Wash

I washed my bike today, and my clothes, and took a shower. I did so by traveling 75 miles per hour through driving rain for 3 hours.I pushed thru to Valdez--a 550 plus mile day. Spectacular views. The best so far.

Can't see it, but that's me and the Beagle at the end of the road above Valdez

The others will kick themselves if they don't come through here. Thought about an all day kayak ride today to see Colombia or Shoup Glaciers from the water. $150 busts my budget I'm afraid, and after that 14 hour riding day I didn't want to be up, packed, and in a kayak at 7:30 a.m. And when there are glaciers to see on the side of the road it's hard to ask for more.

King James, and His Majesty's Ship, Beagle

I washed my bike today, and my clothes, and took a shower. I did so by traveling 75 miles per hour through driving rain for 3 hours.

I intend to catch ferry tomorrow 1130 a.m. out of Valdez over to Whittier (Kenai Peninsula) then down to Homer for the night of 15th. Anchorage the 16th. Denali the 17th. Fairbanks the 18th (and 19th?) for tires. If I leave the 20th for Coldfoot, I can arrive in Deadhorse the eve of the 21st--the longest day of the year. The sun already doesn't set until 11, the twilight lasts hours later. I don't think it gets completely dark in the middle of the night but I haven't checked. I've been sleeping like a rock. The bike continues to perform flawlessly and it is a joy just to hold onto the handlebars as each turn goes by. Huge mountains on either side, waterfalls running down mountains, hanging glaciers, another moose munching some tall grass by a river. So many great photo ops are lost because I'm traveling alone but Ichiro continues to be an enthusiastic presence and willing model.

Perhaps I can get a new digital camera in Anchorage. I'm having film developed soon and digitals put onto disk. I'll find a way to upload soon. (Done! JSM 12/17/05)

Just found out the ferry from Valdez through Prince William Sound to the Kenai Peninsula is $75 for me and $75 more for the bike. Looks like I'm riding to Anchorage today. Time to saddle up.

Was pleased to receive email from David McMillan, also on HU, who is updating his California vehicle registration in Bulgaria. You don't want to know how.