On our way from Baker to Elko, Nevada, we planned to take the scenic route around the Ruby Mountains and check out the Lamoille Canyon drive. Mother nature had other plans, and the low visibility due to the ongoing snow storm sent us directly to Elko, saving Lamoille Canyon for a day with better weather. Elko, …
Continue reading Road Trip Wrap-up: Nevada to Utah on Route 80
I'm not sure where we first heard about the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. It could have been when we passed through Durango, Colorado, on a trip to Mesa Verde National Park or an online article. Either way, the prospect of traveling up a narrow canyon on a historical railway appealed to both of …
Despite a relatively early start, the air temperature gauge on the dash of our motorcycle read 104° F (40° C). Even traveling at 75+ mph (120+ km/h) in a mesh suit I was sweating profusely. We were in the middle of southern Montana headed for Beartooth Highway, a 69-mile road that winds through the highest …
When I'm motorcycling, I prefer loop routes that allow for different scenery and experiences. When I was researching route options for our motorcycle trip from Wyoming to Alaska, I came across the Stewart-Cassiar Highway as a more remote alternative to the Alaska Highway on several forums and articles. Reading that this route usually offers less …
When I was researching route options for our motorcycle trip to Alaska, I noticed several ferry ports connected by the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS), including Whittier, Haines, and Skagway that also connected to traditional land-based highways. I filed this information away in the back of my brain and planned a route without the AMHS …
The Alaska Highway was one of the most anticipated routes of our motorcycle trip from Wyoming to Alaska. Built in 1942 and opened for public use in 1948, the Alaska Highway connects the vast wilderness of Northern British Columbia, Yukon, and Alaska with mainland USA and Canada. The route stretches nearly 1,400 miles / 2,250 km …
I've been wanting to ride a motorcycle to Alaska ever since I started to do long-distance touring more than 20 years ago. After quitting our jobs in 2023 to have more time to travel, taking this trip topped my list. (Fortunately I have a partner who goes along with such ideas.) I knew spring/summer 2024 would …
Continue reading Motorcycling to Alaska: Choosing a Bike, Accessories, and Gear
Finding direction and purpose on the road, in the outdoors, and on the page
Finding direction and purpose on the road, in the outdoors, and on the page
Finding direction and purpose on the road, in the outdoors, and on the page
Heather's Compass 