October 5, 2009

Here is the blog that I typed on Monday while we were in Hythe, Alberta...

We have met a lot of people in the past few weeks – but we will always remember Tom & Judy and their Jack Russell Terrier Dottie. As most of you know Scott is into bikes…and you also know that’s an understatement. In planning for this trip the safe storage of our bikes (I would say only his bike but he knows if something happens to mine he has to fix it) was paramount. If the bikes could be stored outside we wouldn’t be towing a trailer…one of his passions is to fix bikes and of course the trailer enables him to carry his tools and work on the bikes in comfort. He is looking forward to fixing people’s bikes at the different RV parks we will be staying at just to see the joy on their faces when they ride off. Anyway – I digress as usual…last night an RV towing a trailer pulled up next to us and it had a drawing on the back of it with a bike on it – so of course Scott was intrigued. He actually went out and started talking to the occupant (for those of you who truly know Scott you know that was a big deal in itself).

Come to find out Tom owns Denali Alaskan bikes – a bike frame company. After we visited for a while Scott remembered that he had talked to Tom about one of his bikes back in the early 90’s – and Tom remembered the conversation! We had a great time getting to know them and sharing our adventures with them – and theirs with us.

This morning Tom brought over one of his frames – and gave it to Scott! Of course I’m not sure how excited I am because you all know what this means…another bike for Scott to build… I’m kidding – the grin on Scott’s face was from ear to ear and he was so excited he was bursting. So Tom & Judy – we are truly hoping we run into you again and can spend some more time getting to know you! If you decide to go to Ireland let us know – we might go with you!!

We got a phone call from CAT – they said they are on their way out here to get us all fixed up. They also told us that the engine parts are under CAT warranty since the engine is less than 5 years old – and our insurance might pay for part of the transit fees – but we don’t know how much. Hopefully by the time I post this we will be south of here in our RV!

We decided not to go through Spokane – we are a little tight on time with all the problems we’ve had and need to get to Lawton and then on to the Austin area so we can fly back to Anchorage on the 22nd to meet Sydney.

We pray we don’t have any more serious issues...