Niehart
Pie Smuggler
Escapefjrtist is going to like these pictures. It's not to often that he is the tall fellow in the pictures and yes, I'm borrowing a couple of the pictures.
Thanks!
Thanks!
If you don't make it - can I have your bike?
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Bugnatr
Well-known member
Niehart
Pie Smuggler
Canada was going up in smoke last year - although this year, they are just trying to smoke up some pot. The infection is spreading across the border.
The morning we were supposed to cross the border - the smoke was particularly thick blowing down the Okonagan. This was too much for the Bug to take. I had to call Dave and cancel our visit, we were going to beat a retreat west, and the put the mountains between the smoke and us.
So west we went again - back over the North Cascades.
George led us on some back roads (Skagit Hwy) - to Sedro-Woolley, where we parted ways. He had to go to work the next morning. We took Hwy 9 North to the border. Where Robert was going to attempt to cross on an expired passport.
This of course was totally fine by Bugs and I. After all, if Robert didn't make it - and was thrown into Canadian Guantanamo, we could have his bike!
The border crossing was uneventful for Robert - but the border agent was very interested in where all my guns were. I told him - that they were locked away safely at home. Cuing the question - "What are you going to use for protection while in Canada?" - Cuing the answer "I am going to use Condoms! Lots of them!!" (NOT!)
Abbotsford was the stop for the night, where we met with friends of Bug - Dustin and Sandra. Dustin was with Bugs, when he slayed his deer and his FJR a few year ago, the same year that I slayed my deer - but the FJR is still alive.
They rode up on Dustin's VFR to have dinner with us. The **** and politically incorrectness didn't stop at the dinner table either - it was Sandra who christened us the Jeremy Clarkson (Bugs), Richard Hammond (yours truly), and James May (Robert) of motorcycling.
They were going to take us on a guided tour to Whistler the next day!
The morning we were supposed to cross the border - the smoke was particularly thick blowing down the Okonagan. This was too much for the Bug to take. I had to call Dave and cancel our visit, we were going to beat a retreat west, and the put the mountains between the smoke and us.
So west we went again - back over the North Cascades.
George led us on some back roads (Skagit Hwy) - to Sedro-Woolley, where we parted ways. He had to go to work the next morning. We took Hwy 9 North to the border. Where Robert was going to attempt to cross on an expired passport.
This of course was totally fine by Bugs and I. After all, if Robert didn't make it - and was thrown into Canadian Guantanamo, we could have his bike!
The border crossing was uneventful for Robert - but the border agent was very interested in where all my guns were. I told him - that they were locked away safely at home. Cuing the question - "What are you going to use for protection while in Canada?" - Cuing the answer "I am going to use Condoms! Lots of them!!" (NOT!)
Abbotsford was the stop for the night, where we met with friends of Bug - Dustin and Sandra. Dustin was with Bugs, when he slayed his deer and his FJR a few year ago, the same year that I slayed my deer - but the FJR is still alive.
They rode up on Dustin's VFR to have dinner with us. The **** and politically incorrectness didn't stop at the dinner table either - it was Sandra who christened us the Jeremy Clarkson (Bugs), Richard Hammond (yours truly), and James May (Robert) of motorcycling.
They were going to take us on a guided tour to Whistler the next day!
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The next morning - Robert got up early to make a trip to the US Consulate in Vancouver, to get his passport situation sorted out. Bugs and I weren't really trying to head into a city on our vacation - esp. during rush hour, so we had a leisurely breakfast, and set out after the traffic subsided.
Hmm - no that's not 90 mph (we had to do math now - on our vacation gawdemnit)!
Rendezvoused at Dustin and Sandra's, and prepped to strike to Whistler.
Robert was done at the Consulate as well. They pretty much told him, he can cross back into the USA with an expired passport. Damn it - they let just about anyone in these days. We were hoping, Robert could be left behind - so we could have his bike!
Off to Whistler we go! Dustin was putting up a good pace on the Sea-to-Sky Hwy!
We stopped once along the way to take in the view. I believe this is Lions Bay? But not sure...
Whistler was the stop for lunch. It was the site for the Winter Olympics some years ago. I apologize - I didn't take very many pictures.
Lunch was good - I had been trying to get Iced Tea in Canada - to no avail, but the waitress here, got me some hot tea with extra ice to put in it. A+ for effort!
We were running late - very late, after lunch. Late enough to be in danger of missing our Ferry - we were going to Vancouver Island, and were planning to catch the Ferry from Horseshoe Bay. No reservations, we were counting on them letting motorcycles in, but that only works if we made it before the ferry departs..
We made a 5 minute stop at the Tantalus look-out. Jump off the bike, take 2 pics and run back!
The Squamish valley below -
Dustin was leading again, followed by Robert. Dustin was keeping a very good pace, however, Robert was starting to lag behind - Bugs was getting frustrated over the comms - and was prodding me to go up and push Robert into a faster pace.. didn't work..
When we got to the Ferry station - the Ferry was still in port, but we weren't sure if we were going to get on, because everyone was already loaded up. When we bought our tickets at the counter - the ticketing agent had told me a different line number - and Bugs a different line number. Hmmmph. I finally corralled Bugs and Robert into the correct line - and of course - motorcycles go to the front of the line.
At this point we were resigned to catching the next Ferry - but lo and behold - the flagger walks up to us and tells us "There is just about room enough for 3 bikes."
They crammed us in at the very back of the Ferry - a car may not have fit, but 3 motorcycles - easy peasy!!
As soon as we had got on - and dismounted - the Ferry had pushed off.. no time wasted, and on time! I was impressed!! Go Canada!
What a beautiful coastline.. Mountains rising out of the sea - O Canada!!
How much does that house go for?
It was uneventful sailing - I kept my eyes peeled for any Orcas - but none were to be sighted. Dusk was beginning to shade the skies, as we arrived at Nanaimo, and would soon disembark on Vancouver Island.
We would be staying in the "bad side" of town, unbeknownst to us, we had picked a hotel, any hotel, which could accommodate us (not having made any reservations, whatsoever). At least they let us park the bikes right outside the lobby, and not in the back parking lot - where who knows who wanders through looking for an easy score?
We also hit the liquor store, about 3 blocks away - and saw some interesting characters on our walk, along the way. Hey, if we didn't make it - hmmm - who was going to have our bikes???
To be continued..
Hmm - no that's not 90 mph (we had to do math now - on our vacation gawdemnit)!
Rendezvoused at Dustin and Sandra's, and prepped to strike to Whistler.
Robert was done at the Consulate as well. They pretty much told him, he can cross back into the USA with an expired passport. Damn it - they let just about anyone in these days. We were hoping, Robert could be left behind - so we could have his bike!
Off to Whistler we go! Dustin was putting up a good pace on the Sea-to-Sky Hwy!
We stopped once along the way to take in the view. I believe this is Lions Bay? But not sure...
Whistler was the stop for lunch. It was the site for the Winter Olympics some years ago. I apologize - I didn't take very many pictures.
Lunch was good - I had been trying to get Iced Tea in Canada - to no avail, but the waitress here, got me some hot tea with extra ice to put in it. A+ for effort!
We were running late - very late, after lunch. Late enough to be in danger of missing our Ferry - we were going to Vancouver Island, and were planning to catch the Ferry from Horseshoe Bay. No reservations, we were counting on them letting motorcycles in, but that only works if we made it before the ferry departs..
We made a 5 minute stop at the Tantalus look-out. Jump off the bike, take 2 pics and run back!
The Squamish valley below -
Dustin was leading again, followed by Robert. Dustin was keeping a very good pace, however, Robert was starting to lag behind - Bugs was getting frustrated over the comms - and was prodding me to go up and push Robert into a faster pace.. didn't work..
When we got to the Ferry station - the Ferry was still in port, but we weren't sure if we were going to get on, because everyone was already loaded up. When we bought our tickets at the counter - the ticketing agent had told me a different line number - and Bugs a different line number. Hmmmph. I finally corralled Bugs and Robert into the correct line - and of course - motorcycles go to the front of the line.
At this point we were resigned to catching the next Ferry - but lo and behold - the flagger walks up to us and tells us "There is just about room enough for 3 bikes."
They crammed us in at the very back of the Ferry - a car may not have fit, but 3 motorcycles - easy peasy!!
As soon as we had got on - and dismounted - the Ferry had pushed off.. no time wasted, and on time! I was impressed!! Go Canada!
What a beautiful coastline.. Mountains rising out of the sea - O Canada!!
How much does that house go for?
It was uneventful sailing - I kept my eyes peeled for any Orcas - but none were to be sighted. Dusk was beginning to shade the skies, as we arrived at Nanaimo, and would soon disembark on Vancouver Island.
We would be staying in the "bad side" of town, unbeknownst to us, we had picked a hotel, any hotel, which could accommodate us (not having made any reservations, whatsoever). At least they let us park the bikes right outside the lobby, and not in the back parking lot - where who knows who wanders through looking for an easy score?
We also hit the liquor store, about 3 blocks away - and saw some interesting characters on our walk, along the way. Hey, if we didn't make it - hmmm - who was going to have our bikes???
To be continued..
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rogdeb
Scouser
Well ..... to those who patiently wait
.... thank you Sam
Excellent as usual.
RichDoyle
Well-known member
OK, it just grated on me too much to ignore. It's not Victoria Island. It's Vancouver Island, on which resides the city of Victoria, the BC Provincial Capital, along with many other cites and towns, including Nanaimo.
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These were leisurely riding days. Enjoying the cool weather, and it was very good weather on Victoria Vancouver Island. Overcast, but nice and cool, unlike the oven-like temperatures back home. Nice enough for people on the island to be hitting the beach, to enjoy their day, even on a cloudy day, without any sand in their shorts. A short Summer, in these parts, they make the best of what they get.
Tofino was on our maps today. A little resort town on the west side of the Island. Bugs was leading and the lack of too much trafic, made for a brisk pace, plenty of passing opportunities, that we partook in, and only stopped to water the vegetation (Bugs calls it "Fire suppression"), when we were almost into town. Don't think they need our help with Fire suppression around here.
Everything is so green and mossy in the Pacific NorthWet..
It was much cooler in Tofino. Lunch was at an excellent spot recommended by Barb. Right across from a whaling station. These weren't "whalers" - just a Whale watching tour operator.
The Shelter Restaurant. We found a good table with a view, and a pretty waitress from Saskatchewan. Food tastes better with a good view.
Robert had to conduct some business - it was his working vacation, after lunch, so Doug and I headed out to the docks/harbor and checked out the Seaplanes taking off on Whale/Bear watching tours. Bugs was very interested in taking a plane ride - but none were available, which would have worked for us.
Robert joined us, and we rode to the Pier to pose our bikes. Where Robert promptly dropped his keys and they barely managed to be caught in between the planks. Bugs and his steady hands, had to orchestrate a narrow save! Phew! Otherwise, we would have had to leave him behind - Top Gear style! And we couldn't even have his bike!
We stopped to check out the Beach as well, and the well tanned Canadians. Who were slathering on the sunscreen, and enjoying the rays!
It was an uneventful ride back to Nanaimo, we even popped our Tim Horton's cherry, along the way. "Watch, Wallet, Timbits" was the slogan at every stop, from this point onward.
We had a much better Hotel in Nanaimo this evening, I had done my research the night before, and made reservations for tonight. Good takeout from the Thai restaurant across the street, and then we hit the liquor store, and had a nice dinner on the patio of one of our rooms.
To be continued..
Tofino was on our maps today. A little resort town on the west side of the Island. Bugs was leading and the lack of too much trafic, made for a brisk pace, plenty of passing opportunities, that we partook in, and only stopped to water the vegetation (Bugs calls it "Fire suppression"), when we were almost into town. Don't think they need our help with Fire suppression around here.
Everything is so green and mossy in the Pacific NorthWet..
It was much cooler in Tofino. Lunch was at an excellent spot recommended by Barb. Right across from a whaling station. These weren't "whalers" - just a Whale watching tour operator.
The Shelter Restaurant. We found a good table with a view, and a pretty waitress from Saskatchewan. Food tastes better with a good view.
Robert had to conduct some business - it was his working vacation, after lunch, so Doug and I headed out to the docks/harbor and checked out the Seaplanes taking off on Whale/Bear watching tours. Bugs was very interested in taking a plane ride - but none were available, which would have worked for us.
Robert joined us, and we rode to the Pier to pose our bikes. Where Robert promptly dropped his keys and they barely managed to be caught in between the planks. Bugs and his steady hands, had to orchestrate a narrow save! Phew! Otherwise, we would have had to leave him behind - Top Gear style! And we couldn't even have his bike!
We stopped to check out the Beach as well, and the well tanned Canadians. Who were slathering on the sunscreen, and enjoying the rays!
It was an uneventful ride back to Nanaimo, we even popped our Tim Horton's cherry, along the way. "Watch, Wallet, Timbits" was the slogan at every stop, from this point onward.
We had a much better Hotel in Nanaimo this evening, I had done my research the night before, and made reservations for tonight. Good takeout from the Thai restaurant across the street, and then we hit the liquor store, and had a nice dinner on the patio of one of our rooms.
To be continued..
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