Why are we in Spokane and not Alaska to finish this journey? Great question.the prescribed route had us going through one border crossing. Well, by the time we got there many riders had already crossed or attempted to cross in front of us. The Canadian officials had alreadynturned away a number of riders for various reasons and asked us to wait around the border before heading further into Canada. Mark and I did not see the purpose and decided to forego this border crossing and head tomthe next one over. It was a beautiful ride along lake Libby anyway so why not, we r not going to win, and we would like to push to the finish to help the winners cross. Rather than sit idle, we decided to go to another crossing. Well Canada has become more sophisticated since I last visited. We get to the border, wait in line, talk to the border patrol who ask us if we are part of this race. We politely say, not anymore, we are just trying to get to the finish at our own leisurely pace. They tell us to pull into the inspection area and asked us to sit down inside while they tear apart our bikes looking for illegal substances. Half an hour later and with our stuff littered all over the parking lot, they explain to us that "border shopping", the act of going to more than one border crossing, is illegal and that they could arrest us for it. Furthermore he did not believe that we were going to go at a leisurely pace through his fair country and that lying to a border agent is a jail able offense. So he gave us a piece of paper that said were allowed to leave the country and that if we try another border they will throw us in jail. So in the end, we got kicked out of Canada. A very anticlimactic end to this epic adventure. (yes it was part of plan A). Although we were thrown out of Canada, Mark and I would like to thank Santa Maria Harley for putting two amazing bikes together, all of the people that supported us on this ride, and especially my mom for supporting us at checkpoints with food, help, news and love.
We will post pictures once we get home to real computers. I warn that there are not a lot as we did not spend a lot of time taking pictures. And we will post some sort of wrap up.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:W Main Ave,Spokane,United States
Undoubtedly a conspiracy that reaches to the highest levels. I have no doubt that the organizers found out the true identity of Kevin and Mark, aka “SHOWTIME and NIGHT RIDER” and realized what a threat they posed to the rest of the mere mortals attempting such a daunting undertaking. They clearly spared no expense in an effort to deter, discourage and demoralize our intrepid adventurers at every turn. I demand a congressional oversight committee be established immediately to investigate this obvious travesty of justice…or not.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I’m sure we all share your disappointment of not being allowed to complete your adventure. Reading your BlogSpot post was like reading an Indiana Jones diary only your exploits were real and live. Your efforts made us proud. It sounds like you guys had a fabulous time and you probably have a lifetime of stories to tell. We can’t wait to hear them. We’ll understand if you want to get some sleep first. Oh yeah, go ahead and shower and change clothes too…really.
WELL DONE..
ReplyDeleteat least you both had a interesting adventure ..
that's why thar ain't any Mexicans in Canada giddy up
I've re-written the words to Canada's National Anthem. The title is not 'O Canada' but 'F Canada.' However I need to ask Mark's permission to put it on line...Mark's Mom, Kevin's old lady friend.....
ReplyDeletePermission granted....
ReplyDelete"F Canada" (sung to the tune of "O Canada!")
F Canada, your home and nation suck,
Your welcoming love in all our thoughts is f-----.
With judgment true, you saw our sons,
Their honesty denied.
'Border shopping' was your charge to them,
You stood your ground, not once, but twice.
God keep your land free of all bikes,
No Harley Davidson's shall ride through thee,
And Indian spirits won't bring peace to thee.
cTrudy Williams 2010