Trip to Missoula 2016

Early this spring I got a text from my friend Joe. How would you like to go for a ride? Would I ? The mileage contest had started and the weather was beautiful. Joe had to get some Warranty work done in the US as his is a US bike so he made an appointment with Big Sky in Missoula. Seeing as how I can get there with my eyes closed I jumped at the chance. We headed out and stayed with Art and Betty that night. The next morning we had breakfast with the gang in Missoula. In particular my good friend Hal who came in his truck.

Yes he has a collection of bobbleheads on his dash. Then we got the bike over to the dealer and while they worked on it we rode around with Art and helped out. The bike was done about 2 and it was a beautiful day. We had talked to a fellow who told us Lolo pass and Lochsa Lodge were the place to go. Not knowing that I was very familiar with both. So we forged on and had a late lunch at Lochsa.

Beautiful Lolo pass.

Beautiful rocks across the road.

Here comes Joe.

We rode to Kamiah and took a room in the Kamiah Inn. Walked up to the grocery store and bought something for dinner. We went to bed under beautiful skies and woke to rain. It was our intent to ride home the next day. But it poured rain all the way and we were very cold and wet. We stopped at Cour d'Alene at the MacDonalds and figured when it did not stop that we would call it a day at Motel 6. But we were in the wrong lane and headed up to Sandpoint where we stopped at La Quinta. Enough is enough.

Joe fueling up at the casino in Lewiston. This place will enter into a couple of other adventures.

So many of these beautiful trees were in full bloom.

Someone said they were Syringa trees. Kind of an interesting story in MacDonalds. A Christian Biker named Bob spoke to us and gave us Jesus pins and big hugs. Wow Joe said I have never gotten hugs in MacDonalds before. We were sooo wet and stayed there for about 2 hours.

We left Sandpoint the next morning and arrived home relatively dry .

Sunday was the Blessing of the Bikes at Gordon Memorial United church in Redcliffe and 5 of us went down from Calgary. Jon and Lorraine Yveges, John Colebank, Carol and I. There were 105 motorcycles parked outside the church . It was a gorgeous day.

Friends inside and outside

The minister and Ken Forbes. Also they collected the collection in Helmets and did a tribute to our members who have passed away this last year and included our friend Dick Summers.

On the ride home we stopped at Bassano for a bite to eat and I found this little guy. I wanted to buy him and take him  home. I thought he would make a great passenger. My friend Kathryn commented he did look like he would keep his hands to himself and I replied Damn and I was looking for a little action. Jon pointed out he did look a little horny. And someone commented on how he had his balls on the outside and more than 2. All in good fun.

The following week Joe texted me and wanted to know if I would like to come to his place for a visit. I checked my schedule and the following week I was free but the next one I had a meeting every night. So I kindly accepted his offer. I had a wonderful ride to Lac la Nonne. When I got close I called and Joe led me in. He has a wonderful, quiet and restful place right on the lake. He has numerous bird feeders in his yard and the birds flock to them in profusion. He cooked dinner and the next day we went to Barrhead to the A&W for breakfast and there I met a gentleman who was driving this 1951 Prinz. An electric car.

The sunset over Lac la Nonne was absolutely beautiful.

Took way to many pictures of this glorious sunset.

After breakfast we went for a ride in Joe's car as he was looking for some desirable spots to put his telescope. We ended up an an elk farm by Sangudo. My neighbor had just told me a few days ago that elk antler with velvet capsules are the be all end all for arthritis so what are the chances? I bought some and at first they seemed to be helping but now I just think they are making me hornier. My "Friends" say : With you Marg how can that be possible.

Breakfast Joe made the next day. 

We were going to go for a ride but overcast skies and wind detered us for awhile but then we decided to risk it. We could always come home if it got too nasty. Well looks are deceiving. It turned out to be a beautiful day and Joe took me places I have never been. We rounded a curve on Tiger Lily road and to the left there was a beaver pond with a large beaver house and out of that beaver house is sticking A SATTELITE DISH.

WHAT!

I did not know beavers had TV.

Anyway we continued on (sorry no picture) and went to Fort Assiboine. From there we headed up a gravel road and came to the Vega Ferry. A old cable ferry across the Athabasca River.

After a few more miles of gravel we got back on the pavement and stopped for lunch at the Neerlandia Coop. And oh what a lunch it was.

My lunch was a cheese dip with veggies and nachos.

A great day ending in another beautiful sunset. A feeling of euphoria because I managed the gravel and had a wonderful day. The next day I returned home under sunny skies. Had lunch at A&W in Innisfail.