Time...

[DDT (12)]

                                                                           Time...

It's just time... time for a bunch of stuff... For example, my fingers are growing stiffer by the day due to lack of typing, so I do need this. I'm also being stationary... again... and that vitality-sapping condition is going to have to change. I suppose my perplexities stem from the obvious contradiction between my 'natural state' and my programming throughout life. OK, perhaps a touch of laziness and age-induced fatigue to boot... And, that's just to name a couple of glaring reasons it's time for course correction.

I started to post like many did that, "I'm home from IZ." Actually, that would be misleading, as I was home AT IZ! I'm home where ever ALI and I are. She is my home. A tiny little place, but you won't believe the backyard!!! At this precise moment, I'm home in British Columbia. Yep, I got this wild hair to scoot up here just to look around a bit and refresh my recollection of all the stunning beauty this special corner of the universe provides... I rented a cabin again, too.

'My Home...'



I left Billings riding solo for the first time in a couple of weeks... We meandered through southwestern Montana, then over into Idaho, and on to Oregon... and nothing seemed to be pulling me one way or the other... Aimless wandering is so good most of the time, but other times even I need a spot on the horizon, a goal no matter how vague, to draw me forward...

Along the way in Montana



And Idaho



And Oregon



And Washington



Best nap spot I've ever found... also in Washington



I'd sort of had a destination in mind... T-man403 (Terry Nickel) had mentioned Heppner, Oregon, during one of our conversations at IZ, so I'd fixed that as an interim target, lacking anything better. I did go there, ride around some, and I did find it interesting. However, my need for solitude had prevented me from interacting with the locals the way Terry had, so I know I missed the maximum benefit to such a visit. You just can never stage an event like that which can come automatically from a spontaneous, totally unplanned happening...

Heppner, OR



'The' motel, Heppner, OR

                         
                                                                           

I was going through the motions... a vain search looking for something that can never be found... I've learned that I simply cannot set things up, they must just happen, just flow and unfold in the random, wonderful way they do when we're in-tune and on-key with the 'rhythm of the road'. I was not in harmony...

I can't fight that, I just have to ride through it... keep on keeping on until something does pop-up and reignite the flame, rekindle the passion that does keep me out here living out the dreams and fantasies I once had when chained to the life I'd evolved into.

Truth is often stranger than fiction, and this life has held many surprises, not the least of which is that it is not non-stop euphoria, or an unending succession of pleasant experiences. There are many times when old habits like self-doubt, confusion, and concern about lack of purpose corrupt thinking and tarnish the luster of such an amazing opportunity... I was missing the shine...

Once in Washington, I decided to set-up house-keeping for a week or so to regroup and ponder stuff. I looked at many possibilities all around the northwest, and then one offering sparked my interest... In Kamloops, BC. Not the most scenic part of the province, but still in the mountains, and more importantly, it had vacancies during the times I wanted... I signed up for a week, with an option to stay a few days longer... I now think I'll be moving on, though... I reckon I'm just not cut out for lengthy stays...

Motel in Hope, BC



Along the way near Hope, BC



Also near Hope, BC



'Home' in Kamloops, BC



Hmmm, I just reread what I've been writing, and it does appear to be a bit 'dark'... Many of you are old enough to remember a time before we had 'gears' on our bicycles and break levers on the handlebars... and a chain that would 'slip' sometimes... Cars even had 'play' in the steering wheels... My mood, at the moment, is sort of like that. I'm not 'down' or anything, I'm just not pulling forward with maximum efficiency... I'm certain getting back on the road will remedy what ails me!

As is often the case, I don't have a clue where I might be heading... I am going to return to Washington, however, to retrieve a couple of items I left in a rented 'mailbox', that I didn't think would get through customs. Nothing illegal, evil or sinister, mind you, just stuff that I will refrain from mentioning specifically... After that...?

DDT

[DirtyDan]

Pics look good 

Under the seat is a great place for things we don't talk about 

Dan

[old2soon]

I hope this do NOT come off as trite as it looks when printed out here as a response to another one of your much anticipated travel logs. I DUZ enjoy em.  You remind me Bruce of a modern day-Then Came Bronson and Easy Rider all rolled into one. And being as I have talked with you face to face as it are I Know you will take this in the spirit intended. Had I been sharin wind with you I would have left some "items" in a rented box Before crossing into Canada myself.    In addition to my envy-green eyed monster type-I have lotsa RESPECT fer What yer gittin done and the How of it.  You my Friend Are DOING what most of us can merely dream and supposition bout. And really-ridin bitch with you ain't near as bad as the term might seem.  Bruce-descriptions AND picatures-who da thunk it!  Keep on keepin on my Friend!  RIDE SAFE.

[old2soon]

Pics look good 

Under the seat is a great place for things we don't talk about 

Dan

Uh-Canada subject to search at their whim the vehicle and the person. Go on ahead and ask me How I know!  RIDE SAFE.

[Oldfishguy]

Nice piece of writing, good stuff.

Happy Trails.

[Wizzard]

Nice read Bruce. Spent a night in Kamloops last summer on my way home from Alaska. I found it to be scenic. Especially hwy out west along Kamloops lake. Keep writing my friend. I love it.

97 down to Idaho Via Penticon BC  , Hwy 3 in BC  all great scenic rides

[The emperor has no clothes]

  another great read 

[Daniel Meyer]

Post brought this to mind... 

https://youtu.be/pm6TsYypBpY

Time Passages
Al Stewart

It was late in December, the sky turned to snow
All round the day was going down slow
Night like a river beginning to flow
I felt the beat of my mind go
Drifting into time passages
Years go falling in the fading light
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

Well I'm not the kind to live in the past
The years run too short and the days too fast
The things you lean on are the things that don't last
Well it's just now and then my line gets cast into these
Time passages
There's something back here that you left behind
Oh time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn
Don't know why you should feel
That there's something to learn
It's just a game that you play

Well the picture is changing
Now you're part of a crowd
They're laughing at something
And the music's loud
A girl comes towards you
You once used to know
You reach out your hand
But you're all alone, in these
Time passages
I know you're in there, you're just out of sight
Time passages
Buy me a ticket on the last train home tonight

[msb]

Hope BC ... about 30 minutes from my home base...might have passed ya on the highway, Bruce How long you in Kamloops for? You're close to a couple of routes that are right up there with the best BC has to offer. Shoot me a message if you're interested and I'd be more than happy to point 'em out to ya.
Watch out for the fires North of Kamloops!!!

Cheers,
Mike

[Hook#3287]

Bruce, whenever I read your stories, this is what I hear in the background.

It's a good thing.


"FROM  this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines,   
Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,   
Listening to others, and considering well what they say,   
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,   
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me."          

"I inhale great draughts of space,   
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine."

"You road I enter upon and look around, I believe you are not all that is here,
I believe that much unseen is also here."

Those Words.   And now with the visuals, it's even better. 

And thank you to Daniel for the "Al Stewart"

[Serk]

Was good to get a few brief chats with ya in Billings, you're still my idol, what I want to be like when I grow up.

I do believe if I were in that area with no deadlines to be anywhere, I'd have to head into Banff National Park, then point north to Dawson Creek, and then keep on keeping on until I ran out of road in Dead Horse AK...

Safe travels, and as always thanks for taking us along, in all aspects!

[John Schmidt]

Happy trails....we'll leave the light on for ya down here. 

[gordonv]

Hope BC ... about 30 minutes from my home base...might have passed ya on the highway, Bruce How long you in Kamloops for? You're close to a couple of routes that are right up there with the best BC has to offer. Shoot me a message if you're interested and I'd be more than happy to point 'em out to ya.

Ya beat me too it, but I was going to point them out anyways (for everyone).

Kamloops to Vernon, then Hwy 6 to Nakusp, and over to Kaslo. Then back down to Hwy 3 and take the border crossing of your choice. But south of Osoyoos down Hwy 97 to Winthrop WA and Hwy 20 back to I5 is another nice one.

[DirtyDan]

If I remember correctly Kamloops is where 2 rivers join one colored with glacial "dirt"

Motorhome trip with parents 1979 (non valk)

Dan

[Black Dog]

Bruce,

You will find your groove...  There is much to see, and Ali will get you there 

Lookin' forward to hearing about the remedy...

Black Dog

[3fan4life]

I've always enjoyed your posts detailing your vast wanderings.

I'm enjoying them even more that you're adding PICS so that I can see what I'm missing.

Thank You for sharing my friend, I'm looking forward to your next adventure! 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I've always enjoyed your posts detailing your vast wanderings.

I'm enjoying them even more that you're adding PICS so that I can see what I'm missing.

Thank You for sharing my friend, I'm looking forward to your next adventure! 

I could not say it better and agree 100 % .... Outstanding ride report my friend .

[robin]

I've always enjoyed your posts detailing your vast wanderings.

I'm enjoying them even more that you're adding PICS so that I can see what I'm missing.

Thank You for sharing my friend, I'm looking forward to your next adventure! 

I could not say it better and agree 100 % .... Outstanding ride report my friend .

I second that and the pics are a great added feature Bruce

[Thunderbolt]

Great musings again Bruce.  Have you heard from our old friend from Canada Gil of late.  We were talking about him on the Fl. Board a few days ago.  I think his wife is Donna, and they met some of us in Steinhatchee Fl. for lunch one Saturday several years ago.  One request from me, stick something in there on occasion regard temperatures, snow, rain etc.  Just to make us even more jealous.

[gordonv]

If I remember correctly Kamloops is where 2 rivers join one colored with glacial "dirt"

Motorhome trip with parents 1979 (non valk)

Dan

Not too sure, I think that would be Lytton BC, where the Fraser and Thompson Rivers meet. One "clear" water and the other silt filled.

https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Lytton,+BC/@50.2355991,-121.5851698,1841m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x548104def8a97acb:0x3c5d348aebaad428!8m2!3d50.233258!4d-121.581404

Excellent ride Hwy 1 of the Fraser Canyon, and also all that area from Lytton to Kamloops. But the fires are there right now. Lillooet to Whistler is another nice ride, but then you have to come through Vancouver BC to get back to the border. But then, Horseshoe Bay ferry over to Vancouver Island, south to Victoria and across to Port Angeles WA.

[Crazyhorse]

Bruce you are a master of the blacktop. Thanks for keeping us informed.

[threevalks]

                   I have wondered what to do with those items when traveling into Canada. Rent a locker, mailbox, local shop, or even find a nice rock, all came to mind. All these work if returning to same location, but what to do if wanting to re enter the US in another area?

[DDT (12)]

Thanks, everybody, for the kind comments and helpful suggestions... There is so much to see and experience out here! I have toured BC several times since that first amazing introduction while mounted on my second Gold Wing, eight years before I met ALI... Yep, over the past 25 years or so, I've ridden around this province both randomly and with specific destinations in mind, and I've never had a bad experience! I love this corner of my 'backyard'!

I don't know for sure where I might be headed next... I do have a wild hair at the moment, but I decided to 'sleep on it' before pulling the trigger... My passion for that notion has, predictably, cooled a mite, and the ardor is not as total as it was at first thought... but, I'm still pondering on it, so who knows! I'll let y'all know how that works out...

Great musings again Bruce.  Have you heard from our old friend from Canada Gil of late.  We were talking about him on the Fl. Board a few days ago.  I think his wife is Donna, and they met some of us in Steinhatchee Fl. for lunch one Saturday several years ago.  One request from me, stick something in there on occasion regard temperatures, snow, rain etc.  Just to make us even more jealous.

Yes, his name is Gil. I do hear from him, usually during the Fall when he ventures south for the winter. We haven't hooked-up in a few years now, but... we do communicate very infrequently via e-mail. His wife's name is indeed Donna, and last I heard they were both doing well... although, her health had slipped just a bit.

                   I have wondered what to do with those items when traveling into Canada. Rent a locker, mailbox, local shop, or even find a nice rock, all came to mind. All these work if returning to same location, but what to do if wanting to re enter the US in another area?

Keith, life is full of trade-offs, as you know all too well. Yes, it is inconvenient to have to re-enter at the same location, but that's the price for carrying stuff subject to inspection... and confiscation! I normally don't do that, as you mentioned, because I almost never re-enter where I crossed the first time... This time, however, will be different... Just one of those things, I reckon...


Forest fires are a major problem around here this season! When I first arrived at the cabin, I could hardly see the mountains in back due to smoke... air quality was very poor! By yesterday, the smoke had cleared and my energy level was peaking, and my thoughts had turned to distant places and exotic happenings... This morning the smoke has returned, and the news from north or here is quite discouraging... a big part of the reason I'm on the fence about our direction tomorrow... Stay tuned...

DDT