I LEFT PAGE THIS MORNING AT 6 AM AND HAD A VERY PLEASANT AND COOL RIDE UNTIL ABOUT 40 MILES FROM HOME. THEN MY FIRST REAL EXPERIENCE OF PHOENIX SUMMER FOR THIS YEAR OCCURRED.

WELL, WHAT WOULD YOU EXPECT. IT WAS PRETTY WARM BUT IT FELT GOOD TO BE HOME.

I HAVE HAD A WONDERFUL AND FUN TRIP AND IT IS NICE TO BE HOME, EVEN IF IT IS JUST TO BATHE AND PREPARE FOR ANOTHER .

THE SCORE

  1         AROUND 12,300 MILES OF TRAVEL. ABOUT 2000 OF THAT GRAVEL.

  2        NO FLATS NO FALLS

  3        1, 6 INCH EASTERN BROOK AND 1, 11 INCH ARCTIC GRAYLING

  4       12 BLACK BEARS INCLUDING 2 CUBS NOT BUT WEEKS OLD.

  5        6 ELK, ALL STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

  6        10, CARIBOU, ALSO ON THE ROAD.

  7        1,  PRONGHORN [ ANTELOPE ]  IDAHO.

  8        TOO MANY MOUNTAIN SHEEP TO COUNT

  9         1, COYOTE

  10       TOO MANY BISON TO COUNT

  11        2 SETS OF TIRES

  12       4 OIL CHANGES

PLUSES

1. 1.LOTS OF SUNSHINE AND A BIT OF RAIN.

2. 2.JUST ENOUGH MUD

3. 3.DISCOVERING CANOL ROAD

4. 4.VISITING FRIENDS AND FAMILY

5. 5. MEETING GREAT PEOPLE ON THE ROAD

6. 6. MEETING THE CANADIAN RIDERS, THEY SURE DRINK LOTS.

BUMMERS

1    BILL BREAKING HIS RIBS.

2    HAVING TO CHANGE THOSE TIRES MYSELF.

3    NOT DISCONNECTING THAT SIDE STAND SWITCH.

4    SEEING THAT BATMAN MOVIE.

5    NOT GETTING BY TO SEE THE OATES.

6    NOT GETTING BY TO SEE TANYA AND FAMILY.

7    HAVING MY CHAIN BREAK ONLY 300 MILES FROM HOME.

8.   NOT CATCHING ANY FISH.