We spend many hours pedaling down the road and my thoughts wander around fairly randomly (except for the previously acknowledged obsessive thoughts about food). So today’s blog has no coherent theme, emblematic of my meandering thoughts as I ride.

First, the wildlife update:

We have not had any further moments of wildlife- induced terror unless we include a scary biting black fly or two. We did spot a very placid black bear yesterday hanging out near the road contentedly eating something ( berries? grubs? ). It was far more interested in snacking than in us and, after watching us for a bit, just went back to eating.

This apparently kindly bear has restored my faith in “bearkind” and we hope to see more.

The animal that we eagerly anticipate seeing each day is Dougy, the lunch spot mascot.

He sits brightly by the roadside signaling lunch with his flagging tape bandanna. Our only fear about Dougy is that he will not appear!

As I have mentioned on other rides, weather is another of our obsessions. Hot, cold, rain, fog, headwinds, tailwinds… all profoundly affect our day and are a major source of endless speculation. We have had some of each so far except hot weather which we hear much of the world is experiencing this summer. The cold can be challenging but we appreciate not riding in extreme heat.

Rain has come primarily in the late afternoon and over night so we manage to stay fairly dry. Several friends were caught in a hailstorm a couple of days ago…big enough to draw blood on one rider’s leg. Thankfully it was short-lived and Jim and I missed it completely.

Jim “suffering” after a recent ride with fellow rider Ada (Netherlands ).

Fog the next day

We have been quite interested to learn about The First Nation, the aboriginal peoples of this area. We had time to visit a cultural center of the Tinglit people and meet Anyatahash, the chief of the Frog clan and elder.

Such an interesting guy! He shared much about himself and his people. He is 84 yo and served as the first Canadian Indian in the provincial government as Speaker of the House.

We are heading mainly east at this stage weaving in and out of British Columbia and Yukon Territory.

We are heading towards Ft Nelson and Ft St John. There are some long days with lots of climbing ahead so I think I will stop my musings and go roust Jim to eat dinner.

Thanks for riding along!

Beautiful fireweed by the road

The local department store. A long way from Costco

Sign forest in Watson Lake