Well, finally getting to update and close this blog.....Not much excitement on the way back as I took a little to long on relaxing and enjoying friends and their family. Took a ferry from BC, to Washington and then headed east. Dropped back into Canada to stay in Edgewood BC with the Kellers again :) and got in some campfire cooked steaks, some logging roads with my VStrom (she thought she would put the 'Adventure in Adventure Touring as I road some 3 hrs chasing my friend Ralph through some logging roads) and then I also managed to take in some knee boarding!!! what a rush and a splash I made. Rode south back through BC to Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Chicago, Detroit and then crossed into Canada through Sarnia Ontario. I went from North Dakota to Etobicoke Ontario (home) in 2 days with the last day driving all night. I got to my door at 7:23am on Wednesday morning August 15th after niding for about 15 hrs straight (stopping for fuel, food and bio breaks only) Over all, I would have to say this was the best vacation trip I have had in a loooong time, and looking forward to a couple more adventures before I get to old to do anything like this again. South America through the Panama Canal would be nice :) its only about 8,000 km's.....after all, I just finished 10,250 km's in 26 days and I loved every second of it! Some more random pics I like. Till next time folks, thanks for following along on my adventure.  

Update just before Leaving Vancouver Island for the past 6 days: Wow, what a country I live in. The vastness of this land is truly amazing. After leaving my friends in Calgary, I rode southwest through the Crowsnest Pass on Hwy #3 and it was a delight. Also did Banff, Lake Louise, Yoho and Revelstoke. Jumped off the Vee to take in a 30 min hike through the top of Mt. Revelstoke and boy, I wanted to stop there for at least 5 hrs. But I had to head out and get some miles behind me....Some pictures: 

After crossing into BC, I decided to ride about 4 hrs and get an early night before tackling the Ferry to Vancouver Island. Long weekend, so no camp site for me...But they did let me pitch my tent in the parking lot!!! Nice view also ;)

Packing a snack for the trip :) Bananas, peaches and water....don't forget the Timmies run in the water bottle which I can drink while driving (kids, don't try that at home ;)~  )

Off to put the miles behind me:

Ohhhhh, a little dirt trail....I wounder where this leads to....

A park complete with camping spots, ATV/Dirt Bike trails, Horses and cowboys (and a cowgirl) and cattle herding...Nice!!

Ops...the Vee wanted to rest... ( I stopped to take a picture and did not notice where I stopped the bike. On a little divot which the kickstand could not hold the 850+ lbs. I was unloading the side bags to take some weight off, but a nice guy and girl helped me lift her back up!! )

Ferry ride into Vancouver Island (Nanaimo) and then to the scariest part of the trip so far.

I wanted to meet up with a friend of mine Pete, to stay with him for a couple days and this is what I found at the end of his street:

The road was blocked up to Pete's place and I could not cross the highway...There was an accident where a motorcycle rider and his passenger hit a lady walking her dog. Tragically, the only survivor was the female passenger on the bike as the driver and the lady walking her dog (and her dog) passed away.

My heart goes out to their families and loved ones. 

This happened right at the end of Pete's street and he heard the crash, poor guy thought it was me that was in an accident and he rushed down to the street to try and find me. I was trying to find a way around the closed streets and finally, I was able to call him and tell him that I was ok. What a way to start my stay on the island. I did not touch my bike for 3 days after that.

Pete, Charlie and Tie: 

Charlie after rolling in the sand dripping wet!

Tie 'Domi'

Pete

Thanks Pete for letting me stay with you and thanks for the hospitality you gave me, I really am grateful to have friends like you.

MEGWICH

Some random pics I like:

  

And one of the reasons I wanted to come out west......TO DIVE INTO THE PACIFIC OCEAN!!!! COLD COLD COLD....BUT ALIVE :)

Now....which way home??? oh yea, East......to be continued.