AK Trip - Day Twenty One - Friday, July 6th.,

Anchorage & Wasilla

This morning was spent sight-seeing in and around Anchorage. The rain has stopped and the sun was out in mid fifty temps. Puffy clouds came and went all day.

We also stopped by the Honda dealer and had them check out Ted’s tires. They were fine, which was pretty much what we thought, but it was still nice to get a professional opinion before we leave civilization. Captain Cook overlooking Cook's Inlet

Cook's Inlet at Anchorage.

Notice the low tide and the large mud flats. These flats are composed of glacial silt and are very dangerous. Another interesting fact: It is extremely difficult for fish to live in glacial water due to this silt.

We rode 40 miles north to Wasilla to have lunch. It was interesting to see Wasilla without the rain clouds and fog that clung to the town on our first trip through. Today the weather was sunny and clear and the beautiful mountains surrounding Wasilla were strutting there stuff.

It was on to Abby Motors after lunch to have my new rear tire installed. The Abby's owner’s online forum name is Friar Mike, hence the statue.

Bike shops are scarce up here, let alone good ones. We had three BMW GS bikes in line for new rubber ahead of us. We simply took a seat and waited for our turn.

My rear tire had 6,050 miles on it. Far too many miles to make the return trip home. It is nice to know I now have the tires I need on the bike to make the return trip.

Later, we were invited to another online forum members house for hot dogs and the fixings. (Rodger Wheeldog). In addition to meeting Rodger and his wife, we also met Tod Ryan and his wife (another MTF forum member). Tod is also riding a Gold National Park Tour and a Four Corners Tour . Tod is a teacher by trade and has the summer off. We have met several teachers riding in Alaska on this trip. Tod's wife flew up to Anchorage to ride with him on a KLR she rented for a couple of weeks. Tod and his wife are from Massachusetts.

Tomorrow we resume traveling as we start first east and then southwest to Glenallen and Valdez. This area, along with Haines, should provide some of the most beautiful scenery of the trip.

A side note: We got lucky tonight and found an efficiency apartment for a very good price. (The Alaskan Select Inn - Wasilla) It has two seperate bedrooms and a small kitchenette. Very nice!

Rodger (Wheeldog) & Wife

Tod Ryan and wife Ruth

Ted and I would like to thank again all the people who are offering support and daily comments. They mean a lot to both of us.

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams~