Alaska Trip

[dixieoutlaw]

Angie and I leave Tue for the MOA Rally, from there we ride to Seattle for a military reunion. Depending on status of bikes and butts, we intend to go on to Alaska. Yesterday I packed the bikes. Thought you might be interested in the packing list and a couple of photos. When you spread all the junk out in the garage and take inventory, you just know you aren't going to get it all on two bikes. Nevertheless here is my list. I will post Angie's list on the next post.

BMW R1150GS Packing List
(Alaska)

1 – large waterproof bag
1 - Eureka Apex 3-4 man tent
1 - walmart camp chair (not enough class for a Kermit)
1 – fleece blanket
1 - tarp/ground clothe
1 – sleeping bag (20deg) & pillow in compression bag
1 – ¾” therma-rest
1 - 2” therma-rest (in case Angie’s inflatable dies)
4 - spare cargo straps
1 - lexan pee bottle
1 – bottle sunscreen
1 – fuel funnel
1 – MSR fuel bottle
1 - MSR whisperlite stove
1 – butane fire stick
1 – quart pot
5 – bottles various spices
1 – bottle of flour
1 – bottle dish detergent
1 – small scrub pad
1 - can cooking spray
1 – tin cup
2 – sets eating utensils
1 – spatula
1 – walkie talkie weather radio
1 – can pledge to clean shields
1 - old t-shirt for use with pledge
1 – can Off insect repellant
1 – roll parachute cord
1 – small can WD-40
1 – coil of tubing
1 - set of tire irons
1 – best rest air gauge w/bleed valve
1 – Slime air compressor
1 – tire plugging kit with patches and glue
2 – inner tubes
1 – set jumper cables
1 – spare alternator belt
1 – multi-meter
1 – hall sensor tester
1 – spare fuel filter
1 – qt. Motor oil
12 ounces of gear oil
1 – spare rear drive bearing with seal and o-ring
1 – set of rear brake pads
1 – tool roll with ratchet, allen wrench set, 10mm 14 mm, 15 mm, 16mm combo wrenches, driver handle to fit Phillips, standard and torx drivers, small vise-grips, 1 ½” C-clamp, small drift punch
1 – spare parts container w/ spare brake and clutch lever, rear brake lever, spark plug wire, 2 spark plugs, loctite, spare bulbs, 2 short throttle cables, assorted bolts, nuts, washers and o-rings, cable ties, piece of electrical wire, J-B weld.
1 – first aid kit
1 – camelbak
1 – wash basin collapsible
1 – large pack towel
2 – med pack towel
1 –pack towel face clothe
1 – bandana
1 – toiletry bag with contents
1 – rain jacket
1 - pair rain pants
1 – pair over gloves
1 - pair leather heavy waterproof gloves
1 - pair gerbing heated gloves
1 – gerbing heated liner
1 - mosquito net for head
7 – pr of socks
1 – bacalava
1 – pair shorts/swim suit
3 - pair of pants
3 – pairs of undies
4 – t-shirts
3 – handchefs
2 – long sleeve shirts
1 – pair silk long johns
1 – pair outlast long johns
2 – 1 gal gas cans
1 – BMW anonymous book
1 – Haynes manual
1 – Mileposts tour guide
1 – passport
1 – Sony 12” laptop w/charger
1 – 12 volt 100 watt inverter
1 – 2 ft of fuel line
1 – 1 ft fuel line with quick disconnect connector
1 – small can pepper spray
1 – bottle of Aleve
2 – packs of dried noodles for emergency rations
1 – ball cap
5 – sets of ear plugs
1 – cell phone with charger
1 – fleece vest
1 – pair wading/shower shoes
1 – lexan bottle with emergency supplies (flash light, space blanket, small knife, whistle, poncho, etc.
1 – can wound wash
1 – small roll of duct tape
1 – pr walking/riding boots
1 – hatchet
1 – bowie knife
1 – swiss knife
1 – leatherman wave
2 – pair of sunglasses
1 – AA battery charger
spare AA/AAA batteries
1 – small maglite
2 – head lamps
1 – movie camera w/ charger and spare tapes
1 – digital camera w/ charger
1 – escort radar detector
1 – garmin 276C GPS
1 – packet of Gatorade for rehydration
3 – small compression bags
1 – Nolan helmet
1 – BMW Rallye II riding jacket
1 – goretex jacket liner
1 – Technic riding pants
1 – pair goretex liners for riding pants
1 – pair deer skin gloves
1 – pair Aerostich combat riding boots
1 – notebook

http://picasaweb.google.com/duboisga/Alaska07

Gary

[dixieoutlaw]

Angie's Packing List

Here is Angie's packing list. After getting it all packed we had a little extra run, so we bought a dozen DVD's to watch along the way.

BMW R850R Packing List
(Alaska)


large Moto-fitz bag
35 liter Marsee tailbag
1 - pee bottle
1 – First Gear Kilimanjaro Riding Jacket w/liner
1 - First Gear Air Riding Jacket
1 – First Gear Riding Pants
1 – pair Oxtar riding boots
1 – HJC helmet
1 – Walmart camp chair
1 – fleece blanket
1 – sleeping bag (0degree) in compression bag
1 – inflatable 8” air mattress with elect. Pump
1 – waterproof bag
1 – laundry bag
1 – Gerbing heated jacket
1 – pair Gerbing heated gloves
1 – pair of heavy water proof gloves
1 – pair leather riding gloves
2 – pair rubber maid over gloves
1 – rain jacket
1 – pair of rain pants
1 – bottle insect repellent
1 – nested cook set with bowl & cup
1 – Coleman multi-fuel stove
1 – 200 watt inverter to run air mattress pump
1 – pair rain covers for riding boots
2 – tin plates
1 – tin cup
1- bottle of olive oil
1 – collapsible water jug
1 – large pack towel
2 – medium pack towel
1 – bandana
1 – bacalava
1 – bathing suit
toiletries and makeup
1 – Rev-pac map case
1 – pair silk long johns
1 – pair outlast long johns
3 – small compression bags
1 – bungee cargo net
1 – mosquito net for head
1 – Garmin GPS III+
1 – digital camera
1 – passport
1 – cell phone
1 – walkie/talkie weather radio
1 – quart motor oil
1 - oil filter
1 – clutch cable
1 – set of rear brake pads
1 – Swiss army knife
4 – T-shirts
3 – bras
6 - undies
6 - pr socks
1 - pr of pajamas
1 – pair sandals
1 – pair Crocs
3 – pair of pants
1 – skirt
2 – long sleeve shirts
1 – bathing suit
1 – collapsible ice chest

We will try to post some of the more interesting photos along the way.

Gary

Gary

[bamabmw]

Gary,

Take matches, preferably waterproof. Butane sometimes is hard to light in cold or high elevations. Especially both.

Connie

[Gail]

I didn't see any coffee listed (might have missed it) What is wrong with you folks? I wouldn't leave home without it .Hope you have a GREAT trip. By the way, I am jealous .

[Norwood]

Break a few sticks along the way, I would like the trail marked! That's a trip I got planned in 08.

Looking forward to ride report, experiences and what to take and what not.

A friend just completed a trip to Artic Circle, he shipped some things back home during the trip.. I think he carried two cameras, shipped one back, he shipped his heated clothing back at some point as well.

Just a note, while in Whitehorse he left a few things on the bike at a hotel, the next morning it has been inventoried.

I think he rented a Satilite phone for part of the trip, came in handy...had to be towed to repair shop from a remote area.

He was solo on the trip, but with two bikes that eliminates a lot of needs.

Have fun and a great ride....

[dixieoutlaw]

Thoughtful replies

Connie and Norwood,
Thanks for the suggestions.
I have pulled out some matches.
I made the trip in 2004 same time of year and went to Prudhoe Bay. Weather was really good, so I shipped home some of my clothling from Faribanks. You just never know up there, best to have it with you than to reaaly want it. Had no problems with butane then and we camped every night save two.
Mounted by rear seat (which I normally don't carry) just in case we both need to ride the bike somewhere in case of break down. You right no coffee, don't drink it, Angie does but not much.
I have all kinds of waypoints from my previous trip and plan to stay at basically the same places. Then why go? Angie has not been and she wants to see. Just hope we don't cross the same wild women this trip . Just joking.
Gary

[Gator]

Gary, long ago in our area there was an elderly gentleman that had a business he called a "rolling store". It was an old school bus that he converted with shelves and bins and he went around to all of the rural areas and sold groceries and sundries. Looking at your packing lists and photos brought back memories of that old gentleman. Wow, I don't think you forgot anything but we all know that we always do. If things go badly on the trip maybe you could set up a roadside flea-market. It could lead to a profitable business, The old gentleman I mentioned earlier became a millionaire. I wish ya'll the best of luck and enjoyment on your trip. See ya'll in Wisconson. Ride safely.
Gator

[dixieoutlaw]

Gator,
I can appreciate that. I also grew up looking for the peddler. On the load, I normally carry all that stuff on most of my rides, save for the extra clothing with is needed this time for the varing climate changes, and I don't normally carry 2 therma-rests or two pairs of riding boots.

Gary

[dixieoutlaw]

What a bummer?

We’re on the road to the MOA Rally. Made first days scheduled stop in Terre Haute, IN. So what’s the problem? We spent the day riding in a cage! I mean, we ain’t riding no motorsickels. What a bummer!! What is wrong with this picture? I spent a week going over the bikes, both were running fine. I packed the bikes on the 4th of July. Have never been that prepared. Next 5 days spent dotting the I’s and crossing the t’s . Got up early this morning to liquid sunshine. No problem, need to check out the gear before we get to the rally. May be the last chance to replace leaky gear before heading to the Pacific Nortwet and on to Alaska. We pick a break between the heavier storms and head out. About 20 miles up I65, I notice Angie is not behind me so I slow down (she doesn’t like to go as fast as I ride in the rain.) She still doesn’t catch up, so I pull over and wait. After a few minutes, I call her - no answer. Put the helmet on and ride 6 more miles to next exit (I decide the median was to steep and muddy to try an illegal u-turn with all the gear.) 8 miles back I see her sitting on the shoulder. I continue one mile to the next exit and do another u-turn. When I get to Angie, she told me the bike just shut down and would not crank. I try it several times, then unstrap her luggage to get at her tool pouch. I pull one of the spark pulls to check for firing. No fire. I’m thinking, surely it’s not the Hall Sensor again- we had just replaced it about 2000 miles earlier. I decided since we are so close to home, this is no place to start tearing the bike apart especially with the approaching dark clouds.
I leave Angie on the side of the road and return to our house to pick up our truck and trailer. But first I must go 14 miles out of the way to our daughter’s house to get our house key. Now back to the house to get the trailer. Before leaving I have to un load a refrigerator from the trailer. Is this sounding like a “Keystone cops movie?” Back the 20 miles to where Angie is now standing in the rain. We load the bike and her gear and proceed to the house.
At the house, we unload the bike. I verified the bike had a good ground, and called a couple of riding buddies for opinion or moral support. Not much help on either issue. I pulled the fuel tank and retrieved my handy-dandy-home-made Hall Sensor tester from my bags. The hall sensor checks out fine. I added a second battery via jumper cables and check for spark in both plugs. Viola! I have spark! Put the sucker back together and sure enough, it cranks. I crank it several times and declare it fixed. Go to the house and have a sandwich, then back and repack Angie’s bike. By now it is raining cats and dogs. Don’t need to check our gear out that bad. So we wait.
Rain lets up and we suit up and hit the road. I let Angie lead the way just in case, but nothing is going to happen because I fixed it. Wrong--4 miles up the interstate, the lady shuts down again. Again, she will not crank. This time it is only 5 miles back to the house, and the trailer is still hooked up. I get back to Angie, and again she is standing in the rain. I don’t know how many more hours I have left in my marriage?
We take the bike back to the house and I decided she probably has a clogged fuel filter - the one thing I didn’t check on her bike or she is getting condensation - we ain’t had no rain in a long time. I also decided that even if I fixed it again, I probably would not trust her until we did some serious local rides on the bike.
The decision is made! We have a rally to go to. So throw all the stuff from the bikes into the back of the car except the riding gear and the heated clothing-okay we don’t need the BMW parts bin either. Fortunately, we had recently put new tires on the car and last week I changed the oil. So there you have it. Yep, we are going to Alaska in the cage. Ain’t going to be near as fun, nor as challenging, but I bet the scenery will be just about the same. That’s why you really go to Alaska. I ain’t got nothing to prove - I rode to Prudhoe Bay in 2004. In hind site, we prayed before we left the house the first time. After the second breakdown, we decided the Lord may be telling us NO and we have to accept that. Hope ya’ll have as good a next six weeks as we are going to have.

Gary & Angie

[Norwood]

I hate that for you guys...maybe at MOA you can find a solution to the problem..glad you had access to a trailer and cage.

[Wrong Way]

Wow what a story. I feel for you guys. Anyone that has riden for awhile has had stuff like that happen and it ain't fun.

[dixieoutlaw]

I guess I was not totally clear. We used the trailer to get the bike back home. We left both bikes there and doing the whole thing by car.
Thanks,
Gary

[Gail]

OMG! Man, I am sorry to hear about your misfortune. I thought that stuff only happened to me & Paul! Try & have a great trip anyway .

[dixieoutlaw]

we really are not dead

Finally got to when a wifi connection is not dropping us off half way through a post.
Today we are in Dawson Yukon. All is well and we are still married after nearly three weeks of not being out of one an other's sight.
Yesterday we drove the northern hlaf of the Cassiar highway and a bit of the ALCAN. The upper section of the Cassiar is rougher than I remembered 3 years ago. Maybe a good thing we went on the bikes. Lots of loose stuff and some of it bigger thn golf balls, thne some soft freshly graded almost crusher run mix junk. total about 110 miles. Today a lot of pea gravel and large size loose stuff between Whitehorse and Dawson. So far no flats norbroke wind shields. Tomorrow we go to Chicken (about another 100 miles on dirt and gravel. thenthe rest of the trip will be on asphalt.
Day before yesterday we went to Hyder and saw a grizzly trying to catch some salmon. We also 6 black bears on or along side the road.
Yesterday we saw a moose and 6 more black bears, then the strangest widllife we saw were three nude bicyclist (1male and two females) on the Cassiar. Gues you could say they were the three bares.
Next post is rather lengthy but its lets you know a little of what we have done up to this point. See ya when we get back, maybe the August meeting.

Gary & Angie

[dixieoutlaw]

Trip update

I am sorry I have not posted more often. Actually have tried several times but just have not had the band width. Can’t even get my photos posted on the Picasa web album. Will try again later on.

Day 2

Visited Fairbanks city park in Terre Haute. Park runs along the Wabash River. Visit birth place of ______ who wrote the IN state song “Along the Wabash River.” Went I94 through downtown Chicago . Hwy under construction. Traffic terrible, but Angie did get some good pictures of the Chicago skyline including Sears towers. Went to friend we met in Africa, John Shelton’s for the night. John lives in Waukegan, IL just south of the WI line.

Day 4
Gary’s Birthday. Did the Harley-Davidson factory tour then hung around the Rally site.

Day 6

Packed to leave rally. Attended worship services. Left West Bend at 9:00. Drove through Wisconsin Dells - what a waste and disappointment. Tourist trap just like Gatlinburg only flatter. Crossed into Minnesota at La Crosse, WI. Went through Winona, MN - the home of Watkins Salve and home products. Drove Hwy 61 most of the day
right along the Upper Mississippi River. Lots of lakes and sail boats. Stopped in Red Wing Minnesota to take a photo of the Red Wing Shoe Company - it was Sunday, so they were closed. Camped at Royalton, MN (US10)at the Morrison County Park - $10. Park is right on the Mississippi River. Here it is about 100 yards wide.

Day 7

Drove US 10 to North Dakota State Line at Fargo. Stopped at Frazee, MN to take a photo of the self claimed “World’s Largest Turkey” and I thought it was my sons-in-law. Got on I94 and drove straight across ND. Rode by largest Buffalo statue in Jamestown, ND. Rode the Enchanted Hwy from Gladstone to Regent, ND. This 25 mile section has a series of metal sculptures which claim to be the largest in the world.
Rode by the ND Badlands. Stopped for night in Glendive, MT. 99degrees at 7 pm. We got a motel room.

Day 8
Drove Hwy 200 across Montana. Stopped at several historical markers along Hwy 200. Just west of Lincoln an 18 wheeler had flipped and caused a chemical spill - both lanes blocked. Waited about 30 minutes and was told it maybe mid-night before clean-up and passage. We were only 30 miles short of our destination and was facing 100+ miles rerouting or waiting it out. Decided to reroute and turned the car around . Just that moment a road worker came up and announced they were letting traffic pass - whee. Stopped at Seeley lake to visit with my uncle at their summer cabin.

Day 10

Left Montana for Coulee City, WA. Along the way discovered Angie left her phone at Bonnie’s. Quick call and told them to mail it home. 59 degrees at Coeur d’Alene, ID. At Spokane it was 63 degrees at noon. Quite a difference than the 105 when we were there 3 years ago for the M OA Rally. Good time to Coulee City so we decided to push on to Tacoma. Started raining on the west side of the Cascades. The car is being to look good. Traffic on I405 and I5 is a disaster. Took us 2 hrs to go about 45 miles to McChord AFB in Tacoma. Checked with Visitors Quarters and no vacancies (called Ft. Lewis - same answer.) We camped at the AF FamCamp on McChord.

Day 11

Just after breaking camp it started to rain. We went shopping in the BX, then to the Sheraton to join our 205th Aviation comrades. Check the roster and only three others from my tour with the 205th are attending the reunion, but we meet and make new friends with others attending. In the evening we went to South Sound BMW where our friend Wayne Elston is the manager. We go home with Wayne for the evening in Poulsbo, WA. Wayne and his wife, Patrice treat us to a wonder evening out for dinner and music. We had met Wayne in Africa.

Day 12

Back to Sheraton to check in and spent the day visiting and telling lies (war stories). For the evening we have a wonderful banquet with about 55 attending. The evening included the posting of colors by active duty soldiers, a ceremony for the missing men of the 205th, and a report from one of the members on the current status of the Army in Germany - not much left.

Day 13 & 14

Went to Mike and Aileen Paull’s house for two days. We met Mike during our tour of Africa. He is the touring partner for Helge Pederson with GlobeRiders. Mike and Aileen live in a magnificent house with an Asian garden that blows ones mind. It helps to be retired from Microsoft, but in saying that Mike is one of the nicest guy ever with no ego what so ever . Mike gave us a tour of Seattle and took us shopping in the Asian food market. Neither Angie nor myself had ever seen such a selection of meats and produce. Mike and Aileen were shopping for a dinner for 14 that they were giving in our honor. Dinner was a traditional Japanese dinner (not like anything one finds at the Japanese restaurants. All of the guest were friends from the Africa tour and spouses. What a great evening.

Day 15

We are sitting at the campground over looking the Thompson River in British Columbia. A train is passing and overhead circles a bald eagle. Then two osprey fly down the river as the sun sets. This is why we travel, we are at Spences Bridge, BC. We had left Mike in preparation for the upcoming Africa tour. We crossed the border without incident into Canada at Sumas, WA. Drove through Cache Canyon and all its sights to Spences Bridge to camp. I knew there was a laundry room at the campground I had stayed at in 2004. Unfortunately, I didn’t remember that trains ran about every 30 minutes all night. So for the second time I got little sleep at Spences Bridge.


Gary