The last day's ride in a long trip seems to generate conflicting emotions. There is the anticipation of returning home to the regular routine, your regular bed, your wife, and the relief of not having to pack everything up each morning while hoping you haven't forgotten anything. On the other hand, an adventure is coming to its end and it will probably be a while until you head out on your next one. But, time goes on and all things end, even great riding adventures, and Sunday morning was the beginning of our final day on the road after a great trip to Sturgis and across much of the American west.
Crossing the Canada/US border can be a dreadful experience with long waits especially on a hot summer's day. However, I have found that if you arrive at the border early enough on a Sunday morning there are no lines. And it was so this Sunday morning. After a quick stop at the Duty Free to purchase some single malt, both Garry and I were able to pull up to a customs booth with no wait whatsoever. After going through the formalities we were allowed to reenter Canada and head for the BC Ferry terminal at Tsawwassen, BC.
We arrived more than an hour early so we had time to get a Starbucks coffee and wait to board. We heard the announcement to board but because we were a few minutes late we had the privilege of being some of the last passengers aboard.
The ferry ride was uneventful but we did meet a delightful and very engaging little boy who kept us laughing for a good part of the trip.
The little guy on the ferry
Garry with our bikes on the ferry deck
The ferry from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay
Ferry to Gabriola Island
Approaching Nanaimo
After a stop to refuel in Nanaimo we continued to Campbell River on the Inland Island Highway without stopping. We arrived home at about 2:30 after a ride, according to my odometer, of 7393 kilometres.
Home after twenty days and 7393 kilometres
This was my third, and probably last trip to Sturgis. There are still other places to ride and time grows short. The fact that after twenty days on the road and crossing two provinces and seven states Garry and I are still talking to each other is proof alone that the ride was successful. In addition to this we had a terrific time at the Buffalo Chimp Campground, meeting great people from Iowa, California, and Vermont. We also had the opportunity to ride some spectacular highways including the Beartooth Highway between Montana & Wyoming, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway in Wyoming, and the Old McKenzie Highway on Oregon. The weather was somewhat hot, but mostly great for riding, and our motorcycles ran perfectly. all in all, it was a perfect ride.
Now things slow down and we will go back to our regular practice of short rides until the end of the season. But next year...
