Day 20

Dreams are answers to questions we've yet learned how to ask

Last night I had 2 bizarre dreams. I've been sleeping REALLY great lately. Amazing how riding all day can really take a lot out of you. So last night 2 things really stuck out in my dreams.

1) I was gigging back home in the band, and David Hasselhof jumped up on stage to sing "beverly hills" freaky!!!

2) I dreamt of an old friend of mine Pheobe and her Dad, Mr. Blessington. We were sitting around their back yard trying to dispose of weeds. I kept trying to get rid of the weeds but was failing. Mr. B had this odd plastic bag, and inside the bag were these mutant bugs that according to the labeling on the bag... could remove any substance, anywhere. I think this bag of mutant bugs were our last resort for clearing out the weeds. Eventually we opened this bag and let the bugs do their thing. It actually worked, and worked good. Though I kept thinking what was going to get rid of the mutant bugs....but I buess thats another dream. At any rate, Mr B said to me. "It's ok George, this will do. Everything is fine. Don't worry" Weird! Now, one thing I need to tell you all is that Phoebe passed away probably over 10 years ago now. I never went to her funeral only for the fact that it became such a hyped up event from people who didnt really know her, that I just couldnt bare to bring myself to go. Years after, i wanted to stop in to her Dads house and pay my respects, but found out that he had passed only a few years after. I felt horrible. I never got to say goodbye to either of them, and now knew I never could. It still bothers me to this day sometimes. Its a horrible feeling. So, was this dream of them, telling me that its now OK? or maybe even, that even though Im dealing with some crap on my trip, that I will be OK? everything will be fine?

Shrug

Today was an OK day. mostly sun. it even almost warmed up to the 70's today! I'm still pretty far up in the NW mind you. The mtns up here are capped with snow and ice.Most places like stores and gas stations and campgrounds are starting to close for the fall season.

At any rate. I got a little rained on today, mostly just a passing drizzle, not too bad. But the day ended sour.

I was about 20 miles from Smithers, which was my destination today, and the bike was overheating. Here...the radiator was So caked with dried up mud, that no air was getting into it to cool it down. So I had to pull over, and scrape off as much of the hardened mud with my hands as I could to be able to keep riding into town. Thankfully I could. Until problem #2 came up.

There is now a HORRIBLE metal grinding sound when i shift gears. Its due from that oil leak. Its not engine oil leaking. its in the primary where the gears all are. The transmission if you will. BIG sigh. This is a big problem. I cant ride any further like this. Thankfully there is ONE bike mechanic here in town. Hopefully I will be able to hook up with him tomorrow to get the bike looked at and hopefully fixed. Though it IS saturday and that's not going to help.

Among other issues. I also need an oil change, and a new rear tire to boot. I also can't stay in the hotel Im at more then just tonight as they have no vacancies. So tomorrow morning I am off to talk to the mechanic, and most likey get ANOTHER hotel room and hope that the bike gets fixed ASAP.

My only other option is to ride 200 miles to the town of prince George where there actually is a honda motorcycle shop. But that might just be pushing it, and risking completley f***ing up my bike. if its not already too f***ed up. And the honda shop is closed sun/mon. So that means im shacked up here for a few days no matter what!

Im now 12 days ahead of schedule, and its all catching up to me. But the bike needs to be taken care of first.

meanwhile, my fingers have been getting so cramped up from holding the handlebars for 20 days straight, that they are pretty painful when left idol. Hopefully its just a stupid cramp, and Im not doing some serious damage to my hands and fingers. But it's truly painful. sux!

What an adventure, aye?

384 miles today

6,456 total miles.

The bike has told me it needs a break. So maybe thats what we're going to do now. Break

Thanks for all your messages again...they really are a bright light out here in the great north west.

Mike: thanks man! that really means a lot! though I still think YOU'RE crazy for riding at 170mph!!!

Gina: I'm in British Columbia right now. It's a province in the North Western part of Canada. Lots of Big mountains, and forests and wildlife.

...and of course I'll sign your guitar :)

Wish me luck!!!