And sleeping in our own bed. Lovely.
We had a great time all the way around. I'm going to write up a more detailed story about our trip but until I get that done, just know that it was wonderful.
We rode great roads. Saw great and amazing sights. And met really nice people. Along with seeing family that we don't see often enough. We love you all.
Also, pictures are coming - give me a week.
Andrea leaves for Lithuania on Friday and will also be doing a travel blog with her friend Natalie; I'll get the link up on here as soon as she sends it to me.
Thanks for keeping track of us while we were gone.
- Dan and Peg
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Whatever day - today anyway
We left Yellowstone this morning via the Chief Joseph highway. Very nice road. Then we rode across Wyoming. Then we rode across the Alternate 14 up and over the Big Horn Mountains. Who knew that there were mountains in Wyoming??
That was very cool, very steep up the side of the mountain and then beautiful across the plateau that makes the topp of the range. It was green and beautiful; not at all like what I've always known of Wyoming.
Tonight we are again in a hotel in Gillette and tomorrrow will travel past Devil's Tower to our campsite at the Mt. Rushmore KOA where I should be able to verify this and update on our days at the Rally.
Kids - get the house clean we are coming home!!
That was very cool, very steep up the side of the mountain and then beautiful across the plateau that makes the topp of the range. It was green and beautiful; not at all like what I've always known of Wyoming.
Tonight we are again in a hotel in Gillette and tomorrrow will travel past Devil's Tower to our campsite at the Mt. Rushmore KOA where I should be able to verify this and update on our days at the Rally.
Kids - get the house clean we are coming home!!
Sunday
OK, so I've got my days off here somehow. Never mind the day titles, they're wrong.
Anyway, the next day we rode to Yellowstone and got there in the morning and found a campsite in the park. Everytime we get there we are reminded about how big that park really is. It's huge. After we set up the tent, we took off to ride over Beartooth Pass. What a ride!! I know, I keep saying that but the rides just keep amazing me. This one too. Instead of the passs being between two mountains so you sort of pass between them, this one goes right over the top! 10,947 feet over the top. You could see forever. And we were way above the snow line. Totally cool.
Then we rode into Cody and on into Yellowstone,. There were several fire zones along the road to the east entrance with fire fighters stationed all along the way watching the smoldering for flalre ups. Miles and miles of fire. Right down to the road. And lots of smoke. It was weird to ride past and watch trees explode as the fire burned them.
Then - here iof all places - as we were racing to get back to the campsite before it got totally dark, wouldn't you believe it -- the sun was going down and I was thinking that I couldn't see and that if there was going to be a buffalo in the road I'd hit it before I saw it. And sure enough, we came around a curve and there was a WHOLE HERD OF BUFFALO IN THE ROAD!!!! I hate buffalo in the road. And all the people in their cars got out, leaving their cars inthe way to take pics of the buffalo. GRRR. We fionally just drove around the cars down the middle of the road. At one point passing less that an arm's length from a giant buffalo who growled and looked at me. AACK!! Seriously, he growled. Or some loud, irritated buffalo growling-like noise. Large, large buffalo.
Did I mention that I hate buffalo in the road?
Anyway, the next day we rode to Yellowstone and got there in the morning and found a campsite in the park. Everytime we get there we are reminded about how big that park really is. It's huge. After we set up the tent, we took off to ride over Beartooth Pass. What a ride!! I know, I keep saying that but the rides just keep amazing me. This one too. Instead of the passs being between two mountains so you sort of pass between them, this one goes right over the top! 10,947 feet over the top. You could see forever. And we were way above the snow line. Totally cool.
Then we rode into Cody and on into Yellowstone,. There were several fire zones along the road to the east entrance with fire fighters stationed all along the way watching the smoldering for flalre ups. Miles and miles of fire. Right down to the road. And lots of smoke. It was weird to ride past and watch trees explode as the fire burned them.
Then - here iof all places - as we were racing to get back to the campsite before it got totally dark, wouldn't you believe it -- the sun was going down and I was thinking that I couldn't see and that if there was going to be a buffalo in the road I'd hit it before I saw it. And sure enough, we came around a curve and there was a WHOLE HERD OF BUFFALO IN THE ROAD!!!! I hate buffalo in the road. And all the people in their cars got out, leaving their cars inthe way to take pics of the buffalo. GRRR. We fionally just drove around the cars down the middle of the road. At one point passing less that an arm's length from a giant buffalo who growled and looked at me. AACK!! Seriously, he growled. Or some loud, irritated buffalo growling-like noise. Large, large buffalo.
Did I mention that I hate buffalo in the road?
Saturday
We rode from Glacier to Livingston, Montana today. Since all we're riding on are state roads or US highways, it seems like we ride slow. And that's probably right but we get to ride on some pretty terrific roads!
We stayed in a hotel!!!
We stayed in a hotel!!!
Friday
We rode to Glacier National Park and up and over the Going to the Sun Road. Then we camped on the east side but in the park. The road is undergoing some construction which happens at night but the gravel and potholes are there for the day so it was slower going than normal but, still great views and well worth the ride.
There were very strong winds that night and we wondered if the tent was going to blow away -- with us in it!! Needles to say, we kept getting woken up and didn't get much sleep.
There were very strong winds that night and we wondered if the tent was going to blow away -- with us in it!! Needles to say, we kept getting woken up and didn't get much sleep.
Friday
We rode to Glacier National Park and up and over the Going to the Sun Road. Then we camped on the east side but in the park. The road is undergoing some construction which happens at night but the gravel and potholes are there for the day so it was slower going than normal but, still great views and well worth the ride.
There were very strong winds that night and we wondered if the tent was going to blow away -- with us in it!! Needles to say, we kept getting woken up and didn't get much sleep.
There were very strong winds that night and we wondered if the tent was going to blow away -- with us in it!! Needles to say, we kept getting woken up and didn't get much sleep.
Thursday
We left the Cascades and headed out for Otis Orchards where we had a great visit with Uncle Norm and once again got to see Margie and Katie and Johnny.
It's time to make applesauce and they were there to help Uncle Norm out. We were thrilled to be able to stop and visit and had a great time. Everyone should get a chance to have Uncle Norm's applesauce!
Then on into Idaho where we were surprised to find that we rode the Spiral Highway the last time we were there. So since it was totally out of our way, we went north up to Sandpoint where we spent the night,.
Norm's really was the highlight of the day.
It's time to make applesauce and they were there to help Uncle Norm out. We were thrilled to be able to stop and visit and had a great time. Everyone should get a chance to have Uncle Norm's applesauce!
Then on into Idaho where we were surprised to find that we rode the Spiral Highway the last time we were there. So since it was totally out of our way, we went north up to Sandpoint where we spent the night,.
Norm's really was the highlight of the day.
Wednesday
Wow - how fast a week can go!!
When we headed out for the border, we sailed through into the US with no problems. (Unlike getting into Canada) then we rode into Bellingham and found the Harley Dealer and got shirts and a pin. Cool space they have. Also got some good advice on how to ride out of town and had a nice ride along a lake and up into the foothills.
Along the way, we stopped to lose some gear as it was getting warmer and luckily stopped at a corner that was also the place for a nice bike shop called Scooter Stuff. This shop is owned by a nice lady named Shell who is really sweet. Convinced us to hang around a while and have a cup of coffee; showed us her shop and made us feel at home. If you are ever out there, find her shop you can't go wrong.
Then we headed along the road that winds up and through the Cascade Mountains. As always another nice ride. We get the best advice about what to ride from the people who know best - those who live where the rides are!!
We stayed on the east side of the park that night. Lots of miles, long day.
When we headed out for the border, we sailed through into the US with no problems. (Unlike getting into Canada) then we rode into Bellingham and found the Harley Dealer and got shirts and a pin. Cool space they have. Also got some good advice on how to ride out of town and had a nice ride along a lake and up into the foothills.
Along the way, we stopped to lose some gear as it was getting warmer and luckily stopped at a corner that was also the place for a nice bike shop called Scooter Stuff. This shop is owned by a nice lady named Shell who is really sweet. Convinced us to hang around a while and have a cup of coffee; showed us her shop and made us feel at home. If you are ever out there, find her shop you can't go wrong.
Then we headed along the road that winds up and through the Cascade Mountains. As always another nice ride. We get the best advice about what to ride from the people who know best - those who live where the rides are!!
We stayed on the east side of the park that night. Lots of miles, long day.
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