Oregon to California

We departed Stanley around 11:30 yesterday. Made it as far as Burns, Oregon for the night.

We stayed at the Days Inn....I'd definitely recommend it and stay there again.

Today we rode to Old Station, California. We are staying at the Hat Creek Resort and Campground. This room is very nice...half the cost of the room in Jackson and lots more amenities! Only downside...dirty carpet.

We had a very nice ride today--I think we are just a little too tired to really enjoy all this wonderful scenery.

Tomorrow we will ride through Lassen National Park...and be home in time for dinner.

Two and one-half months on the road. I'm looking forward to cooking!

Idaho

When we departed Jackson Hole, Wyoming last week Larry found a route we had never been on...that led us to Howe, Idaho for awesome German food at Heidi's. (Those who went to Billings in 2000 may remember this place).

Larry had set the GPS for Sunshine Village, Idaho...nothing there but a bunch of nice guys trying to make a living on raft adventures.

We rode on to Stanley, Idaho because that is the closest place with accommodations. We expected to head back to Sunshine for a raft adventure on Wednesday.

Well, that didn't happen. After we had registered at the Mountain Village motel we headed for their natural hot spring. On the way we met Jon and his son Thomas heading back to the motel. Larry and Jon got to talking and the upshot was that Jon and Thomas were there to begin a 6 day raft adventure on the Middle Fork River. Jon was SURE there were a couple of places available.

So...at 11:30 Tuesday evening we were booked on a raft adventure that began at 8 a.m. Wednesday. How is that for fast acting?

So, from last Wednesday until 4 p.m. today we have been on the Middle Fork River...thoroughly enjoying the adventure. Larry is awesome in the inflatable kayak. I stuck with the 7 person paddle raft or the guided float. We saw some awesome white water - and so many other things I am too tired to mention right now.

Bottom line - Middle Fork Rapid Transit puts on a Five Star adventure.
I'll add more later and add some photos.

Since this was our very first multi-day raft adventure we had much to learn...not the least of which is that on the Middle Fork PEOPLE may only urinate IN THE RIVER...and everything else brought in is taken out. Leave as little trace as possible. Micro trash-those are the little crumbs one would normally sweep aside. Not so in the wilderness. You pick them up and put them in a trash container.

Wanna wash your hair...wet it in the river, go above the water line, soap up and rinse with a bucket of river water. Same goes for brushing your teeth...and make sure you dilute that toothpaste you spit out.

There are approximately 10k people using the river and camping areas during the summer...you can imagine the UGH! if people didn't comply with the forest service requirements.

Taking a leak in the river was a major adjustment....and for females squatting is a tad bit more problematic than for guys. Next time I'm taking a muumuu. I think that is the way to avoid mooning others who might be wandering around or passing by in the river.

The guides usually set up the portable toilet in a scenic spot...the last evening had an especially beautiful view of the river and anyone passing!

We have GOT to get tents like MFRT has. They are a snap to put up and taken down. Small space user too.

Rafting was new to us...and with some trepidation with just jumped in! The staff was awesome. At no time did I feel afraid. Obviously Larry didn't because he opted for the 7 person paddle boat at the first opportunity. When the inflatable kayaks came out he was one of the first to volunteer....and pretty much used them for the remainder of the trip. Larry even mastered the class IV rapid...or so it looked. What he lacked in style he made up in the ability to keep the kayak afloat AND stay in it. He was ONE with the kayak!

Neither of us is physically fit...but except for being tired at the end of the day we didn't experience anything more than mild muscle aches. (Glad I had used the Wii Fit before we left!)

Food....food, and more food. I was impressed...not only with the quality of the ingredients but the talent of the various guides who were the chefs of the day. If I had eaten some of everything offered I would have gained weight.

Jackson, Wyoming

Yesterday we rode from Billings to Laurel to Red Lodge to Cooke City to Yellowstone.

We spent the night in one of the western cabins at Canyon Village.

Riding over Beartooth Pass was AWESOME. We experienced a little rain before getting to Cooke City and it was like ice picks. We stopped for lunch in Cooke City and on leaving it looked like a storm blowing in. Sure enough, before we could ride out a rain storm blew through. The bikes are a mess...muddy water left marks everywhere.

Yellowstone was also awesome...we experienced animals like never before, light traffic because we rode out early and the cabin was nice, if lacking in most everything you'd get anywhere else for the price.

There was construction in Yellowstone. There was construction in Wyoming. There was construction in Teton Park. The bikes look more like Wyoming MUD.

The Tetons were magnificent. There is a really nice visitor center just inside the park we had never been to before. We chose the road closest to the mountains and found the experience delightful.

We are at the Super 8 in Jackson.....$150 a night. Three stories and no elevator. We are on the 3rd floor. Then the key to the room didn't work. No pool, no spa, no place to eat. The view from the room is dirt, wooden pallets and storage buildings. Fortunately we had points with Windham so we aren't out of pocket.

The weather was perfect today....

Tomorrow....who knows where we will be!

Billings, Montana

We have had such a great visit here in Billings. Jack & Barbara have treated us to an awesomely relaxing time with great conversation!

We have also visited with Larry's Aunt Ida and several cousins on both sides of the family.

Billings has grown since we were here in 2007. Biggest observation is that the drivers are as bad or worse than many other cities we've been in. Many drivers are lacking in courtesy. Can anyone say turn signal?

Tomorrow we head for Yellowstone Park via the Cooke City Highway (aka Beartooth Pass). We had originally planned to bypass Yellowstone this trip but the powers that be are offering free admittance this weekend... so we couldn't we resist.

For the first time in 37 years we will be spending the night at a hotel in the park...hope it is really good, because it is 37 times more expensive!

Monday night we will be in Jackson for the night...and then who knows!

July 10

We departed Alliance in great riding weather. After we got on the road we decided to go to the Agate Fossil National Monument...good thing we had moderate temperatures because it really was out of our way.

If you or someone you know is interested in dinosaurs you really need to check this out. In the early 20th century they found ENTIRE skeletons of fossilized animals...too cool.

We continued our ride into Wyoming...stopping in Douglas to complain about our property taxes, in Glenrock to check on the house and on to Casper for the evening.

We visited with our friends Doug and Carla (and grandson Jayden) at the Central Wyoming Fair. The fair looked smaller than it was when our children were little! Had a nice time and stayed up visiting until after 1 a.m.

Today we will ride to Billings...with a little stop at Custer's Last Stand on the way north.

After Billings...who knows. There is a lot of our country yet to see!

July 8

Cottontail rabbit baby!





Still in Nebraska...while the wind has not blown EVERY day ALL day....it seems like it is saved up so it can blown at gale force in the evening.

July 6

We had a lovely day on July 4th...complete with a reunion banquet, alumni band performance, alumni men's chorus and a special performance by David Hickman and his lovely fiance (David is a KHS graduate and world class trumpet player). All this was followed by a spectacular fireworks display put on by the firefighters of Kimball, NE.

We rode back to Sidney in SOME rain....and lots of people were still shooting off fireworks!

On Sunday we went back to Kimball for the picnic and another lovely performance by the alumni band. (For a bunch of people who haven't played together in years they sounded darned good!)

After the concert and picnic we rode to Scott's Bluff National Monument. I stamped my national parks passport!

There was a storm brewing so we hurried back to Alliance...where they haven't had rain since we left on Friday. We had dinner at Jay & Shannon's house --it was a surprise birthday party for Jayme. Jayme will be 22 on the 7th.

Today Larry is changing the spark plugs in his ride....I'm taking it easy shopping for gutter guards and doing laundry. A nice peaceful day!

July 4

We rode to Sidney, NE yesterday morning and checked in to the motel in preparation for the class reunion in Kimball, NE (we were unable to get a motel in Kimball).

While we were relaxing in the room a severe thunderstorm passed over the area. Can you say RAIN? Buckets. Of course the rides weren't covered. Just a tad bit damp when it was all over.

In better weather we rode over the Kimball (36 miles) for the informal meet and greet of the Class of 69 and 70. Fortunately they had a bunch of year books available so Larry was able to look at faces he MIGHT recognize and put them to the faces for today. Wow, some of these classmates haven't changed much at all. A smile certainly doesn't change in 40 years! There was only one lady who looked like she was at least 10 years older than everyone else - and she was the only woman walking around carrying a pack of cigarettes.

We had a lovely evening and finally rode back to Kimball around 10:30 p.m. - perfect timing to follow the newest severe thunderstorm passing through the area.

Today we will ride back to Kimball for the festivities and keep all our fingers and toes crossed in hopes of avoiding all severe weather.

Tomorrow we will head back to Alliance.

July 1

The last few days have been a welcome respite from traveling.

Larry has spent two days cleaning up the bikes. Lots of BUGS!

Each evening there has been a severe weather warning. Some of the cloud formations are really scary!

Went to the big town of Scottsbluff today....you know I'm desperate when I find a Menards hardware store fascinating. Cool store.

You know the glass globe watering devices they sell "As seen on tv"? Well, the hardware store had mini-globes for $1.49....couldn't resist. I also found some solar lights CHEAPER than what I paid for the exact same thing at Walmart.

I met a young lady today that finds the THOUGHT of driving to Deadwood, South Dakota daunting. Apparently she has rarely left Scottsbluff...and even when she has someone else has done the driving. I didn't tell her about our adventure....probably too much excitement for her.