St. Patricks Day in Alaska!!!

Here I am in front of the shop on St. Pattys' Day. I set the camera on a ladder and used the self timer. Hard to see but I'm wearing my Shanahans' Pub shirt that Nate gave me at the farewell party. After all I did take a shower this morning...so time for a clean shirt!

After playing Words With Friends for way too long....I sauntered across the lot to the Harley shop for a free beer brat courtesy of the local HOG. It was actually pretty good.  There was quite a large turnout. Some hardy souls even rode their trikes! Nobody brave/stupid enough to  venture out on two wheels though. A group of cute young Irish dancers showed up and clogged about a bit. Unfortunately the only gal that talked to me was just there to get in out of the cold while waiting for her bus to come. She was happy after winning a free blanket by spinning the wheel of fortune!  A fella actually bought a bike while I was there! As the sign says all 2011's gotta go! Word is this is one of the top dealerships for HD in the whole USA!

It was a beautiful day! Wanting to get some exercise I went on a walk-about. Headed west on Spenard Road towards the airport which took me past a row of Motels that cater to travelers. One of them was the Anchorage headquarters for the Iditarod. So on the way back I stopped in to take a look finding my way to the Fancy Moose Bar inside. I enjoyed a locally brewed IPA while doing the crossword and conversing with Capt, the amiable bar keep. Lots of talk of the impending "break-up" which is what they call spring around these parts.

On the way out I passed the gift shop featuring items commemorating the 2012 event and picked up this. Most of you know I can't pass up a pin when I see one.

While walking back to the shop large chunks of snow and icicles were falling off the rooftops causing me to watch where I was walking. I guess many inattentive pedestrians end up in the ER every year due to this phenom! 

As mentioned previously, it was a beauty of a day! Here's a couple of shots to prove it.

It's kind of like living in a ski resort. Except there are no skiers or lifts There is a resort down the road 45 miles in Girdwood.  http://www.alyeskaresort.com/index.aspx   It sports 9 lifts and a tram but with less than 4000 feet rise. A days lift ticket runs $60.00. The tram ride is $20.00. I might check it out this summer!

Returned to the shop just in time to say goodbye to Phil, Brenden and Jim as they were loading up for a week-long snow machine trip up in the interior. They are driving about 450 miles north then 50 miles more on snow machines to the  Gracious House Lodge. http://www.alaskaone.com/gracious/ There they join up with a group and head out on a winter adventure!

Jim Kohl is the official photographer for Motoquest and knows his craft well! Check out his website. http://jimkohl.com/

The dinner special at Gwennies was corned beef and cabbage with all the fixins! So that's where I headed. What a plate of food! Large portions are the norm at Gwennies and I cleaned my plate! Washed it down with a tall Alaskan Black IPA. While I was dining five cars full of Ancorages' finest amassed in the lot outside. They attracted quite a lot of attention. Consensus was they were preparing to surprise someone up the road. Locals tell me this can be a sketchy part of town at times.

Back at the shop, phone conversations were had with family and friends. It was nice to hear familiar voices. Afterwards I watched the latest episodes of The Colbert Report on the Comedy Central website. That guy cracks me up! The eyelids were getting heavy by then and I turned in for the night.

Ended up sleeping in "big time" Sunday morning an awoke to another crystal clear frigid day! Had some toast with coffee and got caught up in another marathon WWF session. It's a fun way to pass the time and gives me a chance to "chat" while playing.

Weary of cooking on my camping stoves, I ventured out on a quest to buy a hot plate. Walmart was out of them. as was Sears and JC Penney. Finally located some single burner units at Fred Meyers of all places. Not the view of the Freddies I was used too for sure!

Purchased two of them on the company credit card as directed by Phil. Being the weekend and the day after a major party night for all the "Irish" Alaskans traffic was light. I took the opportunity to drive downtown and was impressed by the park and surrounding environs.

The snow is pretty but when it melts the roads area mess! Full of standing water which some dastardly drivers aim for when they see an opportunity to splash pedestrians on the sidewalks! I witnessed this more than once! 

Back at the shop I set up my new "kitchen" and began to prepare a proper meal. Take a look.

Tonight  the menu included steak with sauteed shrooms, mashed red tators, steamed broccoli  accompanied by a fine Cabernet! Not bad with what I had to work with. Don't you agree? Tasted pretty damn good if I do say so myself. Like my wine glass? More time spent on the computer then time for bed. my first weekend in Alaska comes to a close. Back to work tomorrow for week number two.

Stage Three... The Eagle Has Landed.

Deplaning was routine. The Anchorage airport is relatively small and at 8:30 AM almost void of people. As I strolled toward the baggage area I happened upon this.

I doubt if it was the same bear from 50+ years ago. It seemed smaller than I remember and was not behind glass then.

Nevertheless, in a weird way, I was glad to  see the big guy.

Following my instructions, I called Motoquest general manager Brenden after fetching my bags. Within 10 minutes "Old Blue" pulled up.
 Motoquest owner/operator Phil Freeman jumped out, greeted me heartily and helped get the bags in the rig. The 7 degree  temperature was noticeable to me to say the least!

Before I knew it we were at the Motoquest headquarters in the Spenard district of Anchorage. Take a look at my new home.

 Phil suggested we go across the street to Gwennie's for breakfast which sounded good to me.

This is Gwennie's.

After the "sticker shock" I ordered corned beef hash with poached eggs which turned out to be very good. The discussion quickly turned to "shop talk" with Phil espousing on his vision of the upcoming season and how I would fit into the picture and thanking me again for taking a "leap of faith". Phil picked up the tab, which was cool, and we headed back across the street to the shop.

A "nickel tour" of the incredibly cramped and cluttered space that would be my domain for the next 6 months might very well caused most to get right back on the plane! However, I had been forewarned of the state of things left behind by the former shop steward. Even so, the place was mess to be sure!

Tools scattered everywhere, bikes in various stages of disrepair, bags of garbage, stacks of cardboard, riding equipment all over. 

Not to mention the almost scary image of where I was to dwell for at least the next six weeks! 

That is the before shot...and this is how I made it my "home away from home".

Nice huh....? Kind of like a college dorm. Don't ya think? The rest of the crew here was duly impressed.


The day was over at 5 PM. Not having the opportunity to go shopping yet, I  headed across the street to Gwennie's for dinner. Let it be known the breakfast fare is far superior to the dinner offerings. The split pea soup was "right on" but the hot turkey sandwich was barely palatable. They do the best they can, I suppose.
On a good note, the Alaska IPA Black was awesome and I got a complimentary, 2012 IDITAROD commemorative pint glass for free!  The race is approaching it's end as I post. The winner is pretty much already determined, as he is far ahead of competitors.

Crashed hard after a busy day.....................................


Morning on day #2 brought 5 degree temperature causing me to fore go showering. Which, by the way, is quite popular in these parts. My attempt to make coffee was thwarted by the horribly neglected machine which spewed more dark colored liquid on to the table than it did into the pot.

Over to Gwennie's for some fine grits and eggs for breakfast I trudged. The waitress was originally from Vancouver, so we had a nice conversation.

Today would be spent gathering and organizing  tools. The goal being, determining the necessary additions to facilitate an efficient operation.

 The hours passed amazingly fast. At days end I was given the nod to take "Old Blue" for the night so I could go shopping for food and what not.

Driving in Anchorage for the first time required all my attention. The lane divisions are sketchy at best. The other drivers are unforgiving. 

Walmart seemed to be the smart option to stock up on the essentials. The mix of my fellow shoppers was interesting. Many native Alaskans, some speaking in their traditional dialect, caused me to take notice. Also quite a few Asian countries represented, many working there.  $150.00 later I was on my way back to the shop. However, not without a bit of directional confusion, having not yet determined any landmarks to give me a sense of place. After pulling off the road and referring to a city map I was on my way back to the shop. Dinner that night was some very spicy General Tso's Chicken courtesy of Walmarts deli accompanied by some Alaska Amber Ale. It was actually quite satisfying.

After a few rounds of "Words With Friends" I hit the hay.

Day #3 met me with the warmest temps yet! 24 degrees. Craving a cleanse I ventured out across the snow covered parking lot to the shower graciously provided by the Harley shop.

 I am fairly certain this is the first time I've ever had to go out into the snow to take a shower! There is a free campground to the left of the building and the shower is available to campers as well. Since there are no traveling bikers during the winter, the place was all mine! A nice warm spacious place!


I cooked oatmeal with raisins on my camping stove and microwave coffee for breakfast. The day was spent, again, organizing tools. A task that may never end, as every time I think it's a done deal, I discover another stash of tools!!!!


After closing, it was back across the street for a beer and another free glass! Dinner was prepared on my camping stove and consisted of rice and fried fish. Looks good, don't ya think?


Did some blogging and WWF then off to bed.


Day #4...no shower. Am I joining the clan of the uncleansed? Time will tell.  Oatmeal for breakfast....mmmmmmm.


Brenden grabbed a grip of cash and we went shopping. We hit Costco, Home Depot, The Dollar Store. a thrift store and a pawn shop filling up the back of Old Blue.
A new tool box and a roll cart will go along way in getting the shop up to par and a  new Mr Coffee machine will keep the caffeine freaks happy. A new computer monitor was tossed in.  I also supplemented my pantry.


Back at the shop , the impetuous Mr Freeman helped unload and steered the crew to the local Taco King for some mid-day sustenance. A splendid discovery! Very good Mexican food prepared by displaced Guatemalans!
Spent the remainder of the day putting together the acquired tool chests and organizing.
Gwennie's once again called to me and I succumbed to her beckon for libation and escape from my solitude. Afterwards it was back to the shop for a turkey sandwich and more WWF.   


Day #5.....time goes fast! Another day without showering. Blueberries in my oatmeal today do not hold a candle to Kevin's! One of the many things I have already found myself missing.

Finding myself a tad bit lethargic on this morning. I "endeavor to persevere".

Met Dave Little today, one of the "techs" that will be working with me. A small amount of "turf marking" went down. Nothing that can't be worked out though. There's a new sheriff in town and the dust will settle.

Over to Gwennie's  once again for a beer and clam chowder marking the end of my first week in the "last frontier"

Some blogging while listening to Zappa, Marvin Gaye and Public Enemy.......then sweet dreams.

"I dialed 911 along time ago"...................

Peace out and have a happy St. Patty's day!

Stage Two...The Move Is On!

Stowing away everything I anticipate needing to live in Alaska for 6 months was a daunting task indeed!

Regarding clothes, the weather's a conundrum. Anchorage is approaching record snowfall this year and it  will be six weeks or so before the thaw arrives. Warm clothing will need to be packed. Alaska summers can get warm. So there's that to be considered. High tech layering is the answer. I've got that covered. My Samsonite roll-on is stuffed to the gills with all I deem necessary plus my new laptop which did not fit into the backpack after all.

Weighing in at 47 pounds, the XL Ortleib duffle bag is crammed full of all my motorbike camping equipment I need for my explorations on my days off. With all my past experience traveling by  bike, that wasn't so tough.

That leaves all my actual moto-gear to be stuffed into another large duffle. ATGATT is an acronym I subscribe to meaning "all the gear all the time".Therefore along with my Arai helmet in it's travel case, there's Sidi biker boots, Fieldsheer riding pants, Diamond brand Kevlar re-enforced jeans, several pairs of boot socks, a few pairs of gloves and miscellaneous necessities included. The First Gear coat would not fit and will be worn on the plane along with my Columbia Sportswear super warm boots.

The last two weeks before departure were very busy. Many friends and family members wanting to "get together" for farewell lunches,dinners and general carousing all culminating with a memorable party at my favorite Vancouver pub Shanahan's. Thanks again for all who joined in the fun!


Greg and his youngest daughter Haley were at my door on the Friday before my flight to whisk me, my gear and Senor Jorge Garcia up to the Seattle area for the weekend. Senor is a Sun Conure that has been sharing my house for 10+ years. He was not eager to be bullied into a small travel cage for the trip north where he will be residing along with Greg's birds while I'm away. Thanks Greg!

Say hello to Haley!

After stopping for lunch with nephew Kevin at Mexican Villa for one last taste of my favorite south-of-the-border food, which I've been enjoying for 40 years, we were on the road.

It was great spending the weekend with Greg and the girls before flying out on Monday. We took in "The Lorax" which was pretty good. Thomas, Theresa & Triston came up from Olympia on Sunday for a fine visit.

Saying goodbye to these little angels was the hardest of all. It was difficult holding back the tears.
Unfortunately Merianne was in San Francisco all weekend so I did not get to say goodbye.
Goodbye Merianne.

Had to get up at 3 AM to make the 6 AM flight out of SeaTac. Of course the TSA wanted  to take a gander at "all the electronics and wires" in my backpack but I made it to the gate with plenty of time to spare after repacking. The flight was full.. Luck was on my side. The only empty seat was between me and the guy on the isle. So I had that going for me! There was a storm approaching and the take off was very turbulent causing the gal in front of me to use the little bag in the seat pouch. It sucked to be her! And the people on either side of her. Three hours later, this was my view out of the window!

So I made it to the 49th state for the start of my Big Adventure! Did I mention the temperature was 7 degrees!


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