The LBS Overland

Plans are very fluid at the moment. I do have time booked so Hotchkiss is a possibility. Mrs. MGV8 has expressed a desire to see the North after much cajoling of course, so that might be the direction we head. You have to grab opportunity when it presents. LOL I will certainly keep posting updates as I get familiar with this new Machine. 

Just a note: Thought I would just continue this thread as time goes by

Life has a way of taking over plans. I had intentions of getting to Hotchkiss, sadly not happening, maybe next years rally. A mini LBS rally at Nakusp will have to do for now. I did manage to sneak away for a first test of the new rig and a first Campout with my local riding club. Took a bit of figuring of how to pack my kit into the new space. I'm not totally happy yet but I do have lots of room. 

I took a convoluted route to the planned destination. A little known side road that takes me out of the Okanagan valley over to the North part of the Cascade mountains that the US/Canada border runs through. Some nice smooth gravel. Got to camp and there at least were a few of us tenters. As the club ages more and more are showing up with RVs. The next day I went out exploring some of my old stomping grounds. I had spent my teenage years in the Southern Okanagan valley. 

Back at camp, tales were told, beverages were had. Just as it should be. We were hosted by the father of one of our members. He has collected a massive number of old stuff/cars and placed them all around the Orchard. He has restored a lot of them to running condition but they still have their original weathered patina. Very cool but after 45 plus years for fixing cars of all sorts my interest wains and I totally forgot pictures. Still one can spend several hours wandering about looking at an eclectic bunch of rusty old stuff. I think I have found a place to ditch some of the old stuff that I have collected over the years Ha!

Our club hosts several breakfast rides each year. They pick a destination and a time. You show up how ever you can. Riders trickle in, us campers were close, part of the plan. 

After breakfast we all go our separate ways. Mine was to a familiar route. Up the Nickel Plate Mine road out of Headly. You get some nice views on the way up plus it gets you out of the valley heat. The ski hill was almost melted off. I did still had to drop back into the valley to 30 plus C temps. I am just not accustom to it yet this year and had to stop on the way home to chill in the shade and fine some air conditioning. Arrived home to a wonderful dinner and a visit with my grandson. life is good. 

Over all I am impressed with the LBS Overland. It is almost perfect for me and my riding right out of the box. I will figure out how to pack it and expect to make many a future trip

I think I have it figured out. In future I will only load one or two files. That way I can comment on each and make for a better story

Up Mt Kobau looking down on Area 27, the local private members race track. Big gate to keep us Riff Raf out. 🙂

Very nice, MG.  Good to see you and the rig out and about. Thanks for the report and the photos.

This flatlander from Louisiana sure enjoys reports from the mountains.  Standing by for more...........

Here's one more, Looking south from Mt. Kobau to Osoyoos Lake. Back in the 60s or early 70s the Canadian government was funding an Observatory at the top of Kobau. They built a road up the mountain so that the big mirror could be delivered. Something changed and all that got built was the road. Getting a tad rough but still a good ride to get up to some good views. 

Lots of short trips this year, 

Here is exploring close to home

If you look at the clearing across the lake you can see my Dad's old farm. His father had homesteaded further up the lake in the late teens. Dad was 3. He never made a go of it. They moved back in the late 20s and were able to get a foot hold here. Boat access only in those days. They sold out and moved to Canoe  in the late 40s, maybe early 50s when Dad was courting my Mom. I came later. History on the lake. 

Last real camp out of the year. Our local riding club hosts a Last Chance Camp out South of the border in the State park in the Village of Oroville WA. We have a few U.S. members and this give every one a chance to get together. It had been a few years due to other "things" so it was really nice to catch up with some people we haven't in a while.

After winding my way South through the Okanagan Valley avoiding all the bigger towns and crossing over the border, Basically a Welcome to the U.S. spend money please. I arrived to find most of the regulars already set up.

Several Sidecarists were in attendance 

Bill and his well farckled Ural

Bruce from Southern WA.  can't remember where exactly. A nice DMC rig. He went out with a group exploring on Saturday. Bruce handled the bit of Gravel nicely with only a few bits falling off the rig . 🙂

Lee's nice DMC/GSA rig. He has it nicely sorted except that it needs a LBS leading link. 🙂 Nice to visit with Him and his Wife.  I stayed with Lee after picking up the LBS rig from Mike

James Bay road Eh?   Hmmm putting thoughts in my head

Saturday, Chris and I went exploring. Chris is very well traveled and is always up for an Adventure. He had plotted several routes to and from Winthrop via the back roads. Of course Garmin got us lost right away as he had just routed and his GPS kept trying to take us to pavement. Anyways we had a nice Lunch in Conculnally and got directions that put us back on track. Only a 50 mile detour. 

Once headed the right way, I started to recognize some of the spots. I had been this way before on two wheels, several camp outs before. I stopped at this spot to get a couple of pictures. Basically the pass at the top. Chris of course, use to Mostly Solo travel kept motoring along and only stopped to wait for me when we lost comm for longer than usual. I had to hustle at times to keep up as the road was a tad rougher than the LBS rig liked, I would fall behind. Front shocks don't quite have enough travel and I would bottom out hard on some of the big hits. Rigs are always a work in progress I have come to learn. Stiffer springs or different shocks are on the menu. 

Looking back towards Omak