Arizona

Pheonix

Leaving Mexico was not the first choice, but the radar forecast on my route home was weighing heavy on my mind. So once crossing the border, I headed to Pheonix, where I arranged a place to stay at one of the Couchsurfing hosts, Caleb. I kinda feel bad when I only need a place to stay and not really exploring the area, but it is what it is, I’ll probably host some travelers in the future that will be in the same situation and I will understand.  At least Caleb and his friend took me out to a pretty good restaurant and enjoyed a chilled night out.

California – Oregon – Washington

So from here, I will be taking two other stops before I reach Vancouver, yes two sleeps. Going long distance between sleeps leaves little time to smell the roses. First stop is Bakersfield, coming up the interstates was the only way to make time and distance. With some large cities enroute, I had to plan the time to beat and avoid the traffic, Los Angeles proved to be the most congested. Lucky, having two wheels here makes a difference, stopped traffic means split lanes, moving through stopped traffic is so rewarding, somewhat mischievous in a way.

After Sacramento, the rain started and it came down steady and harder as I got further north, the temperature keeps dropping, luckily, the lowest it went was 4 Celsius. A couple of high passes is enroute, and I was not looking forward to Shasta and Grant Pass. I figure higher elevation can have snow but what i did run into was an accident on Shasta Pass and I followed the GPS detour which took me through a bypass in the state park. The first couple of kilometers was good, then it became gravel, then the image of “Romancing the Stone” scene where they were sliding down the flooded hillside jungle popped into my mind. The trail I am on now had water running on the side, in the middle and some parts on both sides while the pouring rain is fogging up my visor. A truck approaches, I flag him down, asked if the road actually exits back onto the Interstate, he assured me it did and said my bike can make it, just be careful, he says. GPS says about 6 more kilometers, so armed with knowledge that there is an end to this madness, I ventured forward.

This is where my bike finally get named, “L’il Shasta”. It is fitting as this sport touring bike was out of her element on rough terrain and shined through and came out on top. I had almost lost control of L’il Shasta a couple of times, lucky I had experience with a motocross and mountain bike techniques and lots of luck on my side. Someone out there is looking after me!!

This next two days were wet and cold, Grant Pass was not an issue except for crazy drivers driving way over the limit in crappy weather.

The image sums up how it was all the way into Vancouver.

Video

Border run

The sun and heat has been great in Mexico, but the weather is catching up to the west coast.

Photo Gallery

Click on any image to expand the gallery.

#JasperguyTravels #Tour2017 #MotorcycleLife

Current Location Of Posting

Previous Chapters Below

Euro Tour 2019 – Foix, France

Euro Tour 2019 – Foix, France

Euro Tour 2019 - Foix, France  Carcassonne, Mirepoix and Foix Arriving in France for my final destination of this euro tour was euforic. No more trains schedules and connecting woes. I was met by Sophie in Carcassone, my host for the next several days.  ...

Euro Tour 2019 – Milan, Italy

Euro Tour 2019 – Milan, Italy

Euro Tour 2019 - Milan, Italy City of fashion & style There were plenty of fancy cars and high end boutiques in this vibrant city. Taking the subway was the best way to get around Milan. Walking was not bad, the temperature was quite hot and muggy, so the subway...

Euro Tour 2019 – Venice, Italy

Euro Tour 2019 – Venice, Italy

Euro Tour 2019 - Venice ItalyGood pair of walking shoes That is what i will highly recommend with Venice plus arrive by ferry. The arrival of Venice is part of the highlight of exploring a new city. I took the ferry from Pula which runs on certain days, so watch your...

Euro Tour 2019 – Pula, Croatia

Euro Tour 2019 – Pula, Croatia

Euro Tour 2019 - Pula, CroatiaTraveling solo again The friends has left me in Pula, so it is time to explore. Taking a walk around Pula in the old towne is the way to go to find the little gems and get the feel of the history. A good pair of walking shoes is a must....

Euro Tour 2019 – Istra Coast, Croatia

Euro Tour 2019 – Istra Coast, Croatia

Euro Tour 2019 - Istra Coast, CroatiaDriving the Istrian Peninsula Wonderful coast line along the Adriatic Sea, something about the coastline lined with houses, the looks just awesome. Do you think they are models or something, I love this shot gals. Finding a diving...