KRATZMC

Saturday May 29th, 2010, Hyder Alaska and “Hyder Seek”

View of the King Edward Hotel, Stewart, B.C.

Downtown Stewart, B.C.

Saturday was a day to relax, having reached our goal but we had to make our appearance in Hyder official. Merritt and I rode our motorcycles the 2.9 miles from Stewart to Hyder and the Sea Alaska Motel to register our arrival. As soon as you leave Stewart you follow the coast line along an estuary and protected bay, which is the Port for Hyder. It was low tide so the only ship in the harbor a large freighter, was partially grounded in the mud.

Harbor at Hyder during low tide.

As you near Hyder, you can see the Canadian Border Check Point on your left and as you enter a right hand curve. As you come out of the curb, the entrance to Hyder is right there and the pavement ends abruptly.

Welcome back to the USA and Hyder. You can see where the pavement ends. You gotta remember to bring your passport to get back to the Hotel in Canada.

The Sea Alaska Inn, destination for Long Distance Riders. Its a bar, Motel with Wi Fi, diner and social center for Hyder.

Iron Butt Humor?

I rode out onto the wooden pier, to as far west as one can ride in Hyder.

Around the bend is the Pacific Ocean.

After returning from Hyder, Merritt went exploring on his GS. I was content to do my laundry and work on my Blogs and relax. I took a walk around Stewart and visited the History Museum but it was closed. Apparently Museum season isn’t until July, in case you decide to visit.

The Old Fire Station in Stewart and now the Museum. It was closed.

An old recoilless rifle, used to loosen snow packs and a stress in the prevention of Avalanches.

Bob Hole talking with Cletha Walstrand from Utah, as Bob Shelton and Merritt Francies listen in. Cletha is new to Long Distance riding. We learned today that she totaled her Gold Wing in Alberta, after hitting a deer. She is apparently injury free but has to go shopping for a new machine.

There were about 85 to 90 actual riders who made it to Hyder Seek. 6 riders successfully completed the Iron Butt’s “48 States Plus” ride.

After an informal dinner, there was acknowledgment of those who completed the 48 States Plus ride and some oral history of the ride itself and a group picture to be mailed out.  For those who completed the 48 State ride, they can get Hyderized courtesy of Ron Ayres, or you can pay to get Hyderized yourself. I elected not to get Hyderized because I knew what it entailed.  I won’t tell you. If your curious enough, you can add it to your bucket list and find out for yourself.

If you come to Hyder for “Hyder Seek” there is no fanfare, no events, just a gathering of those who love to ride. A place they can gather and have a meal in the company of others, who share the passion of riding. When you leave here, you have only the sense of accomplishment, a new shirt, some new stories to tell and bragging rights of one of the most radical ride to eats you can do.

With our mission accomplished in Hyder, Merritt and I thought about our route home. To Vancouver, via the west coast and down the entire west coast and back to Texas. With our time constraints over, we would be able to do the remainder of our ride without a schedule. We will try to ride a minimum of 300 to 500 miles a day, so we can stop an look at shiny stuff laying along side the road.

So on Sunday we will ride for about 300 miles and try to find a place to camp, since we hauled our camping gear all that way.

We said good bye to our old friends and new friends. As quickly as they appeared from all directions of the compass,  tomorrow all the riders will disappear in the same manner. As it stands right now, I will repeat this pilgrimage next year. There is nothing like it.

Burgers, Dogs and Beans.

Joe DeRyke of Campbell, Ca. Joe is the epitome of an “Old Salt” and tough as nails for being 70 plus. Joe rode this Suzuki 250 all the way to Hyder with plans to go further. If you ever ridden far, or have ever ridden a small bike like Joe’s, only you will understand what I am talking about. Joe’s piston rings were going out but he is fixin and riding. Joe says as long as it starts, he’ll be riding. It did start and Joe did ride.

Stewart BC, Canada to Hyder, Alaska, USA….2.9 miles.

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