Day 17. Dawson Creek BC to Stony Plain AB (Home).

Next morning I was dreading going to start 'Gertie', I wanted to complete the trip on my bike, not the back of a bloody trailer! We packed up all our bags one last time, checked out of our last hotel and went into the car park. I was quite hesitant about putting the key in the bike, my mind was racing with the options. I turned the key, wound back the throttle, hit the start button - nothing, BUGGER!!!!! I tried a second time, still nothing. With my heart now sinking into my riding boots, I tried a 3rd time and she spluttered into life, not without a little help on the throttle from me.

Once started, I vowed not to switch her off until we got home. I left her running while we loaded, then led Wendy out of the car park. We both needed gas, neither of us could make it to Grande Prairie (GP), so we stopped in the little town of Pouce Coupe! I used a spare key to open the gas tank and refuel. There was only low Octane regular fuel available, so I only partially filled up. That done, on we rode to GP. Nothing to say here really. We were now out on the northern Prairie, no mountains to see and none for protection. The wind came whistling in from the east and battered us both on the bikes. Not so bad for Wend on 3 wheels, but I was getting hammered. At least it wasn't raining and the temperature was a lot warmer.

The road out of GP to Edmonton is all dual highway, and one I know very very well. The only benefit to this was that we could set a good pace! But as we saw earlier, the police were out in force, so we had to be careful. On the way into GP, an impatient woman driver dove in between Wendy and I, into a space that quite frankly wasn't there! She then hung on my tail for a while, but there was no real place to pass. Eventually she had to overtake - couldn't possibly sit behind another bike. So past me she shot, well WELL over the speed limit. I remember thinking, I hope the cops are about, she is bang out of order. Ahead of me I saw a white car pulled off the road. Idiot woman in car recognised it for what it was moments before the 'Blue & Reds' were lit!!!!!!!! It felt so good sailing past while she was about to get ticketed!!!

On we rode, pulling into another well known spot for me - Fox Creek. This because it was a Greyhound agency, and a regular stopping point for this route. We pulled on the gas station forecourt, again Wend needed fuel not me, so I left the bike running. As well as fuel, Wend was in much need of a break, she was getting very tired. Just as we had decided to make a move, 'Gertie' coughed and spluttered, then died! I had noticed the temp gauge rising, but I was surprised at this, given that it wasn't that warm out. Wendy had got a bit 'vocal' as the bike spluttered, "get on quickly, ride round, I'll catch you up"........... The it died. I however didn't have helmet, gloves etc on, plus stuff in my hands. Quite how I was to perform this riding miracle, I don't know. Anyway, fully booted and spurred, I stabbed at the started button, she spluttered into life and off I went. Next stop Sangudo south of Whitecourt for a last suck of fuel.

Once again, nothing of interest or note for this leg of the journey. It was still bloody windy, not pleasant and now we were both starting to tire as the end of the journey came into sight. We rode into and out of Whitecourt, another Greyhound agency stop, so a town I'm well familiar with. The wind was still blowing, but generally from behind us, so no real problem. Sangudo is a small town standing above a river valley, and once again, has a Greyhound agency. The small store just outside of town also has gas pumps, so we made our last refueling stop for 'Sydders'. I kept 'Gertie' running, no mishaps this time.

There was now a little over an hour left to ride and home. We came to the end of Highway 43, and joined the Yellowhead heading east. Our turning was only a few miles down the road, and I'm so glad it was. The traffic for this part of the world, was very heavy, every other vehicle an RV. I was quite happy to see Range Road 13 come up, and we left the Yellowhead for the 1 mile run to home. Two left turns later and we swung into the drive and up to the garage. That was it then, adventure over, we were home safe and sound. How we wanted to turn round and do it all over again................