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| Day 1: | Sunday, June 28/2009 | |
| Starting Location: | St. Catharines, ON | |
| Ending Location | Sault Ste. Marie, ON | |
| Distance Travelled: | 517 miles or 832km | |
| | | |
| Gas: | Price/li | $ Amount |
| St. Catharines, ON | $.967/li | |
| Parry Sound, ON | $.969/li | $17.72 |
| Espanola, ON | $.988/li | $12.15 |
Left St. Catharines late due to inclement weather (rain). Overcast all the way, especially north of Barrie & Parry Sound area. No rain until Sudbury bypass where it rained for ten minutes. Misty to Thessalon but no rain. Bike was flawless, grabbing the road in wet conditions, passing transports with no effort. Wish I could take pictures along the way, but I knew I was playing Russian Roulette with the weather.
Will spend a few days in the Soo to visit family. Plan on leaving for Kakabeka Fall near Thunder Bay. Weather is supposed to be a bit wet. 
I have been busy getting ready for the trip, trying to figure out what I will forget. Picked up some excellent maps and books from CAA. CAA would also create a trip-tik for you. Maps are for Northeastern States/Provinces; Northwestern States/Provinces; Alberta/British Columbia; Alaska and NW Canada; and a map of Canada. The books include a TourBook for Western Canada & Alaska and a Campbook for Western Canada and Alaska. The Campbook gives locations and descriptions of campsites. The TourBook is a lot more detailed for descriptions of places, activities, events, descriptions of towns and cities, recommendations on where to stay, eat and visit.For the bike, I changed the oil, using Castrol Grand Prix 10W40. Remember not to use synthetic oil as it could damage the clutch (as per the Goldwing manual and Bob C.). Checked the tire pressure to ensure front tire is at 36psi and rear 41 psi. I am interested in seeing how much life is in these Dunlop Elite 3 tires. Check the coolant. I loaded up my CD player with 6 CD's and also have an mp3 player that sits in the front left cubby. Will also have my GPS in the front left cubby. I placed one of those small multi-tools that comes in a case, in the fuel filling compartment. Jack lent me a portable CB radio which I will attach onto Donna's truck so we can communicate along the way. Did a lot of packing and unpacking, trying to figure out what I need and don't need. As we are mainly camping along the way, I am bringing a 2-man tent, inflatible ground pad; thinsulate sleeping bag; small pillow I bought from CTC that folds into a very small size and expands once unpacked; a mosquito jacket that is very light and compact; Sorel waterproof jacket & pants; my fall riding gloves for cold weather; 2 light sweaters made of synthetic material that wash and dry very easily; a pair of fleece lined bluejeans from Mark's WorkWear that are also water-repellant; a pair of anti-skid shoes for riding; long riding boots; my Goldwing vented jacket with vest; another light vest, as well as socks, shorts, T-shirts, & bluejeans. The clothes are packed into a bag that sits on my trunk rack and in a saddlebag bag. Tent, sleeping bag, ground mat & pillow are stored in 2 wetbags that will be loaded onto the back seat. I'm also going to be bringing a DSRL camera and a netbook.Seems like I'm going for a month....oh yeah, I am!The weather forecast for the next few days is calling for rain. May not be the best start of a vacation, but I guess I have to expect all kinds of weather. Wish me luck.postscript: This trip is about taking a risk and pushing myself to do something that I've talked about and wished about & wanted to do. Life goes by too fast, especially if you don't act on your dreams. I would like you to think of Susan M. The strength, courage and spirit she has exhibited in her personal challenges is an inspiration for all, to make you act on your dreams and live life to the fullest.I have to get my rain gear out.
