Pat & Paula's Ride to Hyder

            Our trip to Hyder, Alaska was a ‘destination’ ride.  It was not to participate in the event but more to enjoy the scenery.  We rode at a leisurely pace making the 1800+-mile trip in 4 days.  I had planned gas stops in advance in both the US and Canada but the Canadian stops were more frequent as I was unfamiliar with the area.

On the first day we stopped for dinner at Heaven on Earth off Quines Creek Road, Oregon. In the parking lot we happened to meet Rick and CJ Kagamaster, the ACD’s for CA1-R who were visiting relatives in the area.  Small world. 

We ran into a little rain from Yreka to Ashland over the pass.  We decided to leave earlier the next day as getting to the hotel at 7:30pm is too late.

Our trip though Customs was uneventful mostly due to the guard finding his conversation more interesting than the possibility of two terrorists sneaking into Canada. We pulled into the Best Western in Chiliwack at 4:45pm. This was a more desirable time thus allowing us to relax and enjoy a little television. Although accommodations were pricy in Canada this, by far, was the most expensive night of the trip.  I would not recommend this hotel if you plan to stay in the area but rather the Best Western in Mission. 

The next day took us to Prince George where we stopped at a Best Western for the night.  We ate dinner at the White Spot Restaurant across the street, which had a good food selection.  Later the next morning we encountered a thunderstorm at Williams Lake, BC.  Although the rain was heavy it stopped shortly out of town.

During our last day to Hyder we stopped at Kitwanga for gas.  Shortly after leaving town we stopped on the road to watch a black bear and 3 brown cubs cross directly in front of us. The last leg of the trip to Hyder took us past Bear Glacier which has a distinct blue color.  We stayed the next few days at the King Edward in Stewart, BC which is two miles from Hyder home to Camp Runamuck.  There really isn’t much in Hyder so  Stewart is where we stayed.  Accommodations at the King Edward were clean and comfortable and dining was just across the street.  The restaurant even made a sack lunch for our return trip.

Hyder-Seek is just what it is, a long distance motorcycle get-together.  It was interesting to look at the motorcycles, mostly BMW’s, and to have met the people, locals and riders alike.

On the return trip we saw a young moose keeping pace parallel to us, a badger crossing the road directly in front of our bike, and Bullwinkle, himself, in search of Rocky.  Once again Williams Lake greeted us with rain and, once again, we stayed at Prince George.  The rain clouds were our constant companions throughout the next day and left us wondering if ever we would see blue skies again. We arrived at the Best Western in Mission, BC where the beds and pillows proved to be the most comfortable of the entire trip.
A bonus treat was Rockwell’s Bar and Grill which adjoined the motel and was easily accessible 15 feet down the hall from our room. After the good food and the good atmosphere it was good night!

The border crossing the next day was a totally different experience than entering Canada.
The only explanation was I guess we must have looked like Bonnie and Clyde.

By the time we entered the U.S. it was steadily raining. Believe me, rain during commute hours in Seattle is not fun.  By the time we reached Rice Lake, Oregon we were mentally and physically pooped. After eating dinner in a small roadside restaurant across from our motel we literally collapsed into bed.

The last day of our journey home started with rain and warm temperatures (50’s).  As we descended through the Siskyou Pass into California the temperature dropped to 41F. Hats off to the inventor of electric gear!  By the time we got to Yreka the rain had stopped completely and after breakfast we rode the rest of the way home.

Things we did or learned

1. The gps was programmed for each day’s destinations only, not the route.
2. Spot was in the tank bag.
3. I checked tire pressure every morning.  I used a Co2 gun to easily adjust pressure.  There was no need to look for service station air.
4. We took a small travel alarm clock rather than use the hotels.
5. Our best travel days follow this procedure:
1. Fuel bike in the evening.
2. Get up at 5am, leave ~ 6am
3. Ride ~2hours and stop.  We had a PB & J sandwich.
4. Ride till lunch, usually at Subway.
5. Ride to the days destination
6. Clean up, get dinner, relax
7. Repeat a-g.
6. We took and used our electric gear.
7. Our gear kept us dry although our toes got a little damp.
8. RCMP do use radar but are much more obvious.  The ones we saw parked in the median and have the unit on a tripod.  We only saw them on the outskirts of large cities.
9. On asphalt payment, the tar patches are as slippery as the painted lines.
10. If you use credit cards for gas payments be aware that your bank and the gas company may make your trip a little more difficult.  Unless you notify your bank that you are traveling they may think your card has been stolen.  The gasoline company tracks your card usage also and may require you to come in to the station to pay rather than pay at the pump.  Local currency always works.

The route

Pictures
 Heaven on Earth
Rest Stop Washington
Fraser River Valley
 Fraser River Valley
 Fraser River Valley tunnel (many)
 Fraser River Valley
Clouds
Clouds and Lake (many)
Williams Lake rain
Clouds
A Little snow
Kitwanga
Bears in the road
Meziadin Junction
Bear Glacier
Stewart BC
Sign at Sea Alaska Inn
Leaving Hyder
King Edward Inn
King Edward Hotel
Bus to Sea Alaska
Ron and Barbara Aryes
 Fraser River Valley
 Fraser River Valley
Clouds on the way back
 Fraser River Valley waterfall
This trip was GREAT!!!