Port Alberni British Columbia to Edmonton Via United States
Port Alberni British Columbia to Edmonton Alberta
The long way Round
Left Port Alberni British Columbia early in the morning. Having a ferry ticket in Victoria British Columbia reserved I was in no rush heading south east on Highway 4. Leaving this early has gotten me away before the highway fills up with summer tourist and their choices of travel. I said goodbye to the Douglas firs in Cathedral Park for the last time heading south towards Nanaimo British Columbia on the Island Highway. Making my way through the towns of Ladysmith and Duncan I was impressed at the time I was making. This section of highway is generally slow going with many traffic lights. Arriving in Victoria British Columbia during rush hour traffic I wanted to find a place out of the way. My path of travel took me near the ferry terminal where i would cross to Washington. Even though my ferry reservation was not until 3:00pm I decided to try my luck and see if they could sneak one more bike on deck. After waiting an hour clearing customs my gamble paid off. I was waived on to the 10:30am ferry and my bike just fit in the corner of the boat. I made my way to the upper deck and said goodbye to Canada for the next 3 days.
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| Victoria Clipper Passenger ferry to Seattle |
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| Victoria BC |
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| Washington State |
Arriving in Port Angles Washington I switched my bike miles per hour and found the nearest gas station. Following the 101 I headed east around Discovery Bay admiring the national pride shown with all the American flags flowing in the wind. Turning on to Route 20 I headed north to Port Townsend Washington a neat historic town with many old buildings along the bay. I rolled in to the ferry terminal and waited for the next crossing. This will be the 6th and last ferry on this trip I would have to catch.
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| Port Townsend ferry terminal |
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| Port Townsend Ferry Terminal |
Following Route 20 I stayed to the west riding through Oak Harbour and stopping for a rest at the foot of an impressive bridge called Deception Pass connecting Pugent Sound and the Straight of Juan De Fuca.
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| Deception Pass |
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| Deception Pass |
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| Deception Pass |
On the other side of Deception Pass I took the advice of some local bikers and stayed on the west side of the arm following Marine Drive to Anacortes Washington. This is a town I would like to return some day there was multiple islands reachable via ferry from here.
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| Anacortes Washington |
July 28th 2015
I left my hotel at 8:00 am and headed over to North Cascades Harley Davidson to collect a poker chip and t-shirt. Great people and service started my day off right as I left with two free bottles of cold water. Linking on to Route 20 I started the ride with a brisk morning ride of farm country and mountain views. Miles down the road I came across something in the distance punching through the scenic views. I arrived in Concrete Washington to discover these silos welcoming me to the area.
Continuing on my journey my brain went in to overload with views of the piercing blue waters and enormous mountains that were fast approaching. Almost as if I snapped my fingers I was engulfed by the mountain ranges of the North Cascades National Park. This is a humbling stretch of highway that is closed during the winter months so I advise checking the road reports. Turn after turn my mind was racing as to what was over the horizon. The sounds of my stereo controlled my throttle as I navigated through this impressive National Park.
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| North Cascades National Park |
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| North Cascades National Park |
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| Diablo Dam Power Station |
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| Diablo Dam |
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| Diablo Dam |
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| Diablo Dam |
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| Diablo Dam |
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| Diablo Lake |
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| Diablo Lake |
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| Diablo Lake |
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| Winthrop Washington |
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| Winthrop Washington |
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| Winthrop Washington |
After a filling lunch and short walk around town I continued on Route 20 making my way through some more jaw dropping scenery and roads that must have been engineered by a biker. Climbing the hair pin turns of Copper Butte I shook my head in disbelief as I felt my shifter linkage fall away and rest on my floor board. Decision time stop now and hope I can fix my problem or stay hard on my throttle in 5th gear and make my way to the nearest town. I decided on the ladder as I heaved my bike through the tight twisty's making this section my own. I rolled in to Colleville, Washington in hopes for a room for the night. To my surprise the town's hotels were all booked which lead me to another decision to make. Which direction do I go? I managed to get my shift linkage back on the bike but I decided to head south on Route 395. My thought process is that I would try to find a room on my way but worst case scenario this highway lead to Spokane Washington in which I was sure to find a room there. I managed to find a room in a place called Loon Lake Washington. It was not a big town but the room was nice and clean and a sight for sore eyes.
July 29th 2015
I awoke early and tried to do a better job tightening my shifter linkage but I did not have the right size allen wrench with me and I did not want to risk stripping the bolt. I back tracked to Colleville, Washington where I seen a Walmart the day before. Purchasing a Allen wrench seat I took my shift linkage apart and re attached it. I felt confident enough that I continued on my chosen path of Route 20 heading east through the northern part of Idaho. When I think of Idaho I did not think of the clear rivers and jagged mountains I was now witnessing.
At Sandpoint Idaho I headed east on route 200 a scenic byway along Lake Pend Orielle. Wow what an impressive lake I found myself riding beside. At Bull River I took Bull River Road Route 56 along Bull lake connecting with Highway 2 heading east for Montana. Upon arriving in Kalispell Washington I stopped by Glacier Harley Davidson but they were already closed. I continued north to Columbia Falls Washington where i wisely called ahead and booked a room for the night.
July 29th 2015
Wanting to be one of the first ones through the gate I left early to arrive at West Glacier National Park as the gates opened for the going to the sun road. Each turn gave way to an even more impressive view and another pull over sport. Rightfully my speakers cranked out its a long way to the top by AC/DC as I crest the mountains at Logan's pass. Sadly a wild fire had ravaged the park and the road was closed heading to the east. After walking around at the visitor centre I started my descent back the way I came through the gates at the West Glacier exit.
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| Going to the sun road |
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| Going to the sun road |
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| Going to the sun road |
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| Logan's Pass |
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| Logan's Pass |
Recharging for lunch I calculated the distance I had left to ride. It was high noon when I made the decision to try to make it home tonight. 810km to go I thought to myself. My bike's engine was working overtime as the 75 miles per hour speed limit was a great sight to see. I proceeded on route 20 on the skirts of the park to Browning Montana. Passing by St Mary Montana I could see the smoke in the distance of the wildfire in the park. It was not much longer until I would cross the border back in to Alberta at Carway Alberta. Following Highway 2 North I stopped only for fuel and water replenishment as my cruise control was set on the 110km 4 lane highway. After the highways I had just ridden I did everything in my power to stay on course travelling the shortest distance to home.
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| Montana Route 2 |
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| Flat top Mountains in Montana |
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| Back in the flat lands of Alberta |
Upon arriving on the south side of Edmonton I made it on the Anthony Henday ring road by 9:00pm. One more hour to go as the sun started to set the cooler breeze on my face was a welcoming feeling. I arrived home just after 10:00pm, and after the bike was put back in the shop I replayed the ride in my head. A year and half later as I write this out I still can not contain the smiles this ride has brought me.
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