A big surprise on the side of the road starts our day off with a bang. The day also ends with a bang. A bad kind of bang.

The ride from Haines, AK to Haines Junction, Canada is rougher than expected. I see a wolverine up close at the Kroschel Wildlife Center. Later, haphazard conditions make riding almost impossible.

The bay is surrounded by mountains that are covered in trees and topped with clouds, like they tried to pass through but got tangled in the trees and are stuck in place. I can see wisps of white in and around the tree branches and it does seem that the trees are holding them back. This feels like Alaska. Even the color of the water has changed to an icy blue.

It’s late, I’m in my tent now trying to sleep and listening to the rain. Tomorrow we start riding…and camping. I’m really nervous about the rain. I don’t know what the next three weeks will be like. I’m afraid we are going to get very wet and very cold.

The mountains are black shadows that disappear into clouds. It’s dark and quiet except for the churning engine. Pitch black and we keep pushing up through the dark, narrow canyon. There are lighted buoys in the still water and the captain navigates the boat through the middle of them. Everyone is asleep on the deck chairs around me under the heated lamps of the Solarium. It is very peaceful. I’m on a boat going to Alaska. Crazy Awesome. Read on for more…

Day one of our trip to Alaska. I almost crash on our short drive to Bellingham to catch the Alaskan ferry. Did you know you can set a tent and camp on the deck of the ship?

How do you prepare for a motorcycle trip to Alaska. I had no idea. Mike and I wing it.