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Published: July 10th 2008
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Alaska Leather in Anchorage (Honorary Soldiers Angels)
Here's Val, Kimora from Alaska Leather and Mike who gave me the tip to buy my Alaska sheepskin for my bike. I will put it to the test tomorrow. Val has a son in the Alaska National Guard. I was impressed with their patriotism that I made them honorary "Soldiers Angels."
www.alaskaleather.com
Hello all,
Slept in today till 0700 hours (7:00 am) and then went to breakfast and then to the Honda motorcycle shop. After talking with a service technician I decided that I will change my oil when I get home. Honda recommends oil change every 7-8,000 miles. I only have 3,000 miles. As far as the wobble, his comment was (as well as Honda Corporate), "keep your hands on the handle bars." Duh! He did say it was normal to have a heavy bike like mine wobble at slower speeds when you take the hands off the steering. As for the tire issue...tire good to go...just need to make a tire pressure adjustment because I am running a Dunlop Series III tire and it needs more air pressure. So, all of this cost me nothing...which I like because I haven't really told JoLynn the cost of this trip...just kidding.
While at the dealership I met another Gold Wing rider, Mike M from Anchorage. We talked shop and about the riding in these parts. Great guy who is getting ready to retire from the railroad. We all had the same passion, a love of motorcycling. I asked him where I
I had supper with great friends from DC
I had the privilege of having supper with some old friends that I had not seen for quite a while. From left are Enid Perry, Eric Maxon, Shelli Stanton, Nicki Maxon and Jack Harrison from the National Guard Bureau in DC. Shelli is the Convention Sales Manager with the Anchorage CVB. These folks work in public affairs and do a great job telling the National Guard story across the world. could get some Alaskan sheepskin seat covers and he led me to Alaska Leather.
Alaska Leather was an usual shop in a rundown building that had lots of ambience. They are moving soon, so I got a pretty good discount. I did buy this great sheepskin seat cover that will make the rest of my ride very comfortable. Also met Val and Kimora who helped answer all my questions. Val is a Wing rider and has been to Sturgis many times. Alaska Leather has a booth for the event. BTW, Val's son is in the Alaska National Guard and you can tell she is one proud mom. Bikers seem to always be very patriotic and this was no different. It was a real pleasure to chat with them and share their feelings about this great country that I also made them honorary "Soldiers Angels" for their support of US service members.
I had supper tonight with some old friends from my days as the Public Information Officer with the ND National Guard. They were in Alaska meeting with Alaska National Guard leadership and it worked out great to get together. All work at the National Guard Bureau and
Mt. McKinley
There are many photos of Mt. McKinley and all are great photos...bottom line, this is one huge mountain that is over 4 miles tall. I just heard on local Anchorage TV that a climbers body has been recovered from the mountain.
(Photo by Richard Petinger) work hard at telling the story of the National Guard Soldier and Airmen. These are professionals that are good at what they do.
A little trivia about Mt. Mckinley. I just heard on a local Anchorage TV station that the body of a climber has been recovered from the mountain. Many bodies are recovered, however there are 38 still on the mountain, according to the Park Service. The climber belonged to the Highpointers Club, in which members aim to hike or climb to the highest point in all 50 states. According to his son, Alaska, with Mount McKinley, was No. 49 and he saved North Dakota for last because it was relatively easy, with just 3,506-foot White Butte! The mountain has claimed 101 climbers since records have been kept from 1932.
Here's some trivia about Anchorage...on March 27, 1964, Anchorage was hit by the Good Friday Earthquake, which caused tremendous destruction. The magnitude 9.2 earthquake was the largest ever recorded in North America, and Anchorage lay only 75 miles from its epicenter. It killed 115 people in Alaska, and damage was estimated at over $300 million ($1.8 billion in 2007 U.S. dollars).
I am going to try and make a side trip to Seward tomorrow.
Take care everyone and thanks for reading and posting your comments.
Rob
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Kevin Conklin
non-member comment
Latest member
Rob, Interesting stuff and good news on your bike. The latest member left on Mt McK happened last Friday. Shortly after reaching the summit he had a heart attach and they buried him there as the team decided it was to risky to try and bring him down. To bad you were not able to see the mountaid because it's mass is spectacular. They say that 70% of the visitors to Alaska go to see Mt McK but only 30% are succesfull. Bikers are friendly and patriotic for sure. I'm a member of the Patriot Guard which is a band of bikers who attend military funerals and will create human walls to create a distance from possible hecklers. Kevin