Woody writes to tell of his adventures in getting to and onto the German boat that brought him from Panama to Colombia. He was (possibly still is) with two other riders from Oregon. I can only imagine what went on and the worries and laughter that likely followed...
(Note that I do have a movie of a Minnesota water crossing. I can't post it, I don't think, but if you're dying to see how it went, comment and ask for me to send it to you separately. But, I'm going to need some credentials to confirm that you are not a secret agent for any radical environmental group or government agency. One showing and it's pretty clear that KTMs don't do great things for the natural water flow.)
From Woody:
"the drive to the boat was great, winding up and through the hills on a new dirt road with great views and fresh air. finally moving away from the heat and the people. we were charged $6 a person to drive on this new road, apparently because we were americans. i have experienced this over-charging on several occasions and it bothers me quite a bit. it is less for anyone else.
as the road worked its way back down to sea level, we came to the river. of course the road went right through it. there was a truck on the far side, full of people, overheated, adding water to the radiator. we waited for a bit, but eventually decided that there was enough room on the left side of the truck to make it. i, being the oldest and most experienced rider (yeah right!), went first. the bottom was nice; small gravel and even looking. back in minnesota last summer, after one of my first ever water-crossings, i vowed that i would always walk the water before trying to drive it. ever since then however, i have found a reason not to walk it. i always seem to forget about the effect that water has in refracting the eye. for some other reason, i always think that i can make it through without getting my feet wet. so, to the left i went, shooting a straight line for the opening near the truck. when my exhaust pipes were under water, i knew that i had underestimated the depth of the water. but alas i had committed and had no choice but to stay on the throttle and pull us out of the quickly developed, dire situation. and we made it, with washed boots and pants and practically half of a jacket. the others, after seeing my near disaster, stayed right, where the water was less than a foot deep. andrew´s bike stalled however, and since he had been having electrical issues, this meant that we had to push him through the river and pop-start his bike on the other side.
the road dead-ended at the same river, where there were a dozen vehicles parked. when the canoe pulled up for the bike, i had my doubts. it was maybe 24 feet long and less than 3 feet wide. the bank was 4 feet above the bottom of the canoe, which made loading a bit more difficult. i helped andrew and milan load their bikes first (kawasaki klr´s, which are at least 100 pounds lighter than the ktm.) and watched as they motored away, rocking back and forth and gripping tightly to their machines. milan´s bike shifted and almost went over the edge. glad i waited to see how it was done. with my bike safely in and perched on the center-stand, and me on top of it with a foot on either gunwale. i was off to the Caribbean sea and the mighty german ¨stahlratte¨, which literally means, ¨steel rat¨, a fitting name for the ancient vessel."
I love that Woody can recognize his old, wise, experienced self might not be all that wise and experienced. At least he isn't fooling himself! You have to appreciate the modesty; now if only he gave a little deference to his wise old sister...
More to follow in the days to come ---
-- luludilly
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