Plan: Yukon Ho, I’m Going To Alaska!
The cat’s out of the bag, and my days of languishing in Fog City are numbered. When last I left off, the plan was to return from Boston to a bike that’s packed and ready to go…but to go where? I’m gunning for the motorcyclists dream: I’m riding Alaska. The plan thus far…
Projected departure from San Francisco: Wednesday, April 26th, 2017. In Seattle.
Stage 1: San Francisco, CA → Seattle, WA (~1k miles)
April 26: Launch! Camping with Pete at Russian Gulch State Park, CA.April 27: Motel with Pete at Willows, CA due to road closures from mud slides.April 28: Fieldbrook, CA courtesy of Lisa and Rob of the Humboldt County Slugrockets.April 29: Motel with Pete in Gold Beach, OR.May 1 ~ 4: Portland, OR with the illustrious Sara Ryan.May 5 ~ 8: Seattle, WA with Gwynne. Last stop for service.
Seattle will be my last big service stop. Big People Scooters will hopefully put a tire on for me (I hate wrestling with spoons). I’m seeking a well-appointed garage to do the rest of it myself, will trade stories for tools and space!
On May 9th, 2017 it’s Yukon Ho!
Here’s where the dates get extra flexible. Basically, I have about 40 days to ride where I feel like it!
Stage 2: Seattle, WA → Haines, AK (~5k miles)
May 9: Port Angeles, WA with Laura. Must resist oversupplying at Swain’s.May 10 ~ 11: Vancouver, BC with Rob, Vespa Club of Canada‘s website designer.May 12: Whistler, BC with Neil the Cannonballer.May 13: Lac la Hache at the Rangeland Motel, owned by Ruckus former prez, George.May 14: Vanderhoof, BC. Motel.May 15: Hazelton, BC with Pamela’s friend, Phil and Peggy.May 16: Stewart, BC. Camping.May 17: Boya Lake, BC. Camping.May 18 ~ 21: Whitehorse, YT. Beez Kneez Bakpakers.May 22 ~ 23: Dawson City, YT. Hostel.May 24: Tok, AK, via Top of the World Highway!May 25 ~ 26: Fairbanks, AK. Billie’s Backpacker’s Hostel.May 27: Coldfoot Camp, AK.May 28 ~ 29: Return to Fairbanks, AK by plane. Huge thanks to Billie’s Backpacker’s Hostel.
On May 28th, my bike went down as I was returning from Atigun Pass. I flew to Seattle, WA with a broken collarbone. Serenity is currently stored in AK. Huge thank you to everyone who helped me towards recovery!
Stage 3: Mending in Seattle, WA
May 30 ~ June 28: Convalesce in Seattle, WA with Gwynne and Tom.
Bonus Stage: Boston, MA
June 29 ~ July 12: Fly to Peru for a family trip. Yep, you read that right, gonna hike Machu Picchu in moto boots!
July 13 ~ 16: Lammy Jammy in Lehigh, PA.
July 17 ~ onward: Rest in Cambridge, MA. Cuddle the Fred.
That’s all for now!
Too bad I'm going to miss you coming through. I'm heading south from Fairbanks in May. Don't miss Chena Hot Springs outside of Fairbanks and the Hot Spot Cafe just north of the Yukon River Bridge. And if you have time, McCarthy, Kennicott, Talkeetna, Seward are phenomenal. Spend as little time in Anchorage as possible though the Harley dealer has free camping for moto-travelers.
Thanks for the tips!
Well…wow. From strength to strength, the horizons seem to get just that little bit bolder. I've known of relatively few making this trek (though many talk about it, of course. Here's to your Northern travels!
Thanks! I hope to push those horizons a little further each time, however long it may take.
Hey Stephanie, I believe that AmeriVespa will be held in Seattle this year, July 6th, you may want to work on your timing?!!
ON second thought, I see you'll be out of the country!
As a member of the Vespa Club of Canada, I am working on a place for you, while you are in Vancouver, May 11th. will message you if it works out!
I wish I could make it, I love Seattle in summertime and it would be even more fun when it's full of scooters! But timing just isn't going to work out this time.
I would love to meet some scooterists in Vancouver, even just for one night!
Happy trails Steph!
I'll riding along (virtually)!
Good luck and take care. Write when you can. Enjoy your trip.
Get well soon …