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| Day 1 - Santa Clara, CA Day 2 - Lee Vining, CA Day 3 - Baker, CA Day 4 - Las Vegas, NV Day 5 - Las Vegas, NV Day 6 - Grand Canyon, AZ Day 7 - Durango, CO Day 8 - Glenwood, CO Day 9 - Highlands, CO Day 10 - Highlands, CO Day 11 - Estes Park, CO Day 12 - Craig, CO Day 13 - Jackson, WY Day 14 - Cody, WY Day 15 - Mammoth, WY Day 16 - Choteau, MT Day 17 - Kelispell, MT Day 18 - Sandpoint, ID Day 19 - Omak, WA Day 20 - Anacortes, WA Day 21 - Anacortes, WA Day 22 - Poulsbo, WA Day 23 - Poulsbo, WA Day 24 - Poulsbo, WA Day 25 - Astoria, OR Day 26 - Lincoln City, OR Day 27 - Bandon, OR Day 28 - Eureka, CA Day 29 - Anchor Bay, CA Day 30 - Martinez, CA FINAL THOUGHTS |
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| After yesterday, today was a day to “get up slow,”
which is just what we did. By the time we had some breakfast and
got on the road north, it was already 9:30. Still, every trip starts
with the first press of your left foot on the gear shift lever, so
off we went. We headed north on 89 out of Gardiner just outside the
old entrance arch of Yellowstone. This was the first and only entrance
for many years (photo 1) after Congress established Yellowstone
as the first National Park. The heat was already starting to climb as we easily covered the 62 miles to Livingston, MT. This is canyon and pasture country (photos 2 & 3) and much nicer scenery than yesterday morning out of Cody. We turned west on to Interstate 90 in about an hour after leaving Yellowstone. On the way, we stopped at a rest stop and enjoyed the green setting beside the Yellowstone River (photos 4, 5, 6 & 7) with drift fishermen floating by. I hope they caught something big, but even if they didn’t, I’m sure they had a nice day on the river.
I’m fond of saying that I don’t like freeways, but I realize that’s not totally true. On Hwy 90 West, and later on Hwy 15 North, the freeways went through some really nice country and with only a few trucks. I don’t like the trucks on most freeways in California or Hwy. 80, which is a major artery across this country and a route the trucks must take. On Hwy 90, I only saw 5 trucks and 3 of them actually passed me since I was only going 70 and the posted speed limit is 75. On Hwy 15, I only had to pass one truck and saw no others. In the future, I will still try to avoid freeways, but if I must go on one, I won’t be so paranoid if it’s in a rural area. As we travel northward, between Helena and Augusta, there is a little canyon that we must pass through. I have come to discover, on this trip, that I am a “Canyoneer.” Some people are called Mountaineers because they like to climb or conquer mountains. I, on the other hand, like to conquer canyons. There are some common traits of canyons that make them so much fun. First off, they almost always have a river or stream of some kind, running right alongside the road. Second, the canyon walls are usually interesting and close at hand. Third, the river often cools the canyons somewhat, and right now that’s a major advantage. Also, I enjoy those canyons that have long, fast, sweeping curves to play with. What’s not to like? Now, I have heard, that there are people out there, who have foot fetishes or shoe fetishes. Now I don’t understand that. How can you get excited about some ones toes or smelly shoes. But canyons, now there’s something to get excited about, unless your just some kind of weirdo or something
Today has been a commuter day. We have been traveling at a steady pace trying to get close to Glacier National Park for tomorrows ride. Because of the heat, we do stop in the middle of typical Montana country. Wide open spaces, large farms, and homes that are few and far between (photos 8 & 9). As the sun heats Montana towards the low 90’s, we need to stop more often for something to drink. Thanks again, Dave for the use of your trailer. We also confirm what we already had noticed. When it is hot, there is no shade to be found. We finally stop at a historical marker and it seems fitting for the occasion. It marks the history of the Sun River, once the Medicine River (photo 10). We have had enough of this “Sun River” that’s baking our brains to the top of our head. Behind the marker is an excellent example of the common type of farm equipment we have been seeing all along our route (photo 11). We finally pull into Choteau (pronounced Show Toe) about 4:30. We check into a local motel, the Stage Stop Inn, and immediately start the cooling down process (photo 12). This includes cold, wet washrags on the head and back of the neck, several cold drinks with ice, and the air conditioner on high while you stand in front of it with your wet head. After a short time, your human again and willing to get back on the bike in this heat. Linda is not hungry so I go over to the local “family” café next to the motel. I love this place. The waitress is in her late 60’s if she’s a day, and she’s moving faster than the other waitress, who is maybe 30. She recommends the “special” of the day, catfish. I go with it. She gets a little confused and brings me soup instead of the salad that I ordered, but I don’t mind. It turns out to be good soup.
This café is typical of several in the small towns I’ve passed through. Home style kitchen tables and chairs for furniture, with local paintings on the wall. This one had computer generated American flags with the names of those in Choteau County who are serving in the military. There were 35 of these posted to the overhead beam, and the signs read (Name of Person), God Bless You, We love you. In addition, all of the chairs had covers over the back rests which were patriotic in color and spirit. Some had pictures of small American Flags, some had sayings such as, God Bless America and United We Stand, others were just red, white, and blue strips. The catfish was very good. I left the lady a nice tip. Tomorrow we should make Glacier National Park. Hopefully there will be more photo opportunities. This was kind of a sparse day. That’s OK, after yesterday, you folks needed a small photo day to give your modems a rest. |
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