Thursday, July 30, 2009
Going to Yellowstone
We woke up really early since we knew the ride was going to be through nice country however it was a windy 12 Deg C which was more than what we were prepared for, so we stopped and put on our cold weather gear.
Also I managed to book two rooms in Yellowstone for the same day which is very difficult since it is usually sold out, as a matter of fact all the camp sites were sold out and all we could find were these two rooms overlooking yellowstone Lake.
We entered the park from north entrance, and and stopped at the natural hot water springs which some smelled like rotten eggs or Sulfur, and to us oil company workers (H2S).
We continued our ride through the park and reached the Park Ranger Museum, and found out that originally the army stater patrolling this park in the late 1800s and early 1900s to stop poachers from killing the animals,and preserve the wilderness.
On out way to the hotel we were confronted by a buffalo in the middle of the road, and later witnessed several along the way, every time on was seen the traffic stopped while tourists took pictures.
We reached the hotel around 6 pm, and found out there was no internet, TV, or cellphone reception. So we slept early.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Stop in Montana
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
To Seattle
I left the dealer at 12:10 PM, while Ali and Husain went to three different shops until they managed to get the antenna replaced.
The Line at the border was long, it took me one hour and fourty minutes to get through while it took Ali and Husain 2 hours.
I ended up reaching Seattle around 5 PM.
Monday, July 27, 2009
The Bikes have Arrived
The bikes arrived at the dealer at 4:00 PM, and while Ali and Husain got to ride their bikes, my bike stayed there so that they would get it fixed first thing tomorrow morning.
We then were invited to Bu Nasser's (Waleed Al Shuqaihi) house for a barbecue, and Ali had all the kids sit and start his motorcycle.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sightseeing in Vancouver
We visited Stanley Park and crossed the Lions Gate Bridge to North Vancouver where we visited Cleavland Dam near Capilano Park.
We then went to Kashkool an Iranian restaurant for Lunch.
After lunch we visited the Capilano Fish Hatchery where they breed Salmon and release them into the river to maintain their numbers.
Finally we went to Robson street for some delicious Gelato.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Kuwaiti Doctors in Vancouver
For Ali it turns out that he has injured his shoulder but could still ride since his shoulder is on it's way to heal, and would not get any worse. In the picture is Dr. Raed Alroughani, Dr.Osamah Alenezi, Dr.Ahmed Alsarraf, Dr.Faisal Shehab, Dr.Aqeel Mehana, Dr.Aziz Aldifiri, Dr.Sadoun Alhasan.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
One to Vancouver
After making all my arrangements Ali was not feeling good so he visited the local medical clinic. There he mentioned that he had problems with his right shoulder, The doctor there recommended that he stop riding until he reach Vancouver and seek better facilities to better diagnose his condition.
So we made further arrangements for all the bikes to be shipped to Vancouver while Ali and Husain would fly tomorrow since it was too late to book the flight.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Into Canada
We left Tok at 9:35 on our way to Whitehorse in Canada. it took us about 2 hours to reach the border.
Entering Canada was easy and straight forward, however our cell phones didn't work, so we stopped at a gas station along the way to use the pay phone to call the hotel and make a reservation. well we didn't have any Canadian currency, and the phone does not accept credit cards.
So we continued until Burwash Landing where we filled with fuel, found a public phone that accepts credit cards, and had pie along in a restaurant overlooking the lake.
We then had a 2 and a half hour straight ride to Whitehorse, where we stopped at a local restaurant for dinner and noticed that the leak on my bike got significantly worse with oil splatter on the tire.
There was no way that it would survive the 2700 km ride to Vancouver where the nearest BMW Dealer on our route is.
Tomorrow we will make some phone calls and see how to move the bike to Vancouver.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
To Tok
We then went back through Keystone Canyon and then went past the glaciers, we then drove through smoke due to a forest fire in the area.
While stopping for a break we noticed that the rear shaft seal was leaking again. The dealer in Anchorage said that it was cleaned and goo to go, apparently not.
We reached Tok in the afternoon, and then called TriStar, they contacted the dealer in Vancouver since it was the closest on our route, to prepare for the repair. Since it was a minor leak with only traces of oil on the dust cover we decided to continue tomorrow in to Canada and monitor the leak.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Got Bike will Travel
We picked up our bikes yesterday from the shop, and stated to organize our stuff.
Ali and Husain met a biker named Byron who advised against going to Denali especially since it was overcast and we would not be able to see Mt. McKinley which is the highest peak in North America.
So we decided to take his advice and the advice of Elmer and Sharon Hayes, who were touring on their GS with a sidecar, and went to Valdez.
Although it was at times raining, the scenery on the way to Valdez was breathtaking, especially passing glaciers and passes. At times we wanted to take pictures but couldn't because of the rain.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Back on Schedule
We went early to the shop after they opened to give them the keys to the bikes.
We then visited a custom bike shop called Dream Catcher, and found a great custom pan head. We then visited the folks at Alaska Leather where we bought the sheep skin seat covers for our bikes online before we left Kuwait.
We went back to The Motorcycle Shop before it closed and found that they had finished Ali's bike already, and were almost finished with Husain's bike. We were told that we can pick up our bikes tomorrow at 2:00 pm, which puts us back in schedule with our itinerary.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Getting lucky
Yesterday we were informed from our agent in China that our bikes will not arrive on the 15th as planned but will be delayed one day and will arrive on the 16th. So we visited the local Harley shop here and waited since we expected that the bikes would not finish customs until the 17th.
This morning we made all our phone calls, and found out that the bikes will arrive at 1:00 pm, so we visited The Motorcycle Shop where our bikes will be serviced, and then went to the airport to finalize the customs, and delivery logistics.
The customs officers were supper friendly, and it took 45 minutes to complete the paperwork which is a record fast time for us. We had the bikes in the shop 4 hours after the plane arrived ready for the crating to be removed. The Motorcycle Shop will start working on the bikes tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
To Anchorage Alaska
When we arrived around 11:30 pm it was about sunset except that it does not get really dark here. It is like it is around sunset and sunrise all night.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monterey to San Francisco
We continued after breakfast on route 1 going through Santa Cruz, and the strawberry farms.
We Stopped briefly for some sweet cherries, and admired the view, then continued to Half Moon bay.
We reached San Francisco around 3 in the afternoon, and after checking in to the hotel we went down the twistiest road in the world on Lombart Street.
We then went on to ride the Golden Gate Bridge, and visit the fisherman's Warf for dinner before getting back to the hotel.