Always see to the horses!  Nice and snugged away in my friendly (as in friend’s house in Kenora) B&B in a “strictly BMW garage”. 

So this is my notification that day one of my mini Odyssey was successful. 610 Kilometers today, ending in Kenora but the very first leg was from home to the US border package station where I got my replacement windscreen and mirror and safety airbag vest. This was all needed due to my crash in the remote wilds of Northwestern Ontario (if you didn’t read about that one, I think it’s on the June 1 or 2 updates). That experience was part of what I’ll call my “driving tough roads - a literal crash course”.

One benefit of stopping across the border to the US is it ensured I’ll bring my passport, which may come in handy if I decide to visit Alaska when I’m in Yukon.

So after a day on the road, I made it to Kenora where I met with a colleague who extremely graciously offered to put me up for the night — no tent required!

Today’ visit to Ryden’s, just across the border in Grand Portage Minnesota, where US packages can be picked up (and sent) was highlighted by the aforementioned resurrection of Bellicose Babe, I replaced the windshield (Touratech Windshield is nearly the complete price I originally paid for the bike) and the mirror and the replacement Airbag Vest as I mailed my first one to California for refurbishment:

The trip included a bit of nearly everything: Sun, warmth, coolth, wind, some rain. But was overall a beautiful day for driving. 

Of course I ran out of gas because I “thought” I could make it to the gas station

Fortunately I had a backup plan: the fuel left over from my Black Sturgeon Experience. My low fuel light doesn’t work but the odometer should warn me?!

Funny, All streams flow north from this point on (the Atlantic / Arctic watershed) and me too!

Although I didn’t take a photograph, I encountered what appeared to be an accident near Dryden, where they were about 15 motorcycles on the side of the road. One of the riders appeared to be on the stretcher to be lifted into the ambulance that was there. It was a grim reminder that when things go bad on a motorcycle, they can go really bad. 

When riding many hours on a motorcycle, you have a lot of opportunity for exploring your thoughts. Just prior to encountering this crash on the Trans-Canada Highway, I was thinking about all the people I bring with me in my head wherever I go, those who have passed on and exist only in memories now. 

What do we think about as we’re riding, lots of time in our own heads? My good friend Ludolph, who died in 1994. My father died the same year. A very old friend from high school, Greg, who I recently heard died several decades ago. How many work colleagues: Tom, Mike, Peter, Jim. Sherry. My cousin, Andreas. All departed before their time. Perhaps I can honor them a little bit by remembering them. You have lots of time to think, riding for hours on a motorcycle.

There is a lot of exposed granite on the Trans-Canada Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Kenora:

I’m finally about to leave Ontario. Tomorrow’s Goal: Brandon, Manitoba.  Points West. And then North.