TODAY, I HAD A GEORGE BUSH WEATHER DAY, RAIN AND MUD.

I LEFT COLDFOOT AT 7 AM AND DID NOT GET 20 MILES WHEN IT BEGAN TO RAIN.

JUST NORTH OF COLDFOOT IS ATIGUN PASS OF THE BROOKS MOUNTAINS  RANGE AT 4700 FT.

THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH AND VERY SLIPPERY. I LEARNED TODAY THAT IF YOU KEEP YOUR SPEED DOWN TO 30 MPH OR SO, IT CAN BE MUCH EASIER AND SAFER, IMAGINE THAT, LIVE AND LEARN.

THE ENTIRE 240 MILE ROAD WAS WET DUE TO RAIN, DRIZZLE OR PREVIOUS RAIN.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ONCE I CROSSED THE BROOKS RANGE, THE ROAD WAS VERY GOOD

ALLOWING TRAVEL OF AROUND 55 TO 60 MPH.

I MANAGED TO COVER THE 240 MILES IN 5 HOURS 15 MINUTES.

BY KEEPING MY SPEED TO LESS THAN 60 MPH, I WAS ABLE TO RIDE THE ENTIRE ROUTE WITHOUT USING THE 1 GALLON OF EXTRA FUEL I CARRIED.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS ROAD SO WELL MANICURED AND IN SUCH GOOD SHAPE.

A HARLEY OR GOLD-WING WITH THE PROPER TIRES COULD HAVE EASILY MADE THE TRIP.

I ENJOYED IT SO MUCH I WILL NOW TURN AROUND AND RIDE BACK TO COLDFOOT, AS THERE IS NO ROOM AT THE INN.

THE DACATI 990 ABOVE WAS RIDDEN BY A YOUNG MAN FROM SEATTLE. THIS IS THE MOST UNLIKELY AND LEAST CAPABLE  MOTORCYCLE TO SEE ON SUCH A ROAD, IT IS MADE FOR GOING FAST ON WELL PAVED ROADS. HE DID MANAGE TO DROP IT ON THE GRAVEL AND DO CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. HE SEEMED TO BE ENJOYING HIMSELF. OH, TO BE YOUNG AGAIN.

40 YEARS AGO THIS DATE, I BEGAN MY AIRLINE CAREER WITH AIRWEST AIRLINES, EVENTUALLY BECOMING NORTHWEST AIRLINES.