2012 rallies continued

Someday I hope to figure this out. Started this next blog. Saved it. Can't find it so here goes again. After leaving Black Diamond Peter, Nelly and I headed for the UMCI International Rally and upon arriving in Missoula at 6PM decided to stay overnight at the Brooks Street Motor Inn. We had dinner at Jakers and then Nelly proceeded to walk all over Missoula. These are some of the pictures I took while on the walk.

The next morning we had breakfast at The Hayloft in Lolo and then a quick visit to the BMW shop and then we headed out..meeting Betty at the corner of HWY 12 just like we planned Ha Ha. At the top of Lolo pass we stopped and there were quite a few bikes there all traveling in various directions. But my friends Rita and David Logan whom I had not seen for 10 years were there also. We headed down and stopped in Lowell for something to eat and then proceeded on to The Lewis and Clark Resort to the rally.

Looks like Lewis and Clark may be at odds. I think we should go this way No I think this way. Okay now here is the fun part. As you all know I was searching for a guy to sleep with me to go on that guided motorcycle trip last year and it seemed to be surprisingly difficult to do. I was thinking of putting a sign on my tent..Free guided motorcycle trip. Test rides here. Well I would see Ron Pratt from LaRonge , Sask and ask him if he was ready for his test ride and he would reply NO! so I would ask again later and he would reply NO! Saturday at the banquet he called me over and said he was ready but I would need 4 cotton balls and when I asked what for He replied 2 for my nose and 2 for my ears..Seems he can't stand the smell of burning rubber nor the sound of a screaming women! Damn could not find a cotton ball anywhere. SOOO this year I brought a bag of 100. I located Tonni and Barry at their campsite and Barry let me in Ron's tent as he was up town. The following are the results of  this joke.

2012 rallly posts

Was having trouble doing the blog on my laptop so will have to try and play catchup and remember the last 2 weeks. Friday the 13th I headed out to the Beaupre community hall to help Magda with the BMW rally and about 1/4 mile from the site had a blowout on my rear tire which I had just had fixed to avoid a problem such as this. So I walked up to the hall and my 2 guardian angels Bob Chute from Washington and Oko Kok from Kelowna helped me out to no end. They went back to the bike and with minimal tools and experience on this type of motorcycle removed the rear wheel.

As you can see It was no mean feat. Then we all drove in Ono's car ro Anderwerks in Calgary and dropped it off as they needed to find a tube and clean up the rim. Then to my dismay found that the tire was also hooped and they might not be able to get a new one on Saturday. So the shop put the old one back on the rim and said I could limp the bike back into Calgary but I could not take it on the trip but when we arrived to pick it up the next day they were picking up the new tire and then again with much time and effort on Bob and Ono's part they managed to get it back together and I traveled several thousand kilometers without any more problems. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all who helped.

This is Bob.

For all those who know him this is Roy Sidebottom's new bike. Kawasaki 650.

This is Magda the person without whom these rallies would not exist. She puts so much time and effort to the BMW club.

This is Don and Pauline Chapman from Edson Alberta newcomers to our rally and hopefully we will see them again. The mosquitos were very bad this year but we had 63 participants and it was good to see an increase in numbers. On Sunday I packed up very early and headed out on my next adventure. I met Peter and Nellie Benders in Black Diamond at 9AM and after breakfast we headed for our UMCI International Rally at the Lewis and Clark Resort in Kamiah Idaho. However with a little later start we decided to stay in Missoula overnight and start fresh in the morning.
    This is Peter and Nelly's rig. It sure draws a lot of attention. Will complete this post and start on the next rally.

Oh Oh It's Friday the 13th. What a day to start a trip. And it proved to be just that.

Ride to Bragg Creek

Had to take big blue for a ride before I go away to charge the battery. She does not like to sit for a month and then start. It was another beautiful hot day so I did wait til this evening. The ride was beautiful but my dinner stop sure was not. I went to the Joey's Only in Bragg Creek. After a bit a young man came to see what I would like so I ordered a glass of water and the salmon filet. 45 minutes later he came back still no water and asked what I had ordered?????Duh!!!!I said I have to get back to Calgary before dark and left. I stopped at Denny's in Calgary and had their lovely Tilapia dinner and it did not take 45 minutes and was delicious. I then took a picture of the sunset from home.

Calmar and Beyond

What a glorious day! I rode to Calmar today with my favorite riding companion..Mac. He had to go up and check out a job and so I left here at 8|00 AM amd returned at 8:00 PM. The weather was HOT to say the least but the scenery and the trip were great. Here are a few photos..again too busy riding to stop and take photos. I positively had to get the canola fields though because I missed them the other day. So sunny and bright. Had lunch at the Burger Bar in Calmar and enjoyed drinks at Duffers Pub in Rocky Mountain House. Unfortunately the day had to end and I am now getting ready for my next adventure.

Over the Highwood Pass

I went for a ride on Saturday night. It was a beautiful evening and I forgot my camera at home. Ryan and I went for dinner at Boston Pizza (he in his car and me on the Bumblebee). I had no destination in mind so headed for the Aldersyde Petrocan and then took the long way home. East towards Mossleigh and then to the TransCanada and into Chestermere where I stopped for Coldstone Creamery ice cream at Tim Hortons. It was very beautiful with the fields and fields of blooming canola..yellow as far as the eye can see. And next to that the legumes?(kind of look like peas) and they too were in blossom a sea of white.
So on Sunday after breakfast and church I headed out again only this time headed for the Highwood Pass. This is an annual trip. I stopped at Subway in Black Diamond and purchased a sandwich and pop for lunch to be consumed later at one of the many beautiful picnic areas along the way. As a side note the RCMP and Sherriffs were in full force and it warmed the cockles of my heart to see the people who blew by me get pulled over further down the road. It is rather dangerous riding the Highwood at breakneck speed because herds of Dall Sheep seem to find it fitting to stand in the middle of the road and lick the salt off. And honking your horn or even loud Harleys do not seem to faze them at all. They are fearless and stupid. Like some people I know. Anyway I took a few pictures which I will share mostly of the lovely Indian Paintbrush. I saw my bike become new again about 3 km from the summit. It turned 99999 and then 0. Kind of thrilling really. I took the long way home as I stopped at that service station in the Kananaskis and 2 pumps were out of order and there was a long line of Harleys and cars so I knew I had enough fuel to reach the Trans Canada but then decided Deadman's Flats was closer than Calgary so headed west and fueled at my friends Esso. Good thing to as my low fuel light came on and I was not prepared to find out how far I could go on reserve. I then continued west and came back via 1A. Beautiful drive but I was very tired when I arrived home.

Yes that is snow at the top.

Canada Day 2012

Well after all that traveling, here it is July 1 Canada Day and I had no trips planned. So yesterday I headed out to Bragg Creek the long way to get a feel for the new bike. I love it. So easy to handle I had no fear of travelling alone. I stopped at the Big Rock west of Okotoks..I think they call it the glacial Erratic now but I always knew it as The Big Rock.

The second picture is a self portrait. Obviously Joe my arms are not as long as yours. You do it all the time and get much more in the lens. The third picture is the new motorcycle parking in Bragg Creek.
I went to the Powderface Saloon and enjoyed a panini sandwich of chicken, brie and cranberries but oh so much so had to take home for supper also. Just as I was leaving Ekke Jr. drove in. He said nice bike and I said I had found if in some garage down the road..(HIS)..He and Audrey were leaving for their year long tour of Asia today.
This morning dawned very nice so I took the new bike to breakfast to show everyone. And there was Kiwi. So good to see her. After breakfast I took this picture of her on my bike and then a photo of me with my new bike. There never seems to be anyone there but me so took advantage of the opportunity.

Then it was off to church and the fun of seeing everyone again after not being there for awhile and one of my favorite ministers Yvonne Terry of Duchess was there. Hugs all around.
Then I left for High River to visit with my friend Eldeen. We have been friends for years and I always love the celebration in the park there. With the car show and great venue I missed last year but have been attending for awhile.
Following is Eldeen and her ex husband Darryl and his friend Wendy. They are still great friends and I admire them for that. There are also a few of the cars in the car show too. Unfortunately the weather did not look too promising so I opted to come back to Calgary instead of staying for the fireworks.