Incidentally, checking the odometer, I found it to be exactly 6400 miles. Which makes calculating miles easier.
Leaving a little after 6:30, I soon came upon some lady on her "Broom" that wouldn't get out of my way. You see it's funny because her licence plate says my broom and some of you reading this actually know who's broom it is.
As I headed down the road, somewhere on highway 12, a chipmunk was unsuccessful at crossing the road. It was the first animal I have hit on this bike, hoping it is the only, or at least the biggest thing I hit with it. I say this as I passed a deer next to the highway on the way to Lolo.
I stopped in Helena for lunch and a little rest, then I was on my way again.
A little before I got to N46 27.547 W110 11.488, I passed a car that I thought might be a Google Street view car. It was white with some kind of contraption on top that I thought might be the cameras. However, after researching more, the Google cars have a much bigger contraption on top of their cars. So, I'm not sure what it was that I saw on that car.
I made an extra gas stop so I could stand up for a bit.
I got to Hardin, found the campground and a site to stay in.
It was much too late to make it to Little Big Horn, so I went and had supper instead.
I found that I had a couple texts, which I returned.
Then I got a call from my Dad, so I chatted with him for a minute.
It was dark before I got my bed setup, so not long after I finished setting up, I went to bed. I was a bit tiered after 632.2 miles.
This day was only planned for about 380 miles, but it was a very busy day.
So, I got up and got on my way, stopping at Little Big Horn, only to find that they don't open the gate until 8:00 AM.
Which I guess that makes sense, but it gave me some time that I had to kill.
I rode over to the Custer Battlefield Trading Post and took some pictures. One was of this teepee with the pile of skulls next to it. I also took a ride on the back road up to Crow Agency and back.
Finally, 8:00 rolled around and I was able to get in to see Little Big Horn.
There are a lot of graves here.
It was interesting to see.
They also have a wall built in a circle with many quotes and information about the different tribes involved.
Part of that circle was the wire depiction found in the picture to the right.
Once finished, I headed on my way on highway 212.
I ran into some contruction along the way, which lost me some time.
But I finally turned south at Alzada, dropping into Wyoming and arriving at Devils Tower.
See, there's the tower, and there's me in front of the tower, and there is some guy that thinks he's a mountain goat.
After I was done at the tower, I continued south by south-east, reaching Sundance and stopping to fill up.
Then, getting on the freeway, I found that my cruse control only works up to a certain speed, so I had to hold the throttle myself.
Dropping off the freeway, I went south to Deadwood.
I rode around a bit and found the "original location" where Wild Bill Hickok was shot.
I tried to get some video of the more historic looking street, but I was having issues with the Drift camera, so I didn't get it.
Moving on, I headed into Sturgis.
I was a bit hungry, so I stopped at the Loud American Roadhouse for a late lunch.
I had their chicken quesadilla soup and a lot of water.
The waiter didn't seem too sure about the soup, but was happy that I liked it.
Now, I started on to Mount Rushmore, stopping in Rapid City to fill up.
Once there, I found my parking spot and headed for the mountain.
The first thing you come to is the restrooms and drinking fountains, where I got some more water.
(I think I was a little dehydrated by the end of this day.)
But then comes the alley of state flags with the date each one joined the union.
You then come to the Grand View Terrace above the Amphitheater, where most people were taking their pictures.
From here, you can start the walk around the "Presidential Trail", which I did.
There is one spot on the trail, where you can walk down in between two boulders and it gives you a "framed" picture of Washington.
There are spots marked along the trail where you can get a picture of each president with a straight on view. (pics below)
Also, as I climbed back up to the Grand View Terrace, there is the Historic Viewing Terrace which gives a different angled view. (pic below)
I took Highway 16A just a little north west of the monument, heading south.
It was a fun road to ride, which went through a nice wooded area.
There were a couple one lane tunnels on it.
The Robinson Tunnel. (Left)
And the C. C. Gideon Tunnel. (Right)
And if you are wondering what you hear in the videos, it is episode 16 of the radio show Gunsmoke, entitled The Kentucky Tolmans from 08/09/1952.
I got to Center Lake Campground, found a camp site and setup camp as it was getting dark. And that's all there was for that day. The picture was taken in the morning so there was enough light.
First thing out of the gate was the needles highway.
This was also a fun ride and had some very nice views as well.
When I finally got to the Needles Eye Tunnel, I had to ride through it three times to get the video, due to issues with my Drift Camera.
I stopped for a second at Sylvan lake to take a picture.
It looked pretty nice.
As I continued on my way, I came around a corner and there was a deer standing right there on the edge of the road. I encountered this a few times during this trip. Luckily, none of them decided to jump out in front of me.
I stopped a little ways down the road to get a picture of the Blue Star Memorial for the Armed Forces.
I finally arrived at Crazy Horse. After watching the video they had, I walked through the visitors center and got a few pictures.
I also got a picture of the "Natures Gate" on my way back to the parking lot.
I then headed south, stopping long enough in Custer for gas and to take a picture at the Flintstones.
Continuing south I reached Nebraska. . . I didn't know that it falls by the wayside.
Soon after entering Nebraska, I came upon a small herd of buffalo. I had seen another one up in Montana, but this one was right next to the road, free rangin' it. I didn't stop to take a picture. You know, they really mean it when they say not to approach these guys.
As I was coming up on highway 20, I believe that 42°55'26.7"N 103°03'58.6"W is the point furthest east of the trip. (Missoula being the furthest north and Lewiston being the furthest west.) I turned west soon reaching and stopping in Crawford to fill up.
As I continued on my way, heading back to Wyoming, I was counting and I believe that with South Dakota and Nebraska added to the list, I have been to 9 states. Unless you let me count the ones that I never left the airport, then that would be 13.
I stopped at the Lusk Wyoming rest area, moved things around, got some water and called Dad.
I was then on my way again.
I stopped in Orin to fill up before getting on I25 in route to Casper.
In Casper I turned onto highway 220 and headed south, stopping at Independence Rock.
Then stopping again around the bend at Martins Cove.
Here, I walked through the visitors center and got a few pictures, a rest and much needed water.
Once in Lander, with the threat of bad weather, I choose to check into a motel. I called Dad to let him know where I was and had him do some research online for me. I decided the Holiday Lodge (which I was parked in front of) would be where I would sleep and the Oxbow would be where I would eat.
I checked in, unloaded the bike and then went to supper. After supper, I went back to the motel and took care of a couple last items of business and then went to bed.
It didn't take me long to reach Sinks Canyon State Park, and not long after that to leave the park as well.
Just outside the park was the trail head for the Popo Agie Middle Fork Falls.
I parked and prepped for the hike.
As I was starting up the trail, a Jeep pulled into the parking lot and a couple got out.
However, it was still early enough that I had the trail all to myself.
As I hiked, I took a couple of pictures of the scenery.
And, boy that was a long way down.
Eventually, I came to a sign that told me which way to go... Well, I guess it used to anyway.
I did take the correct trail, which happened to be the left one, not the right one. And soon arrived to see the falls. They weren't one of those where the water falls for hundreds of feet before splashing into a pond at the bottom, but it was still cool to see.
On the way back down the trail, there were a couple different groups of people hiking up the trail. Eventually, I came to the couple from the Jeep. I won't say they were old, because really they didn't look that old. But, let's say they were taking their time, instead of saying they looked a little frail. More importantly, they were out doing what they enjoyed.
Once back at the bike, I headed back to Lander, filled up and called to let Dad know I was leaving.
As I was heading into Dubois, I stopped a took a couple pictures of the colored layers in the hills.
Heading North I stopped in Dubois to fill up and while there, I had to take a picture of the jackalope.
Later, my Dad told me that he made a child sit on it to take a picture.
Continuing on, I was making my way over Togwotee pass when I just had to stop and take a picture of this tree. Yup, out in the middle of nowhere, on top of this mountain pass. While I was stopped I went ahead and took a couple other pictures of the scenery.
I eventually made it into Jackson, taking side streets to get away from the idio... Oh, I mean tourists.
I stopped at Wendy's just to check. . .
Doug, the General Manager, was still there.
I reminded him who I was (since I don't look like some punk kid anymore), and we had a quick chat.
He will be retiring in December.
I headed out of town, stopping in Hoback to fill up, then on home (Grover, Wyoming).
After unloading I rode up to the cemetery to get a couple pictures.
My older sister also showed up as well. We (sister, dad and I) hung out doing our different activities and then had supper. I finished up the few things I needed to do that night and then off to bed.
After checking on weather and fire conditions, I got up and started to get things packed.
I had two rolls with current jelly (Thank you Misty!) for breakfast.
Once all loaded, I said my goodbyes. Dad said it was a pretty quick visit. I told him, it's better this way so he doesn't get too attached. And with that, I hit the road.
I had originally planned to go through Ketchum, however, while looking at the map, I decided to go through Mackay (pronounced Mack-ee), because I hadn't been that way before. And, I had gone through Ketchum before.
When I stopped in Mackay for fuel, I also stopped for lunch, which seemed to be a luxury on this trip.
I stopped again in Stanley to fill up. I also made a call to Dad and let him know I would be going out of cell coverage. I also called Amber back. I then rode into the wilderness.
Another change of plans was the location of my last camp.
I decided to stay at Bonneville campground again, instead of going all the way to Meadows.
That way, I didn't have to start out so early on this day and it splits the last part of the trip a little more evenly.
I headed back to camp to rest and backup pictures to the laptop.
I also, finally cooked up the can of stew and had that for supper with toasted tortillas.
Then, off to bed.
I got up and started packing up, and while doing so, I had my last apple juice and some jerky for breakfast. Once all was loaded, I was on my way.
I stopped in Garden Valley to fill up so I could make it to Riggins before I needed to stop again.
It was a nice cool overcast ride until about the time I got to new meadows. Then, it got hot fast.
So, as I was passing the road to where I was originally going to camp (Last Chance Campground), there was a sign at the entrace that said, closed to public.
I guess it was a good thing I stayed where I did.
I stopped in Riggins, filled up, took off my leathers and such, called Dad and took a picture of the cloud of smoke coming over the ridge. Then, I continued on my way.
There was some wind in the area which had cleared out the smoke from the canyon. By the time I got to White Bird, it was a real wind. And as I came off the Johnston cutoff, it was attempting to blow me off the road. It was a little white knuckled, but I made it back to Lewiston.
Apparently, the wind storm hit Lewiston a short time before I got there, because as I was coming up on Tammany, a couple were redirecting traffic up 28th Street due to downed power lines.
I went all the way to Grelle, and there were several fire trucks in the area putting out a fire in a field/pasture.
As I went along, I was trying to miss all the debris in the road.
I finally made it home, only to find this mess in my yard.
Without any incidents and, with the exception of that last little stretch, no real risk of life or limb. . . I think it was fun anyway.
Totaling 2,416.4 miles across five states in five and a half days, I have once again come to rest on my laurels.
Thank you for your time and attention.
