Saturday, 11 August 2012 Anchorage, AK (0 miles) Total Trip Miles – 4723.  0 hour riding time.

Weather – Warm temperatures in the upper 60’s with mostly sunny skies

Up early to be at the DHL/Polar Air Cargo facility by 8am to unlock the gas tank and open the seat for the hazmat inspection if needed…I had several last minute converstations with Rindy Veatch at DHL late yesterday and she felt it would be a good idea that I was there in case there were any issues.  The bike checked out and will be on a flight tonight bound for Inchon.

After the inspection had some breakfast and returned to the Alaska Scientific warehouse and started some packing…also, went online and checked on for my flight in the morning and had to complete all the passport info and the like – ended up having to pay and addtional $110 for the 4 bags I plan to check (2 panniers, 1 top case & a duffle bag of gear)…seemed reasonable given they are checked all the way to Inchon.

Del stopped by and invited me to lunch at The Peanut Farm, a local sports bar, and we sat out on the deck – a beautiful day.  From there, I went to get a haircut & some more hair gel…that’s right hair gel – a man getting ready for a 20+ day marathon ride can never be too prepared…I gotta believe there will be a slow and downward spiral from here on out!…metro we call it in Nashville!

Also, went by Alaska Leather, the spot where I ordered my sheepskin butt pad several months ago, and picked up a neck gator & some sun glass…things I lost on the road in Canada a couple of weeks ago.  I just couldn’t resist putting the Alaska decals on the bike panniers that they gave me – 8 stars of gold on a field of blue.

Did some final packing since I have a 6:20 am flight down to Seattle and then on for an 11 hour flight to Inchon…plan to get up around 3:00 am to return the pick up I have and get checked in for the international flight…Scheduled to arrive in Inchon at 6:00 pm local time on Monday afternoon or 14 hours ahead of the central time zone which means it will only be 4:00 am on Monday morning…I know Chuck – Mr. Obvious!

Day has ended with a terrific feast at Del & Kim Salyer’s home along with their friends Ryan & Jessica – Alaskan King Crab legs, grilled shrimp & vegetables, salmon sushi, and topped off with a fruit bowl of Korean fruit, peaches & blackberries. Thank you Del & Kim for the wonderful hospitality during my stay here in Anchorage along with all the folks at Alaska Scientific – Beth, Kim, Sharlane & Jeron!

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