Up early today.  Picked up a cough and didn’t sleep too well.  That cough carried on most of the day, and culminated by my encounter with a Canadian Border guard whom I will refer to Officer Labatts.  More on that later.

I was on the rode by 830ish.  Cloudy skies, cool.  I was heading north.  About 350 miles in total.  Fuel stops were on my mind.  Not many towns, or anything the farther north you go.  Great riding.  Low traffic.  Scenery expansive.  Speed Limit 70.  I was staying in the 60-65 range.  Mainly because I had to flip my windscreen on my helmet up to cough.  Enjoying the ride.  Sun came out as I got further north and the morning progressed.

First gas stop was Miles City, MT..  I stretched my legs, breakfast snack and hopped onto I-94 east for 30-40 miles.  I-94 followed the Yellowstone River along that stretch and it was actually very breathtaking..

Exited shortly on one of Montana’s ‘Back Country ByWays’.  Crossed over the Yellowstone River.  I tried to get a picture but was unable to find a suitable turn off.  That’s even after going across it a few times.  Oh well, you’ll just have to take my word for it.  I blasted north.  A couple of more fuel stops.  Scenery was impressive, vast, empty and sometimes very monotonous.  Miles upon miles before you would see a house.  Look at one of the pictures below for about 2 hours and you’ll understand.  🙂  Don’t get me wrong, it was pretty.  Probably because I wasn’t feeling 100% chipper.

Passed through the great Fort Peck Indian reservation.  Pulled into Circle, MT.  100 miles south of the border.  I had just crossed the Missouri River, was going to get a pic but rain was starting to move in.  I put covers on the luggage and rain pants on.  I spent about 45 minutes here hoping the bulk of the storm would pass by.

Got up to Scobey, MT.  15 miles south of the border and fueled up.  Quite of few gas stations in this area are pre-pay only.  No attendants.  Pumps and tha’ts it.  In the last 100 miles I rode out the storm cell.  I took off the rain gear and stowed the luggage covers.  This is in the middle of nowhere.  The two pics below are less than 2 miles from the border crossing.  I hadn’t seen another vehicle north or south bound in quite a while.

Pulled into the US crossing and they stop you.  Passport.  Questions.  Weapons?  What am I doing here? How much cash?  He open my tail bag quick to look.  The other officer was running me through the system, calls out – ‘He’s fine’.  I was released with a smile and reminded to stop at the Canadian side.  They must have known.

I idled up to the Canadian border station.  It looked like it was empty.  I pulled up under the canopy, shut my bike off and was taking off my helmet.  Officer Labatts literately came hustling out asking me what I thought I was doing?  Didn’t I see the sign?  I turned around and about 15′ behind me was a stop sign.  An apology did not suffice.  I had to learn to obey signs.  That without exaggeration had to have lasted 2 minutes.  He would have directed me over to the window.  Now get over to the window.  So I took two steps to the left of the bike to the window..  He walked behind the window.

It was surreal.

Then the questions.  What am I doing here?  Just touring.  Thats all you do?  Why would you come here?  Never been.  You realize there are nothing but small towns?  That’s what I do.  What do I do for a living?  Retired.  Before?  Govt Affairs and Law Enforcement (I thought I would throw that in).  Do you have any weapons with you?  No. Do you have any weapons at home?  My old service weapons.  Do you ever travel with your weapons?  No.  When was the last time you left your house with your weapon?  Long time.  How long in Canada?  2 or 3 days.  Not sure.  I will ask you again (getting quite upset) how long will you be in Canada?  2 or 3 days.  Not sure what you want me to tell you.  When I’m tired, I stop.  When I am not, I ride.  He had a hard time grasping the wandering concept.

20 minutes of questioning.  Mind you. Not another car either way during that time.  I am leaving out a lot but you get the idea.  To be fair, a remote border crossing used by anyone other than locals should arouse suspicion.  He matter of factly sent me on my way.

So there I was.  The 49th Parallel.  The great dividing line between two nations.  There is even an early 1940’s war propaganda movie with that name.  Raymond Massey I think.  Scheming Nazi’s taking advantage of the kind and welcoming Canadians.  You get the idea.

50 miles to Assiniboia.  Oh yeah– Why did I pick that town?  It was in bold on the map.  Usually means there is some sort of commerce there.  Motels, bars, etc..  You realize there is only 1,500 people there?  That’s what I do.

Bad roads for the first 30 miles.  Speed kept down to 45-50.  Speed limit 90kph (55).  Got to town.  Officer Labatts was right.  Not a lot here.  Checked in.  Went to a local grocery store for some cough stuff.  Can’t sell any of the good stuff unless a pharmacist is present – it was Sunday.  Bought cough drops.

Showered, got something quick to eat at the bar next store.  Sat out.  Note the liquor store and motel check in.  7p it started raining again.  Tried doing the blog but still feeling crappy so went to bed.

The first half of the night was not fun.  Coughing, wheezing etc.  At one point I got up and started googling clinics or whatever in the area I could dodge into quickly tomorrow.  Checked weather, still raining. About 2a, what ever I had pretty much stopped.  Got some sleep.  Up at 630ish and went next door to the restaurant for the breakfast that is included w the room.

I am feeling pretty sparky again.

Rain has stopped for a few hours so I am going to load and scoot.  Plan is to head east to Manitoba, then drop back down to North Dakota and pick up US Rt 2, which will take me all the was to northern MI.  About 3 days, then 300 miles south to home.  Currently plan is Friday.  5 more days on the road.

Life is good.