Adventure Page

A Website Featuring the Motorcycle Travels of Danny and Arlene Liska

The following is an ongoing and growing collection of material and information about the around-the-world journeys that Danny and Arlene Liska made from 1959-1964.  I am currently compiling information to chronicle their trips. The information on this Adventure Page is meant to inform people about their trips, to build interest in them, and to generate additional sources of information from potential contributors.

Danny and Arlene Liska are known worldwide for their cross-continent motorcycle travels in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres.  Even though their travels took place over three decades ago, these pioneers are still being discussed.  Some of their most vivid tales and pictures can be found in the 1989 book by Danny Liska entitled Two Wheels To Adventure.   

 View a Chronology of Traveled Countries

The cover photo from Two Wheels To Adventure, Danny Li Costa Rica

The Western Hemisphere Trip : Alaska to Argentina, 1959-1960

Danny L, Nebraska in the summer of  1959, heading North on his BMW motorcycle.  On August 13, 1959 he reached Artic City Circle, Alaska, his farthest point north.  After spending the night, he dipped his front wheel in the Yukon River and headed South.  Passing through Anchorage, Fairbanks, Valdez and more he explored the Alaskan frontier, viewing herds of caribou, glaciers, and the famous River Queens in Whitehorse.  As the days became shorter, Danny realized it was time to go and he boarded his motorcycle to return home to his wife Arlene.

   Western Hemisphere Bike ...courtesy of Two Wheels To Nebraska             

In the Spring of 1960, Danny became restless and got on his motorcycle for a trip South.  Danny quickly passed through the southern United States and made his way across the Tropic of Cancer and into Mexico City.  During his stay in Mexico, he took part in a march against the American policy in Cuba, before he was asked to leave.  As he reached the summit of Mount Popocatepetl, he decided to pursue going farther South. Danny stayed for a month in Guetamala visiting the lost city of Tikal and taking a trip to Belize (British Honduras).  He drove into El Salvador in the middle of September 1960 amidst political unrest   Feeling uneasy in El Salvador, he stayed only a week and headed on.  He took a brief stop in what he called an "uninteresting and expensive" Honduras, before heading on to Nicaragua and Costa Rica.  As Danny arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica, he was surprised to find Arlene waiting for him. Together they set off for Panama City with only thirty-nine bridgeless rivers in the way.  The rainy season along with the lack of roadways made it  extremely difficult for the pair to continue on, but together they took rides on a diesel motor grader, a D-9 Caterpillar, and an Indian dugout canoe.  But at this time the terrain proved impossible to cross by motorcycle, and so they left it and continued on foot.  They found their way on a banana company train and a bus which took them to Panama City.  After a week in Panama City, Arlene needed to fly home for medical attention and so she left her husband, as he attempted to go back and get the motorcycle.  

Danny and Arlene Liska ...courtesy of Two Wheels To Nebraska

  Map of the Western Hemisphere Route

It was Thanksgiving Day 1960, when Danny finally arrived back in Panama City, but he had the Darien Gap in front of him.  There are no roads through the Darien Gap, so Danny sent his motorcycle to Medellin, Colombia, and journeyed off by canoe.  The journey through the Darien was a rough one and Danny took his chances with native guides, staying in Indian villages.  As travel into Columbia was restricted, he took "The Smuggler's Trail", where he rescued a lost Colombian.  "The Trail" brought Danny to Puerto Libre, Columbia  and then he headed to Medellin to pick up his motorcycle.

 Danny Liska participating in a blowgun shooting match as the Yauga Indians' chief watches

Danny Liska posing with a tribe

Danny explored Columbia and then drove on to Ecuador where he met Ralph, another American traveling by motorcycle.  Together Danny and Ralph explored Peru until they parted ways in Lima.  Danny then continued on by himself through Chile and Argentina until he reach Ushuia, Argentina where he reached his farthest point south.  With very little money in his pockets, Danny left his motorcycle in Punta Arenas, Argentina and boarded the Navarino to Puerto Montt.  Without his motorcycle, he began hitchhiking, making his way to Salta, Chile where they were paying people to be in a movie.  The movie being filmed was Taras Bulba, featuring Yul Brynner. Danny was cast as Yul's action double due to his abilities to ride a horse and speak both Spanish and English.  When the movie was finished filming Danny decided to fly home.  He arrived at the Bigfoot Ranch in Niobrara, Nebraska on January 2, 1962. 

Danny Liska looking at a sign saying that he was in Ushuaia, Argentina 

The Eastern Hemisphere Trip: Europe to Africa, 1963-1964

The next great trip began in September of 1963.  Beginning at the northern tip of Scandinavia the journey crossed mostly all of the old European countries and made its way to the Mediterranean Sea. The adventure continued across the desert sands of Egypt and through the jungles of Africa, where it finally came to an end  in November of 1964. 

                        Africa Bike ...courtesy of Two Wheels To Nebraska                                     Africa ...courtesy of Cycle World 1966

                Danny Liska                                                                                            Danny Liska

                   Map of the Eastern Hemisphere Route                                                             Danny Liska at Sunset 

                                                                                       Danny Liska on a postcard

                                     Danny Liska by a pyramid                                                                    Danny Liska

What's Happening Now?

    With the death of Danny Liska came an end to the Bigfoot Publishing Company and an end to any new publications of   Too Wheels To Adventure.  Although, the book contained the most complete tales of the Alaska to Argentina journey, Arlene Liska still enjoys talking about the adventures they shared.

   Arlene Liska in the summer of 2002 - Niobrara, Nebraska  ...courtesy of Two Wheels to Nebraska

Mrs. Liska and the author's two kids, (Aug. 2003).

(Photo Courtesy: Brian Larson)

Mrs. Liska with the 2 bikes, (Aug. 2003).

(Photo Courtesy: Brian Larson)

           Arlene Liska presenting in the summer of 2002 - Niobrara, Nebraska ...courtesy of Two Wheels To Nebraska         

We are currently working on a document to chronicle the travels of Danny and Arlene Liska.  If anyone has information that might be useful, please contact us at  bri_larson@hotmail.com

This page has last been updated on 11/07/2003 .

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