Topic: WA, OR, ID, WY, MT, AB, BC - NW US/SW Canada Trip June/July 2010 (Read 7262 times)

Eqcons · « **on:** July 11, 2010, 07:07:34 AM »

Well, the trip is over, done, and dusted!

It was utterly fantastic!

This was the final route:

http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.com/rideplanner/share/286126

though of course we did little extra parts during the trip. 4053 miles total (rental dealer was, uh, "surprised" that a renter could put that many miles on his bikes, and clean them several times during the trip!)

Bikes we had were almost new (1600 miles) Ultra Limiteds, and I have to say they are great for touring. Much of the time, the roads we chose were near empty, which was brilliant. Another plus point, I had no idea that speed limits in Canada were purely advisory, not mandatory!

Highlights for me:

Our day one (1-2) took us along the Paradise Road on the southern slopes of Mount Rainier - stunning, and highly recommended. We did it in the rain and mist, and it was still a fantastic day.

Day 3 (3-4) took in Hell's Canyon. Great roads!

Day 4 (you know how it works by now!) was fantastic - through the mountainous Boise National Forest, and on to the Craters of the
Moon NP, awe inspiring!

Day 7 across the Beartooth Pass (around 10,900 feet!) to Red Lodge, which is a great town to spend the night (or more!) Highly recommended!

Day 10 - best part of the trip - follow the Going-to-the-Sun highway out of Glacier NP to Babb. Completely breathtaking! Opened for the year on the Friday, we crossed on the Monday - good timing or what!

The rest of our trip was Canada, and lots of it was worthwhile - the fossil museum at Drumheller, the Bow Valley and Icefield Parkways from Banff to Jasper, the Fraser River valley south to Vancouver, and Vancouver Island.

One of my best ever road trips!

Eqcons · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:08:15 AM »

Stand spring fell off!

Eqcons · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:09:32 AM »

Hey, there IS blue sky up there!

Eqcons · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:11:24 AM »

Can you tell it was cold on the Old Oregon Trail?

Eqcons · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:13:40 AM »

"Bates" Motel.

Now we know why it was so cheap! (Man, those train horns are loud at 3AM when they are right next to your motel room!)

Eqcons · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:16:00 AM »

On the Road to Hell's Canyon

Eqcons · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:17:39 AM »

We checked, just in case. It really was!

Eqcons · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:20:04 AM »

Hell's Canyon - man, those roads were FUN!

Eqcons · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:22:12 AM »

That would not require the "may be" going by the one that had a lunge at me!

Eqcons · « **Reply #9 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:25:03 AM »

Idaho - best riding country I've been in in the US so far. Fantastic, and I can't recommend it highly enough!

Eqcons · « **Reply #10 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:28:37 AM »

Typical N. Idaho country

Eqcons · « **Reply #11 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:31:09 AM »

Not another vehicle in sight!

Eqcons · « **Reply #12 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:34:06 AM »

Nah, it'll just be a little shower - no need to put the wet gear on... HAHAHAHAHAHA!! Man, were we soaked!

Eqcons · « **Reply #13 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:39:05 AM »

Craters of the Moon NP - watch out for alien spacecraft!

Eqcons · « **Reply #14 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:41:25 AM »

Arco, ID. First town lit by Atomic Power, apparently. Lots of big isolated government buildings nearby, gulp!

But the numbers on the cliffs? No idea!

Eqcons · « **Reply #15 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:47:56 AM »

Starting the climb on the Teton scenic byway, Tetons in the background. That's a French word, by the way.....

Eqcons · « **Reply #16 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:49:32 AM »

Traffic? I don't care about no traffic!

Eqcons · « **Reply #17 on:** July 11, 2010, 07:51:32 AM »

Alone on the planet......

Eqcons · « **Reply #18 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:08:04 AM »

Or perhaps not.... (Stay VERY still, Jim!)

Eqcons · « **Reply #19 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:16:00 AM »

Old Faithful doing what he's famous for

Eqcons · « **Reply #20 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:19:47 AM »

Now THAT'S a mobile home! Griswolds on vacation again.

Eqcons · « **Reply #21 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:22:46 AM »

"No, don't worry dear, if he gets up and comes towards you, I won't run away. I think."

Eqcons · « **Reply #22 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:26:35 AM »

"Don't worry dear, I'm sure it's harmless. Yes, I need to stand behind you to steady the camera on your shoulder!"

Eqcons · « **Reply #23 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:30:07 AM »

See that look in his eyes? Ho doesn't like red Harleys, so decided to eat ours and us. Those 103s can sure accelerate when fully loaded if they need to!

Eqcons · « **Reply #24 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:32:38 AM »

Canyon is amazing!

Eqcons · « **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:36:08 AM »

Not many of these critters in Scotland!

Eqcons · « **Reply #26 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:38:26 AM »

Climbing the Beartooth Pass - there's COLD in them thar hills!

Eqcons · « **Reply #27 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:40:14 AM »

MILES of unsurfaced road on this trip - at least this part was smooth, and not gravel!

Eqcons · « **Reply #28 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:42:44 AM »

"You lookin' at me?"

Eqcons · « **Reply #29 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:44:59 AM »

Getting colder - all the lakes are frozen at this altitude.

Eqcons · « **Reply #30 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:47:08 AM »

Feels like the roof of the world!

Eqcons · « **Reply #31 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:48:47 AM »

The top at last!

Eqcons · « **Reply #32 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:51:48 AM »

hard to breathe if you run, at 10,993 feet! (I have no idea why my Zumo was showing altitudes in metres!)

Eqcons · « **Reply #33 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:55:33 AM »

Roads can be straight in Montana!

Eqcons · « **Reply #34 on:** July 11, 2010, 08:57:27 AM »

Or sometimes not! Great riding country again!

Eqcons · « **Reply #35 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:01:36 AM »

If you've never been to the Sip'n'Dip lounge in Great Falls, MT, you're missing a surreal experience from your lives. Mermaids swim behind the bar, and ..........

Eqcons · « **Reply #36 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:01:58 AM »

...... 74-year-old "Piano Pat" sings the Blues. Kind of.

Eqcons · « **Reply #37 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:03:27 AM »

Some warmth at last!

Eqcons · « **Reply #38 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:05:39 AM »

No idea what's under or on top of these "hills", but it looks suspicious to me!

Eqcons · « **Reply #39 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:07:05 AM »

Just another "good to be alive" day!

Eqcons · « **Reply #40 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:09:25 AM »

The wife made me take this photo, honest!

Eqcons · « **Reply #41 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:12:16 AM »

Lake MacDonald in the Glacier NP of Northern Montana. Needs no words........

Eqcons · « **Reply #42 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:14:36 AM »

Starting the climb on the Going-to-the-Sun Highway in Montana, 3 days after it opened for the year.

Most scenic ride in the world, bar none, for me!

Eqcons · « **Reply #43 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:18:10 AM »

Shame that truck was there!

Eqcons · « **Reply #44 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:18:41 AM »

Eqcons · « **Reply #45 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:20:08 AM »

Onward and upward!

Eqcons · « **Reply #46 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:21:33 AM »

More stunning beauty

Eqcons · « **Reply #47 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:23:45 AM »

Yes, that IS unsurfaced again, with a narrow, twisty road, a drop of around 5 miles, and only that little wall!

Eqcons · « **Reply #48 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:26:00 AM »

What do you mean, dear, "a little further back, please"??

Eqcons · « **Reply #49 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:27:45 AM »

Higher still!

Eqcons · « **Reply #50 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:29:09 AM »

Guess it snowed there last winter!

Eqcons · « **Reply #51 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:30:37 AM »

Getting snow blindness!

Eqcons · « **Reply #52 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:32:26 AM »

Back down again!

Eqcons · « **Reply #53 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:34:27 AM »

Which sign is bigger?

Eqcons · « **Reply #54 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:36:36 AM »

Vulcan, AB, where they hold a Star Trek convention every year, and tourism=trekkies!

Eqcons · « **Reply #55 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:38:10 AM »

Wooden bridges are more fun when they are dry!

Eqcons · « **Reply #56 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:44:36 AM »

Drumheller, AB, has the most amazing fossil museum - well worth a visit.

Eqcons · « **Reply #57 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:46:40 AM »

Banff AB - start of our journey through the Canadian Rockies.

Eqcons · « **Reply #58 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:47:54 AM »

Nice Rack!

Eqcons · « **Reply #59 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:49:26 AM »

Scenic all the way!

Eqcons · « **Reply #60 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:50:34 AM »

And the Bow Valley Parkway was quiet!

Eqcons · « **Reply #61 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:52:25 AM »

Glaciers everywhere.

Eqcons · « **Reply #62 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:54:08 AM »

Woops! Time I was leaving, he's taking an interest....

Eqcons · « **Reply #63 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:55:35 AM »

Another great road.

Eqcons · « **Reply #64 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:56:45 AM »

They sure are!

Eqcons · « **Reply #65 on:** July 11, 2010, 09:58:44 AM »

Approaching Jasper, AB

Eqcons · « **Reply #66 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:07:49 AM »

Where we spent Canada Day, and at night they had the most fantastic fireworks display. A strangely familiar, sweet smell hung in the air amongst the crowd, and no, it wasn't gunpowder.....

(Well, it's a small town, and I guess there's not much to do....)

Eqcons · « **Reply #67 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:09:33 AM »

Heading down the Fraser river valley. Serious clouds above those mountains!

Eqcons · « **Reply #68 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:12:34 AM »

Me and my friend Barney, in a little Harley pub in Avola, British Columbia

Eqcons · « **Reply #69 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:14:40 AM »

Great, quiet, winding roads again

Eqcons · « **Reply #70 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:18:27 AM »

Tug pulling a LOT of logs, taken from the ferry out of Vancouver to the Sunshine Coast, where I made use of..................

Eqcons · « **Reply #71 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:19:56 AM »

........ a lovely hot OUTDOOR shower! (Canadians can do things differently, sometimes......)

Eqcons · « **Reply #72 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:22:05 AM »

Goodbye to Vancouver as we head to Vancouver Island, where we spent the evening of 4th of July watching US fireworks through binoculars!

Eqcons · « **Reply #73 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:23:55 AM »

If you visit Vancouver Island, this place is a must!

Eqcons · « **Reply #74 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:25:29 AM »

The flowers are breathtaking, even to us rough, tough biker dudes!

Eqcons · « **Reply #75 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:32:06 AM »

From ferry #5 of 6 on the trip - leaving Victoria, BC, heading back to the US, landing at Port Angeles, WA, on the Olympic Peninsula, with a young escort

Eqcons · « **Reply #76 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:33:38 AM »

Floating Bridge across the Hood Canal

Eqcons · « **Reply #77 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:35:24 AM »

And across the bridge at Tacoma Narrows. They seem to have built it right this time!

Eqcons · « **Reply #78 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:37:30 AM »

Seattle's Space Needle at night

Eqcons · « **Reply #79 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:38:42 AM »

And the view from the top - at least this time Mount Rainier isn't living up to its name, unlike on day 1 of the trip!

Eqcons · « **Reply #80 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:39:20 AM »

And that's it folks - 4000 miles in 80 pics!

KaseyKahnefan · « **Reply #81 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:43:17 AM »

One word.......FANTASTIC!

Thank you for sharing, that's a beautiful trip.

Eqcons · « **Reply #82 on:** July 11, 2010, 10:46:37 AM »

Quote from: KaseyKahnefan on July 11, 2010, 10:43:17 AM

One word.......FANTASTIC!

Thank you for sharing, that's a beautiful trip.

Thanks KK - it was all that!

Hawg · « **Reply #83 on:** July 11, 2010, 11:29:51 AM »

Very well done

Did you miss the great riding and scenery throughout the British Columbia interior?

Eqcons · « **Reply #84 on:** July 11, 2010, 11:38:30 AM »

Quote from: Hawg on July 11, 2010, 11:29:51 AM

Very well done Did you miss the great riding and scenery throughout the British Columbia interior?

No, didn't miss a bit, Hawg - just so many photos, all stunning, and I figured folks would be getting bored after 80! I especially loved the Kamloops to Cache Creek to Hope part of the BC route.

Jim

Eqcons · « **Reply #85 on:** July 11, 2010, 02:51:32 PM »

The Route

Grizzly · « **Reply #86 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:48:17 AM »

Thanks for sharing Jim,

Awesome trip with amazing scenery... I especially like the wildlife shots.

I just love touring in those parts and now I can't wait to get back there!

Thanks for the memory refreshment course.

Take care,
Grizzly

Eqcons · « **Reply #87 on:** July 12, 2010, 07:52:35 AM »

Quote from: Grizzly on July 12, 2010, 07:48:17 AM

Thanks for sharing Jim,

Awesome trip with amazing scenery... I especially like the wildlife shots.

I just love touring in those parts and now I can't wait to get back there!

Thanks for the memory refreshment course.

Take care,
Grizzly

Wish I was still there, Mike!

Had a fabulous time, and would recommend that area to anyone and everyone.

Jim

sgchick · « **Reply #88 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:29:05 AM »

Wow!! Spectacular pictures!!!:2vrolijk_21:What a fantastic trip you had!!! Thanks for sharing

Eqcons · « **Reply #89 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:16:49 AM »

Quote from: sgchick on July 12, 2010, 08:29:05 AM

Wow!! Spectacular pictures!!! :2vrolijk_21:What a fantastic trip you had!!! Thanks for sharing

My pleasure, SG - was truly wonderful!

jim

Hawg · « **Reply #90 on:** July 12, 2010, 11:32:30 AM »

Quote from: Eqcons on July 11, 2010, 11:38:30 AM

No, didn't miss a bit, Hawg - just so many photos, all stunning, and I figured folks would be getting bored after 80! I especially loved the Kamloops to Cache Creek to Hope part of the BC route.

Jim

I know, thanks for posting all the pics, you did a great job.

trwtow · « **Reply #91 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:00:55 PM »

trip of a lifetime wow thanks for sharing

Boatman · « **Reply #92 on:** July 12, 2010, 08:05:46 PM »

Quote from: trwtow on July 12, 2010, 08:00:55 PM

trip of a lifetime wow thanks for sharing

Author Topic: WA, OR, ID, WY, MT, AB, BC - NW US/SW Canada Trip June/July 2010 (Read 7262 times)