After we left Fairbanks, we headed south for Anchorage and Ed's sister's house. As we got close, it got late in the day and we almost decided to stop in a city named Palmer, but her house was only about an hour and a half away, so we decided to make a run it. We arrived after 10PM and even though it still looking like 3PM everyone was asleep. We snuck into the house quietly and I was asleep within minutes.
In the morning Ed's sister came home early and they dropped Ed's bike at the BMW dealer for a new set of tires. I decided to take a ride to downtown to see if I could get my bike in for a 5,000 mile service at Anchorage Harley. Wasn't meant to be. They're not too friendly in this northernmost state. No appoints available that day or the next, so I asked to call nearby ( 3 hours is the closest, ha, ha) and Kenai Harley in Soldata, AK was able to get me in on Saturday.
I spent some time downtown riding and walking around for awhile just to se the city. Nice place, but small. Tour buses unloading and loading tourists to shop in the downtown shops.
Found my way back to Ed's sister's and stopped at the local Fire Station to see if I could buy a t-shirt. They told me they sell them at HQ - where else - downtown. Had lunch and then headed back downtown for a visit to AFD HQ. Met the chief in the parking lot and told him I was NY Vol firefighter and he invited me in. Had his crew give me a tour, invited me to stay for dinner, have some drinks, stay for a movie, make myself at home. Since Ed's sister Carol was making dinner, I knew I had to be back at the house by 6, so I thanked them all for their hospitality, bought a t-shirt, and just as I was about to exit - bam - a hit. An alarm came in and I didn't believe what I saw. These guys still use the pole to slide down from the first floor to the engine floor. I had never seen an active fire house where they still use the poles. What a treat!
After being treated like family, I couldn't return empty handed, so I ask some locals where I can find a bakery or get a cake or something for dessert. They direct me to this store that's like a grocery store and I see this incredible fruit tart in the display case - I just had to have it! They packed it in a box like a bakery and I put it in my Tour pack and cross my fingers that it makes it back to the house in one piece. I should have taken a picture of it - it looked so good. I get to Carol and Steve's ( her husband) and just in time for dinner. When we finished it was time for dessert. Everyone loved it - and yes, it did survive intact.
First thing Saturday morning, I get up early - not a sound in the house yet, and head for the Kenai Peninsula. A little brisk and overcast, but a beautiful ride along the mountains and water most of the way. After 3 hours, get to the dealer, the shop is empty, and they take Big Red right in. What a relief. 3 hours later, Big Red comes out just washed - kinda washed since most of the dirt came off , I pay the man and another 3 hours back. Left at 9AM and got back at 6PM. Over 300 miles there and back riding though some beautiful parts of Alaskan scenery.
Ed must have damaged and dented his rim either on the Dalton Highway to eh Circle or on the road from Whitehorse - which was even worse. He was leaking air even with the new tires. The BMW dealer wouldn't touch the rim as he didn't have the right tools. We did the best we could with a hammer and a piece of hardwood, and later with a c-clamp.
Father's Day Run included a tire that still leaks air and needed to be filled often so that we could continue South and East. Ed had a compressor and we headed toward the Canadian border and Beaver Creek. No drama crossing the border this time. Once across, we instantly lose an hour - back on Pacific Time. All I had to know was my plate number and it was "Have a good day". When we stopped, the flies and other bugs were horrible and I think the border agent couldn't wait to close the window.
Got a room and dinner, met some other bikers both coming and going to the Circle or Prudhoe and nodded off.
Monday Morning - Day 25 - destination: Whitehorse, YT. Made it there by 5PM or so, got a room and went to dinner after a quick clean up and change out of the riding gear. Chinese tonight. Back to the hotel, write this day's entry and off to never, never land. I do have pics and I'll post when I can. About 7400 miles or so total for me. I'll get some numbers and pics next time.
Ed found a rim on Ebay for 1/2 it's cost new ($1100 or so) and is having it shipped to a BMW dealer in Seattle. No other option but to keep an eye on the tire pressure, fill it when it needs it an make way to Seattle. Should be there either Thursday night or Friday morning.
Wish us luck....................................
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