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<\/a>On the Interstate<\/p><\/div>\n
We are all looking forward to the next eight days with a swing up through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah.\u00a0 Our route will take us to Winnemucca, Nevada, north on U.S. 95 through\u00a0the corner of Oregon into Idaho.<\/p>\n
Even with\u00a0the long straight stretches, the 65 m.p.h. speed limit in Nevada\u00a0is enjoyed as we know once we cross into Oregon it will be a very slow 55!<\/p>\n
<\/a>Heading north on U.S. 95 in Nevada<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>In the shadow!<\/p><\/div>\n
We made good time pulling into Jordon Valley, Oregon, slightly ahead of schedule.\u00a0 We happily crossed into Idaho, rolling on the throttle, enjoying a nice run consisting of some curves, hills and some good\u00a0canyon\u00a0scenery.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Finally in Idaho on U.S. 95 with some curves ahead<\/p><\/div>\n
Arriving at our hotel, the Inn American is located near the Boise Airport.\u00a0 We enjoy a cold beverage in the parking lot before heading to the registration desk.\u00a0 I have previously stayed here and again found the accommodation adequate, clean and with a morning breakfast.\u00a0 The only negative to the Inn is the parking for motorcycles.\u00a0 I like to keep an eye on my bike, but you would be lucky to find a parking spot that would afford you a view, let alone quick access to it.<\/p>\n
A late dinner found us at the Cracker Barrel. I had hyped up the Campfire Cookin’ meal and we were looking forward to chowing down, but with only two meals left some of us\u00a0had to alter our dinner selections.\u00a0 Afterwards we found ourselves relaxing in the rocking chairs out front.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Its been a long day in the saddle!<\/p><\/div>\n
Day 2 – 376 miles.\u00a0 We are rolling at 8 a.m., heading north on Idaho 55 towards McCall. The run between Boise and McCall is scenic with sweeping curves, hills and grades, passing through some small communities.\u00a0 Near McCall a very large, multi-point buck crossed the highway in front of us.\u00a0 North of Riggins, we departed U.S. 95\u00a0for Old 95, also known as Whitebird Hill Road. Although the road is not in the best of shape, it was an enjoyable\u00a0 diversion from the heavier travelled U.S.95.\u00a0 Whitebird Hill Road is a Butler Map’s G1 identified motorcycle highway and rightfully so.\u00a0 Caution must be used on the curves due to gravel spilling out on to the main travelled portion.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Rolling into White Bird<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking back\u00a0down at\u00a0White Bird Hill Road<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Anticipating the next curve<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Great day for a ride up White Bird Grade<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Rolling through the sweepers!<\/p><\/div>\n
Turning on to Idaho 13, the highway narrows and the opportunities to pass slower traffic is limited.\u00a0 Arriving Kooskia, we have lunch at the Kooskia Cafe.\u00a0 The lunch service was very good.\u00a0After fueling, we head east on U.S. 12\u00a0(Lewis & Clark Trail)\u00a0along the Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers.\u00a0\u00a0 This is one of Idaho’s premier motorcycle roads, both for scenery and curves. I missed getting a photo of the “99 miles of curves” sign, but\u00a0when the “77 miles” approached the camera captured it.<\/p>\n
<\/a>If you like curves, this road is for you!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>In case we forgot there were curves for 99 miles!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Looking forward to the 122 miles!<\/p><\/div>\n
<\/a>Shadow Riders<\/p><\/div>\n
Missoula is our overnight destination and we press on with beautiful scenery and light traffic.\u00a0 Wildfires continue to burn across the river but have no effect on traffic.\u00a0 As we start to climb towards Lolo Pass we encounter slow traffic.\u00a0 It seems that despite many opportunities and traffic signs advising slower drivers to use the turnouts, one big rig driver was hell bent on staying in the pole position frustrating many a driver, including me.\u00a0 At Lolo Pass we stop at the rest area for a much needed break and the chance to stretch our legs. The sky darkens and a light rain begins to fall, so with haste, but safely so, we push on to the Missoula Super 8 Reserve, arriving as the rain increases in intensity.<\/p>\n
Dinner found us walking across the street to the Montana Club. This was not our first choice but no one wanted to mount up and ride in the rain to another location – like the Cracker Barrel a mile away!<\/p>\n
Day 3 – 301 miles.\u00a0 The rain continues most of the night but\u00a0turns to a drizzle\u00a0before we roll out.\u00a0 After\u00a0downing some of the\u00a0motel offered\u00a0breakfast, the bikes are moved under the car port and with the motel supplied towels (front desk) the bikes are wiped down and packed\u00a0for the day’s run ahead.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Wiping them down and pack’n ’em up!<\/p><\/div>\n
With the threat of rain,\u00a0most of the riders are suited up accordingly. I for one, did not.\u00a0 Rolling east on I-90, lightening and thunder is out in front of us. Before long the rain starts to fall and in no small amount.\u00a0\u00a0Finding a freeway underpass,\u00a0the raingear is quickly put on\u00a0and we\u00a0roll on towards\u00a0Butte, stopping at Copper\u00a0Canyon Harley Davidson were we were welcomed by the staff, offered hot coffee and a chance to warm up while spending some of those hard earned dollars.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Copper Canyon Harley Davidson<\/p><\/div>\n
Lunch is at\u00a0John’s Pork Chop\u00a0\u00a0in Butte.\u00a0\u00a0Should you want to go, be sure to\u00a0visit the original one in old town and chow down on the famous Pork Chop Sandwich!<\/p>\n
There is a walk up window outside and if you go in you will find\u00a0a few\u00a0counter stools in a very narrow room.\u00a0 Get there early or be prepared to wait.\u00a0 The menu is small, prices fair, service friendly and the food good.<\/p>\n Old Glory is still respected in Montana!<\/p><\/div>\n Lots of these old mining rigs dot the hills around Butte<\/p><\/div>\n Overlooking old Butte, Montana<\/p><\/div>\n After lunch and fuel, we are back east on I-90 before leaving the Interstate for Highway 359 which is a total delight to ride on our way to West Yellowstone.<\/p>\n Highway 359!<\/p><\/div>\n Time to roll the throttle!<\/p><\/div>\n Leaving Ennis on U.S. 287, we parallel portions of the Madison River\u00a0as we head towards our overnight accommodations at the One Horse Motel.\u00a0We once again encounter rain and a quick stop is made to gear up.\u00a0\u00a0Leaving the grasslands behind we start to climb when we\u00a0encounter\u00a0Quake Lake\u00a0which was created in 1959 as the result of a major earthquake that caused the canyon walls to\u00a0collapse, blocking the Madison River .\u00a0 Fifty years later you can still view the aftermath.<\/p>\n After all these years!<\/p><\/div>\n Timber frozen in time!<\/p><\/div>\n Riding along Hebgen Lake<\/p><\/div>\n Rolling into West Yellowstone, the weather is breaking and\u00a0the sun is creeping through.\u00a0 We find the One Horse Motel very accommodating for motorcycles, including a bike washing station with buckets and dry towels.\u00a0 It is located within walking distance of the\u00a0downtown area.<\/p>\n Very accommodating motel for motorcycles<\/p><\/div>\n Dinner at Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon<\/p><\/div>\n Day 4 – 260 Miles. With boots up the next morning, we quickly enter Yellowstone National Park paying our $20 fee.<\/p>\n Are we all here?<\/p><\/div>\n Good looking\u00a0gal at Gibbon Falls!<\/p><\/div>\n If traffic is stopped, there’s a good chance there is wildlife nearby<\/p><\/div>\n … and there was!<\/p><\/div>\n This buffalo has the right away!<\/p><\/div>\n He took his time crossing – not that we were going to press him!<\/p><\/div>\n Pronghorns<\/p><\/div>\n The buffalo (including the young cows) didn’t seem at all concerned with the bikes<\/p><\/div>\n WOW! What a view!<\/p><\/div>\n A nice downhill run in the park!<\/p><\/div>\n Leaving YNP for Cooke City, MT<\/p><\/div>\n Leaving out the\u00a0East Entrance, we arrive Cooke City for lunch and fuel. The weather is starting to turn and light rain begins to fall.\u00a0\u00a0Rain or not, you can’t get this close and not ride the Beartooth, so up we go!<\/p>\n Cresting the summit at 10,947 feet,<\/p>\n … and snow is falling!<\/p><\/div>\n Knowing all to well how the weather can change on the\u00a0Beartooth, we stop for a quick photo opportunity before heading back down the\u00a0south side towards the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway\u00a0heading towards Cody, Wyoming our overnight destination.<\/p>\n Yes, it was cold!<\/p><\/div>\n Turning on to the Chief Joseph Highway, \u00a0the rain is intermittent as we ride towards Dead Indian Pass at 8,048 feet. This section of road is one of the premier motorcycle roads in Wyoming.<\/p>\n Can’t miss highway!<\/p><\/div>\n Sunlight Bridge as viewed from the rest area<\/p><\/div>\n Need I say more!<\/p><\/div>\n Been there and more to come!<\/p><\/div>\n Over the summit, the rain increases in intensity and we push on towards Cody.\u00a0 Arriving at the Cody Cowboy Village we check into our accommodations for two nights.<\/p>\n One classy accommodation!<\/p><\/div>\n Cabin #117<\/p><\/div>\n A nice 35 person hot tub!<\/p><\/div>\n Day 5\u00a0is a no travel day in Cody.\u00a0\u00a0 The rain has\u00a0stopped and we walked across the highway to\u00a0“Our Place”\u00a0where coffee is only 25 cents.\u00a0 This is a favorite caf\u00e9 for locals and the wait was\u00a0worth it.<\/p>\n A great breakfast option!<\/p><\/div>\n After breakfast\u00a0and we made a\u00a0visit the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Irma Hotel, and Buffalo Bill Harley Davidson.<\/p>\n Make time to visit<\/p><\/div>\n To darn many political signs, otherwise stop in for a beverage.<\/p><\/div>\n Have a cold one!<\/p><\/div>\n Day 6 – 216 miles. We load the bikes and pack accordingly to the weather which was once again threatening rain. Heading west on U.S. 14\/16\/20, we are going back into YNP for a visit to Old Faithful Geyser.<\/p>\n Loading Up!<\/p><\/div>\n Ready to roll!<\/p><\/div>\n Not a record eruption but then …<\/p><\/div>\n Every group has clowns – just some more than others!<\/p><\/div>\n Leaving YNP we enter Grand Teton NP on our way to Jackson, Wyoming with a light rain falling.\u00a0 What happened to the photos I have no idea. So there aren’t any.<\/p>\n Arriving Jackson, we\u00a0pull up in front of\u00a0the Rawhide Motel which located downtown, across the street from Jackson Hole Harley Davidson\u00a0and an easy walk to the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, an iconic bar and steak house that is a stopping point for motorcyclist heading to and from Sturgis.\u00a0 The Rawhide Motel does provide towels for motorcycles – just ask at the front desk.<\/p>\n Day 7 – 386 miles. \u00a0It is a cool but scenic ride leaving Jackson on U.S.191 which parraels a portion of the Snake River. We are heading for West Wendover, Nevada, our overnight stop.\u00a0 South of Jackson, we stay right on to U.S.89 following it through Alpine and Afton.<\/p>\n Along the Snake River<\/p><\/div>\n Not a car for miles!<\/p><\/div>\n We cross\u00a0back and forth into Idaho and Wyoming, before making a left on to WY89, merging on to U.S.30 to Cokeville.\u00a0 Thirty miles later we are back in Utah on\u00a0UT30, south on UT16, stopping in Randolph for fuel.\u00a0 At Woodruff, a right turn\u00a0on UT39 takes us to\u00a0one of the most beautiful, made for motorcycle roads in Utah (Butler Maps G1).\u00a0 Climbing to nearly 9,000 feet through groves of Aspens, the 360 degree views are incredible.<\/p>\n Arriving in Huntsville, we stop for lunch at the Huntsville BBQ Company, one of the two restaurants in this sleepy community.\u00a0 Lunch was very good, but if your looking for a cold beer it won’t be here unless it is in your ice chest!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n