Aug 19 Green River to Steamboat Springs

Today was another big day on the road with a lot of travel through the grasslands could try with the big rocks a does a starting to appear as we rode along. It's the big wide open spaces that you imagine you would see as you go along the highways of North America. We have  now changed states again and have travelled into Colorado  We are still at around 8000 feet elevation and it is amazing thing is that  most of the country we are travelling through is covered in snow in the winter time . Our day ended in a beautiful little town called Steam boat Springs which is  a magnificent ski resort town. Where we stayed was right at the base of the ski fields so you could sit on the balcony downstairs and look at the base of the ski runs. Very quiet and seemed to have the place to ourselves. Everyone is very tired so it was just a relaxing dinner in the restaurant downstairs with everyone sitting and chatting.

Aug 18 Jackson Hole to Green River

After getting up early in Jackson Hole to grab some more photos  as we have another big day of about 300 miles. In and out of different states when we go from Wyoming to Utah to Idaho and then back to Wyoming.  Amazing changes in the scenery around where one moment you seem to be in the middle of a desolate desert then all of a sudden you go over a bridge and there is a big river winding it's way through the country. Again the Europeans found the going a bit hot. During the day we stopped at Flaming Gorge National Park - yes another park but the magnificent scenery just goes on and on. Stopped at a place  called Bear Lake to have lunch. This lake is huge and straddles a number of states. More miles clocked up on the bikes over some vast open spaces where the speed limit is a minimum of 65 miles an hour and the trucks are still passing you. The last part of the day before stopping was another Harley Davidson shop whee guess who bought more t-shirts. Then onto our home for the night where it was very pleasant to sit out the back in the courtyard looking at at the desert rocks much like you see in the movies with a glass or 2 of red shared with friends

Aug 16 Cody to Jackson Hole

Today we were back on the bikes and heading off to explore Yellowstone National Park. There were high expectations that we might get to see some bears or moose as we haven't been lucky so far. As usual it was a beautiful scenic ride to the entrance but lots of tourists sharing the road. We managed to find some Bison ( not suppose to call them buffalo) and a few deer but no bears. As we were on a tight timeline ,we only just skimmed the top of the sights including Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the iconic Ol Faithful geyser. A little disappointed that we couldn't spend a bit more time but I think you could easily spend a whole week there and still not see everything.
Bought our lunch and went to the Yellowstone Inn to set up a vantage point to wait for the geyser to go off. Headed off from Yellowstone towards Jackson Hole and went into another national park called the Grand Teton . Again spectacular scenery but a little hazy due to the fires that have been around. Finally got to Jackson Hole which is very much a ski resort town with the ski runs coming right into the edge of town. Very pretty and I'm told by those in the know that it is very reminiscent of Aspen. Dropped into the Cowboy Bar which an iconic waterhole in these here parts. Dinner together and then back to grab some shut eye for another big day tomorrow

Aug 15 Rest day in Cody

After spending a week on the bike everyone was looking forward to having their rest day in Cody Wyoming.As I mentioned Cody is named after Wild BIll Cody or Buffalo Bill and the town very much revolves around his legend and legacy.
It was recommended by our tour Guide Laura or La La as she is nicknamed to go and have a look at the Buffalo Bill Museum and also to check out the Irma Hotel in town.
So Russ and I headed off to the museum first thing to have a look around. Its a huge place that has 4 different sections to it - the natural history of the area, the life of Bill Cody, the natie Indian culture and history and the museum of firearms and the history of the development of them. Really interesting and you could easily spend a whole day there. If you were interested in the history of firearms , you could stay there for a couple of days just looking at the massive collection they have.
After a couple of hours there, next on the list was the Irma Hotel. Originally we were just going to go into the old bar area - its the original bar area that Bill Cody built complete with cherrywood bar, pressed metal ceilings and historical paintings and pictures around the walls. We ended up sitting in one of the booths having some good ol fashion cooking with meat and potatoes. Very cheap and great taste.
To top off the day , it was back to the pool for a dip and then headed off to the rodeo that runs every night in Cody. Its part of the circuit so all the cowboys and girls are competing for points no matter what the size of the crowd. Russ and I have been before but for most it was a bit of an education and lots of fun.
Great day and now back to the hotel to fall into bed ready for tomorw.
H

August 14 Red Lodge to Cody

Today we rode from Red Lodge Montana to Cody Wyoming. This is done via Beartooth Pass which is 10,600 feet above sea level. I was hoping to keep my birthday low key but the girls made sure everybody sang happy birthday in the car park just before we left - very embarrassing!!! And of course Col had the video going just to top things off.
Headed off to the Chief Joseph Highway and up into the high country - again amazing scenery and roads that keep turning back on themselves. I'm sure the car drivers aren't as keen as the bikers on this road and it is very reminiscent of the popular Black Spur Range in Victoria except much higher, quicker and longer as the road condition is much better than Australia. Stopped at the Top of the World Store where you can buy your çommorative' T-shirt to say you have been there.
There were lots of bikes on this road and you can do a circuit where you keep going around and over the pass several times as we saw the same bikes a number of times when we stopped for photos etc.
Continued on to Cody and this time we were lucky to avoid another summer storm but caught the wind off it as we came the last 10 miles into town and you could feel the bikes being blown sideways - very uncomfortable.
We have a rest day so have been recommended to go and check out the Buffalo BIll musuem and Irma Hotel
Cody is the home of Wild Bill Cody or Buffalo Bill and you can just imagine a cowboy and indian movie being shot just ouside town. The main street is full of shops that sell cowboy boots in every imaginable shape,size , style and colour as well as any type of country shirt you would like.
Anyway once settled into our hotel ,refreshed and headed off into towm for birthday tea. Ended up at a local mexican place and ordered a margarita just to start things off. I expected a cocktail glass but what we got was a mug which by the taste of it was 3/4 alcohol. I ended up with 2 of them but only managed to have one and a mouthfull out of the second otherwise I don't think I could have got up from the table. Glenda had one, Shelley had 2 and so did Russ. Anyway had a great night and collapsed into bed full of burritos and corn chips.
Still very warm so shorts and t-shirts tomorrow and maybe a swim as its our rest day.
H

August 13 Fairmont Hot springs to Red Lodge

Welcome to summer !! Today was mostly a travelling day with 160 miles on the freeway. It was a rare day as we normally stay away from the interstates but really had no choice. The temperature topped at around the 100 degrees which sounds hot but is only round about 33 C so it was just like riding in Feb  in Oz. The guys from the UK and Europe really felt it and it was only the Aussies who kept the jackets on for the whole of the travel day. We left our hotel at Fairmont springs and made our way to Butte to visit Evil Knevel grave in the local cemetry which is relatively low key as he is buried right beside his parents. We also stopped at the local Harley Davidson shop ( again) so Colin was able to shop to hearts content and Shelley picked herself up a bargain.
So back on the bikes again for the ride to Bozeman for lunch. Stopped at this amazing co- op that had the best salad bar, wraps and a delightful cheese bar which even included some Castello  cheese. Pity we were on the bikes. Then a hot long ride to Red Lodge where everybody was glad to stop , get off the bikes and jump in the pool.

Aug 12 Whitefish to Fairmont Springs

Today we travelled about 240 miles through Montana the big sky state. Some parts of it remind me of home with wide open areas full of cattle and sheep. The difference is that they have lots of water close by that makes it easy to irrigate and grow just about anything. The thing I have noticed is the everywhere you stop we see the hunting . Lunch was at Trixies which was your good ol saloon bar out in the middle of now where were you had a choice of burgers, burgers or burgers so we had a burger for lunch under the stuffed head of a elk. The whole bar had various trophy heads around the walls with a lot of pictures of the various hunts that have gone on. The most interesting part was the picture of the horse in the bar with all the locals.
It's been quite hot today and at one stage it was 101 degrees when we stopped for fuel .  As is often the case with summer we are also in the middle of the summer storm season so part of the adventure today was trying to avoid the downpours from the

storms that roll off the mountains . We managed for most of the day till about 5 miles from where we were staying for the night and then the heavens opened . The thunder and lightning were quite spectacular so it was on with the wets and then our home for the night. So  now it's time for a few drinks and sitting outside enjoying the view from the front of our room. We have started to form some great friendships with some of our travelling companions . Montana people are very friendly and show a genuine interest about who you are and where you have come from especially when we all arrive on the bikes.it's a great conversation start.Fairmont springs is a hot spring area and they have built the resort around that so we headed down to the pool for a dip in the hot pool (38 degrees) and then into the cool pool at 32. Very popular with both locals and visitors.  The thunder is just starting again so I will try to load a few more photos for you to look at. I keep forgetting to tell you to check out the Eagle Riders Travel Agency facebook site and look at the Canadian trip. There are a lot of photos to look at .
Cheers
H
PS sorry about the blurry picture won't let me remove it. Ah technology