Frozen!!!

Sorry for not blogging, we've been waiting for our fingers to thaw! Yep, its a balmy 8 degrees in this Canadian summer... read it... 8!!!. Still, we have pulled out the winter gear, including beanies and gloves, and hit the ice hockey last night watching Spruce Grove. Yesterday we went to the Edmonton mall, one of the largest in the world. It even has indoor rolercoasters and a water park (with wave pool). We only saw about 1/4 of it, but half of Alberta was there avoiding the cold snap. Luckily we are near a leisure centre with spas and steam rooms to warm the bones. The other night Shawn cooked us a NZ lamb roast, which was fantastic. Just chilling today. Love and miss you all xoxox B & T

Moving through Montana

Yesterday we drove through Montana stopping at Little Bighorn along the way -- the site of Custer's Last Stand on what is now the Crow Agency Reservation. Montana is surrounded by spectacular mountains and truly is 'big sky' country. There's alot of grain producing land, so we have passed vast, seemingly endless plains of wheat like crops filled with hay rolls. There is sage growing wild and the occassional antelope, but no people. Today we drove through Sweetgrass Montana into Canada and have now arrived in Calgary. Its a little late to see the town (thats tommorrow) but we had a fantastic Vietnamese meal and are ready for bed. The weather has really cooled down, so we've packed the cossies away (for now!). Off to Edmonton tommorrow night, where we will stay with friends. As they say over here, love and blessings, xoxo T & B

Windy Wyoming

The north wind blew the cold into windy Wyoming just as we left. Today we’re on the road to Great Falls, Montana, heading to Canada. Yesterday Bec got to ride in a combine, watching the elk and deer in the pastures. We had elk snitzels and hung out with our friends before saying goodbye. We have had such a great time with Carol and Ron and their family, and were a little teary at the gas station where we had to part ways. Still, we aim to catch them on the return leg to the US in a month or two, which will be fanastic. Oh, for those who have tried to call, we still have no phone service in this region ... its been almost a month so we’ll look to get another one in the interim till we get back down south. Just passed Crazy Woman Creek and the Bighorn Mountains.Miss and love you all xoxox T

Wyoming Ranch

Yesterday we left Sturgis for Gillette, Wyoming. Passed through Sundance, home of the 'Sundance Kid' and arrived at Glen and Nancy's around dusk. Saw deer and antelope along the way, and spent the night relaxing in their hot tub/spa under the endless sky. Bec saw her first shooting star and we got to sleep in the Toy Hauler (think 'Meet the Fockers' rig). This is plains country now, very flat compared to the Black Hills, but beautiful. Off to repair a radiator hose today, and visit the Rockplace Museum xoxox T & B

Wild Wild West

Today we rode through Deadwood -- Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane country -- and we saw the saloon where Wild Bill was shot with his 'deadman's hand' (aces and 8s). The smell of the pine forests was amazing to drive though, as were the lake lands. In the morning the guys tried to teach Bec to ride a motorbike, and all agreed she was better on the 4 wheeler! In the early evening we rode out to the Full Throttle Saloon, which was a sight to behold... biggest biker bar in the world. We're having such a good time we've decided to stay longer and go to a ranch in Wyoming with Ron and Carol. After that we will visit our friends in Canada for a while. Hope to be home early December. The weather has been great, we've avoided all the storms and heatwaves down south. Having a fantastic time! xoxo T & B

Nothin but Good in the Badlands

Wow! Yesterday we drove out to the Oglala Sioux Pine Ridge Reservation in the Badlands (Thunderheart country) with our friends Carol and Ron to stay with the fabulous Col and Joy. We toured their incredible 40,000 acre cattle ranch throughout the canyons and learnt about Sioux history along the way. Its truly beautiful country and we feel incredibly fortunate to be able to stay with such amazing people. The canyons are sunset were just spectacular and we even spotted a badger and some antelope on our 4Wdriving. In the morning Bec went flying with Col, touring the Badlands from the air. She spotted a coyote, snow swan, prairie dogs, chickenhawks and more. They flew over the bombing areas , cheyenne river and coffin butte. The ranch is so peaceful, a welcomed break from the revving engines of Sturgis. On the way back we visited Red Cloud school where there was an art exhibit and Sioux history museum. To top it all, we passed a herd of bison/buffalo (yatanka) on the way home. Each day is full of great new friends and experiences, we are having a blast! xoxo Bec & Tony

Riding Free in Wyoming

Today was a dream come true for Tony, riding in the Black Hills of South Dakota on the Sturgis Wyoming Wednesday run. More than 50,000 bikes descended on Devils Tower in Wyoming and we were one of them! Our fantastic new friends Carol and Ron lent us one of their bikes and we all did the ride together. Sue and Harlin came too, so it was really neat!. Its amazing to ride helmet and leathers free... Tony’s beard curled in the headwind!. This is definately the way to travel xoxo Bec & Tony

Who You Get To Meet At Sturgis

Day three and we have done just about all there is to do in the town of Sturgis, and that's cool as there is so much to do in the Black Hills around the camp and surrounding area. In saying that I got to meet Sonny (Ralph) Barger the World Leader of the Hells Angels. He impressed both Bec and I and he signed a couple of books for me. He has the ability to make you feel like your the only person in the room, nice guy and his wife was sweet as well.
Today we're off to Deadwood and Spearfish along the mountain trails. It is truly beautiful country and where in search of the Bison and Black Bears. Hope to find other places of interest. The Van is doing well and its a little like sleeping in an army rover or an APC at times. I know its a long walk to the toilet at 3 in the morning, you know I improvise like I did in the army.... Back tomorrow. Tony and Becky

Sturgis or Bust!

Four more states in one day (Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota) and we arrived in Sturgis territory. Stopped in Mitchell, South Dakota to see the 3 story high closseum made of corn ... think Royal Easter Show but bigger. We also passed the Badlands on the way into Sturgis, incredibly breathtaking scenery. There were thousands of bikes on the road all the way up the highway, which was an amazing sight in itself. We are now camping with new found biker friends, having a great time. The T&C is a little cramped, but we are making it work. The crowds in Sturgis are phenomenal, lots of stores, bike expos and bars. Its full on and we are greatful we have a place to rest from the crowds and the frenzy, so are getting the best of both worlds, coming back to the camp to yarn and rest. Almost deaf from the harley engines on mass, but who need to hear anyway! xoxoxo Tony & Bec

5 States in 1 Day!

A short stop in Hooters to avoid the Memphis storms and its driving through 5 states in one day! Yep, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas ... on the road to Sturgis. We stopped at the headquarters of the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri (home of the colt M16 and M4 rifles) where they had a live 8ft+ alligator in store (amongst other animals). It’s massive, with an entrance that says for “Fishermen, Hunters and Other Liars”. Drove through the Ozark Mountains and can really feel the temperature change from Florida. Tomorrow we drive to Sioux Falls, then Deadwood, South Dakota xoxo T & B

Destin Florida ...The T & C gets some TLC

Well we are still here in Destin Florida where we have been for the last week. It has given us a rest from the endless roads and Interstates and we have needed this time to recover from travelling from coast to coast, north and south. So this has been a good opportunity to regroup and plan the next legs of the trip. We've found lots of things to keep us occupied -- swimming in the Gulf of Mexico was just a start. This is a very busy part of the USA as the summer school holidays are on, so the place is packed. Our friend Alan comes home tomorrow and we're looking forward to that as he is a hoot. Hopefully he can show us his Destin. We've met some real nice people as well. Man we have to make big distance on the road from Wednesday for the long trip north, as we need to be in Sturgis so we can get to see Bob Dylan and Guns and Roses. So I intend to move heaven and earth to get there on time and then we will be able to update from the road again. We hope to have some noteworthy news soon ... Tony and Bec Lost in the USA