Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 5–Coeur d’Alene to Cranbrook

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Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

It was overcast and looked like rain when I woke up. I loaded the bike and started to gear up to ride to meet YoshiTheShiba another youtubber and Polar Bear Challenge participant. Just as I was about to get on the bike to leave, it started to pour. gar. I rode quickly to my destination.

Check out the snow covered trees on those hills. Nice.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

I was excited to meet Roger the man behind the camera. My wife and I enjoyed watching his PBC videos this past winter with his dog Yoshi riding on the gas tank of his Suzuki. We had a great time chatting, but too soon it was time for me to go. See his version of the meetup vid at the bottom along with mine.  My internet is very slow, 3 hours it says to upload a 50MB video. Not very “high speed.”

The star Yoshi relaxing in his chair:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

Roger’s clever GoPro rig on the right, and Yoshi’s perch on the left side.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

My destination was the Canadian border, and I have been curious what it would be like for some time now. Would it take a long time? Did I have all the right paperwork? Would they let me in? Or would it be super easy?

I followed US95 north to Sandpiper were I took refuge from the rain in a small café. As I was riding the bridge across the lake the sky really opened up again. No time for rain gear. The outside of my coat was soaked, but I was still dry. yay!

After a warm cup of chai, I hit the road again. I planned on getting gas in Bonner’s Ferry which seemed like the last major spot before the border. The first two gas stations in town were closed and seemed out of business. On the other end, there was two more.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

I pulled into the first one; put my credit card in and expected gas. A thimble full dribbled out. I squeezed the handle again, and another few drops came out. I repeated this cycle for a few minutes and managed to get 0.2 of a gallon which cost me a whole $1.00.

By now, a blue Subaru had pulled up on the other side. She seemed to be having the same trouble I was. She went in to investigate while I switched to the other open pump. That one didn’t work either. She came back out to let me know they were out of “premium” which seemed to be both 91 and 89. Then the clerk from the store came out and said they were out of gas, but that I could ride around to the pumps in the back to get some. I agreed. She directed me to pump 7.

I rode back to pump 7. No gas. She walked over and asked me if I wanted gas, she could turn on the pump. I told her again, yes. The lady in the Subaru laughed and said “this kind of thing happens often in up here”. hmm. My expectations of what to expect at future gas stops for the next few weeks are now low. I’m on vacation, and not in a hurry anyways. I don’t know why I got annoyed.

View from Bonner’s Ferry:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

The ride up to the border crossing was gorgeous.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

Looking back:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

A scenic winding road with great vistas.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

The border? It was quick. It was setup like a toll booth. I pulled up just as the car in front was leaving. I handed over my passport. We had a quick chat about my plans, did I bring guns or alcohol, the usual border crossing questions. Then I was in. Maybe five minutes? Wow so easy.

First views of Canada:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

The biggest challenge was getting used to the metric system. Luckily my GPS was easily switched so I could get a speed reading. The KPH numbers on my SV are VERY tiny and hard to read. I’m still getting used to the distances and temperature.

I stopped at a rest stop and sat in the sun. I enjoyed the last of the blackberry muffins from yesterday. The sun felt good.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

The scenery up here is just wow.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

I had some issues with my ATM card, so I got a room in Canbrook early. I spent several minutes on the phone and sorted the problem out (yay skype!). I should be able to get Canadian money tomorrow morning. hooray! I will also be avoiding esso gas stations as they have a silly policy which makes it impossible for non-Canadian credit cards to pay at the pump. boo.

I also passed several runners from the “World Harmony Run” today. They are running with a lit torch with their support fans hustling back and forth.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

The first half of the day was rain, but it was almost all sunshine after I crossed into Canada. North of Cranbrook there looked to be a lot of rain, so it was good I stopped where I did.

The scenery in BC is stunning. I think I said wow this afternoon as many times as I did yesterday on 12. I love mountains. did I mention that? Snow covered ones are the best. Lots of them today. Nice!

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

and more

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

and more

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

and more

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

and my favorite pic of the day (again):

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day 5 - Coeur d'Alene to Cranbrook

 

Tomorrow Banff!

 

My version of meetup

 

YoshiTheShiba’s meetup video.

 

Full Flickr Album

 

Today's Route:


View Larger Map

Other Posts in the series:

17 comments:

  1. I'm glad you mentioned how easy it is to get in Canada, as I've been wanting to go but wasn't sure what I needed to get in. Gorgeous pics!

    Ashlon
    (Still trying to figure out how to change "Sunnypies" to "Ashlon" in my Google Account.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was easy. We'll see how easy it is to get back in the US though. lol.

      You can find out everything you need to know about getting into Canada on their website here: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

      Basically, your passport. you should also carry proof of insurance and ownership of vehicle if traveling that way.

      To change your name on blogger, goto your blogger profile:
      http://www.blogger.com/profile/00504812333997123237

      Delete
    2. Thanks - changes have been made!

      Delete
  2. Great photos of my old stomping grounds, thanks. There is some beautiful scenery through there and I hope you made time to stop at the hot springs as I am sure it is still pretty cold and I'll be surprised if you don't run into snow.

    What fun. Great adventure!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. The scenery is amazing up here. I can't believe it just keeps getting better. I skipped the hot springs a couple of them had closed signs on them.

      I did some hiking in the snow today, but the pics were worth it. uploading a pile now to flickr.

      Delete
  3. Chris:

    I know you are headed North but there was a road closure/landslide last week just west of Golden. Perhaps you are going to take Hwy 93 to Banff. I found Banff very expensive , you may wish to check out Canmore instead. I know there is a Hostel at Lake Louise, other than that not much until you reach Jasper.

    One of the most scenic stops is at Peyton Lake, you should stop for some photos.

    Oh, almost forgot. There is a $10. toll on the Icefields parkway. They try to get you to buy a multiday pass, just tell them you are passing through, and not stopping anywhere

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I took 93/95 through Keetenay which was gorgeous. I paid the park fee. I will be taking the ice fields parkway tomorrow to Jasper.

      Banff is expensive, but this is still the off-season and my room tonight was not much more than the one last night. The gas however. yikes!

      beautiful country. uploading a pile of pics now to flickr. will write after dinner.

      Delete
  4. Chris:

    almost forgot. If you get a chance, plunge into Fairmont Hot Springs, there is a public pool there. Also check out Invermere, it's a neat little town. Just drive in and out. It would be a good place to have a rest stop and meal.

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't do the hot springs.

      I did drive through invermere. I had my lunch on the shores of the keetenay river with the mountains in the background. it was awesome. I had the whole place to myself.

      Delete
  5. Awesome. Those pictures are beautiful. We haven't been back to Canada in at least 9 years so it is nice to see all the photos.

    The views are only going to get better I believe.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful mountain scenes! On your way north, be sure to stop at Laird Hot Springs. Well worth the stop. With our current temperatures (15F this morning), you are going to have some cold riding!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it was a bit nippy this morning :) loving the mountains

      Delete
  7. Great pictures Chris. It looks like the start of your trip has been very good. I found getting into Canada and then back into the US very easy indeed in both directions. I had the same problem paying for gas at the pump at every gas station in Nevada and California, where both states require a zip code to use a credit card - that's okay unless you don't live in the US.

    I am looking forward to reading more posts and really appreciate the maps, so I can see where you have been. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. i'm hoping the rest of the border crossings go as smoothly. We'll just have to wait and see. I have several more coming.

      Yes, different gas stations require the stupid zipcode "for your protection" bah! I'm not liable for fraudulent charges. those silly tactics only help the merchant, not the customer.

      glad you're enjoying the posts. I'm enjoying the interaction with everyone in the comments.

      Delete
  8. I am back home Chris, and enjoying high speed internet access again....so catching up with everyone's postings. Nice write-up....glad to hear the border crossing was no big deal.

    Yep, that last pic was the best!

    dom


    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. glad you made it home same. looks like you had a great trip to get refreshed in between jobs. I hope the new one works out better than the last two.

      time to go find some dinner!

      Delete
  9. Of course it was easy crossing the border. You are entering a free country now ;-)

    ReplyDelete