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Monday, September 26, 2011

POW-MIA Recognition Day

September 26, 2011
Colorado, USA

Today is POW-MIA Recognition Day. It is always the third Friday in September. We hoisted our new POW-MIA flag for the first time today and we are proud to see it waving beneath Ol' Glory.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Celebrating Fall with a High Country Color Ride

September 25, 2011
Colorado, USA

It started out as a "let's ride around the lakes" morning, maybe stop for donuts and coffee -- but it didn't take long to realize the day was so fine there was no way we would spend it any other way than cruising the whole of it on the Harley.

We did indeed ride around Carter Lake before continuing south and west toward our favorite park in Lyons where we stopped to devour our grocery store donuts washing them down with thermos coffee.

Coal Creek CanyonCoal Creek Canyon - Hwy 72

Where to next? Are you kidding - west and up - high country here we come. Well we rode Hwy 93 out of Lyons toward Golden deciding to ride Coal Creek Canyon. We have not ridden Hwy 72 in a long time and found ourselves wondering why. The scenery is spectacular and the road is fun. The aspens were putting on quite a show today and for this time of year - that's something - not all of them have turned yet.

We rolled by a huge herd of elk just outside of Estes Park - always a thrill.

We followed Hwy 72 and then Hwy 7 into Estes Park as the day began to wane. Shadows in Big Thompson Canyon on Hwy 34 as we headed down made for a chilly ride in but we are not complaining. Our days in the high country are numbered. Fall is here and with it will come snow and winter sooner than we would have them - sigh!

Slide show of the day's ride (78 photos):

It is Gold Star Mothers Day

September 25, 2011
Colorado, USA

Gold Star Mothers DayTEXAS -- Patriots of North Texas (Wichita Falls area) honored four Gold Star Mothers and their families today. The following is a speech delivered by my Mom (Nezzie) during the event.

Mom reads speech - Dad in backgroundGreetings and welcome to this gathering in recognition of Gold Star Mother’s Day.

In the words of Gold Star Mothers Monument sculptor, Andrew Chernak: The loss of a child in any circumstance is a grievous blow to a family, but, uniquely so to the mother who bore that child. One group of Mothers that especially stands apart from the norm are the Gold Star Mothers of America's fallen heroes. They are patriotic, loyal, and sympathetic. They understand our nation’s freedom is not to be taken for granted. The grief and loss these women have endured never leaves them, yet the Mothers rise above their pain in tribute to life going on. The Mothers have collectively served millions of hours in volunteer work, personal service in our nation's Veterans hospitals, and to the Veteran and his family in their community. In serving this way, the Mothers have turned their grief into a positive force. If you want to know quiet greatness, spend a little time in the presence of a Gold Star Mother.

A child is the life’s work of a Mother. Being a Mother supersedes all other interests, goals, and desires. No work is more important to a Mother than the proper raising of a child.

Mothers of soldiers send their beloved sons and daughters out into the world instilled with a heightened sense of purpose, a love of country and a profound dedication to a duty that serves to protect all that is dear about the American way of life.

Mothers of soldiers stand proud as their sons and daughters venture forth to do the work so few in our society openly acknowledge as important. Mothers of soldiers somehow find the strength to support children who choose to serve our country, knowing in their hearts that protecting freedom often exacts a heavy toll.

When we hear about the loss of a soldier, we do not always acknowledge that this brave soul was some Mother’s son or daughter. Mothers of fallen soldiers live with the realization that they have contributed their life’s work to the greater good. We do not often hear that out of such tragedy emerges the Mother of a Hero, a Gold Star Mother, a woman shouldering a designation any Mother would gladly forgo.

General James A. Garfield said in 1868: They summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and virtue.

Mothers of soldiers already know their children are heroes. Brave sons and daughters become heroes the day they sign on to serve and defend this country with the whole of their beings, including their life.

It is a humbling experience to be in the presence of Mothers such as these today -- the mothers of our bravest and best. Under the most abject circumstances, these women do their children proud by rallying to serve others, by helping to preserve and honor the memory of the fallen, and by embracing the soldiers who do come safely home.

To properly honor our dead, we must honor our living. With that said, it is an honor to gather in appreciation of Gold Star Mothers, on not only this day set aside for it, but also every day. We do that by surrounding these Mothers with our love, support and encouragement in return for what they have given us. We celebrate the face these mothers put on overwhelming adversity, the face of courage and quiet strength. We are proud of your soldier sons and daughters and we know they would be proud of you. It may not be your choice, but it is your legacy and every American’s charge to make certain we always remember your soldier’s service to and sacrifice for this nation.

The streets of freedom are paved with the blood of our brave and the tears of those whose lives are forever changed by the loss of soldier sons and daughters. The memorial we build in our collective hearts in honor of those brave souls is fostered in the spirit of unity, pride in nation, and a lasting culture of remembrance we create out of our commitment to build upon the alter of their bright and shining gift to humanity. The gift of Freedom.

If you carry nothing more away from this Gold Star Mothers Day, please know this: In the presence of a Gold Star Mother, we all become the better part of ourselves. Most Americans realize there is a debt, that you and yours paid in full on our behalf and we will remain eternally grateful for it. Because of your dedication to others, the families of soldiers who safely return home will celebrate that good fortune for the rest of their lives. In your presence, a grizzled Veteran stands taller, flag at his side and toughens his resolve to honor the fallen.

We gather here today to celebrate you; our Gold Star Mothers in appreciation of the work you do to keep alive our great traditions, and out of respect for the example you set that inspires hope and patriotism in your fellow citizens.

God bless each of you and your families…
God bless the men and women of our military who protect our freedom and liberty…
And God Bless America…
September 25, 2011

Gold Star Families

Speech ended with this poem

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Just prioritizing

September 24, 2011
Colorado, USA

Yep! I am behind on blog posts, photo editing, the movies, yard work and the housework -- and I am likely to stay behind for a while. The weather is fine in Northern Colorado. This is my favorite time of year and I have a really hard time staying in the house when there are leaves to be kicking. So, if you do not see anything new posted here right away -- just stand by until... well, until... Ol' Man Winter puts a chill on our fun. Ha!

Screw it - let's ride!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Afternoon ride to Freedom H-D

September 17, 2011
Colorado, USA

Today's ride took us rambling south to Denver where we decided to stop at one of our favorite dealerships in the metro-mess. Much to our surprise Freedom Harley-Davidson was having open house so we parked The Ride, wandered through the crowd and the dealership, checked out the rides, watched a burnout or two, had some BBQ and enjoyed people watching.

Lizard ManYep! Pirates have their parrots and bikers have their lizards - argghhh - ha!

Brief slide show (14 photos) enjoy.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Freedom-Loving Patriot Day Ride

September 11, 2011
Colorado, USA

Devils Gulch RoadWhat a beautiful Colorado Patriot Day! We rolled out of the drive this morning, flags flying with no particular destination in mind and found ourselves winding west and up Hwy 34 through the Big Thompson Canyon. At Drake we turned on Road 43 toward the sleepy town of Glenhaven riding what is known as Devil's Gulch Road. It is an easy-going ride with spectacular scenery all along the way and culminates with a couple of severe uphill switchbacks at the end - just to keep things interesting ya know. We call it the back door in to Estes Park which is a fun place for shopping and snacking and strolling and people watching but we were not interested in crowds today so we rolled on through the lively little town for what is likely one of the last peak-to-peak highway rides of 2011.

Chapel on the RockThe Peak to Peak Highway begins in Estes Park on Highway 7 and rolls gently past and through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in Colorado, a scenery which noticeably changes with the seasons. It doesn't matter if you know the name of the mountain beside you is Lily Mountain or Mount Meeker or if you recognize the peaks called the Twin Sisters or if you realize the Old Rock Church nestled beside the road near Allenspark is actually called the Chapel on the Rock and it was built in the 1930s - sometimes it's just nice to absorb it all without the man-made details.

Cookies and coffeeWe rode Hwy 7, stopping at a pulloff just beyond the Chapel on the Rock for a few minutes just to take it all in... then rode on, turning south just past Allenspark on Highway 72 and as is our custom (more like a rule), stopped in Nederland for cookies and coffee from the New Moon Bakery. YUM! and YUM!

After a leisurely stop in Nederland, we continued on Highway 119, passing through the gambling town of Blackhawk and scenic Clear Creek Canyon where we reluctantly found our way back along the usual routes, west on 93 out of Golden for a short ways before cutting across Interlocken and home via Hwy 287.

On days like today - it is a blessing to have a high country ride such as this one right out our back door.

Here's a slide show of today's ride (81 photos) enjoy.

Remember

September 11, 2011
Colorado, USA

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Riding for a cause

September 10, 2011
Colorado, USA

Dad riding out 09/09/2011 Texas -- Dad (aka Ted aka Frosty) rolling out this morning on a ride that benefits the Fire and Police museum. I hear it will be a busy day with open house and demo rides at Red River Harley-Davidson, HOG meeting and probably catfish somewhere later on...

What is interesting in this photo is that Dad is wearing a jacket... things have cooled off a bit in North Texas after a record-breaking heat this past summer - 100 days of 100 plus weather. Yikes!

Ride safe - Ride cool.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Pacific to Potomac Patriot & Heroes Relay

September 5, 2011
Colorado, USA

Texas: Dad and Friends rode escort for a portion of the Patriots & Heroes P to P Relay. Kool!

The “Patriots & Heroes: Pacific to Potomac Relay,” begins September 3, 2011 in Oceanside, CA, with a rally that includes a “drop-in” by the United States Parachute Association. Nine days later, on September 11, 2011, the relay will conclude at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA.

Angela and NubbinAngela and Nubbin

Brief Slide Show (11 photos):

Road Trip #6 Day 4 - The road home

September 5, 2011
Colorado, USA

Greybull MotelToday was get on home day. After saying our good-byes to our excellent host and hostess at the Greybull Motel and so long to the Vets that were stirring early, we rolled out of Greybull about 8:30 am. It was chilly but sunny. We took a back road called first the Greybull River Road and then the Lower Greybull Road (recommended by our host) to travel through the small town of Meteetsee where there is allegedly a small bar with good food. This was a pleasant drive following a river through farmlands. When we arrived at Meteetsee we were diverted around town because of a Labor Day Parade. We decided to ride on and seek breakfast a little further down the road.

Lil Wrangler BreakfastWe gassed up in Thermopolis and found breakfast at the Lil Wrangler Restaurant. It was a fairly long wait because one of the waitresses had up and quit that morning and the just-out-of-surgery-hostess and a boyfriend were filling in. We enjoyed our coffee which they kept coming and when the food finally arrived it was hot, plentiful and tasty. What more can you expect out of breakfast?

Wind River CanyonRiding the beautiful Wind River Canyon

By the time we walked out of the restaurant the chill was out of the air. We wisely decided to keep our jackets on until we reached the other end of the Wind River Canyon. What a great ride!

We remarked again about how the little town of Shoshoni had changed, being all but dried up. The dusty Main street looks like a ghost town with weeds growing in the cracks of what is left of the asphalt, doors hanging off hinges and windows with no glass. We wondered if the malt shop had set up house elsewhere in town.

Traveling on, we stopped at the rest area between Shoshoni and Casper and peeled out of long sleeves, happy to ride warm the rest of the day. It was a long haul to get home so we did not linger. We stopped for gas in Wheatland and indulged ourselves with pie and ice cream at the Wheatland Inn which just happens to sit next door to the Shell station.

For once the weather cooperated on our ride out of Wyoming. We expect the weather to change about Wheatland, for certain at Chugwater but today is was clear sailing under sunny skies all the way in. We had winds of course, but that's normal. It is Wyoming.

Terry LakeTerry Lake - just a few miles from home

We rolled in about 7 pm, unloaded The Ride, checked in with the Folks in Texas and the neighbors and found we had plenty of time to enjoy a beer and a Mikes on the patio. Yep, the grass needs mowing and the garden needs picking but that will all keep until tomorrow or the next day.

Todays ride = 470 miles. Total road trip = 1361 miles.
Total Ultra mileage = 28461 miles

Slide show of the ride home from Wyoming (48 photos)


This is the last road trip of 2011. As usual at the end of a summer, especially since we got a Harley - we are out of vacation and money. Ha! We have had some great rides this year, but now it is time to enjoy what we hope is a long Indian Summer nearer to home and when cold weather does settle in, we will spend that time planning next year's rides.

I shot video on all our road trips this year - stay tuned for the mini-movies - coming soon. :)

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Road Trip #6 Day 3 Medicine Wheel Passage and Shell Falls

September 4, 2011
Colorado, USA

Greybull, WY -- When we started this Labor Day weekend road trip, Alternate Highway 14 (between Lovell and junction of Hwy 14) otherwise known as the Medicine Wheel Passage is the road we intended to ride. We missed riding this scenic route last year on our way home from the Glacier National Park road trip because of severe storms.

We rolled out of Greybull after topping off the tank and stashing a few convenience store snacks and a thermos of hot coffee in the saddle bags. We travelled north on WY Hwy 310 across the Big Horn Basin and made a quick tour of the main drag in Lovell WY noting some interesting art deco architecture and a great patriotic mural in Veterans Park. Outside of Lovell, WY we rode east on Hwy 14 and traveled over an awesome bridge crossing Bighorn Lake. Keep in mind, we are easily entertained but we thought it was fun. Once across the bridge the road gained elevation fast via several switchbacks through what is known as the Big Horn Canyon. The payoff at the summit was a view of the Big Horn Basin from a vantage point of over 9000 feet in elevation. Our impression of this road was it was a great, easy ride with some kool switchbacks through alpine terrain but mostly we were thinking it was just too damn cold. High and cold. It crossed my sissy-mind at one point to break out the rain gear but the Texas-girl in me said tough it out. We did not stop at the Medicine Wheel this time as it sits a good way off the road and it is a walk-in from the parking area. Needless to say, we were not interested in an alpine hike this day.

Slide show Medicine Wheel Scenic Byway, Hwy Alt 14, WY (62 photos):


Medicine Wheel Highway

We were happy when we arrived at the junction of Alternate Highway 14 and Highway 14 which meant we could begin our descent to Greybull and hopefully warmer riding. We were soon upon Shell Falls and ready to stretch our legs. It was well past brunch-time so we took this opportunity to sample our convenience store donuts and thermos coffee.

Shell FallsShell Falls is quite lovely and sits just off the road. The walk ways allow for great viewing and facilities include a gift shop and restrooms. The falls has about 120 foot drop. We took our time and enjoyed strolling in the sun and snapping a few pics.

Vik - Shell FallsVik at Shell Falls, WY

Tim at Shell Falls, WY

Copman's TombThe limestone formation known as Copman's Tomb

The drive through Shell Canyon was spectacular. We have driven this stretch of road before many years ago but as with most roads - it was far better on a motorcycle. The day was warm, the sun bright and rabbit brush was blooming in a riot of yellow alongside the road. The Precambrian granite/sandstone walls of the canyon loomed large as we rode along. From just about any point along the road a massive limestone promontory can be seen. It is known as Copman's Tomb. Legend has it that a young ranch hand named Copman once dreamed of building a glider which he thought to launch from that promontory. Copman, being well ahead of his time never realized the fruition of his ambition. Keeping faith with his dream he asked at the end of his days that his remains be flung from a glider near that point. This too, never happened but the formation became known as Copman's Tomb in local folklore.

Dirty AnniesNear the end of Shell Canyon, in a dusty little spot off the side of the road sits a hamburger joint and country store called Dirty Annies. We peeled out of our layers of clothing because it was now officially hot. Having decided yesterday we would not eat out in Greybull again Dirty Annies seemed like a fine alternative to PB&J. We found a small table in the cozy (ok maybe cramped is a better word) dining room and swatted at flies while we waited on a burger for Tim and a BLT for me. Our milk shakes (that's what they called them) were more like grainy malts. I asked for water and should have specified bottled water. Ack! Just an average meal, nothing fancy. I am smiling as I write this. The burger was ok, the BLT was ok. Notice the lack of caps in OK. I am glad I got chips with my sandwich and not fries and was happy to share what posed as an onion ring with Tim. I do not believe I have ever said or done such a thing in the past. It's not hard to ruin fries or onion rings I guess if they come from a freezer bag. Ha! Take note here - the meal at Dirty Annies trumped the meals of the two prior evenings - just barely. After our meal, we roamed through the country store part but there didn't appear to be anything we needed among the dusty, dated offerings. No, I am not complaining, just amused and not all that surprised - this is backwoods Wyoming after all. We enjoyed looking at the vintage sheep wagon on the property complete with cast iron stove and tried to imagine what it was like to lug or herd that thing over rough terrain.

On our way into Greybull we stopped at an antique store we had noticed was finally open. Here again, we didn't find anything we thought should come home with us but it was an interesting collection of mostly late 19th century - uh - junk. The owner was friendly and freely shared a few quirky Greybull tourist stories.

The motel was a welcome sight and we chatted with our host for a little while. He showed us their lovely private garden and we talked about our rides and thanked him for pointing us in the right direction. There are several more scenic points we will make a point to see next time we are up that way. We kicked back soon after with a couple of beers at the little table in front of our motel room until dark-thirty and talked about what we had seen along the 140 miles of road we traveled today.

Slide show of Shell Falls - Hwy 14, WY (71 photos):

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Road Trip #6 Day 2 Chief Joseph Byway and Beartooth Pass WY/MT

September 3, 2011
Colorado, USA

Greybull, WY -- The ride this morning on Hwy 14 to Cody, Wyoming was as one would expect a Wyoming ride to be - long and flatter than flat. What was most surprising is it was damn cold. Too damn cold for denim jackets anyway. About twenty miles out Tim is cussing the fact that I let him talk me out of packing the leathers - just in case. So, we rolled into Cody and found the Walmart where sissy-boy Tim purchased a hoody and since there was no hoody in my size I settled on a stocking cap and decided to tough it out.

The Irma Hotel - Cody, WYCody is a neat little tourist town. We liked it. We rode back along the main drag passing small gotcha shops, saloons and Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel all the while looking for breakfast. We found a great breakfast at a family restaurant called Granny's which was packed with both locals and tourists. We didn't wait long for a table and two cups of coffee appeared in front of us before we could slide out of our jackets. Our waitress was an older woman full of good humor, friendly and efficient. We ordered a hearty breakfast knowing Wyoming as we do, that it was not likely we would find restaurants along our ride today. Eggs, pancakes, hash browns and bacon served up hot and cooked exactly to order arrived fast. We liked Granny's and will return when we are in that neck of the woods again.

The Ride - Dead Indian Pass, WYWe topped the tank off and rolled out of Cody after breakfast heading out on Hwy 120 looking for the Chief Joseph Highway. What a beautiful ride! The view from the summit of Dead Indian Pass (elevation 8048) was stunning. The history of the Nez Perce Indians and their struggle against the inevitable domination by the white man is as interesting as the landscape giving meaning to the ground we were standing on. And, yes - it was still cold. But making up for it was the 47 miles or so of road being one switchback after another which was more fun than a roller coaster - woo-hoo! Tim and I agree the engineer of this road had to be a biker. This ride is nothing but eye candy with spectacular views of rugged mountains, craggy cliffs, and crystal blue mountain lakes around every curve - lots and lots of curves. Did I say woo-hoo!

Slide show for Chief Joseph Scenic Byway WY (55 photos):


Bear Tooth HighwayAt the end of the Chief Joseph Highway we turned onto Bear Tooth Highway. We had no idea when we started out this morning what a spectacular day of riding this would be. The Beartooth Highway (highest elevation paved highway in the Northern Rocky Mountains) winds through the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains revealing high alpine plateaus with snow fields and glaciers, countless glacial lakes, miles and miles of forest and lush valleys and waterfalls cascading over high cliffs. Our temps averaged 37 degrees as we traveled Bear Tooth Pass (elevation 10,947 feet). Did I mention it was cold? And do you think we cared? No, we were having too much fun.

Shortly after starting out on the Bear Tooth highway we encountered !!&*%(*%*^%$!! road construction and as is typical in Wyoming the road was down to dirt and bedrock. Several inches of loose gravel and dirt made for treacherous going. We had gone about a quarter of a mile when we saw a water truck headed our way. We were thinking great, let's add a shower and mud to the mix...next we would be riding as icicles but the water truck guy stopped, pulled over and let us pass with a friendly wave. We met the water truck guy later at a visitor center. He was hanging out beside the ride, said he noticed our plates and told us he was a biker, up from Colorado Springs working on the road crew for the summer.

Bear Tooth Highway SwitchbacksBear Tooth Highway - check out the road below the Rock Creek Vista Point Lookout (elevation 9190 feet)

Bear Tooth Highway Glacial Lakes and SwitchbacksGlacial Lakes and snow all along the Bear Tooth Highway

The Bear Tooth Highway is 60 plus miles of pure OMG (Oh My God) highway. We have OMG highways in Colorado but I believe this day of riding would match and outdo any one of them. We rode into Red Lodge Wyoming with big ol' smiles on our faces. Did I say woo-hoo? Our host at the Greybull motel recommended riding back the same way we had just ridden but it was late in the day and we realized that doing as he advised would put us riding part of that road at night. With temps already in the mid-30s we decided against that and chose to ride the lower, warmer, flatter route back through Cody and on to Greybull. This route took us through Bearcreek, Montana where the buildings of Washoe Mining Camp, a ghost town line the sides of the road.

Once back in Greybull we parked The Ride, said howdy to the Vets who were already congregating outside and then strolled off in search of food. We found a poor excuse for food at a Pizza place downtown not far from Lisa's where we dined last night. Afterwards, we decided we might have done better with peanut butter and jelly from the grocery store. We decided to find food before we ride back in tomorrow or PB&J it is.

We spent some time this evening visiting with the Vets and listening to their stories and laughing as they poked fun at each other. They offered drinks (whiskey) but being lightweights, we stuck with our beer. What a fun group.

Now we are ensconced in our cozy room and ready to call an end to an amazing day and 298 miles of oh my God highway -- all those switchbacks - wow!

Slide show of Bear Tooth Highway and Pass WY/MT (100 photos):

Friday, September 2, 2011

Road Trip #6 - Day 1 - North to Wyoming and Wind River Canyon

September 2, 2011
Colorado, USA

Greybull, WY -- This morning, about 8:30 am, we rolled north out from under some clouds hanging low and dark over the foothills. Tim pointed out the odometer was sitting at exactly 27,100 miles. Normally, we will roll south or west but there is rain in the New Mexico forecast, it is still too durn hot in Texas and Oklahoma and we just spent nine days riding in the Colorado's southwest corner. The Wyoming forecast is sunny and warm so, here we are sitting in a cozy little motel in Greybull, WY.

It was jacket weather riding out but we ran out from under the clouds not long after we crossed the Wyoming border. First stop was for fuel and breakfast in Wheatland, WY. We had a great breakfast at the Wheatland Inn (right next door to the Shell). When was the last time you had a breakfast special (2 eggs/bacon/hash browns/short stack) priced at $3.99? Add a couple (ok several) cups of rich, black coffee and color us fat and sassy and ready to ride on.

We stayed on I-25 through Casper, then travelled Hwy 26 the long, long, long, hot, hot, hot 100 miles across no-mans-land Wyoming to Shoshoni where we turned north on Hwy 20. It has been several years since we have been through these parts. We were surprised to see the deterioration of the small town of Shoshoni. We had planned on stopping at a historic malt shop that was once very popular, but the building where it was located is deserted. Rats!

Tim - Wind River Canyon, WYThe best part about turning north in central Wyoming is the ride through the Wind River Canyon. The canyon drive is about 35 miles or so and runs through the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation and Boysen State Park skirting the edge of the Boysen Reservoir. The canyon walls loom over 2000 feet above the road. Interpretive signage all along the way points out the geology of the area, many of the rock formations from the Precambrian period (some of the oldest rock formations in the world). The road runs beside the Wind River until near the end of the canyon where we get the Wedding of the Rivers as it joins the Bighorn River.
Vik - Wind River Canyon, WYVik - Wind River Canyon, WY

Wind River Canyon Ride -2011

Greybull MotelThermopolis, WY is home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs. The state park is worth the stop, but we have seen it before and decided to ride on through this time. Upon arrival in Greybull, WY we cruised the main drag before rolling into the charming Greybull Motel where we have secured a nice room. I had read the reviews online about this motel and knew this was likely the place we would stay. The hosts are friendly. The walks in front of the rooms are lined with beautiful flowers. There are several sheltered picnic tables and lots of cozy spots to relax. The room is clean and neat. We have booked a couple more days here.

Two beersThe owner of the motel recommended a restaurant within walking distance so we took a short stroll to Lisa's Western Cuisine and Spirits. We stepped in, but it seemed a bit stuffy inside so we chose a table on the patio and ordered a couple of Ultras. The food was a bit pricey, we thought. Tim says his steak was OK, but rather small and he liked the sauce. I ordered the special (chicken and pasta). The Young and somewhat snooty waitress said it was not a special it was a feature. La-tee-dah! The pasta was OK, the chicken - mostly rubber, so I have to agree with her -- there was certainly nothing "special" about my $18 "feature". Ha! The atmosphere was simply buzzing. I think Lisa's should invest in citronella candles or install something to move the air - flies were a nuisance.

After dinner, we strolled down the all but deserted streets of sleepy little Greybull, listened to a man broadcasting his own music across quiet main street from a swap shop (he was pretty good) and picked up some beer and snacks at a convenience store. We met a group of Vietnam Veterans staying at the same motel and talked over a couple of beers at a cozy table near our room about our ride tomorrow. The owner of the motel is a motorcycle rider... he recommended a ride to Cody, Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (both of these we already had in mind) and the Beartooth Scenic Byway.

Today's ride was 440 miles... looking forward to tomorrow... yawn!

Slide show of today's ride to Wyoming (76 photos):