Oops!!!

Our plans for making it home on Tuesday were foiled. We had been skirting bad weather all day and made it as far as Monroe City, MO before having to succumb to the rain. The farther east we rode, the darker it was getting. We decided to take a break and give the weather a chance to clear up. While waiting we encountered travelers coming the other way, they were full of tales of hardest rain ever and water covering the road. Repeated checks on the weather radar confirmed that things were serious and our intended route would be compromised for quite some time. We decided to check into a local motel, spend the night there and not temp bad weather and oncoming night conditions. Under most circumstances traveling by motorcycle is the greatest experience ever, however there are times where good judgement and caution need prevail.

Heading Home

Monday morning and time for us make are way back to Missouri. However, we don't simple load up and look for the quickest way back. No, instead we once again get on the Iron Mountain road, just a great ride in the Black Hills with its numerous winding curves, 3 times it loops up over itself and the two tunnels that line up to give a straight through look at Mount Rushmore in the far distance.

Then it is on to Custer State Park and the Wildlife Loop Drive. Very scenic with opportunities to take in the wildlife in residence there.



As you ride along the drive there are signs posted stating, "Buffalo are Dangerous, Do Not Approach". I would like to recommend a couple of additions for their signs. "Buffalo Poop on the Road Causes Slippery Conditions", and "Buffalo Galloping Toward You Should Be Considered EXTREMELY DANGEROUS". Just a couple of our observations.

Pronghorn (Antelope) are just too cute to be dangerous, actually they are quite shy.

Leaving Custer State Park, we continued on south into Nebraska, eventually turning onto state highway 2, which takes us across a great deal of the state. Nice scenic, low traffic, 2 lane road, great drive. We made it to Grand Island for the night. A very long, but very good day.

Black Hills

Mount Rushmore

A visit to the Black Hills by a biker means at least three things, Sturgis, great roads to ride, and Mount Rushmore, in that order. I suspect that some of you made have a few others you might suggest as well. However, these would be on just about everybody's list. We had planned on just passing through, but instead we took an extra day and took in some of the high points. So glad we did. The roads and riding in the Black Hills are absolutely fantastic. This year especially so, there has been an unusual amount of early summer rain and everything is very green and lush. The Sturgis rally goers will be in for a great treat this year. And Mount Rushmore never seems to lose it's splendor either. Always an impressive sight.

Crazy Horse Mountain

We stopped by to check on the progress at Chief Crazy Horse, that work is still moving forward. This is a visit that I also highly recommend. The story of the sculptor and the sculpting is every bit as impressive as the character of Chief Crazy Horse himself. An amazing story to behold.

The Eye of the Needle

Those of you that have ever ridden the Needles Highway have this sight permanently engraved in your memory of favorites. As I have already mentioned, the menu of spectacular roads in the "Hills" is awesome. In this same area you need to make sure you experience the Iron Mountain Road as well.

Downtown Keystone

The town of Keystone itself is a very picturesque sight as well. Lots of shops, restaurants, stores and places to stay, all within view of Rushmore. A really quaint little place just to relax and spend some time, oh sure, money also....

Git-A-Long Day

After one last hearty breakfast at "Our Place", it was time to say our farewells to all in Cody and hit the road. For us that was not an easy task, we had so much enjoyed our stay and especially the awesome hospitality of Rick and all the staff at the Cody Cowboy Village. Our stay there could not have been more comfortable, relaxing or enjoyable. If any of you ever make to Cody, be sure to stay at the CCV. Highly recommend you make reservations well in advance, they are very popular.

Apologize for the lack of photos on this segment, we do have some, hopefully I will get to add them later. So be sure to check back.

The ride from Cody to Sheridan, Wyoming was every bit as spectacular as most of the scenery that we had experienced. U.S. 14A through the Bighorn Mountains will have you spellbound with every curve and crest. The highest point is about 9400 feet, so plenty of very cool air and great views. We did something that we had not done for several days, we took an interstate highway. But, we were wanting to make some time and get to the Black Hills early in the evening. That strategy worked out. We got there, made our way down to Keystone and settled in for the evening with plans to spend the next day in the local area and take in some of the sights.

Yes that's the setup for the next posting.

Celebration

4th of July, Cody Wyoming, children, moms, dads, families, cowgirls, cowboys, servicemen and women, veterans, police and firefighters.

A parade, bands, music, marching, floats, flags, waving, cheering, saluting, patriotism, pride, honor, respect, thankfulness, appreciation, love, understanding, joy.

Good people, caring people, rugged people, strong people, understanding people, hospitable people.

A richer slice of Americana I have never witnessed.

Cody Stampede

Our trip to Cody would not have been complete with taking in some rodeo. Well, that we did. During our time there the Cody Stampede was held, this is the big four day event for professional rodeo. We managed to take in two nights of the spectacle. Our first night there was punctuated with a severe thunderstorm complete with lightening and heavy rain. That didn't stop them, the show went on.

Bareback Bronco Riding

Calf Roping

The Women's Barrel Race

The ever popular Bull Riding

The Rodeo Clowns

Here the clown is distracting the bull as the rider is hitting the ground.

The local fireworks show capped off a great evening for the last night of our visit.

Parade

Celebrating the 4th in Cody.

Shriners

Have a Parade and the Shriners are sure to be there. These guys are doing their routine through the wheels of the monster truck.

Hole in the Wall

Picture taken from the porch of the original cabin used by Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid and the Hole in the wall Gang.

Trail Town

Located on the original site where Bill Cody planned Cody City. Today this village is made up of original and historic buildings from around the area.

Homework Assignment

Ok blog fans, pictured is the grave site of Jeremiah "liver eating" Johnston.

Your assignment is to determine how he got his nickname and post the answer in the comments.

Food Update

I bet some of you becoming seriously concerned, I haven't mentioned eating for awhile. Well relax, all is well in that category. Right across the street from where we stay is the best breakfast place iin Wyoming. "Our Place". When you walk in the front door you are greeted by Ida Helen, her name alone tells you are in for great home style cooking. Yes, the sign is correct, 25¢ coffee.

There other great places as well, Wyoming Rib & Chop, the famous Irma Hotel and several others. I suspect we may be traveling home with an extra pound or so.

Our Place

If you are ever iin Cody, you have to stop in here.

Old Faithful

The signature feature of Yellowstone National Park.

Early this morning, our friends Dave and Kim departed for home with North Platte, NE the goal for today.

Barb and I are staying in Cody a couple of more days. Today we rode to Yellowstone, which is only about an hour away. Had a great day, beautiful weather, wildlife, and lots of fellow visitors. It was also good to see new growth of nature overtaking the destruction of the past forest fire. The winter and spring appears to have been good to the park, bringing out an abundance vibrant vegetation.

Who really owns this road?

Totally undaunted by all the visitors, this group of bison casually make their way down the road.

Thursday July 3rd

One of the many beautiful meadows that are plentiful throughout Yellowstone Park. If you look closely you may be able to make the elk in the near grass.

Thursday, July 3rd

View of Lake Yellowstone.

Wow

Dave and Kim at Beartooth Pass

Today's blog is submitted by guest bloggers, co-riders, Dave and Kim. We approached the day leisurely, got on the bikes around 8:00 a.m. and cruised the curvy highway to Red Lodge Cafe. Toni, our waitress from the Chrome Bar the night before, recommended the establishment, nestled midway down the street of quaint buildings. After breakfast, we strolled the sidewalks until we stumbled into Montana's Candy Emporium to discover every sweet treat imaginable including childhood favorites and samplings of Huckleberry flavors. Also visited the HD store where the guys logged our mileage from the day before for HOG's Million Mile Monday. One of the sales ladies pulled up pictures of Bear Tooth Highway on the Internet explaining that there was ten feet of snow up there a couple of weeks ago and that the temperature would be 30 degrees lower than the 70 degrees we were feeling currently. She was accurate in her statement.

Red Lodge Cafe in downtown Red Lodge, Montana

Cruising the Beartooth Highway on July 1st

We put on our leather and zig-zagged up the switchback highway. The scenery was extraordinary. Each turn featured a magnificent view of the mountains surrounding us. Roger asked us what we thought, and we replied, "Wow!" there simply was not a better word to describe the beauty of the terrain, sky and the glory of God's hand found in nature.

The Bear's Tooth

Name sake of the Beartooth Mountains, note the fang like rock formation.

This is Roger and Barb's third visit out west. It is no wonder why they love this trip. It has been a wonderful opportunity to experience this tremendous display of beauty with such admirable individuals. Our love of the road, food and fellowship has developed a remarkable camaraderie.

Chief Joseph Highway

It took us nearly 8 hours to travel the 100 miles of scenic Bear Tooth and Chief Joseph Highways to Cody, WY, worth every minute. Cody has a small town feel, with lots of activity. It boasts a nightly rodeo, interesting historical sites, Buffalo Bill's Historical Center and more. Our accommodations are phenomenal, as is the owner of Cowboy Village. The decor is log cabins and cowboys, as one might suspect, but the beds are the best in the west. It surprises you with a rustic elegance.

Cody Cowboy Village
After dinner at the Rib & Chop House, we attended the Stampede Rodeo. Fortunately, we sat in the grandstands protecting us from inclement weather. Out of the blue, a wicked storm blew through including down pours and lightening taking out the lights and scoreboard. But the show went on. The participants and commentators never missed a beat, they continued to perform without hesitation. It was another amazing evening of our adventure, WOW!

Dave and his new friend, the chipmunk