Sunday, 9 September 2012

What were they thinking!

I find as I get older, my tolerance for idiots is about "Zero". Every summer,  I look forward to getting away with my family for a much deserved vacation at our favorite camping spot . We've raising our children to enjoy dirt biking, camping, boating, and all the other things that camping has to offer. Over the years, we've enjoyed meeting up our old friends, and new ones, to relax and enjoy time away from the day to day grind of city life. This year unfortunately, we had some individuals that I'm sure were rejects from the Maclean Creek Gong Show. Any decent people that have camped in this area knows what I talking about.

Now, I have no problems with my fellow campers that unwind by sitting around the camp fire, laughing and making a little noise. But we also try to be considerate of those around us. The group we encountered this year, had zero regard for any of the rules. From racing up and down the roads, going the wrong direction on one way trails, and cranking up their stereos until 3 in the morning. This group didn't stop there. They also felt it was their god given rite to have fires where it was clearly posted "No Camp Fires", not to mention, letting their dogs run wild, bothering everyone on the beach. Here's a group that kicked "STUPIDITY" into high gear.  They spent all of their time breaking every rule I can think of, both legally and morally.  These idiots would fire up their quads at 3:00 am, and  then  rip up and down the roads. I'm sure it didn't include the use of a helmets. I only say this due to the fact they hadn't been wearing any all day. You could see they had no regard for their fellow campers, or the law, by ripping around on Crown land that was clearly marked "NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES BEYOND THIS POINT", not to mention chasing the livestock. I'm sure if one of the ranchers had seen this, there would have been a few heads mounted over the fire place.

 This type of  person is the reason it's getting harder to find a place to camp, and to enjoy all the outdoor actives that camping has to offer. The worst part, they had two small children with them. I just  wonder what they think they're teaching their kids, that it's OK to be an idiot, and show total disrespect for all those around you. It's funny how some think it's a good thing to pass down stupidity from one generation to another, what a shame. It seems today that there are those in our society  have lost their moral compass, not showing any respect or consideration for those around them. The down side is their actions can have a direct effect on all of us. From limiting access for off road riding, and access to the beauty of the great outdoors.  I don't know if we should blame the parents, or their kids.  We did follow up by contacting the authorities, and tickets were issued, but I doubt it had any effect, except financially. Hopefully it will encourage them not to return to our hideaway, but then people like this just turn up somewhere else. I spent my whole life teaching my children, and their friends, to show respect to other people, and their property. The reality is, there's always going to be those who just don't care, just watch the news or read a newspaper. I'm at a point in my life where I just can't sit back and say nothing. I guess I'm just getting old. Maybe it's a good thing. Thanks for taking the time to listen. Feel free to leave a comment.

Monday, 20 August 2012

CWCR 2012 Day Four

Day four and it's time to head for home. We had a late start today, and after a quick coffee in the lobby, it was time to get moving. I started the day by washing the bike and inspecting my rear tire that was starting to develop a  flat spot, it looks like dropping the pressure was doing the trick. We left the Super 8 and headed north up the #93 to Eureka. We were on the hunt for a greasy spoon for breakfast, and came across this joint called the Cafe Jax. It was a busy little place that seemed to be the town hot spot, always a good sign. The portions were good, the coffee cups huge, and a great atmosphere to boot. After breakfast, it was time to head  for the boarder, and then home. There was a long line just to get to the duty free, not to mention the boarder crossing. The line started moving a little faster after they decided to open a third lane. Thank god, because the heat was making  it a little uncomfortable with all our gear on. Once we cleared the boarder and got back on the road, things cooled off. The traffic was steady, but not overly congested, We stopped briefly in the town of Blairmore, and I downing a 5 hr energy drink to keep myself alert for the final leg of the ride. We headed up the #22, then over to Nanton, and the final run for home. All in all, it was a great ride. It's funny, when you start head for home, all you can think about is getting there. When you finally arrive, all you can think about is being back on the road. Well, with this years ride behind us, I guess it's time to start planning for next year. Watch for my re-cap on the trip, and also product reviews on some of the toys we had with us. Thanks for following the ride.

I need nourishment

Loaded and ready to go

Say good by to the Super 8

Good people

Good times

See the rabbit, looks like road kill
But wait it is beginning to move

Now its sitting up. its alive what's with people in rabbit suits

You gonna eat all that

Cafe Jax
In line at the border

CWCR 2012 Day Three

 We start our day  by making some emergency repairs to Chris's bike. It seems the day before, while chasing Dylan and Mike Q, he took a rock in the rad, and the drift camera didn't fair so well either. It took a direct hit from a rock and broke the lens. As for the repairing of the punctured rad, I used a old mechanics trick. Using some black pepper I got from the restaurant, I added it to the rad, circulated the coolant until the fan came on, and end of problem. Then in was a matter of topping up the over flow, and putting the fairing half back on. Before hitting the road for the day, we had a nice breakfast at the restaurant. I took the opportunity to take a look at the camp across the river, not much there, some cabins and camping spots, a beautiful view of the valley from the bridge. We headed back along the #12 and stopped at the top of the LoLo pass to take in the view. The Visitor Information Center was open, and we found out some interesting facts about the area. Things like, you can take duel purpose bike and travel along the tops of the mountains, the same trek that Lewis and Clark took when exploring the area. This is a great idea for a adventure ride. At the intersection of the #12 and #93, we decided to stop  at the Gun Bar for lunch. This place is cool, they display all types of guns, knifes, well worth a look. We continued up the #93 into Kailispell, and then onto White Fish, were we sat out side and enjoyed the remainder of the after noon, later we went down town to Bulldogs for a burger and drink. Another great day.

Parking lot repair


Support group


Dylan's new hat


Great place to eat

You can see the smoke from the forest fires

Entrance to the camping spot across the river

View from bridge looking west




A job well done

Top of LoLo Pass











Stopped in Polson for fuel and water

Tire showing a lot of wear. adjust pressure down to 32 psi
Old friend from the CBX Club days

Super eight whitefish


Sunday, 19 August 2012

CWCR 2012 Day Two


We awoke to beautiful morning, there was dew all over the bikes, the fresh air is the thing I remember the most, we started off with breakfast at Johnston’s family restaurant, home cooked meals , generous portions, and a fair price. From there we started over the pass to east glacier, what a great road, lots of twistes, you have to watch though there are frost heaves and gravel patches, from there we entered Columbia falls, and took the 206, connected with the 35 and got down to the 83 past swan lake. The day was heating up and we still had a long way to go, connect with the 200 and over to Missoula and down the #12 and the LoLo Pass, This road is known for it corners and beauty, it follows the river for miles, about two hours later we hit our destination, Ryans Wilderness Inn, what a great spot, the cabins look out at the river, there is a restaurant right there and a gas station,  we enjoyed the rest of the day and went for dinner, I ordered the deep fried streak, not bad it is a steak battered and deep fried, with a gravy over top with mashed potatoes. That’s something that sits with you, back to the cabins for a night cap. A perfect end, to perfect day.


Nice Leathers


Johnston's  


It all comes on one plate

Fed and watered
East Glacier
Along high 83


Just arrived


Highway 12

Relaxing after a great day

Dinner

CWCR 2012 Day One


Left town at 1:00 Pm from the shop and made our way to Nanton and over to the 22, down to Pincher creek and onto the cow boy trail where we stopped for a late lunch at Twin Butte, there is a great Mexican restaurant there, only a few hours away it would make for great Sunday ride, after eating we continued south and took the chief mountain border crossing into Montana, through Babb and on to St Mary, where we will spend the night. The cabins were very nice, a little costly and we had to book them back in January of 2012, after consuming some cold beverages and watching the sun go behind the mountain, we wandered across the street to the Kips Beer Gardens, where we found $1.00 beers, next  to the beer gardens was a outdoor Mexican restaurant, after some very good food we went back to the cabins as the temp was dropping, we finished the night with some good laughs.



Meeting at the shop


Pulling into Twin Butte



At The border

No Helmet laws in Montana



Just realized the beer only costs a buck

He Agrees


It looks closed

Mexican outdoor restaurant ordering taquitos

Looks like a good place to get a taco
I think pats had enough for one day