This page was updated October 19, 2007
See 1st page for 2008 trip information
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Scientists and travellers are shocked at the accelerated melting of glaciers. You definitely should plan on joining us soon as the majestic scenery of Alaska may soon be a shadow of their former selves. Just last week, it was reported that out of 60 glaciers in a national park, only 4 remain.
The 6th Annual 2007 Florida/Alaska Motorcycle Benefit Run is being planned as a Key West, FL to San Diego, CA via Tecate, Mexico, then up thru California, hooking up on the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon, then thru Washington State, then up to Hyder, Alaska (points of interest include Bear Glacier, Salmon Glacier (this will be a 2-hour drive up a mountain road to view this huge glacier in all of its majestic glory) and the park where we can view brown and grizzly bears catching salmon), then across Canada to New Brunswick, then down thru Maine, taking an interior route thru West Virginia, Gatlinburg, TN to avoid the congested eastern seaboard.
(The 3-week 2008 trip will include a full week in Alaska for group or individual sightseeing. I plan to do 700-mile daily segments to and from Alaska to give us a full week there. In 2009, this will be the shortest possible direct route to Hyder, AK so bikers who just want to say they drove to Alaska but only have two weeks off can do it!).
Experience from previous trips is causing me to select a more northerly east to west route, taking in Highway 82 from Montgomery, Alabama to Lubbock, Texas. This makes it convenient for bikers from cities as far as St. Louis and Kansas City to join us and at the same time, avoid the storms coming up from the Gulf. (On I-10, I hit sudden downpours and I-10 is congested and BORING). Also, Highway 82 is relaxing, with a good mix of 4-lane divided highway, tree-canopied 2-lane roads, small towns, mom-and-pop restaurants, etc.
I am hoping that this will expose us to just three days (days 5-7) of potential high temperatures (but in a low humidity environment). Last year, we had high heat from Montana all the way through Texas.
Using Reader's Digest and National Geographic resources for most scenic routes, we should take in White Sands Monument and a gorgeous, jaw-dropping beautiful cactus forest in Arizona, then in California, we will take in Pacific Coast 1 north of San Francisco and take in the majestic Red Wood forests. So, at least two days the first week should be short, relaxing drives.
This trip will be approximately 12,500 miles, averaging just under 500 miles a day. You can qualify for the 4-Corner Award thru the SCMA, Southern California Motorcycling Association http://www.usa4corners.org/ . (Leave Key West and get to Maine in 21 days) Tentative start is June 29, 2007. There will be approximately 26 check-in points. Bikers can opt to share a hotel room to save on costs. In 2006, the average cost to bikers sharing rooms was just $27.01 per day, including tax. Please find the link on this website asking what days you plan to be with us and complete that form and return to me. (New May 12, 2007). It is possible for us to accept passengers also.
For the 2008 run, we are accepting bids for us to stop at various places for mini-runs and mini-rallies, preferrably thru SKI HI, the organization we are collecting funds for. We are also looking for five to eight places that want to participate in a POKER RUN where bikers will stop in, shop, and draw a card to win a major prize.
We are also seeking donations of motorcycles, luggage racks, and other accessories to be offered as incentives and prizes.
With feedback from the 2006 group, the 2007 trip will allow you a choice to ride alone or with a group. You can leave at anytime in the morning and arrive at the evening's destination at any time. This gives you the best of both worlds --- riding alone, taking in the sights, doing side trips, or going with a group.
I plan to leave at the times posted. An early start serves three purposes: Avoid rush hour traffic; extra daylight hours in case of problems; and when we arrive at the destination, we may see a new and/or better hotel advertising rates much lower than our destination, so we can cancel the reservation and check in the new place. This gives us quite a few hours of daylight at the end of the day to do motorcycle maintenance, find a nice place to eat, or sample the area attractions. Of course, you can leave any time you please if you want to ride solo or in a small group of like-minded bikers.
Day 1: Friday, June 29, 2007
Key West, Florida to Tampa, Florida
11 a.m. Leave Southernmost Point of the United States
Route: US 1, Interstate 75
Scenic Views: Everglades
Mileage: 419
Recommended Lodging: Super 8 Hotel
321 E Fletcher Ave
I-275 Exit 52
Tampa, FL 33612 US
Phone: 813-933-4545
Day 2: Saturday, June 30, 2007
Tampa, Florida to Montgomery, Alabama
6 a.m. Departure from Super 8 Hotel
Route: Highway 19, Highway 24, Highway 231
Scenic Views: Old South towns, antique capital of Alabama .. Bundridge
Mileage: 486
Recommended Lodging: Super 8 Hotel
2707 East South Blvd
Montgomery, AL 36116 US
Phone: 334-281-4884
Day 3: Sunday, July 1, 2007
Montgomery, Alabama to Texarkana, TX
6 a.m. Departure from Super 8 Hotel
Route: 82
Mileage: 574
Recommended Lodging: Super 8 Hotel
325 E 51st St.
I-30 & US Hwy 59 & 71
Texarkana, AR 71854 US
Phone: 870-774-8888
Day 4: Monday, July 2, 2007
Texarkana, TX to Lubbock TX
6 a.m. Depart from Super 8 Hotel
Route: 82
Mileage: 526
Recommended Lodging: Super 8 Hotel
6510 South Interstate 27
I-27 @ HWY 84
Lubbock, TX 79404 US
Phone: 806-771-8000
Day 5: Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Lubbock, TX to Las Cruces, New Mexico
6 a.m. Depart from Super 8 Hotel
Route: 82, 380, 70
Scenic Views: Roswell is a "UFO" capital ... main destination is the White Sands National Monument .. like colossal waves, the dunes roll across the horizon. A brilliant sparkling shade of white. The Dunes Driveis an eight-mile road and you can explore the dunes .. some up to six stories in height.
Mileage: 352
Recommended Lodging: Super 8 Hotel
3405 Bataan Memorial West
Las Cruces, NM 88012 US
Phone: 505-382-1490
Day 6: Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Las Cruces, New Mexico to Tuscon, Arizona
WE ARE PLANNING A STOP AT THE SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
6 a.m. depart from Super 8 Hotel
Route: I-10, then 180 north to Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument .. then to Saguao National Park for jaw-dropping view of those majestic cactus.
Mileage: 300
Recommended Lodging: Super 8 Hotel
715 West Starr Pass Blvd
I-10 Exit 259
Tucson, AZ 85713 US
Phone: 520-791-9282
Day 7: Thursday, July 5, 2007
Tucson, Arizona to Los Angeles, California
6 a.m. depart from Super 8 Hotel
Alternate Route: I-10 for those not needing 4-corner certification
Route: I-8 for those seeking 4-corner certtification and/or those wanting to go thru Mexico via Tecate and Tijuana, then meet us in Pasadena.
We are not stopping in Pasadena as formerly planned. Dave and Darryl are going NW via a different route. I am leaving to Seal Beach to visit my father.
Day 8: Friday, July 6, 2007
Los Angeles, California to Sacramento, California
6 a.m. depart from Super 8 Hotel
Route: California 99 or I-5, depending on feedback from local bikers
Mileage: 385
Recommended Lodging: Super 8, 216 Bannon St., Sacramento, CA 95814 phone 916 447 5400
Day 9: Saturday, July 7, 2007
Sacramento, California to Grants Pass, Oregon
6 a.m. depart from Super 8 Hotel
Route: TBA
Scenic Opportunity:
Pacific Coast Highway1 and the giant Redwood Trees .. some of which were growing since the days of ancient Rome!
Mileage: Approximately 450
Lodging Super 8, 1949 NE 7th St. (I-5 exitt 58), Grants Pass, Oregon 97526-3405 phone 514 474 0888
Day 10: Sunday, July 8, 2007
Grants Pass, Oregon to Ferndale, WA (new location)
6 a.m. depart from Super 8 Hotel
Mileage: Approximately 515
Lodging : Super 8 Ferndale
Interstate 5 Exit 262
5788 Barrett Avenue
Ferndale, WA 98248 US
Phone: 360-384-8881
Day 11: Monday, July 9, 2007
Bellingham, WA to Vanderhoof, British Columbia
5 a.m. depart from Super 8 Ferndale
Mileage: Approximately 542
Scenic: Fraser River Gorge (and whitewater rafting!)
Lodging: North Country Inn 2645 Burrard Avenue, Vanderhoof, BC V0J 3A0
http://home2.vrweb.de/mcps/northcountryinn/03.htm
Day 12: Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Vanderhoof, BC to Hyder, Alaska
6 a.m. depart from North Country Inn
Mileage: 385
Scenic: Bear Glacier
Lodging: King Edward Hotel (ask for hotel unit ... cheaper than the motel unit! 800 663-3126)
Day 13: Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Explore Hyder and Bear Glacier and view bears fishing for salmon, enjoy a dinner in a vintage hotel in Stewart, BC
Day 14: Thursday, July 12, 2007
Hyder, AK to McBride, BC
5 a.m. depart from King Edward Hotel
Mileage: 558
Lodging: Sandman Inn Highway 16 McBride BC V0J 2E0 phone 250 569 2285
http://www.mcbridehotels.worldweb.com/index.html
Day 15: Friday, July 13, 2007
McBride, BC to Lloydminster, Alberta/Sasketchewan
6 a.m. depart from Sandman Inn
Mileage: 481
Lodging: Ramada Inn, 5610 44th St. (Hwy 16), Lloydminster, Sask phone 780 871-6940
Day 16: Saturday, July 14, 2007
Lloydminster, Alberta to Minnedosa, Manitoba
Leave Ramada Inn 6 a.m.
Mileage: 521
Suggested Lodging: Gateway Motel, 240 Main Street, Minnedosa, Manitoba phone 204 867-2729
Day 17: Sunday, July 15, 2007
Minnedosa, Manitoba to Dryden, Ontario
Leave Gateway Motel 6 a.m.
Mileage: 490
Suggested Lodging: Best Western, 349 Government Streeett, Dryden, ON phone 807 223-3201 or 888 394-BEST
Day 18: Monday, July 16, 2007
Dryden, Ontario to Wawa, Ontario
Leave Best Western 6 a.m.
Mileage: appx 500
Suggested Lodging: White Fang Motel http://www.whitefangmotel.com/ phone 877 399-2672
Day 19: Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Wawa, Ontario to Fort Wayne, Indiana
Leave White Fang Motel at 6 a.m.
Lodging in Fort Wayne: Best Western 5501 Coventry Lane 260 436-0242
Mileage: 556
Day 20: Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Fort Wayne, Indiana to Knoxville, Tennessee
Leave Best Western at 6 a.m.
Lodging in Knoxville, Tennessee: Best Western, 5317 Pratt Road (I-75, exit 108) 865 687-9922
Mileage: 476
Day 21: Thursday, July 19, 2007
Knoxville, Tennessee to St. Augustine, Florida
Leave Best Wesern at 6 a.m.
We will take the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap, with 318 curves in 11 miles.
Mileage: 590
BELOW WAS OLD SCHEDULE
Day 19: Tuesday, July 17, 2007
CANCELLED
Wawa, Ontario to Pembroke, Ontario
Leave White Fang Motel 6 a.m.
Mileage: 539
Suggested Lodging: Travelodge Pembroke 900 Pembroke St East, Pembroke, Ontario, Canada, K8A 3M2 phone 613 735 6868
http://www.all-hotels.com/canada/ontario/pembroke_e1.htm
Day 20: Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Pembroke, Ontario to Montreal, Quebec
CANCELLED
Leave Travelodge 7 a.m.
Mileage: 440
Suggested Lodging: Super 8 Motel 3200 Felex Leclerc
Trans Canadian Hwy 40 Exit 35
Vaudreuil-Montreal, QC J7V 8W5 CA
Phone: 1-450-4248898
Day 21: Thursday, July 19, 2007
Montreal, Quebec to St. Johnsbury, VT via Madawaska Maine
CANCELLED
Leave Super 8 motel 6 a.m.
Mileage: 537
Suggested Lodging: Yankee Traveler Motel http://travel.yahoo.com/p-hotel-387317-yankee_traveler_motel-i;_ylt=AjVCvxz0KEauR8avDqT4rGwBU2oL
Day 22: Friday, July 20, 2007
St. Johnsbury, VT to Williamsport, PA via Syracuse, New York
CANCELLED
Leave Yankee Traveler Motel 6 a.m.
Mileage: 486
Suggested Lodging: Super 8 http://www.orbitz.com/App/ViewSpecificHotelLP?masterId=44747&gcid=C11287x475&tabIndex=0>kw=44747&source=tr&type=l
Day 23: Saturday, July 21, 2007
Williamsport, PA to Gatlinburg, Tennesee
CANCELLED
Leave Super 8 6 a.m.
Mileage: 627
Route: US 15, US 22, I-81 south, I-40 West
Suggested Lodging: Super 8 Gatlinburg
523 E. Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Day 24: Sunday, July 22, 2007
Gatlinburg, Tennessee to St. Augustine, Florida
CANCELLED
Leave Super 8 Gatlinburg 6 a.m.
Mileage: 559
Route: Basically, 441, 19, 74, I-26 East, I-95 South We will take the Tail of the Dragon route.
I am still planning to go to Savannah, Georgia to meet Georgia PINES and SKIHI group at 6 p.m. Saturday July 21 at Lady and Sons restaurant.
My thoughts ... from Grants Pass, Oregon we will ease past Seattle and take the splendid Fraser River Gorge with its many tunnels and white water rafting opportunities. Hyder, AK will be a nice full day's stop. You will love Stewart, BC's historic hotels. Hyder has an observation deck for watching bears feed on salmon. We can go up almost one hour into the mountains on a well maintained gravel road and see Salmon Glacier.
From Hyder, we will take Canadian highways all the way east to New Brunswick. Perhaps we can take in the Bay of Fundy.
After the 4-corner required stop in Maine, we can cut West on US 2 thru New Hampshire, Vermont into New York, and head south via Charleston, West Virginia, Gatlinburg, TN and take the Tail of the Dragon. This way, we will avoid the hot congested eastern corridor and take cooler higher elevations.
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