SUMMER TRIP TO EDMONTON ALBERTA II

“…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

My instrument panel after hitting that trench near Gary IN.

        Day two was going to be another day with few pictures. On days like this I am simply trying to get beyond the large metropolitan areas so there are stops for only necessary things. My goal this day was to get to Eau Claire WI, right around 600 miles from Fremont IN. I would have to navigate around Chicago. This meant a lot of interstate riding, with only the break for lunch…and then Mother Nature had her say!

Charles standing near my bike. What an exceptional person.

        I had a good nights sleep, probably because I was tired from Day 1. I got up, got dressed and took some stuff out to load on the bike before breakfast. As I was doing this a gentleman named Charles was having a cigarette at the designated smoking place. We got into a wide ranging conversation about many topics, sometimes on motorcycles, our families, and even on the Constitution! It turns out Charles had taught a class on the Constitution. In addition he was a veteran of the first Iraq war. We spoke for about 45 minutes. Once again what makes these trips so special are the people you meet. 

The view out of my motel window. BOY was I glad to be off of the road!

        In the course of our conversation Charles mentioned that I was heading in the direction of some severe weather. I had looked at the weather but I was hoping to get up above the weather. It ended up that I didn’t get on the road until 10 am. Eau Claire WI was about 600 hundred miles from Fremont IN, and in between was Chicago and its metropolitan area. I put my destination in my phone and headed out.

        It was dry as I rode towards Joliet and Chicago. My GPS gave me the option of saving time by using some side roads to get around a massive problem on I 80 in Joliet. I got off by Gary IN and rode on some side roads around the problem. These roads were HORRIBLE!  I hit one “trench” ( too big to be a pot hole, it impacted BOTH front wheels! ). This impact was so severe it knocked my instrument panel loose from the fairing! It is working properly so I hope I don’t have to deal with this until I get home.

        Another issue I was concerned about was that the impact was so severe it might have damaged the front end and/or flattened the front tires. As I rode I kept my eye on the tires, and they seemed fine. In addition when I took my hands off of the handle bars the bike tracked straight and true. Lucky!

        As I continued west below Chicago I rode in and out of some showers. When I made the turn north on I 39 off of I 80 I hit heavier rain. It reached the point that it was a steady, heavy rain. I still had over 250 miles to my destination and it was raining heavily. I decided it would be foolish to continue on. I was near Rockford IL so I got off and found a hotel. I was soaked so it felt great to get inside and get dry. I called for a pizza delivery and settled in for the evening. I would need to think about my strategy for tomorrow. 

SUMMER TRIP TO EDMONTON 2026

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

While stopping for gas on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Ron, a Marine Corps
veteran came over and asked me about the Spyder. 

          While was on my trip to Montana and Wyoming in 2023 I met two brothers from Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Brad and Murry Reid. Over the next few years the attraction of a trip to visit them became more and more appealing. I decided that that would be my trip this summer.

The Eat’n Park in New Stanton PA.

        While I was on that trip I “fell over” two times: once in a parking lot and once at a gas station. I was riding my Gold Wing, which weighed well over 1100 pounds when fully gassed and loaded. It became clear to me that, in my 70’s I just wasn’t strong enough to keep that bike up if it started to fall. I ended up selling my Wing and my ST 1100 Honda, which I LOVED!, and going smaller. At that time I bought a Can Am Spyder, which became my long distance touring machine. 

In the afternoon the heat and distance was getting to me so I stopped at a service area
on the Ohio Turnpike…and had some Baskin and Robbin’s!

        I planned the trip to take a little over 3 weeks, and around 7,000 miles. In order to get beyond Chicago I planned 3 600 mile ( + or - ) days. After there would be several 400 mile days, but most 300 or 200 mile days. There is even a 115 mile day in Idaho. 

        The first day I rode from Newark DE to Fremont IN, a distance right about 600 miles. The plan was to ride to Eau Claire WI day 2, and then onto Minot ND on day 3, The next day I would cross into Canada to Saskatoon AB, and finally to Edmonton AB on day 5. A whole lot of riding and not many pictures.

        I made it to Fremont IN on day 1, although it was a long day. Generally I rode around 150 miles before stopping for fuel. I ended up having lunch at the Eat’n Park ( their spelling! ) in New Stanon PA. While my Inlaw’s were alive and living in Ohio, we often stopped there when going for a visit. 

        If you google the trip from Newark to Fremont the route ended up with many toll roads. I think I paid over $35 in tolls that first day. I don’t want to hear about how expensive toll roads are in the Northeast! When the dust settled I was on the road for about 12 hours. I got to the motel in Fremont about 7:20 that night. It was a long day, but I reached my goal. How many times would I do that on this trip? 

Motorcycle Breakfast 11/02/25

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Due to mid 40 degree temps I decided to ride the Spyder to the “breakfast”.

        On each first Sunday there is a motorcycle gathering in Ephrata PA if the weather cooperates. It is at the American Legion, which, April through October, serves breakfast in their building. In the summer there can be over a thousand bikes or more there. Some of us go there November through March, just to get together and talk bikes. Today was one of those days. 

This is a Honda ST 1100. I had a black one that was one of my favorite bikes ever. 

        I had wanted to take my V50 Moto Guzzi, but the morning temperature was in the mid-40s. The only bike that I have with enough protection to ride in cold weather is the Can Am Spyder. I put on my winter overpants, wore a warm fleece under my jacket and left around 8 AM. I put the heated grips and seat on high and rode north. 

A very nice 90s vintage Buell. 

       The ride to Ephrata takes about an hour mainly along back roads. I got to the American Legion around 9 AM. There were a few bikes already there. I got out my chair and set up to enjoy the morning. I should have done a better job of taking pictures because, as usual bikes came and went, with a few of us staying there for a while. Unlike a “regular” first Sunday there were few Harley Davidsons. It was an interesting mix. 

There was a nice blue Harley with chrome wheels. 

        We just talk about bikes, past and present, and ask questions about bikes that stand out. My Spyder got some attention due to its paint job. Several guys appreciated heated grips and seat. One aspect of this was that the passenger seat is heated, as are the passenger “grips”! On a chilly morning they appreciated this feature. 

Several Suzuki Hyabusas came, one with the extended swing arm to
prevent the front wheel from coming up when accelerating.

        As I sat there I realized I needed to take off my insulated pants. It warmed up nicely into the low 60s by 11 AM when I decided to leave and go to lunch. As I rode out the sky was blue, the temperature was perfect for a fall day. I rode back along the route I had taken early this morning, to the town of Gap. There I went to the Brass Eagle Restaurant, on US 30 above Gap.

A very nice BMW RT.

        After a nice lunch I made my way back home. My friend Curtis makes fun of me because I stop on the way home to top off the tank. In this case I had ridden over 90 miles today so I stopped as usual to fill up. I’ve found that if I fill up then when I want to go riding I don’t have to worry about filling up when I start a ride. After gas it is 7 miles or so to my house. I put the bike in the garage and then set up to watch football on the deck. There were probably around 25 bikes there today, but it was still fun to get together and talk bikes. If the weather is “decent” I’ll probably go there again on the first Sunday of  December. We’ll see.

Nice triumph with a side car. 

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

“…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Riding the BRP is just a series of magnificent views.

        The ride home is one that consists mainly of interstate riding, at least for the first 150 miles. We generally ride 5 or 10 mph over the speed limit. What I like to find is a spot in the right lane in between groups of traffic where we can ride without anyone too close in front or behind me. Those people in a hurry can simply go right by and race each other. Sometime I have to speed up and get past some slow traffic, but as soon as I can I get back into the right lane in a gap. 

Gary welcoming us to the cabin. It was very comfortable for us.

        Curtis and I rode together from Christiansburg up I 81 to I 66 where he got off to ride over to Washington and home. I rode just about 5 miles farther and got off at Stephens City, where I cut over to US 340. There I rode to Frederick MD where I got on US 15 to MD 26 over to Eldersburg. Now I was on my route around Baltimore through Maryland horse country. 

Curtis at one of the many overlooks on the BRP.

        I wound may way around Baltimore through small towns and lots of countryside. When I reached US 1 I felt I was almost home. Up 1 past the Conowingo Dam off 1 through Rising Sun then on MD 273 towards Newark and home. All together I was on the road for 9 hours. BUT I wasn’t fighting through traffic ( for the most part! ) and enjoyed the ride through the countryside. I knew I would be home tonight and the last hour or so were over roads I rode all the time. 

Remarkable, memorable dinner at El Chapala Restaurant in Brevard.

        Another great trip to the BRP. I think it is amazing that Gary, Curtis and I have been able to maintain our friendship over so many years. Each time we get together it’s like we still live together. We always have lots of fun and good food ( thanks Curtis!!! ). We’ll stay in touch using Face Time and plan our spring trip. I will be riding all winter on a few bikes while the other bikes will be put in the back of the Garage until spring. Who knows what adventures await?

Home safe and sound from another great trip.

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO. THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Today toasted breakfast sandwiches with ham, cheese, and eggs. 

        This is the last night staying here so I want to go for a short ride because we are having dinner out. As I looked at the map I decided to go down US 276 again into South Carolina and turn left towards the east on SC 11. The objective was to get a nice ride in and be back at the cabin by 3:00. 

I found a state park just west of Cleveland SC.

        Gary and Curtis had ridden US 276 south towards South Carolina yesterday an found the road surface to be rough shape. Once I crossed into South Carolina I found their observation to be correct. But while the surface was rough in several places it wasn’t bad on the Spyder. Could my suspension be better than theirs? 

Stopped by the lake, where there was a pic nic table conveniently placed to enjoy the view. 

        Once I reached SC 11 I decided to to stay on US 276 just to see where it went. Riding down from the split I reached the town of Slater-Marietta. I stopped in a gas station to get a couple of sodas and asked if there was a park in town. The young lady gave directions to Slater Park, but I couldn’t find it. I decided to ride south until US 276 intercepted SC 414. Then when it hit US 25 take that north towards North Carolina and Hendersonville. Maybe I could find a park along the way.

Small grocery store obviously out of business in Flat Rock NC.

        I stopped on the way up and discovered a state park called Pleasant Ridge State Park. I rode in an found a nice little lake that had a pic nic table right next to it. Great place to read. After reading for around 45 minutes I decided to continue on US 25 north to Zirconia where I would pick up NC 225 to Hendersonville. From there I would take US 64 west Brevard. 

DuPont Canteen just about 1/2 a mile from the cabin. 

        I checked my watch and saw I was right on time to be at the cabin by 3 pm….HOWEVER I had not had lunch, and decided to stop at the  DuPont Canteen that was very near cabin. After some ice cream ( what else? ) I rode onto the cabin, arriving there by 3:14 pm. Gary and Curtis arrived shortly after me. After a while we got on the bikes and rode into Brevard to a Mexican restaurant called El Chapala. This became the most fun thing of the day. Curtis asked for a small beer, and the server accommodated him.

Curtis about to enjoy his small beer at dinner.

        After a delicious dinner we rode back to the cabin to watch the last of the movies in the Da Vinci series. We were getting on the road in the morning, Gary towards Atlanta, Curtis and I I/2 way home to Christiansburg VA. It has been a great trip with incredible weather, and Curtis still have two days to get home. Who knows what those two days will bring?

Simply a tremendous meal at El Chapala Restaurant in Brevard. You won’t be disappointed.

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…”

Morning on the BRP…beautiful.

        Today’s plan was to ride up US 276 and continue on it past the BRP to Waynesville. Then turn left, wader around on some small roads. Find someplace for lunch. Then navigate back to the cabin. Breakfast this morning consisted of two slices of toast with peanut butter and Curtis’ blue berry jam. Wonderful.

Yet another beautiful day on the BRP.

        This morning I managed to get on the road by 9:30. Gary and Curtis had chosen a hike they hadn’t done before and were out the door before me. I cruised back through Brevard and up US 276. This was a Monday, and traffic was less. However since it was the time for leaves to change color and there were still going to be a number of people on the BRP taking pictures of the foliage.

I had to go up on the BRP for a look.

        I got on the BRP and went north to the first good over look. It seems that just in the time we’ve been here that the colors have become more dramatic. After taking a few pictures myself I got back on US 276 above the BRP and rode down towards Waynesville. The road was even more twisty on this side of the BRP than it been from Brevard to the BRP. Many tight 20 or 15 mph turns, and some that weren’t marked that caught me by surprise. Clearly not a road to race on. I rode at a brisk but safe pace towards Waynesville.

Big Nicks Barbecue in Sylva NC.

        After an enjoyable ride down the mountain into Waynesville I saw a sign for Clyde’s Restaurant which looked interesting. The problem was that when I reached Clyde’s it was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It was around 11:30 by this time and, as I rode out of Waynesville on US 23, I was looking for somewhere for lunch. My preference is to find restaurants where the locals eat, but there are times this doesn’t work out and I stop at a Subway or some other chain restaurant. 

Big Nicks Barbeque is not a very big place but very busy.

       As I rode into Sylva I noticed a restaurant on my right. There were lots of cars parked around it so I decided to try it. I had to do a u-turn but found a parking spot right in front of the door. I am no barbeque expert but I had a tasty pulled pork sandwich with fries and Cole slaw. I put some sweet bbq sauce on it…GREAT.

Hmmm…this looks like a nice place to read for a bit and have a cigar.

        After lunch back up onto the BRP to find a place to sit for a while. Riding north I found a wonderful overlook ( arn’t most of them wonderful? ). Took a few pictures got out my chair and a cigar. I ended sitting there for about 45 minutes ( the length of time it take to finish a cigar! ), enjoying a good book…..and perhaps taking a little nap in the warm sun. 

A couple from Fort Worth TX. were walking by after taking some pictures.
They said it was a nice view…I said that was pretty common on the BRP!

        I wanted to take a different route to Brevard. Looking at the map there was a NC 215 that intercepted the BRP right before Devils Courthouse mm 422. It took me down off of the mountain, the top part very reminiscent of the BRP. Once you got down there were several places where there were 20 or 15 mph curves. It was a pretty good motorcycle road. It hit US 64 just before Rosman NC. From there it was simply US 64 through Brevard and then US 64 to the cabin. For dinner this was left over night, which consisted of spaghetti, mixed vegetables, and pork loin, along with salad. It was great! Not sure what we’re doing tomorrow for lunch but we’re going out for dinner. We start the journey back home the next day, Wednesday. 

Curtis once again provided us with a sumptuous feast…and it was leftover night!

FALL TRIP 2025- BACK TO THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination…’

What a way to start a day! A delicious omelette prepared by Curtis. 

…okay….so….I had this plan for the ride today. South on US 276 into South Carolina, then on SC 11 over toward Walhalla, and north on our friend 107 back across the North Carolina border to Cashiers. Simple….maybe. 

It is common to come across these grocery stores in rural areas
that are part of the live blood of the area.

        I slept in this morning so got a late start. On the road by 11:15 I rode out to US 276, made a left, and rode south. As I’ve said this road gets very twisty as you ride into South Carolina. Full of good intentions I continued south ….until….I came across SC 8 off of US 276. Hmmm….I decided to explore. Interestingly enough it merged with SC 11 after a few miles and headed west….until SC 8 went off to the left. Instead of staying on SC 11 I followed SC 8 south.

A beautiful lake in South Carolina. 

        Route 8 went through the town of Pumpkinville to Pickens, where I stopped for gas. By this time it was after 12:30. I decided to find a city park where I could sit for a bit and read (and of course have a cigar! ). There was a beautiful park with pavilions that had picnic tables. I got set up, read for a while and then noticed movement out the corner of my left eye. It was a pretty cat that sat down looked at me. I talked to it and it meowed back to me. I moved closer and it moved away, looked at me and meowed again. I spoke to it and took another step. Apparently I didn’t look trustworthy because it then moved into the undergrowth and left. Shucks!

My lunch stop in Six Mile South Carolina. The Scoop and Eats.
Unfortunately on Sunday they only serve ice cream. I managed to make do.

        My preferred route out of Pickens was SC 183 to Walhalla. A look at the map told me SC 183 was close about 8 miles out of town. I decided to create my own route, which was SC 178 to Liberty, and then SC 93 to Norris where I would pick up SC 137 going north to intercept SC 183 over to Walhalla, then up 107 to Cashiers and home. Simple :-/.

Inside The Scoop! Notice the table in the foreground
that has my I-Pad on it and my ice cream.

        I rode into the town of Six Mile South Carolina. As I rode through I noticed a restaurant on the right side of the road. A glance at my watch told me it was time for a late lunch. I pulled in and entered this wonderful little business with 20 (  + - ? ) different flavors of ice cream. Behind the counter Marby and Jordan helped me make a selection. DELICIOUS! Thanks ladies for your help. 

You can come inside The Scoop, get some ice cream, and sit down and play chess if you want to.

        From Six Mile I rode north on SC 133 planning to ride it to Nine Times SC, pick up SC 11 back to US 276 and back to the cabin…..” The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray…” SC 133 was closed due to a bridge closure. I looked at a map and realized my best option was to ride to Walhalla and then up to Cashiers, my original plan. 133 intersected SC 183 which brought me to Walhalla, then north on SC 28 to 107 across the border back into North Carolina to Chashiers. From there, like yesterday US 64 to Brevard and on to the cabin. I arrived before 6 pm. Curtis prepared another delicious dinner of Chicken with mixed vegetables. Now we plan to settle in, watch another movie. Tomorrow’s another day of adventure!

Sautéed chicken breasts with mixed vegetables. Terrific!