Northwest Territories trip

[sirbike]

I left Ohio last weekend.
Rolled through Chicago and the Twin Cities to visit friends and family.
The ride on through Edmonton was just a commuter ride now that I’ve been this way few times. So the ride begins a hundred miles north of Edmonton.
This picture sums up the first few hundred miles.


Then another one for the list.



Things get more interesting farther north. For instance a sign saying bison next 315 km. Saw about 15 or so. I rolled by one about 40’ away. Seems like all they care about is grazing unless you stop too close.

Left him plenty of distance for the picture taking.



There is a notable lack of signs saying last gas for x km. I got 80 miles to the next gas station and it was randomly closed during open hours. A car pulled in for gas. Found no gas, they pulled out a 5 gallon can out of the trunk and poured it in.
About a hundred miles out of Yellowknife the mostly flat straight road through the forest gave way to elevation changes on the edge of the Canadian Shield.
Today was a rest day. Visited parks and took in the scenery east of Yellowknife. This area is on the Shield with many lakes. Make a note, don’t have to go this far to have Ontario type scenery but so glad I did.



I usually make these trips after the mosquitoes settle down. This time, so far, I’ve beat the mosquitoes to these points of interest.
It was cool to see ice in the bay on the lake.



Now to time eat then block the light out. Sunset, 11:26pm.

 

[oude geit]

Nice country up that way. Hopefully going to the NWT in august if all works out. Safe travels

 

[Willsmotorcycle]

Godspeed Frank

 

[Obo]

Lots of pretty stuff up there! (And Canada in general.)

Enjoy.

 

[Sunday Rider]

Thanks for the ride along. Great pics. Is the the same bike you had stripped apart last year?

 

[kiltman]

It’s a great place to explore! That will be one fine accomplishment making it to Tuk on an ST. !

 

[Al st1100]

I'm glad you survived Chicago.

• 1. Interstate 94 (I-94) / Dan Ryan & Edens: Ranks as the highest fatality interstate in the Chicago region and #4 nationally, with 52 fatal crashes over a recent three-year period. [1, 2, 3]
• 2. Interstate 57 (I-57): Ranks as the deadliest roadway statewide overall, with over 100 fatalities recorded over a 5-year span. The 4-mile stretch between Exit 353 and Exit 348 is historically the most hazardous segment in Cook County.
• 3. Interstate 290 (I-290 / Eisenhower): Features 24 fatal crashes in national rankings, making it one of the most accident-prone and dangerous urban corridors in the region. [1, 2]
• 

 

[sirbike]

I got an aviation treat this morning before leaving Yellowknife.
I’m sure most of us remember when airliner jet engines weren’t huge and made a lot of noise.
To see and hear them this morning was fun.



I saw that this Electra was arriving Saturday on flightradar24 but couldn’t get out of the hotel to the airport fast enough to watch it land. It was in for maintenance today so I got a close up look.



They are still flying this old bird. Still the best tool for some of the work up here.



Then on to Fort Providence for the evening.



There are signs of bison and there are signs of bison.

 

[the Ferret]

Very cool

 

[sirbike]

Thanks for the ride along. Great pics. Is the the same bike you had stripped apart last year?

No, the bike that got so extensively stripped down is my silver 2009, the twisties specialist. All new braided lines required the rear subframe and gas tank removal.
I was going to do the same for this bike but got code 25/26 phobia. Bought a 2012 then decided why do this to a low mileage bike.



This one hit 100,000 miles a couple days ago.

If it codes, it’s a non issue for getting home and the ‘12 is ready for the farkle transfer.

 

[sirbike]

Fort Providence to Fort Simpson.
Sounds like the 1800s.

Having second thoughts about doing so much gravel/dirt road. Did a 100 miles of it today.



I had Traxxion set the bike up for maximum comfort and it does ride quite well on the badly pot holed sections of road.
Then there are gems like this.




Then of all the aviation sighting luck I see another Electra at Fort Simpson airport.



A view from the lodging parking lot. A nice breeze is coming across the MacKenzie River.