to visit Ottawa, but I'd had enough of city's for one day and needed to get sorted for putting the bike away 'till next year.
We made it back to T'ronno, after more H/way 401 :crazy: in torrential rain where the GPS kept doing funny shit and losing the route due to rain hitting the touch screen :eek5: and I pulled into the shop where I'd had the bike serviced prior to leaving. They offered to service the bike, only charging for parts and oil, so how could I refuse :2thumbsup...KMM powersports, if your ever looking to get work done while in Toronto.
We dropped Toms bike off back at the hire company, where I was reimbursed for a set of tires, in cash, no questions asked :woohoo: and Tom ubered to the air BnB while I rode.
Next day I needed to drop the bike of for storage.... On the Wiarton peninsular, about 200k's North. We needed transport back.... a rental car would do it :yes: I'm in North America... They like "trucks" here... there was really no other option :D

https://i.imgur.com/O34l6IJ.jpg

God Damn !! Very nice :D and more get up and go than a vehicle that size has any right to have.
I dropped the bike off (I still haven't met the guy who's looking after it, he was away riding. But I know where he lives :D ) and we made our way back to Toronto.
Next day we went into the city and had a look around.
There's a tower there, with cool views of the city

https://i.imgur.com/feoDpMx.jpg

and some crowds outside Rogers stadium

https://i.imgur.com/aN1x0Oo.jpg

There was a ball game on and some other convention thing happening. Visited an aquarium... where I found Nemo :clap:

https://i.imgur.com/mLaUfYZ.jpg

and I tried to cancel my mobile contract without much success, also visited some shops and Chinatown and saw some pretty different stuff/people :blink:
Next day was the end.... Time to fly home. Tom was taking different flights than me so he left earlier. I'd been keeping up with the happenings at Pearson airport, as it was quite a mess, so planned on being there early for the flight, when I got a mssg from Tom saying "be reeeal early as this place is a mess" or words to that effect. They were making last calls for his flight while he was still stuck in security. He made it just as they were unloading his bags :gob:
I high tailed it to the airport and it was a dis organized mess.... a clusterfuck one could say. I eventually made it through a couple of different counters, hours cueing, and a gentle frisking by security :blink: Apparently, it's because of my clothes. I guess pants and a shirt can upset the scanners, next time I'll just wear undies :shit:
And I got home alright :Punk::woohoo:

[JATZ]

I'll throw some random pics here... ones that I've either forgotten to include, or skipped past the bits where they were taken in the main RR

Toronto city

https://i.imgur.com/uxlj9ZR.jpg

From the "Needle"

https://i.imgur.com/EY3vbN8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KZXJLlP.jpg

Worlds largest axe. In Nackawic. We found a free camp not far from there

https://i.imgur.com/9rtpKLR.jpg

Worlds longest covered bridge, like the sign says... In Hartland N.B.

https://i.imgur.com/ofgvcDb.jpg

A distillery. They had some good stuff. Aaaaand I got the tshirt :D

https://i.imgur.com/uUtb6jn.jpg

Snak anyone ? I'm sure there's enough to go around...

https://i.imgur.com/h04MM4L.jpg

Camping on Ill D'Orleans

https://i.imgur.com/H7Ln11j.jpg

Camping somewhere else...

https://i.imgur.com/6VnyqiD.jpg

These little suckers were very friendly

https://i.imgur.com/am7HQKz.jpg

Early morning bust up just off shore as I was having coffee

https://i.imgur.com/wYiTJHN.jpg

Insects at the Insectarium in Deer lake N.F.

https://i.imgur.com/AnioREA.jpg

Cannon in Old Quebec.

https://i.imgur.com/QxwPBKG.jpg

Elliston. The Puffin place

https://i.imgur.com/vo5B22p.jpg

also the self proclaimed root cellar capital of the world

https://i.imgur.com/BnD3b7u.jpg

There's hundreds more but I wont bore you all... and I still haven't looked at all the video footage :whistle:

It's taken a while to finish this RR as the trip turned into something I wasn't happy with. I seriously under estimated the time it would take to fully do justice to the area. There was things I wanted to do, places I wanted to go that were just not possible with the time constraints. Or they would be but it would just be more rushing to tick a box without taking the time to fully soak it in.
Also...While it was good to be travelling with someone else, we never really gelled. It made for some "strained" times, as we are both used to our independence, and have different ways of going about things, and I'm being polite here... which contributed to the feeling of the trip not living up to expectations.

Anyhooooo.... Leave is booked for next year (not approved yet :sweatdrop) Newfoundland will definitely be re visited as will Quebec, probably Labrador too.
Stay tuned :D

[Gremlin]

Travelling with someone is a dark art. You're either very flexible and it's easy to get on with someone, or you have to gel pretty damn well for it to work.

As for rushing things, just look at visitors to NZ, hey, how do I see the country in 1-2 weeks... uh, yeah, not going to happen.

Awesome pics tho, especially the sunset :wari:

[Moi]

Thanks for the latest posts. Always enjoy your travel tales and photos.

[Laava]

I wanna see you go to Prudhoe bay and cry like itchy boots did!��
Oh and blowing up your undies! Hahaha!

[F5 Dave]

Great pics but understand about the experience thing. End of week I'm setting off, ten of us to do East cape etc. 6 days at a time with a year in between, about the sixth and we always seem to cover new ground, still more of NZ to see.

WhatsApp means you can see where others are and don't have to wait which is tiresome. Makes the evenings more entertaining. But we set off with a group tour mentality. .

[JATZ]

Thanks for the latest posts. Always enjoy your travel tales and photos.

Thanks for taking the time to read it


Travelling with someone is a dark art. You're either very flexible and it's easy to get on with someone, or you have to gel pretty damn well for it to work.

As for rushing things, just look at visitors to NZ, hey, how do I see the country in 1-2 weeks... uh, yeah, not going to happen.

Awesome pics tho, especially the sunset :wari:

Yeah...I was very lucky last time I went to Canada with a complete stranger. It worked out great and we're still friends. Could've gone horribly wrong though.
I probably need to work on my time management skills a bit too, leaving camp a little bit earlier would probably help :facepalm:


I wanna see you go to Prudhoe bay and cry like itchy boots did!��
Oh and blowing up your undies! Hahaha!

Go back a few pages.... I went to Prudhoe in 2019 B.C. Didn't cry though:shutup: The undie thing in Chicken was a new one, never saw that, however I'm pretty certain my crusty jocks would've looked cool heading skywards.
It was good watching her traveling through some of the same ground we covered, brought back some good memories.


Great pics but understand about the experience thing. End of week I'm setting off, ten of us to do East cape etc. 6 days at a time with a year in between, about the sixth and we always seem to cover new ground, still more of NZ to see.

WhatsApp means you can see where others are and don't have to wait which is tiresome. Makes the evenings more entertaining. But we set off with a group tour mentality. .

Enjoy the trip and may the weather gods be kind to you :niceone:

[F5 Dave]

Thanks, they were, surprisingly. Actually they must have been having a bit of a chuckle. Last leg New Plymouth to wgtn. Poured down night before and forecast dreadful rain. Suited up waiting for deluge sweating away all day, looking at the horizon, any time now. . . Nothing. Dry roads except when we crossed through Fordel but no rain on us.

Fantastic ride though.

Look forward to your next write up.

[JATZ]

Walkin the mile.... Walkin the green mile....https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20230619/f179a29ab81cde9db1c1b526d17c9d80.jpg

Sent from my SM-G996W using Tapatalk

[F5 Dave]

Oh, go on then!

[caseye]

WHAT!??? off again??? Well doen that man, looking forward to the pics and runn:2thumbsup:jerry:ing commentary's.

[JATZ]

Right.... I'll try this for the 3rd time :scratch:

So you may have guessed I jumped on a plane ? Well I took off north again, like a Godwit and headed back to Canada to get re-acquainted with the V-strom.
Despite booking tickets months ago, my preferred seats were already taken. So what's a man to do ? Upgrade of course :Punk: Goddam.... the food just tastes better, the wine was flowing and the bed just made the 14+ hr flight a breeze.

https://i.imgur.com/z8USLOc.jpg

Customs was a walk in the park and before long I was spewed out onto the streets of Vancouver.:banana:
First order of business was go and get robbed by ICBC ( Insurance )so I could legally ride the bike. Then off to my digs for the night. It'd been organized by the first place I'd booked, who were having some "Industrial action". It sounded like it wouldn't be a pleasant place to stay. The new place even had a roof top garden so I could stroll around with my coffee in the morning, it even stopped raining :2thumbsup

https://i.imgur.com/KHwBVQd.jpg

Then it was back to the airport for my domestic flight. I have no idea why check in closes 2 hrs before the flight, but that's how they roll. It made for a long wait with nothing much to do. then an uncomfortable 4 hr + jaunt over to Tronno where I finaly got to the Air BnB just after 10. It'd been a long day :zzzz:
Next morning (today) I was off to pick up the bike. Doug from KMM Powersports had kindly offered to go and pick it up from Wiarton where it'd spent the winter (Theirs... Our summer) He'd been sourcing some parts to give the suspension a new lease on life, and lets be honest, suspension is one area where Suzuki has cut production costs :yes: Nothing over the top, but certainly an improvement on stock. And made sure it was all checked and ready to go when I arrived :scooter:I was glad he'd picked it up as it meant I didn't have to try and go get it, and Storage Steve is down in the US and wont be back for weeks. I still haven't met the total stranger off the internet yet, he was away when it was dropped off too, but I trusted him with my bike :wacko:
Any way. after breakfast

https://i.imgur.com/zVpo5n7.jpg

A smoked meat sammie from the deli next door :drool: ( Been looking forward to that since last year ) Pulling the bike out of the shop...

https://i.imgur.com/Eo4oNDS.jpg

and gassbagging to Doug, it was time to hit the road.
Back to the Air BnB to clean out 1 funky smelling pannier, Then it was time to go for a ride...... Back down to Niagara falls, to see if they were still flowing.

They were....

https://i.imgur.com/xWoSasd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9DG7hIC.jpg

I gave the boat ride a miss this time too. it was still pretty busy

https://i.imgur.com/purKd2M.jpg

But nothing like last year.
A couple of quick snaps of ... The Police station

https://i.imgur.com/u6yy4xD.jpg

and some other random giant building.

https://i.imgur.com/UtOwigI.jpg

it was time to do battle with rush hour traffic on the motorway :shit:

I'd best post this now, before it disappears again.
Heading East again tomorrow. I've given myself 8 days to get Blanc Sablon hopefully I'll find some interesting things to take pics of ? Maybe even some stuff from the drone.


:wavey:

[JATZ]

Time for a catch up I think...
Sorry for the pic quality, the first few are from the helmet cam and the quality is somewhat lacking :angry: I'm a little disappointed with the sena 10C. Comms are good but the C.... not so much.
So I left T'ronno, avoiding the motorways.

https://i.imgur.com/25gplss.jpg

and rode through just about every suburb it seems. It wasn't all bad, the sights and smells made it bearable

https://i.imgur.com/x42IfdE.jpg

I'd had a spot in Bowmanville saved on google for a while, and it was time to go have a look. I wasn't sure what to expect, but....
It was pretty cool/spooky/derelict. There was 1 building where I could've climbed through a window, but chicken'd out.

https://i.imgur.com/Xlih6EW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CW1WL2l.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yrO5mDt.jpg

The place had a strange feel to it, felt like I was being watched, but then again not. Kinda hard to put my finger on it. I knew it was all good though, George had my back :D

https://i.imgur.com/hu0jqGg.jpg

It's called Camp 30. Was a prisoner of war camp during WW2. Some light reading for those interested
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowmanville_POW_camp
It's been bought by developers now, who are going to develop it, except for 1 building, owned by the council who want to restore it. good luck to them I say... I've pulled down buildings in better nick because it's un economic to repair.
So, I had a plan in place after that.... go to this place where there was a store, pick up some food and head to another place to pitch the tent beside a lake. Until I got chatting to a guy outside the gate :facepalm: He suggested a ride along the shore... just go down to the boat ramp, turn left and go. His instructions were a bit more detailed, but that's all I heard :innocent: So I got to the ramp and turned left, past some expensive looking houses right on the lake, some apple orchards and some cool roads, and .... got sick of riding in a place called Trenton. There's an Airforce base there.
Spotted a grill and a motel and called it quits for the day.
Next morning I picked a spot on the gps and set sail, through more back roads, past clusters of houses, which got me thinking :scratch: The groups of houses are all fairly close to the road, Why ? All facing the road, Why ?, shurly it'd be better to position them for the sun ? No front fences ? and the lawns are all immaculate. I guess that's just how they roll here.
Anyway. I kept going, through more little hamlets, villages, towns. Not really stopping to take pics. It was pretty cool though.
This thing pulled out in front of me at some stage..... I reckon I could've made it....

https://i.imgur.com/iqeXlLh.jpg

But he was driving a bit erratically.
Anyway.... I made it to place called Saint Jerome and called it quits for the day. Grabbed a room, cause it was supposed to rain and I'm getting soft :weep:

[JATZ]

So during my time in St Jerome, I realized if I kept taking little back roads I'd never get anywhere fast, so a plan was hatched to just jump on the m/way and make up some miles :ride:
The plan worked.... so once again, no pics.
Head down, arse up, only stopping for gas and food. I completely avoided Montreal and Quebec city. managing to skirt round the outside. I did think about stopping at the camp we stayed at last time on Ile dOrleans but it was still way to early. So I carried on along the coast through more villages, they're so cute :love: Apparently it was a festival/holiday thing, celebrated by Quebecians. One of the towns, the traffic was backed up, a poor guy doing his best to direct traffic, people all over the place and a real festival atmosphere. It was this little place. Baie Saint Paul.

https://i.imgur.com/n61ZPSu.jpg

I didn't stop till I was way out of town.
So I carried on, through more small French villages, up hill, down dale.... stopping only to grab some food. I should've stocked up in Ontario

https://i.imgur.com/NPkuINP.jpg

I worked it out though. Used some imagination mixed in with a smattering of schoolboy French. Then made my way to a camp I'd booked the previous night, just west of Saint Simeon. Nice spot with some friendly neighbors, although language was a bit of an issue again :rolleyes:

https://i.imgur.com/U8Tvwci.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/C4mrHOd.jpg

I packed up next morning intending to knock out some more k's, after stopping at a spot where you can see whales from the shore. I paid my money and went in for a look. There's a light house and an interpretive centre, a fog horn building, which was pretty cool. then I walked down to see some whales, and took up a spot on a rock :wait: along with lots of other hopefuls

https://i.imgur.com/xOIrIS5.jpg

I will sit on a rock by the sea for hours... but with a fishing rod. I lasted about half an hour and had to gap it. The guy with the microphone droning on in French about something and the lack of whales made me want to crack on.
So I got to the Tadoussac ferry

https://i.imgur.com/3CiSKGi.jpg

Notice how smokey it is in the background ? and boarded, love these free ferry's
can you spot Wally ? (the V-strom)

https://i.imgur.com/A9QvMnP.jpg

And headed for Baie Comeau, through yet more cute little villages, winding my way over hills, through forests and down into little valleys.... Lots of bikes on the road, lots and lots. Masses of Spyders too :yes:
I rolled into town and while gassing up thought I'd ask a local, with the help of Google translate about the state of the 389 Nord, knowing there'd been some fires around.
"Closed" he said, but couldn't be sure, go to the info center, they may know.
OH !! :eek5::mad::angry::mad: A quick google and it wasn't looking good.... So I rode back to the Info center and the lovely young lady told me it was open, they were letting cars through in convoy. Oh Happy days :banana::clap::woohoo: In celebration I bought a fridge magnet and a pin for George, got a free sticker too :yes:
So I made my way to the turn off to be greeted by this...

https://i.imgur.com/HftAbQB.jpg

Shit !! :angry2:
I was pondering it when a car came through, so I flagged him down and asked what the deal was. He couldn't explain in English so drew me a map of a workaround on a business card and away I went :ride:
Turns out it was just some long major roadworks, like building a whole new road :blink: I got through it and had some of the best riding so far in Canada. lots of corners, lots of hills, lots of trees and lakes. I had to stop and let George out for a look....

https://i.imgur.com/EhJ3D6B.jpg

I eventually made it to some accommodation I'd booked. They had gas and a diner, what's not to like :D and called it quits for the day :zzzz:

[JATZ]

In the morning I made my way to a little place that used to be called Manic 5, it's now called something like Daniel Johnson Dam. I prefer Manic 5, it just seems way cooler, and after looking at the structure, fits better

https://i.imgur.com/LUDzGZW.jpg

George had to get in on the act too

https://i.imgur.com/ps8nIn3.jpg

I wandered into the Interpretive center and had a gander. A tour was out as it took 2 hrs. All the boards and info they had was in French so that didn't work. But they gave me a little booklet I skim read, and had to hand back. I got some intel on the viewing area (pic 1 above), back the way I'd come. Un signposted. And found out I couldn't fly the drone, security were pretty hot on that :mad: Shame, as it was a cracking morning. I didn't spend to long hanging about as I still had a wee way to go. The road turned to gravel/sand from then on, so I aired down and enjoyed the day...

https://i.imgur.com/yU966ns.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zLIkNUo.jpg

It was pretty cool riding. I flicked onto "what's ahead" on the Zumo, and it said the next fuel was 270+ k's away :gob: and I still had 300+ k's to go. I thought I could make it, but it'd be tight. Fuel anxiety kicked in at that point.... but thankfully there was a leeedle spot Garmin hadn't heard of. I topped up at Relais Gabriel and headed further Nord.
Then the road became niiiice smooth winding seal, followed by rough seal, followed by new seal.... all the way to Fire Lake. There's some sort of mine there :scratch: then sandy/gravely twisty road.

https://i.imgur.com/iynVn5x.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jJuYIei.jpg

It would've been nice but you couldn't relax at all, at one point I hit a graded sandy patch on a corner.... couldn't slow down much, culvert and large drop looming, front end tucking under..... but I gripped the seat tightly, had a weee dab and got out of it :blink:.... then snicked the bike down a gear or 2 :whistle:
So I made it to Mount Wright, a MASSIVE !! mine. I don't know what they mine up here but by god it's a big operation

https://i.imgur.com/7fEO6dg.jpg

Mountains of tailings... Then into Labrador :woohoo:
Almost missed the sign

https://i.imgur.com/oE0YFdi.jpg

It was hidden behind this...

https://i.imgur.com/QvzBpK8.jpg

Anyhooo. I rolled into Labrador City, Grabbed a room in a place with free WiFi and settled in.
Better get some shuteye... I think tomorrows going to be a big day

:wavey:

[Moi]

I'm enjoying your new adventure, the Maritime Provinces are on the wish list - fingers crossed!

Glad you have George with you, he'll keep you out of trouble...

[BMWST?]

So I made it to Mount Wright, a MASSIVE !! mine. I don't know what they mine up here but by god it's a big operation


Iron Ore. Mount Wright is now a 200m deep open cast mine

[F5 Dave]

There are plenty of translation apps that read what your phone camera tells you back in English. Magic I believe.

[JATZ]

I'm enjoying your new adventure, the Maritime Provinces are on the wish list - fingers crossed!

Glad you have George with you, he'll keep you out of trouble...

You won't regret it. It's a pretty cool place.


Iron Ore. Mount Wright is now a 200m deep open cast mine

Thanks.... I knew someone would save me the trouble of googling it myself :niceone:


There are plenty of translation apps that read what your phone camera tells you back in English. Magic I believe.
Yeah, I got google translate, but sometimes it's better to not know, then you can plead ignorance.

[JATZ]

Firstly... HAPPY CANADA DAY readers :woohoo::drinknsin
Secondly, I guess I'd best catch youse fella's up.

So I left Lab city, heading further along the Trans Lab. Nothing much to report there, there's not a lot to see besides trees, lakes, hills and a road stretching out in front of you...

https://i.imgur.com/b5PsJQl.jpg

Or behind in this case.
I made it to Churchill falls

https://i.imgur.com/B9aU9yn.jpg

and this bridge which is/are always interesting to ride on :crazy:

https://i.imgur.com/ZQysyyt.jpg

after a couplahundy k's and had to fill up. It's the only place on the 520+ k leg to Goose bay. Interesting gas station/grocery store. They had a very well stocked liquor store in there too. Friendly people :yes: Apparently it's a "Company town". The only way you can live there is if you work for the hydro electric company. You can't even retire there after working for the company. They make sure you are all set up with somewhere else to live a couple of years before retirement.

https://i.imgur.com/EeT89xM.jpg

I had a cup of coffee and got cracking :ride: Nothing much to report on the next couple of hundred K's. I got into Goose Bay/Happy Valley and eventually found a place to stay. Pretty boring really :sleep: There's a military museum there which might've been worth a gander, but they didn't open 'till 10, by which stage I wanted to gone.
The next leg was 407 k's between gas stops. I knew I should be alright so long as I wasn't racing along. A steady 90/95 k's and I should be right. I filled up the rotopax though, just in case :innocent:
Once again... nothing really to report. Trees, lakes and a shining ribbon of tarmac stretching out before me...

https://i.imgur.com/3QJ8N2s.jpg

There was a little bit of rain, but I didn't bother with the wet weather gloves. I think I only saw about 8 or 9 other cars in the first 100 or so K's. There's not a lot of traffic.
I eventually started getting a wee bit peckish, so pulled over for a muesli bar, and I even lucked out by finding an orange in the pannier... yum :woohoo: Just standing around, nibbling away and giving the bike a quick visual.... thinking, strange I hadn't seen any wildlife. Just the moose and bear back on the 389 Nord.
Nek Minit.... As i peer up the road what should come strolling out of the trees.... ?
Mr Bear

https://i.imgur.com/O5oJalD.jpg

He was a wee way away, possibly 150 m I wasn't sure if I got the shot as the sun was behind me and I couldn't see the screen very well. Even though he was some distance away, it's still somewhat unsettling, knowing that creature, if he was sneaky and had a mind to, could come over and rip your face off and there's nothing you could do to stop it :shit:
I hurriedly finished my orange and made tracks... Once again, nothing more to report...
I got to the gas station at Port Hope Simpson, after 407 k's, showing my range as still another 26 k's. and put put 17.5 l in the 20 l tank. I had heaps left :wings: Went into town and found somewhere to stay, settled in and wen't for a snuffle around the place.

https://i.imgur.com/uuihrGp.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9PLykGh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/LwuI9mR.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fejoBPH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/wE30d6D.jpg

Had a "Heart Attack" ( thats what it's called on the menu) for tea

https://i.imgur.com/NmbjEoW.jpg

which I couldn't finish, and that was a small :gob: and had to go for another walk before calling it a day :yawn:

[JATZ]

So after a night in Port Hope Simpson it was time to continue on...:ride:
Once again... nothing much to report. I popped into Mary's Harbor, just to break the monotony.

https://i.imgur.com/OZLS6Q7.jpg

And carried on south... By this stage the wind had got up and there was still a tiny bit of snow around. George was happy to get out of his hiding place

https://i.imgur.com/K3TABVS.jpg

I did suggest posing him in the snow, but he gave me a filthy look.
Past the turnoff to Red Bay, home of Shery Lynne Butt.

https://i.imgur.com/1FE2DEW.jpg

I couldn't help thinking... That was a long time ago darlin, I wonder where you are now ? A quick google.... If'n your interested
https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/federal-election/star-mover-and-shaker-sherry-lynn-butt-142845/
Aside from that, there was this installation at the rest area. First you see this down the bottom...

https://i.imgur.com/DqDxBr9.jpg

Then you look at the next layer up....

https://i.imgur.com/svngFrQ.jpg

Very cool thing to have at a roadside pull off. At least I thought it was cool :)
Then it was back inland away from the coast and gaining a bit of height. Then the wind started again, with some fog, and a wee bit of rain

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I got to a place called l'Anse Au Clair and I was done. The ferry was only a few K's away, the thick thick fog was making life difficult and I figured I'd update this stuff, which didn't happen due to useless wifi connection.
Didn't matter though, I took a walk around the place to have a look and learnt a bit of the history of the area at the info center :2thumbsup

https://i.imgur.com/l0Q5dYZ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/aYZYBcW.jpg

View from my room... there is a road going up that hill

https://i.imgur.com/p2hpkhR.jpg

Oh.... Also, earlier in the day I'd seen my first ever ice berg :woohoo:

https://i.imgur.com/8QkS8Zi.jpg

Had a steak for tea with veggies and a salad, I just needed some greens after the previous meal :yeah:
So I set sail next morning for the massive 6 k ride to Blanc Sablon, crossing back into Quebec with the associated time change :facepalm: The ferry wasn't till 1 o'clock, but was that Quebec time ? Labrador time or..... Newfoundland time ? It was Newfoundland time :facepalm: It was still raining, my brain was mush so I did what any sane person would do.... Had a coffee

https://i.imgur.com/BDqG8RK.jpg

Really nice old local guy runs it. Been doing it for 30 yrs and can't see himself stopping. We chatted and shot the shit for about an hour, coffee cup was always refilled too :yes: and when I asked how much ? he just waved his hand and told me to sign the visitors book. I eventually left and went to the info center next door to learn more about the Bremen. One of the subjects we'd discussed over coffee

https://i.imgur.com/0cMEMOO.jpg

Some light reading...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bremen_(aircraft)#:~:text=The%20Bremen%20is%20a%20 German,April%2012%20and%2013%2C%201928.
I shagged around, getting a crappy fridge magnet and filling up the bike before making my way to the terminal. I thought about going to the NAPA to get a bulb for my headlight which had some how blown but couldn't be arsed trying to get the old one out in the rain, so went to the terminal, where I hung out . It's not really designed for hanging out, getting out of the weather. Entertainment options were non existent :no:
This caught my eye though. seemed like an appropriate hole pattern for the circumstances

https://i.imgur.com/Ww4YJRd.jpg

Eventually it was time to go line up and wait. At least it'd stopped raining :wari: Then the ferry arrived

https://i.imgur.com/qOEP1ak.jpg

and we all got on.
This bus had been past me on the road between Goose Bay and Port Hope. There was 2 of them travelling in convoy. Massive mobile homes, cruising the highways at about 100/110 km/h. ( I asked the owner of 1 of them) The second one towing that massive ute

https://i.imgur.com/oVYgjOC.jpg

It was a smooth crossing, I chatted most of the way with a guy from just east of Montreal who's into boats too, and bikes :yes:. His vacation through the inland water way system in the States hadn't gone so well when his motor blew up in NY state. So he was going for a drive in his late model Mustang. We'd stayed at the same place last night. He'd driven 1400 K's from Relais Gabriel the day prior :gob: I also found out I'd paid over $4 a liter for fuel there too :gob: :gob: Is what it is I guess :blink:
I got of the ferry in Saint Barbe ( after picking the bike up off the floor.... but that's another story :shutup: ) to more heavy rain. I stopped at a little shelter thingy to figure out what to do.

https://i.imgur.com/jw9BTq7.jpg

Mustang guy when't past too, hell it sounded nice :niceone:
I found a place to stay and made my way there. Rain was crazy :crazy: Some cars coming towards me would throw up a wall of water to ride through, there was streams running down the wheel tracks in the seal. MAD !! So I smashed out the 100 k's to my accom before dusk and settled in/dried out/downloaded/uploaded pics and had a hot feed and shower. Hopefully the rain clears...

[JATZ]

so I woke to a much better looking day, had some brekky and hit the road... after securing another night here. I had to shift units but that's O.K. I'd been wanting to check out L'Anse Au Meadows for a while now. The whole Viking thing is interesting to me for some reason. It was on the list last trip, but that didn't happen. I'd also seen another place called Norstead that looked pretty cool :yes: http://norstead.com/main.asp It most certainly was.
Snorri the replica ship

https://i.imgur.com/F5h4LAn.jpg

One of the info people taking a look outside the long house

https://i.imgur.com/I2tyHqr.jpg

Inside the church

https://i.imgur.com/G2pq9ib.jpg

The fog was still coming and going

https://i.imgur.com/9cdO7vC.jpg

Fascinating place. Really fascinating. Sadly I didn't have my runes read as she was busy with someone else.
I had a look at a statue of Leif Erickson, of course George had to make an appearance

https://i.imgur.com/SQz7BZW.jpg

a bit of a wharf at the same place

https://i.imgur.com/jbOfazE.jpg

There was what I assume were crates of lobster on the other side, sitting in the water awaiting their fate in the restaurant across the street.

Then went to the official L'Anse Au Meadows site..... Aaaaaand..... because it is Canada day, entry was free :Punk: I stumbled around there for quite a while, brought a fridge magnet and cut a track... after a few snaps

https://i.imgur.com/PQZMOU4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/yXHUxvw.jpg

Then I just noodled around. Looking at this and that....with no real plan.

https://i.imgur.com/AqBCeyX.jpg

I'd spied a couple more icebergs and figured I'd go find a boat ride to check them out closerer. First couple of places were either shut or were already out, so I hatched a plan to head into St Anthony as there was a couple of places there, and I needed some food for tea anyway.....
This is where my plan unraveled.... :facepalm:
St Anthony was there :yes: Supermarkets were shut, Canada day... Doh. :blink: First boat tour place didn't exist and the next wasn't running this year apparently.
Crestfallen, I made my way out to Fishing point as a consolation prize.
There was icebergs there :headbang: ( I'm actually mildly excited by them. It's not something you see every day) Sure i wasn't super close, but it'll have to do.

https://i.imgur.com/Ad5d0ze.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gVC97yP.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/b1cV9pt.jpg

and thankfully the fog lifted enough to see them. I hung about for a bit then made my way back to town

https://i.imgur.com/8qbtpk3.jpg

grabbed a couple of wraps from Tim Hortons, some fuel and a couple of local Ragnarock beers from the gas station and made my way back to the unit to get this bulb thing sorted.

https://i.imgur.com/UgGlh1l.jpg

Why is it so goddam hard for designers to make an easy to access light bulb ? :mad: BMW excluded of course :msn-wink: Also had to break out the bug spray, skeeeters were out in full force.

Right.... your all caught up now. Later Gators

:wavey:

[F5 Dave]

Wow picture quality has taken a jump back up.

[Moi]

Enjoying the photos and your story.

Thanks for sharing.

[JATZ]

Wow picture quality has taken a jump back up.

Y'know.... There's only one way to go from here, right ?

[F5 Dave]

Sideways? A little to the left, and indigo.

[JATZ]

Quick update while I have good wifi.
So i left the place I was staying, heading for a campsite I'd found on iOverlander, down towards the south. I took the 432 just for something different

https://i.imgur.com/0aBvKys.jpg

Trundling along... these roadside gardens intrigued me :scratch:

https://i.imgur.com/IKsSibt.jpg

Locals will just find a bit of flat ground along the roadside, on crown land and make a garden. Sometimes seemingly in the middle of nowhere.
There's also piles of cut and sometimes split wood along the roadside too

https://i.imgur.com/mqjZDaJ.jpg

some of them were quite large too. I kept meaning to ask about it, but ...... alzheimer's :blink:
Figured a trip to a town would be a good idea, get some tucka for the night. So I headed into Port au Choix and picked up some food. I couldn't bring myself to try these gastronomic delights

https://i.imgur.com/zQNEJan.jpg

Anyway. It's quite a nice little fishing village. Not sure I'd want to live there, but it was nice in it's own way :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/67k5619.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hOfm9eB.jpg

Then wobbled back out to the main rd and continued on, heading for my chosen spot. I got there and looked around... It was on a cliff top with a nice view, but very exposed. I dunno... I just wasn't "feeling it" . It was earlyish so I decided to carry on. Made it to the northern end of Gros Morne National park and pulled into the second campground I past. Nup :nono: they were full. There was space at the first one I'd been past, but that was the wrong direction. I got the nice guy to book me a spot at one further south and I set off. Sorry no pics of the park/mountains/rivers. I was on a mission.
I made it to Lomond river and set up camp. I did actually contemplate putting the drone up, but a guy not far away was flying his.... and he got shut down by the camp commandant. No matter, I'd pack up early in the a.m. and head over to the Tablelands for a flight before it got busy, You remember the place from a previous instalment, right ?
I woke up in the night to hear light rain on the tent.... great :facepalm: It might clear.
It didn't, just got heavier. I packed up my wet gear in the morning, glad I'd come this far South, and gave the Tablelands a miss. Preferring to head down the island some more.
Stopped briefly in Corner Brook to get a headlight bulb, sort out where I was going and grab a coffee while sucking onto Tim Hortons free wifi.
I did see this, not sure I'd be happy seeing my van on such a precarious angle trundling down the road :shit:

https://i.imgur.com/5m3V0Ao.jpg

Once again I'd found a cool looking spot to park up. Unfortunately the wet stuff just got worse :eek5: I still headed on out to the spot, but didn't quite make it. I was spiraling into riding depression and ended up at a nice inn instead, I was sopping. While the rain came down. It was a good price and breakfast was included. The owners wife even came to my room to get my order for the a.m. and brought me some muffins, fresh out of the oven.... Yum
Next morning , after a warning from the owner not to take the loop route over the mountain, as it's treacherous in fog, I set of for the end of the peninsular at Boutte du Cap park. The spot I'd planned to camp at.
Was very foggy

https://i.imgur.com/RNrRysf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IpN2N61.jpg

It's supposed to look like this

https://i.imgur.com/3LRFZ14.jpg

Then i made my way back to the main rd. It was pretty shit conditions to be riding in.
I thought this derelict bridge looked pretty cool

https://i.imgur.com/QZAiecF.jpg

cruising along I past this warning sign.... Not sure what a "wreckhouse" wind is, but it sounds ominous

https://i.imgur.com/ZseFHE1.jpg

23 km/h doesn't sound wreckhouse :confused:
I planned to stop at the same park we stopped at last year. But as I neared Port au Basque, this put me off

https://i.imgur.com/8bN3wGZ.jpg

Maybe I'm just getting soft, but.... :o
I ended up in PaB at a motel. I needed to stretch the legs so went walking around looking for some content. Sadly, there's not a lot out in the burbs of PaB. There is a wharf though :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/2MpS4so.jpg

You'll have to excuse the sausage finger that made it's way to the bottom left.
Next day it was onto the ferry back to the mainland

https://i.imgur.com/xoYGbIb.jpg

Bye :wavey: Newfoundland. It's been great, if a little damp, and the people are top notch. We were there last year about 6 weeks later in the season and the weather was perfect. I'd like to go back, there's still things to see and do, but that goes for the rest of the globe too :yes:
So.... back in North Sydney after wasting an entire day stuck on a boat and not fishing. New tyres tomorrow then the journey continues.

Later :wavey:

[JATZ]

Update time...
I managed to get the new tyres fitted up next morning/early afternoon. They weren't what I was expecting, probably a little more roady than I wanted. Nevermind, they're round a black and hold air. The guy at the service desk remembered us from last year, coming in dripping wet and hanging around the shop. The girls certainly remembered Tom :rolleyes:
Anyway, I got some pointers of places to see and the intel that my intended route was closed, the road didn't exist anymore.
While I was waiting I'd had a look to see what to see in Sydnee. There's some murals

https://i.imgur.com/5LqJFC3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9S4Cs4p.jpg

There was more, but there was building work going on and road closures so I didn't get to see them. There's also a GIANT violin

https://i.imgur.com/DUcfLvm.jpg

and who doesn't like a giant thing ?
So I carried on out to Louisbourg, which didn't really hold my attention then made my way south and ended up in a wee place called St Peters. There a big saltwater lake there, and a man made chanel connecting it the sea. I found out where Battery provincial park was and went and set up camp.
What a view from my site

https://i.imgur.com/x6e97iZ.jpg

Life was good :yes: A canal, some sun :sunny: and the prospect of FIRE :D

https://i.imgur.com/tYHjGrS.jpg

What a cool spot. Next morning I continued on towards Port Hastings. I remembered this from last year, then hung a left not far past the bridge,and followed the coastline as much as possible. It was a day of bends, bays and boats :woohoo:

https://i.imgur.com/tYHjGrS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/jClst4F.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/gybU1hU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JxJr2HR.jpg

Sorry, no pics of the bends or bays. It was a good riding day. I made it to Dartmouth and sucked onto the free wifi by the ferry terminal and looked for somewhere to stay. I eventually found somewhere and settled in, sadly, Lobster wasn't on the menu, so I settled for something else and had an early night.
Next morning I hunted down the real reason I'd come to Dartmouth

https://i.imgur.com/915EAyY.jpg

Steak and cheeeese ... from the Humble Pie kitchen

https://i.imgur.com/vmvluJD.jpg

https://humblepiekitchen.ca/ It was good. Filling was first class, pastry was a wee bit different :confused: Would stop there again...
Then it was time to head further south, no real plan, just stick to the coast where possible. Must've been another good riding day, cause I took np pics what so ever. I ended up in Melbourne and found a camp ground. Next time I pull up and there's a pool, waterslide, big colorful flowers that shower water, I think I'll keep going. Definitely an RV park kind of place. I left early next morning

https://i.imgur.com/cVxd346.jpg

[JATZ]

Plan for today was to head to another eating place that'd been recommended. I must look hungry or something ?

I followed the coastline some more. Passing through small locality's and came across this missive church, of course I had to stop.

https://i.imgur.com/g1hjCWr.jpg

Completely out of place I thought :scratch: Here's a bit of info on it....

https://i.imgur.com/jG8rqtK.jpg

Quite impressive aye ? Then I hung a left, and made my way down towards Long and Brier islands. what a cool road, but I did stop for a couple of snaps
Abandoned house, looked livable to me...

https://i.imgur.com/Q0WWiBM.jpg

and an old barn. I love the shingley look.

https://i.imgur.com/ysWImW3.jpg

Then down to the first of 2 ferrys

https://i.imgur.com/2qH6VmQ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HR7uMr3.jpg

This Bay of Fundy is quite a cool place. After the first ferry ride, I high tailed down Long Isl. ( it's good being first off :D ) then waited for the next ferry to Brier Isl. I got off in Westport and made my way to the recommended stop, passing this on the way

https://i.imgur.com/izMH202.jpg

I wonder how you'd get an invite ? Then went to the cafe. It was alright.... I didn't feel like much so grabbed some "fritters". They don't look like fritters to me :scratch: and the fortune cookie was way off base too


I LOLed :rofl: Then I grabbed a fridge magnet and went off to see some stuff...

https://i.imgur.com/RHNt1Fo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tDD3IiW.jpg

Another... without the bear.

https://i.imgur.com/hlMXX1C.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ftRzn6s.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vC91yew.jpg

and watched the tide roaring in. pretty impressive. The whale watch tour was full so that was out, although with the thick fog coming and going I don't know if they would have seen much. Then it was back to catch the ferry's. The tide had come in considerably so it wasn't such a climb to get off them now. Then I just made my way to Digby for the night.

[JATZ]

After a night in Digby, No I didn't get some scallops, just did laundry. I headed north some more, through more little locality's. stopping briefly at one because I spied a bookstore.
So far it's a good read. Tales some true, some not of life on those 2 islands I visited the previous day. I van see similarity's with Barry Crump, but not so "Kiwi"

Welcome to Jatz's travels... and Book reviews :bleh:
Then I continued winding along over hill and down dale.... I needed a leg stretch so pulled into an interpretive centre for the Bay of Fundy. There was a little walk.... which I did

https://i.imgur.com/Gx8xEGl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/hrpdAex.jpg

Then had a peek in the info center. The lovely lady convinced me to go backwards :gob: I despise going backwards.... and have a look at Burntcoat point. Apparently that's where the highest tide range ever was recorded. You can walk on the sea floor, and if you're still there at high tide, you could be under 40 ft of water.
It was a long way down and I didn't feel like getting mucky boots, so climbed the lighthouse instead

https://i.imgur.com/FmypXeT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0Sdeohs.jpg

The tidal range is staggering, the effects can be seen a long way from the actual bay. If I'd hung around the info center until 5:20p.m. I could've watched the tidal bore too :yes: Unfortunately that was still 3 hrs away and I didn't want to just hang around waiting.
I'd spotted a place while flicking around Google maps the previous night, and liked the name so headed there....

https://i.imgur.com/yllo89P.jpg

I think of this when I hear that name

https://i.imgur.com/RpzIayq.jpg

Really nice little town though. I thought this was somewhat topical

https://i.imgur.com/Lg0q1IV.jpg

They seem to manage alright with bilingual signs here, unless it's Quebec... then its just French. Anywaaay.... unfortunately the provincial park was only a day area, so I made my way out to Amherst shore Provincial park. Very nice :niceone: Naturally there was fire, and a book to read..

[JATZ]

Got up at a sensible time, packed up and went for a walk out to the coast to see the "Red Cliffs"

https://i.imgur.com/DFq915N.jpg

Hmmmm..... sort of reddy brown banks. Oh well, I needed the exercise :whistle: Then set sail to....

https://i.imgur.com/0MWcaYk.jpg

Grabbed some gas along the road.... y'know your in a civilized society, when you can buy fireworks 12 months of the year from a gas station :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/HeqfJCH.jpg

Apparently they were a bit low on stock due to the Canada day thing. The lady couldn't understand why we can only buy them 1 week (?) a year.
Anyway, I hit the road... taking off before one of the numerous trucks, got up to speed, about 110, and was trundling along making sure I wasn't holding up the truck. Came up a small rise and there was mumma deer crossing the road with 2 wee ones in tow :eek5:... slammed on all anchors and tried to find the best line, which was between the 2 wee ones. Unfortunately I clipped one of them :shit::shit: Just with the crashbars and my leg and I stayed upright. I pulled over, the truck had seen it and slowed down with hazard lights on. I gave him a thumbs up and went back to check on Bambi, he seemed just dazed and was crying out for mummy. Thank Christ it wasn't a Moose baby. Took a pic, changed my daks and carried on

https://i.imgur.com/iAkCJBT.jpg

You can just see the poor wee fellah there.
Anyhooo.... Next up was the crossing to Prince Edward Isl. or PEI. The only province I haven't been to, so what's a man to do ?
I did start videoing it but it just goes on and on and on and on and on and on.... Pic from the net...

https://i.imgur.com/FuQiMxg.jpg

There was a savage cross wind blowing and more than once I thought I was going down, for some reason the front seemed to wash out with some of the oncoming trucks. I should've enjoyed it, but it was frightening and I just wanted it to all be over :cry:
I did contemplate grabbing a room in the nearest hotel and hiding under the bed for the rest of the day... But NO !! dammit that's what a sook would do... so I battled on. I stumbled on this little place so just had to call in

https://i.imgur.com/PiLoBMp.jpg

Unfortunately... would not call in again. overpriced ($17.50 NZD for a pie and a small juice) filling was 5/10, pastry 3/10.
Well with that little grizzle out the way... I carried on to the Easternmost point of the Isl. Lots of cropping, some cows, quite pretty in an agricultural sort of way

https://i.imgur.com/XcooUSZ.jpg

I went as far as I wanted and spun round to head west... I stopped to figure out where I was going to be for the night, when the heavens opened.

https://i.imgur.com/zqPiTk9.jpg

Which kind of settled it for me. Found a place almost at the other end of the island and set off.
And here I am.... tick tacking away on a keyboard with super fast wifi, well fed, warm and dry. With a couple of suggestions from the owner on places to visit tomorrow. A craft brewery and a burger joint :facepalm:

[Tokerau boy]

I really enjoyed the read and the various photos, I had to google the locations , I hope there were more fine days than rain days

[JATZ]

I really enjoyed the read and the various photos, I had to google the locations , I hope there were more fine days than rain days

Thanks for reading. It's good to find out where the places are, aye ? Then they sortof become "real"
Weather has been a real mixed bag this trip. good, bad and ugly. Tiz what it is :scratch:

[JATZ]

Time for a catch up.... I'm parked up just NW of N.Y. city. Planning on heading in there tomorrow for a ride around and look see. If I don't post again..... it didn't go according to plan :eek5:

So after a night in/near Alberton I set of for North Cape. Sun was shinning, the birds were singing and it was good to be alive
Here's North Cape sand spit. The tide was in so there's not much to see

https://i.imgur.com/k03ujHd.jpg

There's a light house there, gift shop and a large wind farm. Apparently they do a bit of research on wind turbines and things.
Fun Fact... They are able to de-ice the turbine blades in winter, but you don't want to be standing to close. Chunks of ice go flying everywhere. I'd never really thought about it, but it makes sense.
I wandered into the gift shop for a magnet, and decided to go through the exhibit thing. Lots of local history and a display by Wind Energy Institute of Canada.
Very interesting :yes:
This guy was full of hot air...

https://i.imgur.com/1Y6X1el.jpg

I finished up and wandered outside. Thought about taking pics of wind turbines, and the lighthouse. But how many pics of wind turbines and lighthouses does one man need :blink:
I got ready to leave and gave my pockets the obligatory pat, just to make sure everything was present and accounted for..... Ooooops..... there's a flat spot where my wallet should be :eek5: I checked all pockets.... No.... check the back pack.... No...... tankbag..... No...... I could feel the panic rising. Quickly scuttled back inside to see if it'd been handed in..... No....Panic just ratcheted up. Not quite at squeeky voice stage, but I'd reached sweary voice stage.
It's ok though, I found it on the floor about 3/4 of the way through the exhibit, where I'd crouched down to get the pic of Mr Blowhard. I now always zip the pocket straight away.
Crisis diverted, I plotted a course for the burger joint. Sadly, the one I'd picked wasn't open so I had to backtrack 20 odd k's to find the burger home base.
It was alright :D Would buy again

https://i.imgur.com/nRsWDCX.jpg

Washed down with a "Shits 'n' Giggles from Moth lane brewery.
I decide it was time to leave the island so trundled on back to the bridge. Foregoing the opportunity to frolic on the beach with Namibian Pygmy Goats. It's a true "thing" you can do

https://beachgoats.ca/

If there's a next time, I'm sure I can schedule it in :yes:
So I paid the toll....and before I left the booth I commented on how much nicer it would be to cross today. The lady admitted the previous day had been pretty bad, so I felt vindicated... somewhat :whistle:
It was way nicer. No wind and xtra sunny :sunny: I took this snap on the New Brunswick side. They really don't want you to stop there, and you cant stop on the bridge.

https://i.imgur.com/3ZTyy3w.jpg

Then I carried on South, keeping my eyes peeled for deer on the road. Stopped at a gas station for a cold drink and to sort out where I was going next.... Plan hatched, and away I went :ride: Through rush hour in Moncton in 35 deg :sweatdrop and around the coast to Fundy National Park. Grabbed a site, firewood included :banana: and settled in. Did the tea thing and thought I'd get the fire lit, my last on Canadian soil.... I can see why they give the wood away :eek:
It was a battle of wills all night, neither side giving an inch. Small victories were savored, then dashed by the evil green wood. It was touch and go on more than one occasion, but in the end I prevailed :D

https://i.imgur.com/zjnp0Da.jpg

By that stage it was bed time.

[JATZ]

I left Fundy Natl. park and headed south, nothing much really to see. The weather was glorious again and I was just at one with the machine. Through St John, there's a big oil refinery thing there, stopping only for possibly my last ever Tim Hortons coffee :crybaby: I'll miss them with their stores on almost every corner and their cheep coffee and donuts and free wifi. Then made my way to St George for the night. I had a brief wander around town, but there was only a waterfall/power station thing. Grabbed tea and turned in for the night.
Next Morning I packed up and headed for the ferry to Deer Island.

https://i.imgur.com/4DM1gNK.jpg

Day was pretty foggy and cool. Quite a contrast to the previous days. Rode over Deer island, looking out for deer.... I only saw 1 on the road side, and got down to the other ferry. Sadly it had not long left so I had a bit of a wait :mellow: I wandered around the campground/park thing there then it started to rain.... so I sheltered in a shelter thing looking over the channel. While I was sitting quietly I heard a puffing sound out in the sea. A pod of whales was making it's way through the channel, how cool is that ? Before long the ferry turned up

https://i.imgur.com/W5vxetz.jpg

Then we all boarded for the 1 hr trip to Campobello isl. and the border crossing into the USA at Lubec
The scenery was quite brooding I thought :scratch:

https://i.imgur.com/MR1DxuX.jpg

The lady in the booth scanned my passport and said hold on... then told me to park my bike out the way and escort this other fullah inside :shit: Uh oh....
They wanted to know allsorts of things like length of stay, where I was staying, what I was doing. I said I fly out on the 30th Aug and the address I'd put on the ESTA I couldn't remember :facepalm: They found it though. I did have a paper copy of my ESTA for them to look at. As for "What are you doing while your here ?" I have a vague plan, but nothins really set in stone.
They seemed happy enough and after about 20 mins, a pic for the records, and fingerprinting they let me go :banana: I did ask why they hadn't asked if I had any drugs or firearms, the reply.... "we're not really interested in that stuff"
Found a bank and got rid of aaaaall my CAD including a large fist full of change and headed into Machias and grabbed a room, after all that's the address on the ESTA. After a detour to the Easternmost lighthouse in Continental USA. Out at West Quoddy head

https://i.imgur.com/F2pHLDu.jpg

There's not much to do in Machias...
A waterfall, naturally

https://i.imgur.com/YjDqxKH.jpg

Grabbed tea and that was it... I did see this in the carpark

https://i.imgur.com/4ZVXkK1.jpg

Quite cool :Punk: and not as ugly in real life as in the picture. I would've like to have chatted to the owner.
So I got on the road next morning and made my way further south.... through more little towns...

https://i.imgur.com/o46jCIP.jpg

I'd seen Fort Knox as I was flicking around on google maps so thought I'd call in. That's Fort Knox on the Penobscot narrows. Not the other Fort Knox :shutup: It was to foggy to go up the observation tower.

https://i.imgur.com/LTr2v7G.jpg

That's on the bridge over the narrows, Those pillars are very impressive. Here's what it looks like on a good day

https://i.imgur.com/LTpG0Td.jpg

I pulled into Fort Knox, and went for a stumble around....
Holy Crap !! :blink: That place is impressive. If someone says "It's built like Fort Knox", you can rest assured that sucker ain't coming apart.
Here's some pics

https://i.imgur.com/SmXM7ZV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1nLMTjI.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BTmd1Ve.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VIh9t6B.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/AsGEJd1.jpg

They still have a couple of the cannons in place...

https://i.imgur.com/kwJh7Ax.jpg

Also a refuge for wildlife on wet foggy days

https://i.imgur.com/MRzErHs.jpg

And some light reading >>> https://www.fortknoxmaine.com/history-of-the-fort
Fascinating place and history :yes:
Then I carried on south some more. Stopping only for a new book at this place

https://i.imgur.com/SEVHWe4.jpg

It was unreal, the building carries on for another 20 meters on the right hand side of the pic. Bottom story is all antiques and tat. some very cool pieces though :yes: Jut as well I'm not travelling in a van. I was tempted by the mint condition, still in a bag G.I. Joe, just to keep George company. Second story was all books/magazines/comics/posters/brochures/TV guides. Books on every subject you could imagine. I did take a pic but it doesn't do the scale of the place justice. My brain was overloaded and turned to mush.
I eventually found something with a local flavor. Not Steven King though, however he is a Mainite local. Horrors aren't my thing :blink:
As a side note... There is a LOT of antique shops in the part of Maine I was travelling through.
Made it a State park for the night and set up/checked the bike and thumbed through a couple of pages.
I could hear rain on the tent during the night (Oh great :angry2: )
It was just foggy and a tiny bit drizzly in the a.m. I packed up and headed out, aiming for a State park just out of Boston....Rain got heavier....Wonder why ?

https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/07/16/tornado-flood-massachusetts-boston-new-england

Traffic got heavier..... Morale got lower.... I started looking for a room somewhere or somewhere to pull over in some shelter and sort myself out. I found some shelter, rooms were crazy expensive. So I carried on to the campground, with a couple of detours to check out alternative options.
The rainhad sort of eased back so I thought it'd be ok to still camp. Unfortunately, you need to book on line before 2 p.m :facepalm: It was closer to 4. The nice man gave me some info on other camps, but I was done :crazy:
Found a place only 7 mile away and went there. Hot shower, food from the panniers and a soft bed while the rain hammered down out side.
Woke up to a Beautiful sunny day... today, and headed further South to a spot just out of N.Y. Sorry no pics from the last couple of days. I just wasn't feeling it. I need a day off.
I reckon Washington D.C. could the place for that, I hear they have this Smithsonian thing there to look at, and a White House ?

:wavey:

[Tokerau boy]

I left Fundy Natl. park and headed south, nothing much really to see. The weather was glorious again and I was just at one with the machine. Through St John, there's a big oil refinery thing there, stopping only for possibly my last ever Tim Hortons coffee :crybaby: I'll miss them with their stores on almost every corner and their cheep coffee and donuts and free wifi. Then made my way to St George for the night. I had a brief wander around town, but there was only a waterfall/power station thing. Grabbed tea and turned in for the night.
< unnecessary quote snip, Gremlin >

Don’t miss the elevator ride in the needle in front of the White House, it was free when I was there years ago

[Moi]

Great photos and write-up...

Cheers

[JATZ]

Don’t miss the elevator ride in the needle in front of the White House, it was free when I was there years ago

Unfortunately you have to get a ticket now. The line was crazy long and I didn't fancy standing in the beating down sun with temps in the mid 30's. But thanks for the tip


Great photos and write-up...

Cheers
Thanks Moi :niceone:

[JATZ]

Update time....

So I spent the night a wee bit North of NY at a place called Fairfield, then headed into the concrete jungle of NY... It's only 70 miles but google said it would take over 2 hrs :wacko: I got on the freeway/highway/motorway and set off. All was going great, traffic wasn't as bad as I was led to believe. Then the cloud thickened.... ominously:eek: and the heavens opened it was crazy.... thunder and lightening and visibility was severely reduced. then the traffic really started to build, and build.... more than once I shut the bike off. The dash temp was reading 46 deg at one point when we were stopped in between some concrete walls. I hopped I wasn't going to die like this, cooked alive in full riding gear. I got through that snarl up when there was another heavier rain storm :eek::eek: The Garmin didn't like it and gave up. I pulled over a couple of times, not ideal when your still on the freeway, but it just wasn't a happening thing. So I reverted to Google maps, just as well I'd installed the phone mount too :yes:
I eventually got where I needed to be... absolutely sopping :angry:

https://i.imgur.com/rnyRvXO.jpg

Picked up the item I'd ordered and got out of there. The guy standing in the doorway is the store security. He'd come out to see what the police were up to just up the road. Through downtown Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn bridge and onwards to Liberty State park

https://i.imgur.com/ZVpNLkj.jpg

Then I struck out West, and ended up in campground somewhere else, glad that ordeal was over.
It was a slow pack up next morning... I just fiddled about, organizing things, rethreading some bungy in the tent poles, not really in a hurry to move. Whats the point of an 11 o'clock check out if you're not going to take advantage of it once in a while :banana:
I didn't really have a plan, but set sail anyway... cruising over hills and down dales, crops, farms and stands of trees were the order of the day. Lots of :sunny: too
Picked up some supplies. I was in Amish country too :yes:
Supermarket carpark

https://i.imgur.com/lSCM6c9.jpg

Staff (?) parking

https://i.imgur.com/EDTMwTe.jpg

It's a shame I didn't get this shot when he was closer and turning round...

https://i.imgur.com/9njdFMD.jpg

A farm....

https://i.imgur.com/5Vl9ZKd.jpg

After the previous day it was food for the soul. I ended up at a place called Catoctin Mountain park and pulled up for the day.

https://i.imgur.com/l6G50ox.jpg

Real nice spot :niceone:
The camp host mentioned Gettysburg wasn't far away, so it'd be rude not to go have a look :yes: It's sort of historic/iconic. One of those place names we've all heard of, right ?
I popped into the info center , after getting my bag searched and had a look at the exhibits

https://i.imgur.com/MG1fK05.jpg

... grabbed a magnet and a book and went to have a look at the battle site.

https://i.imgur.com/juw2M1Q.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8JFJIZb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0TCW4HX.jpg

HOLY FRICK... It's massive ! there's monuments all over the place, old houses that were once hospitals. Very impressive :yes: I'll learn more during the book. If your ever in the hood, it's worth a visit.
I gave the downtown area a miss and beetled off. Only took one other pic for the day

https://i.imgur.com/rmic5M1.jpg

Heading for Washington DC

[JATZ]

After a night at the AirBnB, where I seriously wondered whether I was developing trench foot :eek5: I uber'd into town... was good not having to jump on the bike
First up, this place.

https://i.imgur.com/dmu73EA.jpg

I did pop into the info center there, after another bag search. They even made me tip out my bottle of water, and found my spare set of keys and wanted to see why George had shown up on the scan. He has lots of pins now.
Then I wandered down to the Smithsonian museum of Natural History, passing this on the way which I thought was pretty cool

https://i.imgur.com/ggspUN3.jpg

Very cool place :yes: and Big. I spent longer in there than I intended and still didn't see everything. Their team of taxidermists are next level

https://i.imgur.com/jX7VUpo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ZKQhFaL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/t14hYM6.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VfXLSmn.jpg

I thought this was pretty cool too

https://i.imgur.com/EZU4noc.jpg

What !! I hear you ask is THAT ??... Read on

https://i.imgur.com/t834PO4.jpg

Another rock

https://i.imgur.com/jNQVAPn.jpg

it's a crappy pic of the Hope diamond
And another carved rock

https://i.imgur.com/9RhHiXY.jpg

That ones a Moai (?)

I eventually extricated myself and carried on... along to the needle

https://i.imgur.com/50FT1mu.jpg

before making my way to the World War II memorial

https://i.imgur.com/ojvqTMw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DXe3W3G.jpg

Then more walking... saying "Helloooooo" to the wildlife

https://i.imgur.com/XQW5rAn.jpg

a quick detour to the Korean war memorial

https://i.imgur.com/ZHTS4Fx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nUI86Cl.jpg

Then on to see "Honest Abe" him self

https://i.imgur.com/nQvZnXH.jpg

It's not a bad view he's got from his chair

https://i.imgur.com/fcAKjFu.jpg

I couldn't hear all the people around me..... all I could here was Forest Gump yelling " Jenny... Jenny"
Then I wandered off through the trees scuttling form shady spot to shady spot. I'd had to buy another bottle of water. $3 US for 500 ml. I'm buying gas for around $3.50 US for a US gallon. Go figure :confused:
Anyway... off to the White house

https://i.imgur.com/tMqgBro.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YfAUeTN.jpg

Nothing much to see there really. Lots of security, people in suits, and a protest going on with a police escort. I jumped in an uber :yawn: I'd done my dash
I took off next morning for a park I'd heard about. Assateague State park.
Unfortunately.... the rest of the known world had the same idea :mad: Traffic was nuts. I eventually got there. There was horses

https://i.imgur.com/bfYwSFp.jpg

All the campgrounds were full, there was people everywhere so I cleared out and found a nice spot in amongst the tall timber 50 odd k's away

https://i.imgur.com/xoTkl8a.jpg

[JATZ]

Delaware just wasn't really holding me, I dunno why :scratch: SO I made my way south, only stopping at the Virginia info center for a fistfull of shiney pamphlets and a cup of cool pink lemonade :drool:
Payed the toll to cross the bridge back to Virginia Beach. That is quite a cool bridge... First it's a bridge... then a tunnel...then a bridge....then a tunnel... then a bridge :woohoo: Definitely worth the price of admission.
As I came off the bridge I could see the houses built on the sea shore, the sandy beaches, the throngs of people and I could smell sunscreen. I kept going. Stopping only to grab some tuckka and head out to a place called Merchants Mill pond and a camp ground.
What a cool spot. Hardly anyone there, cheap as chips and the ranger even delivered fire wood right to my site :wings:
Next morning I booked in for another night, grabbed some more food and went a wanderin...

https://i.imgur.com/IXkEHGS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oaY6Ors.jpg

There is no editing of those pics, that is how green it is :gob:

https://i.imgur.com/xK7kWLl.jpg

So I did a couple of the walks in the area, then went to check out the "Great Dismal Swamp"

https://i.imgur.com/vUWABMV.jpg

I did a couple of walks there and made my way to Drummond (?) Lake

https://i.imgur.com/hvoIGGJ.jpg

The feeder for the swamp.
Then headed back to camp to smack out a few chapters and relax

https://i.imgur.com/cr4t7Ct.jpg

Had an awesome thunder storm that evening, proper awesome, but I still managed a fire when it cleared.
Then made my way to Elizabeth City. Checked out the Museum, talked to some guys in a bike shop and retired to work on this....
Not sure what's next, maybe Cape Canaveral :scratch:

[JATZ]

Update time again.... I'm not sure how this will go (:mad: ) but I'll give it a shot.
After a rough night in a cheap motel, getting nibbled on by some sort of critter, I had to get my cooker out to sort out the morning coffee. Guess that's what you get for cheap :brick: I hit the road again. I buzzed Westward through lots of big and small towns. I had a vague plan of where I wanted to end up.
The day was another scorcher :sunny: Sitting at traffic lights again, in one of the towns, slowing being par boiled, I felt I needed to change something. Not sure what ? Maybe my attitude,. Settings in the Garmin ? This just wasn't working for me at all....
I got to where I wanted to be. A place called Jordan lake. Set up camp.

https://i.imgur.com/ElvRCbu.jpg

And tried to relax. Unfortunately the heat just wasn't relenting :sweatdrop Had a half hearted blaze and turned in earlyish. I just could not sleep :blink: the heat was unbearable, just being next to the sleeping bag had me sweating...
I had no plan what so ever next day. Pick a town on the GPS and go. If it was still early when I got there, pick another one and go there. Was a pretty ho humm day. Lots of farmland and churches. I think this is the only pic I took.

https://i.imgur.com/kYAC9u5.jpg

I ended up somewhere :scratch: found a BnB with aircon and finished for the day. The owner, who also rides, thought I looked like I needed a beer, so he brought me a selection from his personal stash of craft brews, very welcome it was too :yes:
Next day was another almost pic free day... nothing much to report... I ended up at Okefenokee swamp. after Garmin sent me down this road

https://i.imgur.com/E5vflRT.jpg

The first mile was ok... the next 2 were not so much :eek: I despise sand :rolleyes:
I made it to the info center thing and asked about boat tours. They had one going in about 15 mins :banana: unless the thunder storm turned into an electrical storm, in which case it would be canned. I decided to come back next morning and took off to a place I'd spied on my way there.
They had cabins/food and beer, I stopped, naturally :innocent:
It was an interesting night, drinking beer and discussing topics such as South Carolina liquor laws, handgun ownership and open or concealed carry with a guy from NY state, some locals, and a Kiwi....
Next morning the skies had cleared, so I shot off to get on the first boat tour of the day :wings:
Was pretty cool...

https://i.imgur.com/0l8YsNk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/tRch5Qn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3Lo6QeH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/3NzKX0K.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kEuK2Xm.jpg

And a hire boat...

https://i.imgur.com/KGVsXJD.jpg

They have camps that are only accessible by canoe where you can stay the night in the swamp.
After that i Had a bit of a ride round...looking here and there.
This is a settlers house. Not sure I'd want to settle there, but some people will live anywhere

https://i.imgur.com/MUyB6Q3.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/F47dPvE.jpg

Then I headed of to a place that'd been recommended the previous night. It was in Florida

https://i.imgur.com/PdFPMQj.jpg

I tried, I really tried, but I couldn't do it. after more traffic, and the associated lights, seeing some houses and resorts, beaches and inlets... I turned around and got out. I'm sure it's a lovely place, but I just couldn't do it :facepalm:
I was just cruising along when I spotted a sign advertising food on the side of the road, I had to stop at Doo Dads

https://i.imgur.com/VbeJdaR.jpg

and give these a nudge

https://i.imgur.com/ovdudFx.jpg

Never eaten frogs legs before. I hoped there wasn't going to be a violent purging later, but it was all good :yes:
Would eat again :yes:
I ended up somewhere that night :scratch:

[JATZ]

I took of from where ever I was next morning and went to somewhere else :scratch: there was absolutely nothing to report. George wanted to stop in Georgetown

https://i.imgur.com/J7JEsv8.jpg

but it wasn't going to happen. Jamesville was out too, as there's just nothing really there. I think we ended up at a little place called Andrews and another cheap motel.
Next morning was the run back to Elizabeth City. Past the alleged smallest church in America

https://i.imgur.com/gIAAN4b.jpg

It was pretty small :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/12Jkokp.jpg

The bike was overdue for a service, and I'd ordered a set of more dual purpose tires. I had an AirBnB booked for a couple of nights, so they'd have plenty of time to get the job done. I'd booked this 3+ weeks ago and called in a week prior, just to make sure it was all good and they could get the tires I want..... It was all in hand I'd been told :yes:
Dropped the bike off this morning.... No service manager :gob: No mechanic :gob: no tires :gob: the parts guy didn't have a clue.
I think I said some bad words :mad: They managed to do the oil change, because I carry an oil filter for emergencies., while I sat outside phoning around trying to find some rubber. I found something that may be o.k. It's a bit out of my way but I'll make it work.
I actually ran into the service manager as I was leaving the building where I'm staying. He offered to make some calls.... :mobile: I know for a fact I said some bad words regarding how they do business and his organization, but the cunt deserved it :angry2:
Anyway.... Off to Nags head tomorrow to start the TAT.... with a leeedle detour :whistle:

:wavey:

[Tokerau boy]

Go to York Pennsylvania and have a look at the tour through the Harley Davidson factory

[F5 Dave]

I've been stuck in hospital 1 month just well enough for catch up of this thread. Nice break.

[JATZ]

I've been stuck in hospital 1 month just well enough for catch up of this thread. Nice break.

Hope it's nothing serious ? and here's some more light reading :D

[JATZ]

Time for another update... I seem to be getting behind a bit :crazy:
Seems like a lifetime ago I packed up and headed out of Elizabeth City. Looked a bit smokey out too

https://i.imgur.com/hVtl3Lg.jpg

I hope it wasn't going to hazardous. I made my way down through Kittyhawk only stopping at the info center for a gander and a souvenir shop. The memorial thing for the Wright Bros. was in a park, but they wanted a fee to enter, and I wasn't going to be there long so chose to carry on.
Got to Naggs head. it's very "Beachy", lots of people doing beachy things

https://i.imgur.com/4P0pXx2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pKaTDYI.jpg

This is the official start of the Atlantic Ocean Spur part of the TAT

https://i.imgur.com/V1Pd3dR.jpg

The first day was mostly seal with a couple of short gravel sections

https://i.imgur.com/CmFz9c9.jpg

Past some interesting (to me) houses. some still lived in, some not

https://i.imgur.com/73s46Id.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8MVaZlo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eWsSVJC.jpg

and before long I found myself in Rocky Mount to eyeball some new tires. Not what I wanted, but they'll have to do :yes:
These guys were great to deal with unlike their other branch:mad: Discount of the tires and slotted me in next morning for fitting

https://i.imgur.com/zHOOm7p.jpg

With that out of the way I carried on. Aiming to pick up the track just a little north. Past fields of crops

https://i.imgur.com/AQjuxu2.jpg

Looks like they should've already taken the first pic of that... :yes:
More old houses

https://i.imgur.com/V8t8Djd.jpg

Along some greasy slippery roads

https://i.imgur.com/49AHW0p.jpg

and I ended up in Crew for the night. Pretty boring eh :yawn:

[JATZ]

I left Crew, intending to finish AOS and join up with TAT proper. More winding seal roads and little gravel numbers too...

https://i.imgur.com/KZzpDGe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/U8OOYFh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7SQgAUB.jpg

I'd just ridden over that ridge in the background there

https://i.imgur.com/bdb877h.jpg

It took a little longer than expected and I pulled pin about 4:30 with another 200 odd k's to go to reach my destination. Figured out a workaround and ended up in Covington for the night. It was a busy place what with a golf tournament on and a fair of some description. I ended up in a run down establishment as the firs place was full and the second wanted to charge me $320 USD for one night :gob: I'm ok with run down :yes:
Next day was rinse and repeat. It looks like I was a bit slack with taking pics that day. So no photographic evidence I was even there. I ended up just outside Bland at a State Park.
Next morning it was back on the road, past Big Walker lookout.

https://i.imgur.com/aMm9xbW.jpg

There's a shop there where you can pay to go up the tower. It was shut

https://i.imgur.com/FkkU4AB.jpg

and some other stuff

https://i.imgur.com/oLuMx56.jpg

I'd left there and gone over another ridge on another cool track

https://i.imgur.com/WFiqJBp.jpg

when I spied this laying across my path :gob:

https://i.imgur.com/KJKDS3J.jpg

Nothing for it but to carry on. Thankfully I found some shelter just as it unleashed

https://i.imgur.com/AoilvVq.jpg

and stood around kicking clods waiting for it to pass. Didn't even take the helmet off. Eventually it looked to be easing, so off I went again ... didn't get very far before it let fly again. Thankfully I found somewhere better to shelter :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/sYRZfJ1.jpg

Try again.... This time it held off, and I found myself in Tazewell

https://i.imgur.com/WtPeSll.jpg

This should be fun I thought :D

https://i.imgur.com/tBLoe7M.jpg

It was pretty cool :clap: Once again I must've been having to much fun riding to take out the phone. I finished the day in Damascus. Quite a pretty little town that one.

https://i.imgur.com/70gLis7.jpg

Next day it was time do some more beetling... like this guy :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/sDTnWWb.jpg

More little gravel roads over hills and down dales. Through a very well to do town called Blowing Rock. Take a right just on the edge of town and then the road goes down, down, down.... past a wee cemetery where I had to take a break

https://i.imgur.com/RiNzekK.jpg

some very very old grave stones in there too :yes: and along the valley floor

https://i.imgur.com/DGk4S95.jpg

Through a wee dot of a place called Maple Ridge and more tight twisty rocky forestry roads. I only had to go in the ditch once to get around a fallen tree :crazy: and I eventually made it to Linville Falls.
The weather looked to packing a sad again, confirmed by a guy I chatted to at the servo. No time for hanging around.... I was going to try make Little Switzerland before it hit. Thankfully it was all seal, although somewhat wet and a little dark under the canopy
I made it and stopped at the first place I saw, booked in and just got the bike unpacked before it let loose. Thunder, lightening, wind and torrential rain. Glad I wasn't tenting.
I sat next to a lovely couple from Columbus at tea (included in the room rate :yes: ) who seemed interested in what I was up to, and a little concerned :scratch: They said they'd pray for me. It's not the first time I've heard that in Virginia/Carolina. They seem like quite religious folks. Hence the huge number of Churches.
I did plan on updating this thread that night, but the power went out due to the weather so I had no internets.
Next morning dawned much brighter. Not a bad view from my deck aye ?

https://i.imgur.com/YZyRNIW.jpg

I sat next to the same couple for breakfast (included in room rate) and the guy gave me his card and said email him when I was finished, just so he knew I was safe. Truly lovely, caring people.
So off I went, full of optimism for the rest of the day and the trip. Before long I was into more forest roads, quite a bit of wind damage from the night before

https://i.imgur.com/mGDpZPZ.jpg

There was some sizeable trees down too. Thankfully the road crews/linesmen were out clearing it all up. Before long I was up on part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, I'm sure it's stunning on a good day

https://i.imgur.com/AgoBDoG.jpg

As for the rest of the day, it was loads of little roads through tiny community's

https://i.imgur.com/cs2s662.jpg

Past more derelict houses

https://i.imgur.com/Hhglrx9.jpg

and through more forest parks

https://i.imgur.com/4Xoxj6E.jpg

Before I ended up back on the Blue Ridge Parkway just out of Maggie Vly and a campsite at the Mile high campground. where I got invited over for dinner and drinks by some fellow campers, much better than a tin of stew/soup stuff..
Nice sunset too :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/kyEpAsJ.jpg

Which brings me to today...
I slept in :innocent::sleep: Didn't get up till 8. Must be the mountain air...
I left there and before long found myself in the tall timber again, riding through another park just out of Cherokee, then a bit more seal then through Tellico gap

https://i.imgur.com/Rl2LLeN.jpg

Over a saddle

https://i.imgur.com/VHQJdyW.jpg

It's a shame the growth was so high as it was a cool view back down the valley, with the road snaking under the power lines and diving into the forest making it's way to the top.
I ended up in Andrews but couldn't find anywhere I wanted to stay, I did find somewhere off the trail though... 2 Wheel Inn, they even have little garages to park the bikes in, how cool is that :woohoo:

https://i.imgur.com/VHQJdyW.jpg

Even got a little button in my room to close the door :2thumbsup I don't even have that at home.

So here I am, all caught up... sorry its not very detailed but there's so many little places I'm passing through it's hard to keep up. Will try to do better.
Off to a little place called Deals Gap tomorrow. I seem to recall something about a tail and a dragon :scratch: I'll report back in due course

Later
:wavey:

[Tokerau boy]

I’ve never known a motorcycle resort before, certainly along way from the coast now

[Laava]

Update time....The camp host mentioned Gettysburg wasn't far away, I popped into the info center ,

Did they give you the address? Badoomtish!…
Awesome trip James, nice pics, have fun!

[JATZ]

I’ve never known a motorcycle resort before, certainly along way from the coast now
It was a nice place. The owners have only owned it since January. hopefully they do well out of it. It seemed quite full the night I was there.
Yeah.... It's been great being up in the hills, much coolerer


Did they give you the address? Badoomtish!…
Awesome trip James, nice pics, have fun!
LOL that's a good one Dad :bleh:

[JATZ]

I've decided to take a day off in Lafayette (Georgia). Take care of domestics, update this before it gets to far behind, work out where I am, and how far I have to go.
Goodness.... I thought It was further. Gunna have to slow down :blink:
Back to the story.
I left the Inn and headed off into a showery morning, to see whether this Dragons tail would live up to all the hype. I found Deals Gap and hung a right onto the tail. It was alright... maybe if I wasn't on a loaded bike shod with knobblies and it was dry ? Less traffic than I was led to believe too :yes:
I rode it both ways :ride: I only took a couple of pics. This one I waited and waited for something to come 'round the corner so I could get an action shot. Unfortunately all there was, was 1 SUV :facepalm:

https://i.imgur.com/CmebAu0.jpg

Still very scenic though

https://i.imgur.com/X1qV0Lz.jpg

I stopped back at Deals Gap for the obligatory photo/magnet/coffee

https://i.imgur.com/1MGDgqx.jpg

There was a few more "Speedy" looking cars turning up now, Corvettes and Lexus's, But I'd done my dash there. I was off to get something seen to that'd been bugging me.
I haven't really been able to keep an eye on the front sprocket. The cap screws holding the cover on were to tight and made of cheese so they'd just rounded out. I didn't have a torx bit to force them either.
I'd googled up this place, back towards Robinsville, so called in.

https://i.imgur.com/ljdotI4.jpg

It was run by Kid Rocks half brother :punk: Real nice guy. He eventually got the offending screws out and replaced them with proper bolts. FWIW, sprocket is worn, but not as bad as I thought it would be :niceone:
After chit chatting for a bit I made my way onto the Cherohala Skyway. Now that is a nice piece of road :banana: It seems it's a popular place to put stickers too :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/TzWE3oN.jpg

Right here the TAT dives back into the trees and continues on through wilderness area's /Forest parks.
I won't bore you with yet more pics of a V-strom/Trees, and gravel/dirt roads. But it was here I ran into my first other TATers. Having a break roadside. We had a brief chat and I cruised on. Making my way to into Tennessee and Talico Plains.
I rolled into Smithys camp (motorcycle friendly) but the place was locked. A sign said "ring or txt this number" I had no service, I should have :weird: Spark roaming has been pretty good.
Back into town, still no service.... find a library with wifi to have a google round and try work out this service issue. I could see a tower not 1/2 a mile from me. Wifi was pretty slow so I trotted of to a Hardys for a feed and better wifi.
Despite checking all settings, which hadn't changed, I couldn't work it out. I fired off a thing to spark help desk thing and went back to Smithys to see if they were there.
I got back, tried the door, nope still locked, but I could see someone coming out of a caravan I figured was the owner, so wandered over. The woman nutted off :gob: she was really unwelcoming, something about not going near people's homes. I was a good 10 meters away from it when she came out. She went into a side door of the office and her husband came out the front, followed by her. I apologized for startling her. Her response, and I quote " I dunno about where your from, but round here you go up to strangers houses like that, it ain't gunna end well for you" Say that with a real Tennessee drawl. The husband wasn't the friendliest critter I've ever met either, seemed a little weird :weird:
I paid for a site and wood and got well away from the crazy, still unsure whether I should hang around or just go somewhere else.
I stayed, set up camp, read some book, puzzled my phone issue and relaxed....

TBC

[JATZ]

Woke up next morning and I could see rain about the hills, so I started packing, after coffee of course. Unfortunately I didn't get finished before I had to duck back into the tent as the heavens opened, complete with thunder and lightening. It only lasted about an hour, and I was back into it. Finished off packing, just as another session started, so I retired to the communal area to wait it out.
When I eventually set off I knew the infamous Witt rd crossings were coming up. I'd been sent a vid by a fellow NZer who'd done it earlier this year.
I chickened out, didn't see the point in going along just to find out it was to deep, and re-joined the trail further on. This was section TN06. Vid guy had also said there was a section after Witt rd that was a bit rough, simiar to the Porika back home.
I think I was on it :gob: I didn't take any pics, I was to busy clinging onto the bike and trying not to fall off. It was hard work :sweatdrop
Got through that section unscathed and carried on. Did another couple of sections, also saw my first bear on the trail, a mumma with her cub, then peeled off to find somewhere to stay, and ended up at Ocoee.
Just to give y'all a break from reading.... Trail pics

https://i.imgur.com/mwkesm9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4lWIaLz.jpg

Everyone was feeling the heat

https://i.imgur.com/MUr97ri.jpg

Next morning I picked up exactly where I left off and carried on. Being a Saturday there was a bit of traffic around. Family's out camping, mountainbikers, guys out driving round with their "bear dogs"
I ran into a couple of guys out trail riding where I took this pic

https://i.imgur.com/ntg5aMo.jpg

It doesn't really do the view justice. They said there was a storm a brewing, supposed to hit about 2:00
Crikey, I'd best get cracking then.
It was a good day to be riding in the tall timber...

https://i.imgur.com/LEOzi37.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/7DOAi1b.jpg

I eventually left the forest and wriggled my way through lots of little sealed back roads. Passing this what appears to be abandoned factory

https://i.imgur.com/OOA5Xjf.jpg

Pretty soon I was back on the dirt, although this one had a thick coating of gravel in places, which made life interesting :crazy: I stopped to load up the next bit of trail, they do stop in some random places, and I could see the storm getting closer. complete with yet more thunder.

https://i.imgur.com/FxGCsSB.jpg

I got out to a main rd, exited the track and plotted a course for Lafayette. and found a room for a couple of nights.
Oh, yeah... phone seems to have sorted itself out, sim is roaming again :2thumbsup

Will be back in a few days with more...

:wavey:

[JATZ]

Some other random things, while I'm here....
Sena helmet cam decided not to play ball before Elizabeth City. It's in the pannier till I get home where a warranty claim will be made hopefully. I mean, who keeps those receipts, really ??
Guy I was chatting to at Deals Gap, travelling solo from Pheonix via Florida mentioned how tough it was mentally. I'd never really thought of it like that :scratch: I guess it is tough mentally, but also easier. A democracy of 1 makes it so :D
They have a lot of afternoon/evening electrical storms here, just had another one tonight. Who knew ??

[Moi]

Great photos. The ol' black tops are the way to see the US of A. Interstates are useful if you're in a hurry...

[JATZ]

Great photos. The ol' black tops are the way to see the US of A. Interstates are useful if you're in a hurry...
Absolutely :niceone: I really try to avoid interstates, but sometimes it can't be helped. Did about 15 miles today on one. If you're not doing 70 mp/h or more everything, including trucks, just rushes on by.
I must say there has been way more seal than I expected on this TAT. Not saying it's a bad thing though, although some adv. purists would spit on me for saying that :rolleyes:

[JATZ]

After a very very laid back day in Lafayette I hit the road again. Lots more little backroads were traversed. both sealed and unsealed. Over hills and down into a canyon, then back up the other side. I only took 2 pics all day.
This one first thing in the morning just outside my room

https://i.imgur.com/SFGoz40.jpg

and this one where I was staying in Sewanee

https://i.imgur.com/aDZzLKI.jpg

What a nice little university town that is. Another major electrical storm that night too :yes: it was pretty cool standing at the window watching the sky light up.
Interesting too... my phone decided to not get service again. Maybe it's a Tennessee thing :scratch: It'd been fine in Georgia, I'd ducked into Alabama between Rising Fawn and Stewart Gulch, and I assume it worked there. It appears to be back playing ball now :woohoo:
Then today I made an effort to stop more often. First order of business was to get back on the trail then follow it till I intersected with a semi major road, follow that till I hit another one, follow that.... then BAM !!! I was there... Lynchburg, Tennessee
The home of Jack Daniels, What a massive place. I didn't do the tour though :wait:. Massive operation, spread from one end of the town to the other. I only looked around the visitor center, bought a souvenir and trotted into town for a look.

https://i.imgur.com/le7ZLLt.jpg

stumbled across this guy playing checkers

https://i.imgur.com/DVaQaIM.jpg

I guess he took to long to make a move so the opposition left :lol:
Scored another souvenir, had a proper espresso and left. I'm reasonably confident only one of those souvenir purchases will make it onto the plane home :drinkup: :D
Heading back to the trail I stopped to take a pic of the storage warehouses. No advertising on them, just massive black buildings surrounded by barbed wire topped fences. Both sides of the road. The stream of delivery trucks were also stealth, just painted black with a small Jack logo on the door.

https://i.imgur.com/74eUcee.jpg

Panoramic image ;) I wondered what would happen if a car/truck/ute went past while I was making the pic. Now I know :yes:
Have a look on google maps/satelite to get a scale of the place
With that out of the road I left.
Through cropping land

https://i.imgur.com/OtWahpY.jpg

nice little stands of trees

https://i.imgur.com/jVoo9Sj.jpg

Old houses, or sheds

https://i.imgur.com/xbCH4ZY.jpg

I really liked this one

https://i.imgur.com/ipFKUSl.jpg

must be a lot of work goes into making one

https://i.imgur.com/WgF9CBC.jpg

The owners were just leaving as I pulled up, and with the words of crazy lady from Tellico plains fresh in my brain :crazy: I hung back. They were leaving, so stopped to check on me, I asked if I could take some pics. No problem was the reply. Apparently the woman in the ute grew up there. and she was going to restore it to a livable state. That's a massive undertaking, I hope she succeeds :yes:
Also, the one further back down the road was where her father was born and raised. You could say they were locals ?
Other than that, nothing much to report.... Looks like another storm a brewin for tonight :wacko:
Back in a couple of days or so..

:wavey:

[JATZ]

Jeebus... Had to look back through my pics to work out where I left off. Pretty sure it was a motel just of the interstate, near Pulaski, always a good spot to find somewhere to stay for cheap, and there's usually something that resembles food.
Anyway, I left Pulaski and carried on, more little back roads. Skimmed the edge of Lawrenceburg, then thought... I might as well get some gas, and something to eat/drink so backtracked. With that out of the road I set sail again.
Just as I was thinking it was going to be another day of mostly seal, I hit some somewhat loose gravel :blink: while being chased by yet another dog. Went round a couple of bends and there was a creek crossing

https://i.imgur.com/zni93NU.jpg

Knob creek it's called. Not to deep and only a little soft so no worries. After that it was all gravel in various states of repair.
I got to where the trail went into what looked like a private entrance way, the signs made it seem like it anyway

https://i.imgur.com/meL6hBd.jpg

A quick flick around on the GPS and I had a work around that joined up further on :clap: It was all good
till I came upon this crossing

https://i.imgur.com/xcSUQVm.jpg

Slipperier 'n a NZ First leader it was :shit: Thought I was going down there, but managed to get through.
I made my way to Collinwood (Pop 970) and found a place to stay. It was undergoing renovations so the lovely lady had to clean it up for me and make it habitable. It was cheap though :yes: Turns out it was the only room in town too. Couple of other TATers turned up looking for lodging, but there was nothing. I don't know where they ended up. I warned them about the crossing before they left.
Both restaurants were closed too so I ended up at the diner/gas station thing

https://i.imgur.com/CothWOs.jpg

Food was below average, but it was worth it to sit there listening to the banter between the serving girls and the cook. Customers coming in were mostly greeted by first name, all in a thick Tennessee accent. I wandered back to the room...

https://i.imgur.com/49Iy9ga.jpg

Sat on the porch and watched the day wind down.

https://i.imgur.com/FHRmdLL.jpg

That's it on the right. Quite a few dogs and cats roaming the streets and a good portion of the locals driving past would wave. Friendly town, I liked it :D
The owner, a woman, who must've been inoculated with a gramophone needle, man she could talk :yes: was telling me about a place just down the road I should check out, further down the Natchez Trace >>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natchez_Trace
I had to check with her next morning to get the details of a book she recommended about the place I was going to visit.
Of course there was more coffee, chit chat and sausage, cooked by her friend Paul. Another local with a super thick accent. Took me a while to get out of there :blink:....
I covered the 20 miles down to the spot, crossing into Alabama

https://i.imgur.com/2aR3enM.jpg

and made it to Wichahpi commemorative stone wall

https://i.imgur.com/lVXQRNl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4UvBh2n.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5yOQCqB.jpg

and because he hasn't been out much...

https://i.imgur.com/VvpLHUr.jpg

Interesting history... >>https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/wichahpi-commemorative-stone-wall
I would really like to get my mitts on the book to find out more.
After that little interlude I got back on track

https://i.imgur.com/9VavOZ5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/VfkXPhT.jpg

One of the many many many deer I've seen who actually stayed still long enough to get captured on film

https://i.imgur.com/sZjJWu3.jpg

and some cattle

https://i.imgur.com/kqiNyv7.jpg

I finished the day at a free camp just outside Waterloo

https://i.imgur.com/UqhijXh.jpg

While I was sifting round the campground, looking for somewhere to pitch my tent, I ran into this guy

https://i.imgur.com/qg9NDoZ.jpg

Robert E. Lee Voyles, I know that 'cause he gave me his card :D I had to get a couple of shots of his set up

https://i.imgur.com/ULbvQiC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BOPg7we.jpg

That extra set of wheels on the draw bar he had to add as there was to much weight on the car and it was getting hard to control in the corners, just something he whipped up in his shed :gob:
I wanted suggest he could remove some of the 3 cube of firewood, but didn't. He seemed happy. Just travelling around the country in his eclectic/eccentric setup. I left him with a solar phone charger and 150w inverter I'd been given earlier in the trip and promised to send him a postcard from NZ when I got home. I will too :yes:

[JATZ]

I left Waterloo in the a.m. and got back on the trail. I had a waypoint marked, which said TN Switchbacks. I figured it was just sharp bends going left and right... I hadn't counted on the vertical switchbacks too :gob: Damn they were steep. No pics sorry :weep:
Followed by more gravel roads, another of those super slippery fords, this one with a small step running diagonally across it. Had to have a couple of goes at that :yes: Then made my way north to skim Savannah, before heading south again, through cropping country

https://i.imgur.com/PwH6fBw.jpg

I guess I've left the hills behind for a bit..
Over a bridge...

https://i.imgur.com/PO0steK.jpg

and got into Pickwick just in time for lunch :Punk: and a look around. I tried to find Sam Corero's (the creator of this TAT, but failed, so went to the place I'd booked and retired into the aircon :sweatdrop
I've had the handbrake on a bit the past few days. Rear tire is disappearing, front sprocket is looking sad and I don't have far to go to Little Rock where new rubber waits and a good service. That's not scheduled till next week though. No point in getting there to early, and hurtling off to look at all sorts of stuff might not be a good idea.
Anywaaaaaay....
I left Pickwick, after another unsuccesfull peek for Sam's house...
More seal, gravel and dirt roads

https://i.imgur.com/Yzzqms5.jpg

Glad it's not wet or I think that would be a nightmare :shit:
One closed road sign, but I still had to go check :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/BLeoARX.jpg

I'm sure with 2 people it would've been doable.Then another.... Bridge closed sign, Once again I had to go check

https://i.imgur.com/jYhGjlB.jpg

The bridge was there, it was just blocked by machinery, dammit It was a bit of a walk to get down to it just to check too :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/yaGGO56.jpg

Nevermind.... Find a detour and carry on

https://i.imgur.com/uFmVmA1.jpg

I got into a wee place called New Albany, found some aircon and finished for the day. Proper Mexican for tea too, and this place didn't have bullet holes in the windows like the last place back in Ocoee :shit:

Anyway, your all caught up now.

:wavey:

[JATZ]

LOL
Utube knows what I've been typing.

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This is some of the stuff from today, as well as a bit of background of the trail

[JATZ]

Update time again... Probably the last one from on the road too :yes:

I left New Albany and wobbled my way along the trail some more. I think these were from that section, can't really be sure :scratch: It all seems to blend into one these days. Catching a bit of shade and checking out where I was on the phone...

https://i.imgur.com/bBDwPbt.jpg

I was in a bit of forest apparently :D

https://i.imgur.com/LvVE4Oc.jpg

I feel I need to share with the group the US election signs. They're all over the place... at intersections, on peoples front yards. But no massive billboards, just little 400X300 signs (approx) urging you to vote for such and such for Sheriff/Councillor/Tax collector/Chancery court clerk/Circuit clerk. It seems you need to be voted in to a position instead of applying for the job.
The big ones in the pic were an anomaly ;) excuse the crappy pic too :Oops:

https://i.imgur.com/DWJ1SZq.jpg

Ayhooo, What I'm getting at, is it's much better than the visual pollution we get around election time IMHO.
Anyway, pretty sure I ended up in Batesville for the night. I got cracking next morning heading for the State line.
Crops on one side swamp on the other

https://i.imgur.com/YpR7JWk.jpg

Pretty sure this is rice :scratch:

https://i.imgur.com/ITbU8eS.jpg

It's an interesting irrigation system they use.... just turn on a dirty big pump and flood the whole paddock :eek5: I did see a few center pivots but they're few and far between.
Of course I had to stop here... It's mandatory :D

https://i.imgur.com/iZhd3yF.jpg

Chatted to the old geezer for about an hour, had a flick through his books of past TAT participants and enjoyed a frosty cold coke. It was pretty hard to drag myself away from in front of the AC unit, but it had to be done :weep:

Past more crops....

https://i.imgur.com/B2eUIaV.jpg

And before long I was on the bridge over the Mississippi river

https://i.imgur.com/6liQaVn.jpg

And into Arkansas...

https://i.imgur.com/BPFHu0Z.jpg

I think I'd done enough by this stage so found a cheap motel in West Helena and called it for the day.
Saddled up next morning and got out of town... Nothing really to report from this day, more back roads, the gravel was certainly thicker in Arkensaw :eek5: with the odd dirt patch thrown in

https://i.imgur.com/cZW1SEl.jpg

I think that's the only pic I took all day, except for this one...

https://i.imgur.com/we87KZI.jpg

Why is it I can change the speed and odo to miles, but not the temp ?? :scratch: Maybe because Suzuki know Fahrenheit is just a dumb measurement :Pokey:

It was getting kind of warm so, once again I pulled pin early in another cheap motel and draped myself over the aircon unit :sweatdrop
Next day was just a short hop into Little Rock and get a decent service on the bike. The rear tire was done, the front I wasn't really a fan of either so that had to go, chain and sprockets were well due for replacement as well as brake pads. They gave the bike a thorough going over too.... It's just clicked over 50,000 k's :banana:
I had a look at the new P-strom 800 while I was there... Nice, but I can't see one in my future.
Grabbed an uber to my digs for the next 2 nights and that was me for the day...

[JATZ]

While the bike was getting a birthday, I had a wee snuffle around Little Rock. Not to much though it was a bit warm to be walking around.
I sweated my way along the riverside walk, through a construction site.... Some serious beams there, holding up a new bridge on the freeway

https://i.imgur.com/3voa9SF.jpg

Across a foot bridge

https://i.imgur.com/eFLuxer.jpg

Where I got to look down on an RV park... looks kind of sterile to me :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/k2SoPl6.jpg

And along to the William J Clinton Library and Museum

https://i.imgur.com/Uur6XTU.jpg

Where they made me tip out my water, it was going to be a tough trip back I thought :wacko:
It was an interesting place, with replicas of the State room

https://i.imgur.com/JPH1pKi.jpg

and the Oval Office

https://i.imgur.com/8kxqsLe.jpg

That Oval Office is an exact replica of when Bill was president. Apparently his designer, when she was designing his office had everything duplicated, so they could have a replica like this in his home State. Sadly you can only go in if you're getting your photo taken behind the big desk.
I snuffled round for a couple of hours there... seems like he did some good stuff while he was in office, and I only saw one small bit, with no names or items of clothing mentioned, of course, of his minor indiscretion :yes:
S'funny what people are remembered for...
Anyway... lots of stuff there, very interesting :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/2DdNhUi.jpg

There was also a dinosaur exhibition

https://i.imgur.com/Sl2gRfb.jpg

They mooved and made noises too.....GRRRRRRRRR!!!!...... eeeeeek :eek:
I picked up a magnet, first one in a while and got out. I couldn't face the walk back so hailed an Uber and waited. There was these decorated Globe things to look at while waiting :wait:

https://i.imgur.com/xUtFhMc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0QxCNme.jpg

I couldn't just sit around all day, so wandered into the shopping sort of area just up the road.....

https://i.imgur.com/z50FIUp.jpg

Holy Crap..... I thought I was going to die :shit: Notice there's no one else on the street ? I thought about getting a haircut, but my head was that sweaty, I couldn't do it. so beat a retreat back to the hotel. Only venturing back out to try catch the sunset....

https://i.imgur.com/r3LteaR.jpg

Wasn't really the shot I planned, but it's all I got..
That's about it... Picked up the bike this afternoon and made my way back out to Beebe and another cheap motel... Ready to pick up the trail again tomorrow.

[Tokerau boy]

Often is it the poor quality tyres or rough terrain or the load of camping gear on the back ? only asking as I have not done anything like what you have traveled

[JATZ]

Often is it the poor quality tyres or rough terrain or the load of camping gear on the back ? only asking as I have not done anything like what you have traveled

That's a good question. I'm glad you asked...

The first change in North Sydney the tires were due for replacement, almost. I used that shop because they did the job last year and understand that the needs of a "traveler". The normal wait time for getting work done at that shop was 3 weeks. In Halifax it was 5 weeks.
Unfortunately, the tires they supplied were great on sealed roads, not so flash on gravel. Hence the second change. They still had plenty of life left in them.... That's where Elizabeth city dropped the ball. If they hadn't that would have been the last change. I took what I could get in Rocky Mount. It appears " adventure" style tires are not widely carried, or maybe my 17 & 19 in size tires aren't widely available. I spent ages on the phone, ringing various shops, with nothing available. Revzilla could send me a set of my preferred Heidenau K60's overnight, but it was a 2 week wait to get them from their supplier.
By the time I got to Little Rock, 2500 miles later, the rear was done, and I wasn't gelling with the front, it was o.k. but felt pretty unstable on lose/thick gravel.
Hence the last change in Little Rock. This set should get me all the way to Port Orford.

[JATZ]

Enough tire chit chat :yes: .... lets get this wrapped up

After a day in Little Rock it was time to go pick up the bike. Freshly serviced, new rubber, shiny new chain and sprockets and air filter. Apparently it was in very good shape for a 50,000 k bike. It seemed to be a lot smooother now too. It was early afternoon by the time I left, so it was just a short day, back to Beebe :ride:
A leisurely start next morning, after a massive breakfast :niceone: and I rejoined the TAT. It doesn't look like I took any pics that day.... just the one of breakfast :shutup:
I ended up in a place called Scotland, where there was supposed to be accommodation. I couldn't see anything, so beetled of to Clinton for the night. Nothing much to report there....
It was back to Scotland in the morning to rejoin the trail... I actually did stop to take some snaps this morning :D

https://i.imgur.com/mNRpe1X.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/F7fOaAN.jpg

An interesting fence

https://i.imgur.com/c8Cnrst.jpg

It didn't take long and I was back on some wee gravel back roads. Before to long though the track tuned to dirt.... After weeks of fine weather, there'd been a shower of rain over night, which made traction..... unpredictable :blink:
I got to this point....

https://i.imgur.com/1sGZfI3.jpg

and decided to pull pin. I figured it wasn't going to get much better for a while and the front tire was already binding on the front guard with the build up of clay and gravel

https://i.imgur.com/GKTQfDP.jpg

I made my way back out to the main road and continued on, rejoining the trail further along. Next stop was a lunch stop at a bit of an icon....

https://i.imgur.com/5qUcu4z.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/mL0cMAs.jpg

I had lunch, v.good burgers :D with a couple of guys from Missouri, who'd ridden down for the day. They gave me a couple of ideas for roads to ride in the area.

https://i.imgur.com/VLYCDVl.jpg

Ride with care ? As if.... :devil2:
Anyway....I ended up in Ozark for the night.
By this stage I'd run out of pre loaded GPS tracks for the TAT ( I only loaded what I figured I'd need) It was also time to start making my way back east to Greenbriar, slowly.
I spent a bit of time next morning plotting a route back east, picking squiggly lines from Google maps and finding them on the GPS.
It actually turned into one of the best riding routes so far.... Perfect mix of sealed road.

https://i.imgur.com/zFAOPaT.jpg

and dirt/gravel

https://i.imgur.com/9DAjySL.jpg

Some nice views too :yes:

https://i.imgur.com/IZBBXg9.jpg

I was well chuffed with the day :D and ended up in a place called Mountain View.
What a nice, chilled out little town. They have an amphitheater there

https://i.imgur.com/F8wrNow.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9pi3tgs.jpg

I ended up at a BnB for the night, Had BBQ for tea and went for a wander around town.....

https://i.imgur.com/QxmSj7w.jpg

then spent the evening sitting on the porch yakking with the other guests. A perfect end to a great day.

Next morning was my final day of riding. Only 75 odd miles so it was a pretty late start. Got a haircut, picked up some fuel stabilizer and made my way slowly South.
I think this is the only pic I took..... of a random dam

https://i.imgur.com/w7dW01e.jpg

Then made my way to Greenbriar and a shed to park the bike in for the next 10 months

https://i.imgur.com/hc70mkz.jpg

I spent the night there with Cliff and his wife then Cliff dropped me at the airport next morning for the long trek home....

[Tokerau boy]

And collection of automotive products , I hope your motorcycle doesn’t freeze 🥶 over the winter