THANKS TOMMY!

Well, I feel like I should apologize....I got six emails wanting to know if we were still alive and kicking since I had not posted a blog entry. Thanks for checking!

I will play catch up here. We left Huron, SD on Sunday morning. Destination was Red Lodge, MT. That was NOT going to happen. Putz, you can call me "Evil Anal" if you want....next big trip I am having reservations! (That goes for you too Brenda!)

Started calling Red Lodge around 1130 in the morning. No rooms any where to be found. Even in the outlying towns. Finally found rooms in Billings at the hotel we (airline) stay at on layovers. Motley Crue and Godspell/Godspin some other band were staying there. I could have cared less. Now had it been King George Strait...different story!

Found out the reasons there were no rooms in Red Lodge was due to the "Mountain Man Rendezvous" weekend. Marva..if you start getting calls with area code 406.....what are friends for! Besides, we need a free place to stay next time in Red Lodge! Be nice to them when they call!

We did stop in Broadus, MT for the "worlds greatest milkshake." It was OK.

The big highlight of the day was Little Big Horn National Park. Words just can't do it justice. I have been lucky enough to visit Gettysburg several times. Little Big Horn was just as moving. You see grave markers though out the whole battle area. They just buried the men where they fell. We were standing up on the top of the hill where the final battle was fought. You can see all the grave markers of the soldiers scattered down the hill. (261 total) Even Gen Custer's. His headstone is black compared to the others which are white.



Steve and I were trying to find a word to describe our feelings as we were standing there. I used the word "moving." Steve used "spiritual." Today while getting oil changes in Bozeman a Native American who fought in Vietnam came up to talk to me. Very articulate, educated man. We were talking about Little Big Horn. He used the right word to describe it...."Sacred!" It's a MUST SEE if you are in the area. My words will never do it justice!

We lost a few brain cells in Billings later that night. I am not really sure but, I think it is safe to say our waitress with all the tattoos (she was sleeving out with tattoos) and big holes in her ears was not very receptive of my "fatherly" advice. I am pretty sure when she started rolling her eyes....I should have picked up on that and stopped, oh well. Unfortunately, I missed that class and continued to give it.


Monday...

Got up and left Billings heading for Beartooth Hwy. Stopped in Red Lodge for breakfast. Found a place that actually served grits! Filled up and headed out.

Charles Kuralt called Beartooth Hwy the most gorgeous road in America. I really can't argue with him. But.....I don't think he did it in the rain! It kind of distorts your view of it when it's raining and road repairs are going on. Throw in dinosaur sized misquotes as well when you have to stop and wait for the road repairs. The flagmen/women were wearing misquotes head nets if that gives you a better picture. I finally got off my bike and got my repellent out. Regardless....well worth it.

Got into Yellowstone a little later than planned. Our original plan was to make Bozeman yesterday so we could get oil changes early this morning. We are at about 4,500 miles into the ride so far.

Thanks to the buffalo that didn't happen. We were backed up in traffic for over an hour so all the people driving a minivan could take a picture of an over size cow! Then, two miles down the road...same thing! What do people do with 300 pictures of buffalo? Christmas cards? Who the hell knows. =-)

It was Steve's first time on Beartooth and in Yellowstone. After we finally got by the Buffalo Fan Club it was pretty smooth sailing....kind of, not really!

Kind of if you like torrential down pours and HAIL! We were actually hailed on twice. I have never had ice build up on my windshield so fast. It was a bit larger than peas. Yes it hurts! It makes a very loud "pinging" noise off of your helmet. That is when Steve had been replaced by Willy Wonka!



The back side of Yellowstone we got a little break for about 30 mins just as we pulled into Old Faithful. It was perfect timing. Old Faithful goes off about every 90 minutes. We were only there 3 mins and it went off. Very cool if you have never seen that.



As a kid, we didn't have a clothes dryer like some of you as well I am guessing. I can still remember the smell of when my Mom would put fresh sheets on the bed from the clothes line...that is what the smell reminded me of yesterday after the last rain and we were able to take our rain gear off and ride the remainder of Yellowstone. The culmination of the fresh rain, the drop in temp, (97 to 57 in one day) the trees all combined to give that "fresh clothes line" smell when your head will hit the pillow at night.

It was late so I decided to call a place I have stayed at three times now. The Hebagan Mountain Inn. This is where I first "encountered" the Cheese Head Motorcycle Club! And yes, they still remember us!

My brother sometimes accuses me of being a little "squeaky." The rate started at $165 a night. When it was all done and said...we got the rooms for $100. Yes, the squeaky oils does get the oil sometimes! And yes Cheese Heads....the bar is doing fine. When I asked for ice, I was told..."you have been here enough, the ice machine is in the kitchen if you want more." And yes, I did get up and go get it. The other sister was cooking and said when I walked into the kitchen...."are you coming back to help?" I got the hell out fast! I love a place that the owner gets up to tell you bye in the morning...(or check to make sure you are not stealing towels..not sure yet which)

It's also hard to describe what Flathead Lake looks like until you crest the hill on Hwy 93 and see it for the first time. It is an amazing body of water. Largest lake east of the Mississippi.

So far this trip....antelope, mule deer, moose, eagles, and a mountain lion. (OK, he was dead..but, I still saw him)

Tomorrow we ride the Going-To-The-Sun road in Glacier Park and then head to Idaho and Hwy 12. Following the same river Lewis and Clark did.





THANKS TOMMY:

When the trip was first hatched in my little incubation pit I call a mind, I sent out an "open" invitation. Two people (actually three but, as soon as I said I still don't share a room it was down to two) was serious about going. Tommy from Columbia, SC who went to Undergraduate School and Law School at University of South Carolina (big red chicken for a mascot) wanted to go. He stated...I want to see Little Big Horn. When I first met Tommy and his lovely wife Peggy on the way to Sturgis four years ago in a bar (I see a trend with all my friends) we became instant friends. Even back then he talked about going to "Little Big Horn."

I did the research, planned the route to include what "Little Tommy" wanted to do. Then I sent out "release forms" for both married guys to have their wives sign them. Well, let's just say only Steve is on the trip.....kind of! Tommy, we both thank you from the bottom of our hearts for routing us that way....and buddy, you were there in spirit! =-)






Quote of the day comes from General Custer's sword. Here is the picture of it:




I have also added a couple of videos I posted on YouTube. Just copy and paste this link in your tool bar. If you ever wondered how big a 3,000 pound buffalo looks three feet in front of your Harley....you can see!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjKbq1jV3GE

In the honor of a true American icon, Walter Cronkite:

"And that's the way it is!"

Rick (MDD)