Wow what a day! Left Ketchum this morning headed up 75 into the Sawtooth Mountains under incredible bright blue skies with temeratures in the 30's, which isn't bad if you're dressed for it and the sun is on your back. Twenty minutes out of Ketchum rode into a valley with tree covered hills on both sides and very high "sawtooth" snow covered mountains behind the trees. Soon we started climbing toward another mountain pass with the road winding back and forth along the edge of the mountain until finally ending up in another valley on the far side of the sawtooth range.
Soon dropped out of the mountains and the temperature warmed, and we wondered back and forth following a river bank, there were herds of antelope on both sides of the road. At one time about 10 antelope ran across the road about 100 yards in front of us. After lunch found ourselves on the Salmon River Senic Road almost all the way to Missoula where we are stoped for the night.
Take our time in the morning since Bruce and I both have our bikes across the street at the local Harley dealer for tires, should be ready to go about 9:30 or so.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
DAY 10 GET AWAY FROM YELLOWSTONE
We knew last night that with the snow we would get a late start this morning so no hurry to pack and head out. The longer we waited the harder the snow was falling with no real sign of letting up. So....time to suit up and ride! With Tim's BMW flashing an ice warning on the display and snow starting to accumulate on the ground we changed routes and headed south to lower elevations and hopefully warmer temperatures.
After an hour or so of riding we broke out in clear skies, stopped for a cup of coffee and congratulated ourselves on our riding skills. Decided to head west for a while then north along some beautiful roads to Ketchum Idaho, a town none of us had ever heard of in the Sun Valley ski area. Along the way passed Craters Of The Moon national park. very eerie looking area of past volcanic activity.
We have always prided ourselves on being flexible in our plans and today was a perfect example. We all wanted to ride the Beartooth Highway, a top rated motorcycle ride, but it was in the wrong direction and we can save it for another ride.
Celebrated another interesting day with a walk to a pizza parlor for pizza and a beer, looking forward to tomorrow.
After an hour or so of riding we broke out in clear skies, stopped for a cup of coffee and congratulated ourselves on our riding skills. Decided to head west for a while then north along some beautiful roads to Ketchum Idaho, a town none of us had ever heard of in the Sun Valley ski area. Along the way passed Craters Of The Moon national park. very eerie looking area of past volcanic activity.
We have always prided ourselves on being flexible in our plans and today was a perfect example. We all wanted to ride the Beartooth Highway, a top rated motorcycle ride, but it was in the wrong direction and we can save it for another ride.
Celebrated another interesting day with a walk to a pizza parlor for pizza and a beer, looking forward to tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
DAY 9 SHERIDAN TO YELLOWSTONE
Sitting at the computer in a West Yellowstone motel watching a light snow fall outside trying to figure out the best way to describe the day. It was another pretty incredible day of great riding with cooperative weather right up until the end.
This morning the map showed that route 14 would take us from Sheridan over to Yellowstone along a scenic route. The map also showed that alternate route 14 would take us to the same place in a longer fashion while traversing snow covered passes above the tree line, I guess you know which way we went. After lunch entered Yellowstone Park and decided to ride the southern loop over towards West Yellowstone Montana.
Yellowstone National Park was the first national park established in 1872 and covers 3,468 square miles! It is impossible to explore all aspects of the park in a lifetime much less a couple days. We did see hot springs, old faithful (from a distance) bison, deer, and foreign tourists. Will head back tomorrow weather permitting, 80's here earlier today now snow?
Chuck
This morning the map showed that route 14 would take us from Sheridan over to Yellowstone along a scenic route. The map also showed that alternate route 14 would take us to the same place in a longer fashion while traversing snow covered passes above the tree line, I guess you know which way we went. After lunch entered Yellowstone Park and decided to ride the southern loop over towards West Yellowstone Montana.
Yellowstone National Park was the first national park established in 1872 and covers 3,468 square miles! It is impossible to explore all aspects of the park in a lifetime much less a couple days. We did see hot springs, old faithful (from a distance) bison, deer, and foreign tourists. Will head back tomorrow weather permitting, 80's here earlier today now snow?
Chuck
Monday, June 4, 2012
DAY 8 DEADWOOD SD TO SHERIDAN WY
Left Deadwood this morning with a drive around the city then over to Lead to find the road to Spearfish Canyon. This isn't my first trip down Spearfish and it is reminiscent of so many other roads we have travelled over the years. I think I can force myself to take another twisty road in the pines along a river if I have to.
North from Spearfish to the geographic center of the United States, then over to Devils Tower National Park. It is as imposing in person as it appeared in the movie, however, no sign of a space craft other than a jigsaw puzzle on display in the office of the KOA campground. Pictures of Devils Tower don't show how it looms over everything it surrounds. Offered to make the guys a model of Devils Tower out of mashed potatoes at dinner to save time but they declined. That last sentence won't make any sense if you haven't seen Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.
Headed to Gillette which bills itself as the energy capitol of Wyoming for a gas stop. Coal mining is the top industry in the area with open pit style mines along the road and two mile long trains hauling coal out of the area. Stayed on state route 14 across more range land full of cattle, sheep, antelope, and deer before calling it a night in Sheridan. Prepared for dinner with a few cold ones and a recap of the trip so far, good times it was agreed.
The sheer vastness of this part of Wyoming is incredible. We travelled over 100 miles, passed one car, saw maybe 10 vehicles going the other way and went through two towns with less than fifteen residents.
Gorgeous day number eight is at a close, Yellowstone tomorrow?
North from Spearfish to the geographic center of the United States, then over to Devils Tower National Park. It is as imposing in person as it appeared in the movie, however, no sign of a space craft other than a jigsaw puzzle on display in the office of the KOA campground. Pictures of Devils Tower don't show how it looms over everything it surrounds. Offered to make the guys a model of Devils Tower out of mashed potatoes at dinner to save time but they declined. That last sentence won't make any sense if you haven't seen Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.
Headed to Gillette which bills itself as the energy capitol of Wyoming for a gas stop. Coal mining is the top industry in the area with open pit style mines along the road and two mile long trains hauling coal out of the area. Stayed on state route 14 across more range land full of cattle, sheep, antelope, and deer before calling it a night in Sheridan. Prepared for dinner with a few cold ones and a recap of the trip so far, good times it was agreed.
The sheer vastness of this part of Wyoming is incredible. We travelled over 100 miles, passed one car, saw maybe 10 vehicles going the other way and went through two towns with less than fifteen residents.
Gorgeous day number eight is at a close, Yellowstone tomorrow?
Sunday, June 3, 2012
DAY 7 RUSHMORE AND CUSTER STATE PARK
Maybe a Sunday in early June isn’t the best time to ride around the Black Hills of South Dakota but it certainly isn’t a bad time. Did the Mt Rushmore thing early and it was off to great two lane roads winding around the prettiest parts of SD. There was a little traffic but most people were polite and would let us by whenever they could. Beautiful sunny skies, shirt sleeve weather, lots of scenery and wildlife a great day.
Herds of buffalo, lots of antelope, a few deer, and the most commonly viewed animal of the day? The large herds of fellow bikers enjoying a great South Dakota Sunday. All too soon it was over and we called it a day with a cold one on the porch of a Deadwood motel.
I could ride these narrow twisty roads every day and be happy; the pictures don’t do it justice but give you a small idea of the landscape. Heard form Greg that he was home safe and will hear about the damage to his bike this coming week.
Heading slowly west tomorrow, maybe Devils Tower?
Herds of buffalo, lots of antelope, a few deer, and the most commonly viewed animal of the day? The large herds of fellow bikers enjoying a great South Dakota Sunday. All too soon it was over and we called it a day with a cold one on the porch of a Deadwood motel.
I could ride these narrow twisty roads every day and be happy; the pictures don’t do it justice but give you a small idea of the landscape. Heard form Greg that he was home safe and will hear about the damage to his bike this coming week.
Heading slowly west tomorrow, maybe Devils Tower?
Saturday, June 2, 2012
DAY 6
Hard saying goodbye to Greg this morning, wish he was continuing with us but it was not to be this year. Nice ride today across the grassy plains of eastern Wyoming and into the Black Hills of South Dakota. We crossed Grasslands National Park which is exactly what it sounds like. This is definitely the "range" of Home On The Range fame, deer and antelope all along the way. Also, cows and sheep all sharing the endless grasslands in every direction.
Saw lots of oil wells in Wyoming and several drilling rigs as the high prices have caused a mini boom in this area, also passed a large refinery. So please explain why when we stopped to get gas we had to go to three stations to find fuel that wasn't 85% corn! Everywhere we tried was E-85 what is the deal with these states.
Finished the day in the middle of the Black Hills, expecting a great ride tomorrow around the area. Standing on the balcony watching a light rain pass by knowing that we were in for the night.
Chuck
Friday, June 1, 2012
DAY 5 JB'S BIRTHDAY
It's late and I'm tired so this will be short. Much of the day spent on I-25 either riding or standing on the side of the road, read Ken's Daily Monitor if you haven't already.
I will tell you about the start of the day instead. Headed down route 34 which is another of those spectacular Colorado roads. As soon as we left Estes we were in a deep ravine with thick pine tree covered slops rising on either side of us. The road twists and turns following a river back and forth for mile after mile, the morning sun causing the trees to cast shadows like dark stripes across the road. The river was busy with fisherman and a few early morning kayaks getting ready for the day. Then suddenly we were in a rocky canyon with cliffs on both sides of the river and us before suddenly rounding a corner and finding ourselves at a traffic light in Loveland Colorado.
But the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high
He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory
John Denver
I can't believe how quickly you can go from the feeling of: it's just us in the universe, to the big city, truly amazing.
Glad to be in for the night, glad the motel has a bar on premises, glad the waitress at dinner was tolerant with a good sense of humor.
Good Night
I will tell you about the start of the day instead. Headed down route 34 which is another of those spectacular Colorado roads. As soon as we left Estes we were in a deep ravine with thick pine tree covered slops rising on either side of us. The road twists and turns following a river back and forth for mile after mile, the morning sun causing the trees to cast shadows like dark stripes across the road. The river was busy with fisherman and a few early morning kayaks getting ready for the day. Then suddenly we were in a rocky canyon with cliffs on both sides of the river and us before suddenly rounding a corner and finding ourselves at a traffic light in Loveland Colorado.
But the Colorado rocky mountain high
I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky
The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye
Rocky mountain high
He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below
He saw everything as far as you can see
And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun
And he lost a friend but kept his memory
John Denver
I can't believe how quickly you can go from the feeling of: it's just us in the universe, to the big city, truly amazing.
Glad to be in for the night, glad the motel has a bar on premises, glad the waitress at dinner was tolerant with a good sense of humor.
Good Night
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
