Tom and Wayne would appreciate your comments/encouragement on their trip. If you send your comments to Ben Martin, they will be posted here for all to read.

6/21/2010

Tom and Wayne, Upon hearing that you would be without WiFi for three days while on the ferry, I started to feel sorry for you. Then, I remembered that Rhonda & I were at the Teklanika Campground for the past three days, 30 miles deep inside Denali Park, with only a picnic table and an outhouse! We were surrounded by grizzly bears and a hungry pack of wolves! We wish the best to you and hope you survive the "Cruise" to Prince Rupert, and enjoy your warm little cabin with a private bath!
So, you have been in a bike seat for a month, but have you sat in a school bus seat for 11 hours straight, while traveling 90 miles on rough gravel road at a top speed of 25 MPH? Lane

I've been out of town the past couple of weeks so I was finally able to catch up on the blog today...and (except for all that rain) am I jealous! Sounds like a great, great trip Wayne...one to talk about for years to come! Have a safe journey home and I hope that check engine light doesn't come back on Wayne. - Michael S. Lea, MA, MFT, LADC

Tom, you have lousy recall as to toilet seat breaking. Perhaps 5K miles of riding in the cold rain has taken a toll on your memory. Our guest bathroom once suffered the same fate during one or your Cameron Park visits. We allowed that it was likely old age and the use frequency factor. Now you're up busting toilet seats in Alaska?! I'm seeing a pattern here.

I'll be back home from Barrett-Jackson Orange County late Sunday night (June 28th) if your return route comes through here around then. Be happy to feed ya and put you boys up for the night. - Ken

Thanks for placing the Kug sticker. May the force be with you. If you don,t get any flats you have to buy me a beer.I am off on my ride Sat morn. Esc.to New Mexico then dirt threw CO -Utah-Nv -Oreagon to the coast then back home on the 4 th of July.Ride safe - the Kug

6/16/2010 Message from Friends

Tom, Just getting around to responding to your email, you know how it is being retired. Well, I know this was something that you would love to do, at least going North. Getting there has to be the most fun... Have you thought about shipping the bikes home & flying back? You know like skiing, going downhill is more fun than going up. Stay safe - have fun! - Jon

Rhonda and I are in Fairbanks at the same park as Ann and John. We had a good visit today. Looked in the tent section for you, no luck. Every time I see 2 motorcycles in a parking lot, I go to see if they are yours. Look us up if you come this way.

Saw a young man in the Walmart parking lot getting onto his motorcycle that had a Louisiana Plate. Stopped to talk to him and found out that he is riding his bike around the world! All of the sudden your ride up from southern California, and mine from Louisiana seemed unimpressive! He gave me his card and we looked at his website and found him to be quite the adventurer. I thought he was college age. Come the find out his is a lawyer! Lane

Thanks for the kind words in your blog; Rhonda and I feel the same way about you both. We are glad to hear that you have made it to Anchorage safely, and thrilled that you will ferry southbound. The Haines Highway is going to be a great ride!. Promise you will take pictures of your tents set up on the ship's deck... or are you going to use that old "we thought it was going to rain" excuse again, and get a cabin?

Just for the record, before we knew your names, one of you was known as "the big one" and the other as "the smaller one who is prematurely gray" (later we found out that there is nothing premature about Wayne's hair color). That first day, when it was so windy, Rhonda said, "that big one is swerving all over the road!" Tom, thanks for explaining, that you are a big man on a big bike with lots of gear, and that the wind affects you, too!

Drove up to Dawson City today. One doesn't just "stumble" onto Dawson, you've got to really want to come here. It's 7 long hours from Whitehorse with only a couple of places to eat and get fuel along the way. Sound familiar? Have fun! Lane and Rhonda

6/10/2010 Tell Tom & Wayne we're at Rivers Edge RV Park in Fairbanks if they come up this way. We leave for Prudhoe Bay on the 18th.

Our cell phone is 513 502 3323. - Ann & John McKinley

Wayne - I see you're keeping track of your mileage, but how about counting something more important? Like:
1) After-ride beers
2) Campfires
3) Conversations with other riders.
4) ??? -------------------------------------------------Frank Gouveia

Hey Tom, Wow! What a trip! Your Alaska adventure makes our one week trips look like a ride around the block. I'm looking forward to keeping up with your progress through your blogs. Have a safe trip and keep the rest of us working stiffs up to date, - Clent Morgan (PS- Since you're no longer a BMW rider you probably don't have to worry about truck rental rates from Alaska. :-)

Tom - When I saw the picture of the river, I thought that looks familiar. Isn't the Columbia beautiful? I crossed it last year on the way back from Tennessee. I am jealous. Too much fun to be legal. Good luck with the weather and stay safe. - Mark Ruhm

Hey Wayne, - My mom grew up in Etna. I spent many a Christmas and summer there visiting my grandparents. We are going up next month for her high school reunion. The whole Scott Valley is beautiful. What a small world! Did you eat at the Etna Brewery? Sounds like you are having the time of your life - good going! - Christina

Try to keep dry you guys! I’m getting goose bumps reading your last log from Friday. Hope all is well and by all means keep as warm as possible, I hate cold! My thoughts and prayers are with you two.-Bob Nelson

Wayne, Can't wait to see all that's in store for you. Keep sending pictures. Both of you guys be safe and have the time of your life. I know David would love to be with you right now. But, oh well, he has to work. Be safe. Vicky Mason

One cabin heater, $129. Gasoline to get to Mammoth, $40 or so. Upcoming adventure, PRICELESS!! - Andy Lauritzen, Parts/Accessories Specialist, North County Yamaha

Tom- Glad to hear you hit the road, good old Mammoth is a great first stop. Sounds like you’re doing it right with a 5 week plan. If you’re stopping at Ken’s tonight/tomorrow give me a ring and I’ll try to stop by; I’m in Santa Clara on business today. Also, thanks for the inspiration to get the 990 out for a ride, it’s been all pedal power lately. Keep the rubber side down. - Rick

Hi Tom, Have a great ride… I look forward to reading about and seeing many photographs of your adventure…Wally

5/25/2010 - Wayne, As you know I sure wish I was going with you. After all, who is going to make sure you don't do anything ill-advised? Tom - you will have to fill in for me! I know the excitement you both felt starting out your trip. You and I have felt that many times. Can't wait to see some pictures and hear of adventures along the way. Although I must say I will be a bit jealous! (Ok, more than a bit.) Travel safe and keep the shiny side up!!! - David Mason

Tom and Wayne....What an exciting opportunity. Enjoy your trip of a lifetime. Can't wait for the updates, pictures and the barbeque when you get home. Watch out for baby moose. Take lots of pictures - Marla Martin

Wishing you the time of your life. Have a great safe trip. We look forward to reading about your "Excellent Adventure". Safe Journey....Dean and Patty Sword

Well Tom…It was nice knowing you…just kidding. Sounds like it will definitely be the trip of a lifetime…just take it easy and don’t do anything stupid….you are after all in the “mature” time of your life. ? When this is over, you then need to plan the “trip of a lifetime” with you wife. Have a great time….looking forward to reading about it all on the blog. - Laurel Griffith

Tom & Wayne, - Enjoy your trip of a lifetime. Tear it up, stop (and smell each and every greasy café) and enjoy everything along the way, remember tomorrow is just another day. I look forward to this trip through your eyes, (helmet cam?) we will be waiting for each and every update. Looking forward to travel tips, who knows when we will travel this way. - Enjoy and good luck. Ralph and Pamela

I wish them a fun adventure and glad they didn't have a PayPal link requesting donations ! - Mike