Tuesday

Russ and Lisa were gone by the time I woke up. Actually I heard them but chose to catch up with my sleep. Losing an hour due to the time change and having my dad wake me up at 6:40 the previous morning left me a bit sleep deprived ... oh ya and texting my girlfriend till 1 the night before. All is good, motorcycle trips are generally very full. The contemplation and rest can happen while you are putting the miles beneath the tires.

I packed up in the gentle rain. I was hoping the day was not going to be full with rain. Forecast was for scattered showers. I put in the liner in my jacket anyway as I was okay with being wet, just not cold and wet. I chose not to bring rain gear. If you have ever travelled on a motorcycle you will know that if it is really raining there is no way to stay dry, rain will find a way through your suit and reach your core. The key is to find a way to stay warm, that or call it a day and stay at a cheap motel. The last 3 trips with my other sons we have had spectacular weather, no significant rain and we have not had to resort to staying in a motel. Camping every night (when we were not staying with family or friends)

I filled up with gas on my way out of town. I had planned on taking the yellowhead but Russ suggested going to Regina and connecting with the #1. It was much quicker. While I wasn't a big fan of quickness the sky helped make up my mind. To the East it looked dark and rainy. The south looked brighter, so I pointed my bike towards Regina. Turns out the rain stopped a few minutes later and held off the rest of the day. Cool and overcast, another perfect riding day.

This new route also took me out of the rut of the past thoughts of the day before. This route was unique and new. My thoughts drifted more freely to future oriented plans. I also saw a new road side monument and decided to drive my bike through the dirt and take some shots parked next to it. (Russ would be proud that I could take my heavy ladened street bike full of gear, through a field and up a rough dirt path) No root jumping however and I almost dumped it when I tried to turn around on the dirt mound.

 Pizza was on the agenda for lunch in Regina.

While I was stopped for lunch I noticed the hard bags were partially open. I didn't want the case to break open at high speed, so I added a luggage strap to reinforce it. (I had decided that the plastic hinges needed to be replaced) I will see if I can pick up some hinges at the Winnipeg BMW shop.

Speaking about future plans, I think River and I will go out to the farm at snowflake. I would love to show him around and maybe we can even do a dry run and camp out on star mound. There is an old school house that my dad went to that is now the home to a small park with a pit toilet and old baseball field. Apparently my parents had the same idea and River had visited their the day before. I think we may still go for a visit.