CANADA
The photo below give you visually interactive access to the
day by day adventures as they are experienced. The commentary
below each photo will enhance your understanding of people,
places and hopeless situations I managed to fall into. Make
sure you read the commentary. They help paint the picture.
You can click a photo or link, or simply scroll down and randomly
pick a photo that tickles your fancy.
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Packing up Camp/ Celebration
High over Arhem land on China (cheap) Airlines
working the home straight - September 2005
After almost two years on the road the time has come to return
Miss Humpalot to her stables for retirement (special thanks to
Carter
Motorsports for the crate effort). My remaining worldly possessions
anxiously await the flight home, freaking out about how they will
adapt to life in a cupboard for four months, whilst I stare out
the window as the sun rises over the Australian eastern realm
pondering re-entry into mainstream society.
Carter Motorsports, Vancouver Canada - September
2005
The mechanic might from Carter Motorsports flex their time clocked
muscles through the motions. They wouldn't even let me help. In
all honesty they probably thought I would slow them down. They
picked and modified the perfect crate to ship Miss Humpalot back
home. The guys at Carter washed her and dragged her down to the
shipping yard. People don't get much nicer than that.
All my belongings in the whole wide world
for the last two years - September 2005
For two years I lived out of two 49litre Aluminium boxes. The
contents of my boxes at the end of the journey: Thermarest bed
roll; Snowgum medic bag; toolkit, hammock and mosquito net, spare
parts, spare waterproof Sea to Summit bag, manuals and maps, 10metres
of rope, fishing line with hooks and weights, cable ties, MSR
Whisperlite stove and saucepans, Katydyn water purifier, bike
pump, useless little pad, blank cds/dvds; tyre puncture kit; throwing
knives; passport stuff; survival knife; broken GPS; more rope;
cap; duct tape; spare lock; waterproof jar; sneakers; spare front
and rear tube; MSR gas bottle; more tools; Dainese bike gear and
armour; tent; sleeping bag; Alpinestars motocross boots; Shoei
helmet; toiletry bag; Powerbook laptop; Ipod; still shot camera.
I sold my video camera in Mexico City to help pay for my engine
rebuild. To see what I started with click
here
Packing my snailshell for home at Matts apartment
in Vancouver - September 2005
I wore my Camelbak
backpack every single day and managed to pack it with at least
seven kgs of crap every single day. I found inside it computer
cords, old watch, sweat band, beef jerky, screwdriver, cam chain
guide, insect repellant, giardia drugs, vitamins, Ipod, old toothbrush,
batteries, spare keys, cap, random business cards and scribbled
paper, mini tripod, book on labyrinths, elastic cord, plastic
cable ties, phone cards, camera filters, cutlery, condom, allen
key, bandaid, chain lube, old necklace, lip balm, a rock from
the Artic Circle, maps, tyre pressure gauge. To see what I started
with click here
Vancouver celebrating the end of the Americas
- September 2005
People are really friendly in Vancouver. There is no racial tension,
whatsover.
Vancouver celebrating the end of the Americas
- September 2005
Canucks seems to have an almost unhealthy obsession with nipples.
Most don't even shake hands. Tweek of the nipples, inversion of
the lips and straight into the conversation.
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British Columbia and the Yukon
Yukon - August 2005
The last vision of the Yukon. The fires blurred every single horizon.
I could see three. In two weeks I saw the blue sky twice. The
rest of the time smoke fogged my lungs and burnt my eyes on an
everyday basis. I even saw a fire spark from nothing to a small
fireball on the road side.
Near Poker Creek, Alaska - August 2005
Just crossed Top of the World Ferry from Dawson City enroute for
the northern most US border, Poker Creek, Alaska. With a population
of two and an elevation of 4127feet. From this elevation I could
see the summer flames engulfing the surrounding countryside in
four different places. I didn't pass a soul for 296 kms.
Crossing the Yukon River on Top of the World
Highway Ferry - August 2005
The northern most ferry service in the Americas, possibly the
world. But I can't be sure of that. Known as Top of the World
ferry.
Dawson City Mud Rally - August 2005
The mud boys hangin out at the annual Dawon
City Mud Rally. 16 year old Mud groupies mauled the fenceline
screaming for their mud encrusted road warriors. Flashing breasts
and downing hotdogs and pop. A fine day out and a welcome introduction
to Dawson City in the northern Yukon. Twas here I met a random
hitchhiker from BC and another Canuck riding the northern realms
on his pushpike (bicycle).
Dawson City Campsite - August 2005
Hitchhiker, pushbiker and motorcyclist formed instantaneous bond.
We returned to camp, bought out all the local food storeand plastered
our faces with Canadian style stew before sliding around the dancefloor
into the northern lights night. Slipped off to sleep at 2am sunlight
still battling with the horizon.
Somewhere near a river somewhere in Northern B.C. where lots of
bears hang out and eat people - August
2005
Awesome view breaking its way through the forest smoke grind of
northern British Columbia. They have fires every summer. Since
I know nothing about bears I found it pretty hard to stop thinking
about one sneaking up behind me Bruce Lee style and smacking my
head right off and skimming it across the icy still water like
a rock..
..carcass running around blind for a few minutes until bear eats
leg below left knee. Spend the next 10 minutes with no head trying
to hop away and falling over rocks and bear paws. Blood lacquering
the surface water across the silent river. The bear snaps my spasmodic
carcass back on-shore with a light backhand. Starting to think
the chances of survial are getting slim. I scramble around the
ground looking for anything and find an eyeball. I pull out my
sewing kit and re-attach it to the thing that attaches onto eyes
for seeing and see, everything upside down. I attached it to the
wrong side. I see the bear sucking the marrow out of my left lower
leg. To my advantage I have an eye mounted like a webcam to my
neck and can run in a straight line with a 360 panaram view. I
I swim like a dolphin witha leg missing and missing head quite
fast across the river. Tomato sauce jet trails are at my stern.
I go live the rest of my life as a tree.)
.. Constantly scanning the horizon and analyse my possible quick
exit options. Damn bears. Left after a ten minute rock skimming
session.
Central Southern British Columbia - August
2005
This is your average elk hanging out with his mates for a feed.
Chewin' the fat.
Central Western British Columbia - August
2005
Local indigenous guy with who discussed the fast change of life,
love of the old days (not that I have many) and hunting. Lotsa
talk about hunting; caribou, elk, mountain goats, bears, etc.
Hes been hunting in the northern BC district for over 60 years.
His family has lived here thousands of years. Handy with a pistol.
Central Southern British Columbia - August
2005
Savouring the flavour of a perfect nights dinner. A can of Cambells
meat and vegetable stew. Lost my Leatherman and had to use my
crappy blunt survival knife that I bought six years ago in Cuzco.
Still got in there. Starving at the time. First night out from
Vancouver en route to Prudhoe Bay. Ate it cold. Next morning tried
to eat a Minnestrone Soup which sucked cold.
Northern British Columbia - August 2005
One of few dirt trails pockmarking the smooth inner lining
of northern BC. Running right along side the last river. Damn
nice.
Central Southern British Columbia somewhere
where restaurants are illegal - August 2005
En route from Vancouver to Prudhoe Bay I pulled off the
road, passing out from my miniscule meals. US Army Survival Manual
reckons bugs are high in protein. So I scraped about 200grams
of butterflys, dragonflys, mosquitos, moths, etc from my screen,
barkbusters, tank, forks, indicators, helmet, pants, jacket, etc,
a little saliva dropping in for a chat, rolled it up in a goey
ball, and fried it up Southern Style. Bitter creamy caramel came
to mind.
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EDMONTON MASTERS
Edmonton Airport - July 2005
At Edmonton Airport I met Wrathchild
(R) and a new man in the hood on my way to the World Masters Games.
Both gents are part of the Monster Pro Wrestling team based out
of Canada. Wrathchild brings black
and bad to a new level . Wrathchild was an awesome individual
whos finishing move is "The Clawslam". He also enjoys
kicking
peoples heads in.
Edmonton City, Edmonton - July 2005
Mountanous carvings all over the city. Large well groomed asphalt
flight paths.
The World Masters Games, Edmonton - July 2005
"Beaut' day down at the track", as they would say. The
sky carved out a fine postcard perfect afternoon.
The World Masters Games, Edmonton - July 2005
The mastermind. Currently located in Edmonton Canada for the World
Masters Games where I saw Ken
Thomas win a gold medal in the handicapped 10K road race. Ken's
unorthodox racing style inspires your vision. While pushing backwards
with both feet, Ken pulls cables to steer a wheel at the rear
his three wheeled chair. His words on his performance "Any
race can be challenging to an athlete. It depends how hard you
push yourself to do the
best time ever."
The World Masters Games, Edmonton - July 2005
Father and son reunite after a 21month separation. First family
member I have seen since leaving home 2003. Good vibes eh? Watched
the man kick up a storm. First time I have ever seen him in an
international competition and he won all three 100, 200 and 400metres.
Had an awesome time.
The World Masters Games, Edmonton - July 2005
World 65-69yr Masters from Japan and India unite for the 4*400metre
relay event. Amazing to see.
The World Masters Games, Edmonton - July 2005
The bravest man on the track is 94yrs old. He took out
the 100, 200 and 400metre events. When asked of his training approach..
"When I git sum time I run around the house a few times.."
Every single event he kept on running straight over the finishing
line and on for another round. Each time someone had to chase
him down the straight to tell him he'd finished. His lucky skull
& crossbones bandana kept the competitors at bay. Admittedly
there weren't any. Check out the video when I save money to buy
a program to edit it for you.
The World Masters Games, Edmonton - July 2005
The three wise men came third, first (pops) and second (l to r)
in the 100, 200 and 400metres. Robert on the right is the current
60-64yr 400metre world record champion.
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VANCOUVER VISITATION RITES
The Chop Shop, Vancouver, Canada, August 2005
One of the heavily tattoo'd Rockabilly boys hanging out front
of The
Chop Shop on Granville with the fine ladies and gents who
gave me a money free Chop. Second haircut in two years. Very thankful.
The Chop Shop, Vancouver, Canada, August 2005
The Choppers inside the Chop Shop.
Carter Motorsports, Vancouver - August 2005
The Honda Master of Carter Motorsports in Vancouver. My bike is
finally flying me all around the place like its supposed to. No
problems since. A few things were a little nasty..
Matt my Canadian buddy's 9th story window
sill, Vancouver - August 2005
My late wheel bearing..
Matt my Canadian buddy's 9th story window
sill, Vancouver - August 2005
0.025 oversize piston gazing out at the window pondering fond
memories of the past. Now his big brother Mr 0.05 has taken a
handle of things life is a different ball game. No more travel,
burning oil on its head for kicks, getting scratched in a fight.
Ring expansion. Oh how he loved his rings.
Matt my Canadian buddy's 9th story window
sill, Vancouver - August 2005
My old hybrid hand welded Chain Gang 530 sprocket/Cheapshit $20
520 sprocket held together all the way from Panama City to Vancouver
and still had room for a good beating. The original Chain Gang
sprocket I have used for the whole journey from Start till Vancouver.
The weld marks still visible like a beating heart. Not. Not. Not
(Littlemore yr10)
Matt my Canadian buddy's 9th story plastic
blow-up mattress, Vancouver - August 2005
My good mate Matt relaxing after a hard day at work. Matt works
part time selling his studly photos to the highest bidder on the
internet. In exchange for his hospitality I gave him a few to
add to his collection. Matt is much better writing stories and
poetry than porn, but hey, anything to scrape some cash for some
travelling..
Carter Motorsports, Vancouver - August 2005
They moved so fast around the garage that I couldn't quite catch
a still picture of anyone inside the mechanics store.
Carter Motorsports, Vancouver - August 2005
The Grandmaster, The Main man and me. The Main man vamped ma whole
bike to ensure it was in good working order before the northerly
adventure. And it hasn't failed me yet. So extremely thankful
to the guys at Carter Motorsports.
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