I broke 2000 miles yesterday, and we both continue to run great. We landed in Lake Francis, BC.

Meticulous Order

I am meticulous around where I put items during the trip. For example:

When in civilian clothes, jacket items move to the shorts in identical distribution, and the room key is added to the right pocket. Whenever I return to the room, I empty my pockets onto a table, which I identify as soon as I check into a room. Items are distributed into their pockets whenever I leave the room.

Before I leave the room for the last time, I walk around, no matter how certain I am that I packed everything away. No item is ever allowed on an unmade bed, because it gets lost too easily.

Whenever I start riding, in the morning, or after a break, I check twice that all my jacket pockets are closed. Every morning before riding for the first time of the day, I walk around the bike to check that all three cases are firmly attached.

And Yet!!!

When taking off from my last stop I left my wind breaker in the motel room. It‘s dark blue, so it blended in. But, no excuses. Discipline broke down.

I recover from the disappointment in myself, and look up sporting goods stores in Prince George, because I am going to ride through there. Not so bad, since I need one additional long sleeved shirt anyway. The windbreaker I brought was likely not large enough to fit comfortably over my riding jacket. See how I work with disappointment in myself here? Don‘t want to overdo it, does one?

The sporting goods store has lots of cammo clothing, and a few rifles. I have a long lamentation session with two of the guys behind the counter, about how government is getting further and further into our private decisions, such as buying fire arms. They were a bit shocked about the month of California wait times. In fact, when I mention California, they almost hugged me in empathy. It‘s the worst down there, isn‘t it?

But, I learned this: firearm regulation power rests with the federal government in Canada, not with the provinces (where it belongs, obviously). And the store is not allowed to sell handguns. Only rifles up to a certain firepower. Including semiauto rifles. But handgun ownership is legal.

„This prohibition came in after we got that one…“

Trudeau here in rural BC is to guns as Trump is to democracy. It‘s all relative, see. What‘s ‚orange‘ to us, is ‚that one‘ up there. We do not say the name out loud.

I buy a light parka and a non-cammo shirt, and leave the store with a glimmer of cheap triumph. I mentioned to the guys my live-fire training with Kvir, the Israeli instructor. Very satisfying to see their faces light up in admiration.

And this is where it happens. Basking in the warm feeling of being top gun, I decide to save myself the time for opening the bag in the tail case, and stuff the shirt into the case, on top of the bag inside. I then neglect to latch the case.

At the final gas station, 150km later, a couple comes up to me:

„We were behind you, and you lost your shirt about two miles back.“

I ride two miles back, but nothing. Maybe a truck has my shirt wrapped around one of its many axles.

And that‘s what happens when discipline crumbles.

Intalian

I usually have a thread in mind when I start writing. But the guideposts eluded me today. So, let‘ s continue with an oddity.

Motel after motel through British Columbia was run, or at least attended to by (East) Indians. Mine here in Lake Francis is an example.

The restaurant is part of the motel. The motel is Cataline Motor Inn, and the restaurant is Tony‘s restaurant. Check out the two sides of the menu.

The motel and restaurant is owned by an Indian family. Heavy accents, and great Indian cooking! Very strange out here. It’s -20 to -30deg C here in Winter. But I found out how it works.

The Crisis Center

This town of 1000 has a crisis center (from afar for context, and close up). It‘s the only one in the 450mi distance between two larger towns.

I stopped in, and talked to the crisis attendant of the past seven years. She is in her 60s. Used to work for a mine that was operating there. When it closed, she worked for the sawmill, until they went to day shift only. Some courses as an assistant nurse, and now she deals with this town, and surrounding ones. Everything from schizophrenia, depression, to rape. She will drive two hours each way with a rape victim for a rape kit examination.

When someone‘s bill comes due, and they are too scared to visit the bank, Donna, the crisis center woman will go with them.

I asked Donna about the many Indian motel, grocery, and fast food workers. Turns out there are agencies with whom you contract. They deal with papers and housing. But you then need to stay with the sponsoring business for three years.

My motel people are a bit different in that they own. They seem to have settled, but one of the (also Indian) part time help is a bit more cynical about Lake Fraser. When she saw me set out for the museum (and the crisis center along the way), she commented:

„Out top explore Lake Fraser???“

And when I asked her what was playing on the large TV in the dining hall, she explained:

„It‘s America has Talent on a You Tube loop. It keeps them entertained.“

She was unaware of the museum 5 minutes away on foot. Her English was better than that of the motel owners. I‘m not sure she will stay for terribly long after her contract expires.

Native Americans/First Nations, and Germans

You may have heard that Germans are fascinated with Indians (of the Americas). There are a number of reasons. But I found one more at the town museum. This legend of local Indians could easily be out of Grimm‘s Fairy Tales:

The Museum

I thought I would extract a trove of information from the museum attendant. She was a third year Psychology student, who grew up in the town, and is back from college for this summer job. I am unsure whether she had ever browsed the three-room exhibits. She was very nice, but knowledgeable is not the word that springs to mind. One of the museum‘s attractions is that it is housed in a well replicated log cabin building. The logs that make up this building are whole, i.e.. ,round.

Andreas: „I read that in some designs they cut the logs in half, length wise. Have you seen that, or know about the pros and cons?“

Attendant: „They did? Really?“

Andreas: „What is the barcode on the back of your postcards in place where the stamp goes?“

Attendant: „There is a barcode? You are right. You are the first person who asked about that“

Again, though, she was nice, and I‘m sure she‘ll make someone a good psychologist one day.

A bit of the collection with marginally useful remarks in the captions.

Cataline Motor Inn

Looks newer than it is. But it has what‘s needed.

One problem with old, despite the quaintness is that the power outlets are worn out. My USB hubs go in and out, until I discover that the wall plugs hang halfway out, occasional sparking.

Days ARE Longer Up North

My family in the SF Bay, and I took photos at the same time of day: 9:50pm:

On the 54th Parallel, at 9:50pm, July 26: Lake Faser, BC, aNd Alameda, CA

City Sporting Goods vs. Rural Store

I go to THE local store, Fields to get a shirt again. They have an assortment against the wall as well. But of items you actually need:

Tonight‘s Dinner

I don‘t know whether the ‚Live‘ feature transfers to WordPress. The steam should be animated. Probably not. Oh well. I‘m going top bed.