Day 11: Anchorage to Valdez

See, even bears like pie for breakfast.

August 10/2010: Another day, another town. But first breakfast at Gwinnies.

Ariel of Alaska Rider Tours, Mark, Hailey

A visit to the local motorcycle adventure tour company.

Followed by shopping for motorcycle gear at Alaska Leather (aka "Barb's House of Leathers;" http://www.alaskaleathers.com/). No, I didn't buy the bra. But I did get some gear and a 20% discount for knowing Mark, being a member of ADVRider.com and dumping my ex last year. Score!

Faced with the ugly fact that I had packed too much stuff, not to mention the fact that I just bought more items at the motorcycle store, I made a donation to the local Goodwill.

I'm sure someone will really dig my UVic t-shirt.

Mark escorted us out of town on his Ducati.

We really, really wanted to stay another day in Anchorage but had to get back on the bikes and go. Valdez awaits!

We had our first glimpse of the Nelchina glacier on the way toValdez. 

On the Richardson Highway, just before heading into Thompson Pass. Stunted black spruce sit in a large beaver pond.  Creepy!

Rode through the clouds in Thompson Pass into a canyon lined with waterfalls. It was eerie--like being on another planet. And cold? Oh, boy! Yes, I know I'm in Alaska but I never dreamed it could get like this in the summer. It's cold and rainy and feels like a late October in Victoria. Not whining, just sayin'.

Day 10: Palmer to Anchorage

August 9/2010: After spending another fabulous morning with Cissy, we forced ourselves to leave Palmer and get back on the road.

Maria, Becky and Hailey

When we were in Beaver Creek last week we ran into Jim, a truck driver from Anchorage whose wife Becky rides. Our mission for the day? To meet Becky and persuade her to ride to Valdez with us. Which would have happened if not for some bike drama with her 1986 Suzuki Intruder.

Mark, Singh, Hailey and Maria

So we put Plan B into action: Meet Singh and Mark--ADVRider.com guys from Anchorage who have been following our blog.
(Does this mean we're internationally famous?)
 

Well, one thing lead to another. Namely, pizza and "death by peanut butter" pie.

Mark and his wonderful closet o' leather.
He's single, fun, sexy and obsessed with motorcycles. Girls, come to Alaska!

Then it was off to Mark's house, his garage full of bikes and closet full of fabulous leather motorcycle gear.

And matching helmets!

Being the funksters they are, Mark and Singh are members of this exclusive Anchorage motorcycle group - Fukengruven!

Vic: Apparently living in Alaska makes you grow a chest pelt.

We met Vic, Mark's neighbour.

And Ruthie, Vic's houseguest from Kansas.

Who taught Hailey how to bellydance.

Playing dressup with Vic's wigs. Yes, we also wondered why he had a closet full of wigs.

We asked them to adopt us (permanently) but there was no room for our motorcycles in either garage. Sadly, it was obviously just a one night stand.