And So It Begins
After months of researching, contemplation, anticipation, preparing, packing, checking, and rechecking…the winter adventure to Mexico was finally here. The night before departure, I was nervous but incredibly excited. Everything was packed and ready. I still could not believe that very soon I would be exploring Mexico on my motorbike. If someone had told me years ago that I would be doing this, I would NEVER had believed it. Not much sleep the night before departure!
This adventure may be unique because of the motorbike I ride. The Honda Rebel has been considered by many to be more of a commuter motorcycle. I am about to prove this label wrong! I have already ridden my Rebel 500 on two and three week trips. My five to six month adventure should prove that totally wrong. Sure, I considered changing bikes. But sentimental and emotional attachment kicked in. I almost gave up riding motorbikes in 2019…until I sat on my Rebel at V.I. Powersports, fell in love with the bike, and as they say “The rest is History”.
Departure Day
On the morning of departure, the three of us met up at the Duke Point Ferry Terminal. Francis on his Husqvarna, James on his Kawasaki Verseys, and me on my Honda Rebel. A bit of variety on bike styles. The ferry docked around 9:45 a.m. and we were off to the Peace Arch Border Crossing.
During his many trips through the U.S., Francis has discovered many unique coffee shops, grocery stores, and attractions. We pulled into the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, in Mount Vernon, Washington, for lunch and snacks for the trip. What an awesome grocery store with a deli and coffee shop at the back of the store.
After traveling on Interstate 5 for the start, we set the GPS’s to avoid major highways. Much more enjoyable avoiding heavy traffic and exploring backroads and the country side.
Yakima, WA
The first nights destination…Yakima, WA. On the way there, we took in riding the Yakima Canyon. What a perfect motorcycle road full of twisties.
We selected accommodations for the night sight unseen…at Days Inn. Huge suggestion on this one to look further into Yakima for a place to stay based on safety. A few sleepless moments concerned about our bikes parked outside. We had motorcycle covers and disc lock alarms on all three bikes.
We walked down to New York Teriyaki Japanese restaurant for dinner. Highly recommend this place! Menu offered sushi, combos, and bowls. Huge helpings for the price, and delicious.
Put in around 400kms of riding plus the ferry ride…it was a great start.
