Our weather has been unexpectedly nice. I've yet to see any rain fall to speak of. The snow is melting rapidly and without ramifications like flooding. The temps are still in the mid twenties come sun up and rising close to fifty during the day.
The shop is almost where I want it to be. After one month of much needed cleaning, essential organization and equipment acquisitions I am finally putting a bike on the lift. The first task being to replace the oil weeping front fork seal on a 2005 Kawasaki KLR 650. The bike was sold last fall to a guy named Mike, the owner of Alaska Demolition and he wants to pick it up upon his return from Arizona next week. He initially wanted me to also complete some side work on the engine but later backed out citing a better deal elsewhere.
The first patient and the re-sealed fork legs waiting for new fork oil and re-assembly.
And here's the finished product!
Me living in the shop, in Alaska = an astronaut living on the international space station. It crossed my mind so I thought I'd share.
REI came through a day early with my new boots! The email advising me of this fact was in my gmail inbox in the morning. So, I skipped lunch and took off early from work to pick them up. They are comfortable as all get out but may prove to be too warm. Time will tell.
Afterwards, I treated myself to another meal at Bear Tooth Grill. The blackened fish tacos hit the spot as did their well-crafted ales. The craft brewing industry is thriving in the forty-ninth state and producing some very fine adult beverages! I look forward to sampling as many as possible at the sources as I explore.
Here are a couple I've enjoyed. Morning Wood IPA from the Kenai River Brewing Co. in Soldnata
http://www.kenairiverbrewing.com/Welcome.html and XXX Black Double IPA from Midnight Sun in Anchorage http://midnightsunbrewing.com/ .
Weathermen are the same everywhere. They promised fifty degrees and we only inched up to forty-eight. They really should be held accountable. Even so the signs of spring abound. Pollen in the air from the awakening flora combined with the dust from the amazing city-wide street sweeping operation. They work around the clock cleaning up all the gravel and other winter debris. I applaud them for their efforts.
In addition to the Motoquest fleet of motorcycles the shop served as winter storage for nine others. Four of them belong to Motoquest guide Ben Habecker. The KTM and Ducatti 696 are in the above photo. He also has a Ducatti Hypermotard 1100 and a cool "home-build" cafe racer version of a vintage Honda. He stopped by on his day off from being the head of Ski Patrol at Alyeska Ski Resort. The 696 belongs to his lovely wife Stacy who also works at the resort. Ben was there to ride them and tells me he'll be taking them home to Girdwood as soon as the snow clears from his place. It will be nice to have the room in the shop.
I picked Phil up at the airport on the evening of day #31. He was returning from guiding a two week motorcycle adventure in Japan. The sold-out trip had gone very well and Phil was in good spirits. He regaled me with details of great weather and riding enjoyed by the twenty-four participants and lauded praise on me for the progress made in the shop. Then he headed to his cabin in Girdwood to recover.
Not feeling like cooking, I walked up Spenard St. about one half mile to Tempura. I'd noticed the quaint log structure while passing by once and thought I'd give it a try. Their menu is a hodge-podge of Asian cuisines including sushi, Japanese, Chinese and Korean BBQ. I settled on the Kung Pow. The miso soup that preceded the entree was really good. The Kung Pow was quite different from what I've had in the past but was well prepared and tasty! Being Wednesday business was slow. As in , I was the lone customer. So service was great! The big screen was on and the Portland Trailblazers were playing. They were not winning but after not watching for over a month it was kind of nice to see the "home team". Although, with all the changes made since my coming up here, I barely recognized the team!
Day #32, a non-eventful Thursday had me looking forward to hitting Gwennie's after work. The beef roast special was good and the large portions guarantee leftovers. Sitting at the bar I spoke with an Alaska Airlines mechanic who owned and flew a small plane. he called himself Steve. His stories about flying made traveling by small plane up here sound like "the way" to get around. Particularly the ones about flying to secluded beaches for fishing and camping! Haven't seen him in there before. Probably won't see him in there again. The "regulars" that hang out in Gwennie's Bar are not the most welcoming bunch of drunks.
Meet Ace and Gary. Two very popular Yamaha C3 50cc Scooters in the Anchorage rental fleet. Those SNL fans among you should get a kick out of the names given to the duo of two wheeled transporters. It gives you some incite into the sense of humor around here. If you are not familiar with the animated short that served as inspiration for naming the "scooters among motorcycles" such, check this out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-Bj-7b0rC4&feature=related
It's funny how a small business can sometimes run smoother when the owner is absent. That tends to be the case around here. Phil is full of energy when he returns from a tour. Said energy can be disruptive to the flow of "business as usual". On this Friday that is the case, so not much was accomplished in the shop. At least not on any of my projects. I ran a few errands for him. Going to the Garmin store and the sign shop. He also wanted me to stop at "The Motorcycle Store", the Anchorage BMW Motorrad dealer, to introduce myself and check the place out. The smallish dealership also features Triumph, Husqvarna, and Kawasaki brands. The assistant manager, Brendon, was receptive to giving me a quote on BMW parts at a discount. I like to keep the business local and his prices ended up providing a big savings. He also offered me a job which I graciously declined. I've "been there...done that".
Whilst out and about I stopped for lunch at a Schlotzsky's Deli. I'm fairly certain the place was being staffed by vampires. Honestly, I have never seen skin as pale white as the counter people and cooks had at this joint. The turkey sandwich was good but I sat with my back against the wall keeping an eye on these undead while I enjoyed it.
Arriving back at Motoquest I meet Burke and his friendly canine companion, a lab/pit bull mix named Della. Burke is a welcome frequent visitor during the season. He always brings beer! We spoke of his Suzuki DL650 and the fact we had some parts he may be interested in. He was. This mans knowledge of all things Alaska is remarkable! Oddly he comes from Montana. Spent some time in the Puget Sound area and ended up in Alaska. Since meeting him I have learned enough historic facts to fill a book. One such item of enlightenment concerns the trees and how they have evolved to survive the bitter cold. It seems, according to Burke, that up in the frigid climes they drain themselves of their pitch/sap in the fall so as to prevent cracking when they freeze. This, in turn, makes them weigh half as much and very dry when harvested in the dead of winter, which the gold rush folks of the late 1800's figured out made great boats to float the Yukon River to the Klondike in quest of the shiny metal.
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| Ready to ride! |
Day #34. Girdwood was the chosen destination for my inaugural ride in Alaska. The hamlet is about forty miles from Anchorage in a southerly direction. Including two and a half miles the town was moved up the road after the 1964 earthquake completely destroyed it. You have to pass through Girdwood to get to the Alyeska Ski Resort. Phil's cabin is there. Benny and Stacy live there too.
Temperatures warmed up to the low forties by the time I was suited up and ready to ride. No heated grips on the KLR and the discovery I'd forgotten the power cord to my heated vest. The sun was out so I was pretty comfortable without electrics. Initially that is.
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| View of Turnagain Arm from Chugach Forest Service Visiter Center. |
My intention was to follow Old Seward Highway out of town and logically it would run into Hwy 1/Seward Highway. Simple enough, unless you miss the on ramp to the highway when it is still a full blown freeway. Without warning the road begins to climb into the mountains following long sweeping corners and the road is now Rabbit Creek Road. I was enjoying the riding and didn't figure I'd get too lost. Skimming across the foothills of the Chagach Mountains the road becomes Hillside Drive and the grand view of Anchorage gave me a clue I was heading back where I began. Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.....under my helmet.
Eventually I was heading in the right direction again. Leaving the city behind me as the freeway became a highway and began following the shores of Turnagain Arm. So named by non other than William Bligh. The would-be captain of the ill-fated HMS Bounty. Bligh served under Captain Cook on his third attempt to locate the Northwest Passage. The "arm" is one of two at the end of Cook Inlet. The other being the Knik Arm. Both formed by rivers and run-off spilling into the inlet. Neither being the NWP.
It felt good to be riding again. A month is too many days to go without saddling up. My first ride of any distance on Kawasakis' venerable dual-sport KLR gave me the opportunity to see what I thought about the bike. Plenty of power, good handling (even with knobbier tires & steering head bearings in need of replacement), and a comfortable riding position made for a nice package. Heated grips would have been nice.
It felt good to be riding again. A month is too many days to go without saddling up. My first ride of any distance on Kawasakis' venerable dual-sport KLR gave me the opportunity to see what I thought about the bike. Plenty of power, good handling (even with knobbier tires & steering head bearings in need of replacement), and a comfortable riding position made for a nice package. Heated grips would have been nice.
A cutting wind was blowing off the water laden with giant chunks of ice and I began to feel the cold. The Kawasaki was getting pushed around a bit and took some effort and concentration to keep on track. I tucked in as much as you can on a KLR which helped a little. Plus the destination was near. With all this going on I still managed to take in the stunning vistas surrounding me. Snow covered mountains rising sharply to dramatic peaks envelope both sides of the fjord. It was too damn cold to stop for a "Kodak Moment" so no photos this trip except for the one take looking down from Forest service road and this one of the KLR in the parking lot of the Ranger Station.
Warmed by the break I re-mounted and pointed the blue bike towards Girdwood. As the road climbed, weaving through forested areas I noticed the trees were larger and heartier in appearance. Somebody later informed me the high amount of rainfall (over 45 inches annually) qualifies the region as a temperate rain-forest. Looked like it was going to rain to me.
Almost missed the turn to the main area of town. Looked like just another driveway into tiny mountain retreat sub-divisions. I rode up and down the main drag returning to what looked like the most promising of the eating establishments. The Silvertip Grill is a bistro atmosphere, wedged into an oddly configured interior, housed in typical mountain architecture, kind of a place. Just my style. The food was good enough, nothing memorable though. The full bar offered a nice beer selection and some how they cram live music in the place. I was not unsatisfied.
A smidgen of rain pestered me as I began to leave town. The ride home was uneventful and since it was later in the day, a little warmer. I did run out of gas just as was cruising at top speed on the freeway portion of the Seward Highway. Pulled over and switched the fuel tap to reserve and #19 started right up. I was back at the shop in no time.
Statistically, ninety-two miles were covered on a three hours day-ride. A fine first motorcycle trip in Alaska!
Bear Metal was basking in the sun on this fine Sunday, April the fifteenth. I snapped this while taking off for a walk up Spenard Road. Stopped in a couple of "hippie stores", as the locals call these little import stores, and checked out the House of Hobbies. The hand-crafted radio operated planes hanging from the ceiling reminded me of the ones my Dad used to build. Nipped in to the Brown Jug Liquor Store, which are all over town, and scored a nice Black IPA.
I walked by the "Alaska Cremation Center" and could not pass up photographing the truck and trailer belonging to "The Mushin' Mortician". Not something you see everyday. You don't see many cemeteries either. Hard to bury a fella with thirteen feet of snow on the ground.
Thanks to my Dad,I now have the cord to my heated vest. He located it in a pocket of the riding coat I had used last before departing. The parcel sent via USPS Flat Rate and received in a few days.
Thus the fifth week of my Alaskan Adventure comes to an end watching episodes of "Pawn Stars" via the internet and enjoying a tasty brats and sauerkraut dinner.
Day # 36 Sure signs of springs arrival are appearing. Besides the snow melting, birds other than the ominous and revered raven have begun to fly by. While sitting outside of the shop I had my first Alaskan Eagle sighting! I was on the phone to my mother and a relatively small bald eagle glided between me and the Harley store. He was only about fifteen feet above the ground. A few gulls have wafted by squawking as they do. Then they all flew furiously back the direction the eagle had come from. The gulls ganging up on and pursing the national bird. Some sort of turf war I reckon.
Now half-way through the month of April, morning temperatures hover around the mid-thirties. Bright sunshine has been the "norm", warming into the mid-forties. Warm enough for Robyn, Brenden and Phil to have Taco King deliver their "picnic lunch" to enjoy in the parking lot on Wednesday. Even though it's only forty-three, the sun makes it all good!
Received a kind and thoughtful package from Greg this week. Some wonderful artwork by McKenzie and Haley wrapped around a bag of home-baked cookies! Very nice surprise indeed. The cookies were not intact but tasty nevertheless.
I was deeply saddened by the news of an old friends' death. Having not seen the man in years, memories are the only tangible ties. The kind experienced in youth and etched into your permanent data bank. The fact his demise was the result of a motorcycle accident makes it even worse. My good friend "G" notified me. His grief saddens meas well. R.I.P. Alex Poe.
I went over to Gwennies' after work and tipped one back in his memory. Might have been more than one. Had some pretty good pea soup. Listened to the tales and rantings of Joe. He has lived behind Gwennies' on a couple acres long enough to know everything there is to know about Spenard and Anchorage. He stumbled out the door, climbed into the seat of his front-loader and drove through the lot to his place. Funny guy, Joe.
Had an opportunity to hang with about forty Alaska "Deadheads" on Thursday night. The local Century 16 Cinemas was hosting a one-night-only showing of the entire July 18, 1989 Alpine Valley Music Theatre Grateful Dead Concert. The previously unreleased film was two and a half hours of classic Dead! Thank you for a real good time.....
Got "a wild hair" Friday night and worked late into the evening preparing a suitable spot for the new guy to hang his hat. The back door was open and the music was blaring, so I failed to notice the presence of at least one moose a few steps away from where I was. I took a break and walked outside to sip on a cold adult beverage when I almost stepped into a pile of fresh steaming moose poop! The cumbersome creature could have waltzed right into my kitchen! Engrossed in moving, organizing and cleaning the only available corner of the shop, I did not see a thing.
Take a look at the space I created for Alex from Ohio. After a couple of weeks habitation Alex has made it livable. His personal touches include hooking up his laptop computer to the unused flat-screen television to stream video, scoring a larger, more comfortable cot from Phil, and using the shelving as his clothes closet. Oh, and we ended up creating a tire fort around him. Mostly because that's the only space to store all the tires we've got.
And the tire rack is full!
April 21, 2012, a Saturday. Day # 41
Not working today so I slept in until nine. "Mittens" (Jasons' nickname) had rented a BMW G650GS for today but the battery was toast. So, even though it was my day off, off I went to Batteries + to fetch a new one. After I installed the battery I went over to Gwennies' for some stick to your ribs breakfast and respite from the shop environment. Just kind of hung around the shop afterwards bullshitting with Mittens and whoever stopped by. There's always somebody poking their head in the door to say hello. "Ducatti Mark" dropped off a tire he wanted swapped out and the beer to trade for the labor. That happens a lot around here too; beer getting traded for stuff.
During the winter Alaska Leather has a "movie night" once a month. The owner, Barb, clears out the merchandise from an area of her motorcycle accessory store, sets up chairs and shows a motorcycle themed film. A pot-luck affair attended this evening by about forty enthusiasts. It's a way for the biker community to gather when riding is not in the picture. Ironically the film chosen was one I had watched on some cable channel one late night while packing to come to Alaska. A 1971 Don Marshall documentary style film following three era typical riders on an adventure from Colorado to Panama. A pretty cheesy Easy Rider inspired story with drive-in movie charm. I had a good time watching it again anyway.
After grabbing an extra hour or so of sleep, Sunday morning brought crisp thirty-five degree weather. The Anchorage H.O.G. {that's Harley Owners Group) was amassing for a group ride' I'm told the they are quite fond of riding in herds. This particular event was in honor of Earth Day. Some gal passed out green ribbons which were then affixed to either the bike or the rider in various fashions.
Not wanting to trudge across the lot through this "lot" I jumped into a project. The two shop refrigerators were in dire need of a good douche. I filled a full-size garbage can with old food from both machines! The oldest expiration date was on some condiment and was 2007! Now the beer-fridge is clean and solely dedicated to cold beverages. The fight for food-storage in the other one is on. I just put my stash in a plastic bin and set it in the bottom where the shelves are missing and nobody used the space anyway.
a guys gotta eat.
Speaking of eating. While doing laundry at Coles on Fireweed Lane I went next door to "Hula Hands" to grab some lunch. As you might have guessed from the name it has a Polynesian cuisine. The Hawaiian "plate-lunch" featuring Kahlua Pork was worth returning for and a bargain at $7.50! http://www.hulahands.com/index.html
Ol' "Bear Metal" has completely awaken from hibernation on this, the forty-second day of my sojourn.
Tomorrow Alex from Cincinnati, Ohio gets into town and a new chapter of the Motoquest saga will commence.
Mayday,Mayday...Alaska Calling...Mayday,Mayday...Part Two to follow soon.
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| Downtown Girdwood, AK |
Warmed by the break I re-mounted and pointed the blue bike towards Girdwood. As the road climbed, weaving through forested areas I noticed the trees were larger and heartier in appearance. Somebody later informed me the high amount of rainfall (over 45 inches annually) qualifies the region as a temperate rain-forest. Looked like it was going to rain to me.
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| http://www.silvertipgrill.com/ |
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| Another bear in front of a business. |
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| I think this is Phil's dog Sky chillaxin behind the Silvertip. |
A smidgen of rain pestered me as I began to leave town. The ride home was uneventful and since it was later in the day, a little warmer. I did run out of gas just as was cruising at top speed on the freeway portion of the Seward Highway. Pulled over and switched the fuel tap to reserve and #19 started right up. I was back at the shop in no time.
Statistically, ninety-two miles were covered on a three hours day-ride. A fine first motorcycle trip in Alaska!
I walked by the "Alaska Cremation Center" and could not pass up photographing the truck and trailer belonging to "The Mushin' Mortician". Not something you see everyday. You don't see many cemeteries either. Hard to bury a fella with thirteen feet of snow on the ground.
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| Sled Dog Trailer |
Thanks to my Dad,I now have the cord to my heated vest. He located it in a pocket of the riding coat I had used last before departing. The parcel sent via USPS Flat Rate and received in a few days.
Day # 36 Sure signs of springs arrival are appearing. Besides the snow melting, birds other than the ominous and revered raven have begun to fly by. While sitting outside of the shop I had my first Alaskan Eagle sighting! I was on the phone to my mother and a relatively small bald eagle glided between me and the Harley store. He was only about fifteen feet above the ground. A few gulls have wafted by squawking as they do. Then they all flew furiously back the direction the eagle had come from. The gulls ganging up on and pursing the national bird. Some sort of turf war I reckon.
Now half-way through the month of April, morning temperatures hover around the mid-thirties. Bright sunshine has been the "norm", warming into the mid-forties. Warm enough for Robyn, Brenden and Phil to have Taco King deliver their "picnic lunch" to enjoy in the parking lot on Wednesday. Even though it's only forty-three, the sun makes it all good!Received a kind and thoughtful package from Greg this week. Some wonderful artwork by McKenzie and Haley wrapped around a bag of home-baked cookies! Very nice surprise indeed. The cookies were not intact but tasty nevertheless.
I was deeply saddened by the news of an old friends' death. Having not seen the man in years, memories are the only tangible ties. The kind experienced in youth and etched into your permanent data bank. The fact his demise was the result of a motorcycle accident makes it even worse. My good friend "G" notified me. His grief saddens meas well. R.I.P. Alex Poe.
I went over to Gwennies' after work and tipped one back in his memory. Might have been more than one. Had some pretty good pea soup. Listened to the tales and rantings of Joe. He has lived behind Gwennies' on a couple acres long enough to know everything there is to know about Spenard and Anchorage. He stumbled out the door, climbed into the seat of his front-loader and drove through the lot to his place. Funny guy, Joe.
Had an opportunity to hang with about forty Alaska "Deadheads" on Thursday night. The local Century 16 Cinemas was hosting a one-night-only showing of the entire July 18, 1989 Alpine Valley Music Theatre Grateful Dead Concert. The previously unreleased film was two and a half hours of classic Dead! Thank you for a real good time.....
Got "a wild hair" Friday night and worked late into the evening preparing a suitable spot for the new guy to hang his hat. The back door was open and the music was blaring, so I failed to notice the presence of at least one moose a few steps away from where I was. I took a break and walked outside to sip on a cold adult beverage when I almost stepped into a pile of fresh steaming moose poop! The cumbersome creature could have waltzed right into my kitchen! Engrossed in moving, organizing and cleaning the only available corner of the shop, I did not see a thing.
Take a look at the space I created for Alex from Ohio. After a couple of weeks habitation Alex has made it livable. His personal touches include hooking up his laptop computer to the unused flat-screen television to stream video, scoring a larger, more comfortable cot from Phil, and using the shelving as his clothes closet. Oh, and we ended up creating a tire fort around him. Mostly because that's the only space to store all the tires we've got.
And the tire rack is full!
April 21, 2012, a Saturday. Day # 41
Not working today so I slept in until nine. "Mittens" (Jasons' nickname) had rented a BMW G650GS for today but the battery was toast. So, even though it was my day off, off I went to Batteries + to fetch a new one. After I installed the battery I went over to Gwennies' for some stick to your ribs breakfast and respite from the shop environment. Just kind of hung around the shop afterwards bullshitting with Mittens and whoever stopped by. There's always somebody poking their head in the door to say hello. "Ducatti Mark" dropped off a tire he wanted swapped out and the beer to trade for the labor. That happens a lot around here too; beer getting traded for stuff.
During the winter Alaska Leather has a "movie night" once a month. The owner, Barb, clears out the merchandise from an area of her motorcycle accessory store, sets up chairs and shows a motorcycle themed film. A pot-luck affair attended this evening by about forty enthusiasts. It's a way for the biker community to gather when riding is not in the picture. Ironically the film chosen was one I had watched on some cable channel one late night while packing to come to Alaska. A 1971 Don Marshall documentary style film following three era typical riders on an adventure from Colorado to Panama. A pretty cheesy Easy Rider inspired story with drive-in movie charm. I had a good time watching it again anyway.
After grabbing an extra hour or so of sleep, Sunday morning brought crisp thirty-five degree weather. The Anchorage H.O.G. {that's Harley Owners Group) was amassing for a group ride' I'm told the they are quite fond of riding in herds. This particular event was in honor of Earth Day. Some gal passed out green ribbons which were then affixed to either the bike or the rider in various fashions.
Not wanting to trudge across the lot through this "lot" I jumped into a project. The two shop refrigerators were in dire need of a good douche. I filled a full-size garbage can with old food from both machines! The oldest expiration date was on some condiment and was 2007! Now the beer-fridge is clean and solely dedicated to cold beverages. The fight for food-storage in the other one is on. I just put my stash in a plastic bin and set it in the bottom where the shelves are missing and nobody used the space anyway.
a guys gotta eat.
Speaking of eating. While doing laundry at Coles on Fireweed Lane I went next door to "Hula Hands" to grab some lunch. As you might have guessed from the name it has a Polynesian cuisine. The Hawaiian "plate-lunch" featuring Kahlua Pork was worth returning for and a bargain at $7.50! http://www.hulahands.com/index.html
Ol' "Bear Metal" has completely awaken from hibernation on this, the forty-second day of my sojourn.
Tomorrow Alex from Cincinnati, Ohio gets into town and a new chapter of the Motoquest saga will commence.
Mayday,Mayday...Alaska Calling...Mayday,Mayday...Part Two to follow soon.
