Prelude to Alaska
Spokane, Washington Leg
May 19, 2008
by floracycle
This summer my Father and I will be embarking on a motorcycle journey of a lifetime. Deadhorse, Alaska is our ultimate destination with many interesting stops along the way. While he and I are capable of 1000 mile days we prefer 500 mile days. I respect those who can clock those kind of miles daily but for me it becomes work somewhere between 750 and 500 miles. I prefer to be able to stop and smell the roses. Add to that I prefer to avoid highways and get off the beaten path.
For these reasons it will take about five weeks of travel time from here in the mid south to Alaska and back. Now that is a long time to be away from home and work, so we will be "daisy chaining". Perhaps someone has a better name for it but the idea is to break the trips into legs. We have arranged to store and service our bikes in Spokane while we fly back home. We will return in late July, pick up our bikes and take three weeks for a trip to the top of Alaska and then return to Seattle where we will repeat the process. Driving down the west coast may be the next leg but this post is about getting to Spokane so I think it is high time I got on with it
My Father is a crop farmer and therefore is subject to crop demands and a fickle mother nature. We had originally planned to leave for Washington State in early May but wet weather didn't allow the crop to be planted on time so we postponed this part of the trip for a few weeks. Due to scheduling conflicts we are unable to leave together so at this time he is somewhere in Colorado while I'm stuck here behind a desk. Thanks, Dad. Actually I don't mind, I really enjoy travelling by myself at my own pace without the feeling of being rushed or unintentionally rushing someone else.
For my family, friends and guests of this post who wish to follow along here is my rough itinerary, destination Spokane. Keep in mind I intend to stay off highways as much as possible.
May 25th - Dodge City, Kansas 513 miles
May 26th - Manitou Springs, Colorado (Pikes Peak) 329 miles
May 27th - Steamboat Springs, Colorado 203 miles
May 28th - Jackson, Wyoming 390 miles
May 29th - Bozeman, Montana 216 miles (Yellowstone National Park)
May 30th- Spokane, Wa 486 miles
I'll attempt to post pictures and reports along the way so stayed tuned for updates.
Tags: Motorcycle, Tour, road trip, football
Reader Comments
04 nighttrain writes
Brock,
Keep us updated, looks like a great trip.
Elvis writes
My boy my boy. Sure wish I as going with you and Steve on my old Harley. It sits in my trophey case at Graceland
Dale Durchholz - Agrivisor writes
I envy you guys. I "days of yore," I used to travel on a motorcycle.... The most I ever did in a day was 850 miles, and that was long enough. The furtherest I got from home was Jasper, Alberta, and.............was it ever worth it. I'd recommend the Canadian Icefield Parkway from Banff to Jasper(and surrounding areas) to anyone...... I'd also recommend traveling down the Pacific Coast if you get an opportunity.......
Anyway....... Godspeed and take care, but most of all enjoy. I've always said that traveling in the mountains on a motorcycle is like riding a horse with a motor. You really feel what you are traveling through so much more than being in a car. And don't let it bother you that you are only on a 650. My travels were on a 750 Honda and an 850 Suzuki........ the latter with a sidecar.......
pitchplayer writes
wish i were with you and steve. be careful and have fun, jim.
seadirt writes
looking good