Riding With Friends

I’ve been everywhere man…Bellingham, Nooksack, Deming, Sumas, Abbotsford, Mission, Derouche, Lake Errock Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Yale, Boston Bar, Lytton, Lillooet, Pemberton, Whistler, Brackendale, Squamish, Lions Gates, all over Vancouver, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam, Langley, Aldergrove, Lynden, and home to Ferndale…well not everywhere, but I did see a lot in two days time.

Larry and I went with some of our Mt. Baker Chapter H.O.G. family on a two day jaunt into Canada. Accuweather forecast rain for Sunday, so like any good motorcycle rider who lives in the far northwest corner of the USA, you pack rain gear. Even if the weather forecast says sun it might be a good idea to pack rain gear.

Saturday we rode along various rivers right next to the road us or watching the rivers far below us from the rocky mountain roads we were traversing. We arrived at Hells Gate and took a tram four hundred feet down and across the river to have lunch. I’m afraid of heights but the ride on the tram was worth the tingling toes.

We arrived in Lillooet and the weather was warm as we sat on the patio enjoying our dinner as the sun began to disappear behind the mountains. Back in the parking lot at our motel we pulled out our room chairs and kicked back sharing stories. My friend Dave said it’s not how many miles you ride, but the part of the ride where everyone puts the kickstands down, relaxes, and just has a good time visiting. I agree.

Fuel for our bodies, fuel for the bikes and we were off on day two of the adventure. After riding for hours in a downpour we drove right through Whistler (home of the 2010 winter Olympics) without stopping and tiptoed through Brackendale in stop and go traffic for miles before we arrived at Furry Creek Golf & Country Club. We walked in dripping wet and we were welcomed with hot coffee and tea. Pealing off the layers of rain gear and leather we placed our food orders and enjoyed watching the rain from the inside. The one thing the rain had not done was dampen our spirits.

Back on the bikes we headed to the border. We had only a half hour wait to cross and then about another half hour to ride home. Every detail was planned, everyone had a great time, and that made this ride a perfect 10.