I got up late because I was only 115 miles/186 kilometers from Inuvik. It wouldn’t take me that long get there. I packed my bike, adjusted the chain and left for Fort McPherson. I needed to oil my chain and get gas. I then left for Inuvik. 36 miles/58 kilometers up the road is the Mackenzie River which requires a ferry to cross. I probably waited 30 minutes for the ferry to arrive. It ferries everything to three different ports or landings and takes about an hour to make the entire round trip. I got off the ferry and continued up Hwy 5 80 miles/128 kilometers to Inuvik. The gravel stopped before I reached the airport and the road then turned to pavement, all the way in to the city. I stop by the Inuvik signs and took several pictures. I continued into the city to find a hotel. I stopped by the first hotel I saw called the Nova Hotel. I asked them the price of a room for the night: $90 plus tax etc. etc. I didn’t ask any further questions and purchased a room for the night. I moved in all my bags and then asked the receptionist few questions about where the gas station is, where I can buy oil and where I can change my oil. She made a few calls and I left the hotel at 5:00 p.m. to get these chores completed. I bought my gas and oil first and then went looking for a place called Midnight Mechanical. I followed the directions provided and found the place. She was right on the money with the directions. I pulled into the place and was feeling a little out of place because I’m a stranger. These three guys were talking guy stuff etc. I always hate to interrupt conversations like this because when you do I’ve seen it get real ugly real fast. It usually depends on whether the guys deem your interruption as rude behavior. These guys seemed cordial enough and wanted to talk some. I told them where I was from and that I had just traveled from Russia, South Korea to Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seattle, Washington, to Inuvik, NWT. In a nutshell I told them I traveled around the world on my Kawasaki 650 KLR. They seemed genuinely interested so I told them a few more stories. I asked if I could purchase a can of Coca-Cola. Tim said no, just help yourself out of the refrigerator. That was nice of him so I did. These guys then told me of all the horror stories of travelers off the Dempster Highway i.e. sliding into the ditch, car rollovers, just like driving on ice, sharp shale slashing tires etc. etc. They also told me that Inuvik is actually below sea level and all the dirt/mud is sediment from an ancient ocean or sea. When it gets wet it becomes sticky or gummy and when it gets on your vehicle its difficult to wash off. I think its used on the highway as a binder to hold road together. When it dries out it’s hard as a rock. I finally asked Tim Hunter, the owner of Midnight Mechanical if I could change my motorcycle oil at his automotive repair shop. He said yes and provided an oil pan and grease rags. All the rest of the tools, filter and oil I had. I set about changing my oil and Tim helped out his customers. I eventually completed my oil change and started my motorcycle. It ran fine. I packed up everything and I asked Tim if he’d mind if I took a picture of him for my blog. I also told him I’m always very appreciative of any help people give me. We took several pictures because the sun wasn’t working for me. He gave me a souvenir knife and three pens. I thanked him and gave him my blog address. I then asked if Inuvik had a car wash so I could clean my bike. He told me where one was and followed me to the Gas Stop to make sure I got there. I pulled into the car wash, paid for three minutes of wash time, then cleaned my radiator and the rest of the bike. That dust gets into everything. From there I went to the Mackenzie Hotel, ate supper and on the way back to the hotel I oiled my chain. I had my motorcycle ready to leave in the morning. When I got back to the room I repacked up my tent and sleeping bag so they were ready to leave in the morning. I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. I hope I can get out bed that early. I got to bed about 11:00 p.m.
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