Adventures in the Wild Wild West - a Triple Ride Report - Red Lodge, NAFO, HW3

[Tyler]

Ho boy that picture makes my hair stand on end! Things like that in life make every day seem like an encore.

Every day above ground and breathing IS an encore, my friend... but I think I'm preaching to the choir here.

When I die, and reincarnated, I want to come back as Tyler!

You know you'll have to wear women's clothing, right? :lol:

Great stuff, as always T. I look forward to the day when I can get a good DSLR. Your photos make all mine, from my first digital dinosaur, look like crap. Your pics are always so vibrant and colorful. Awesome, awesome stuff!! Look forward to seeing all your NAFO pics as well. And for WIW, sorry about the job loss. Just enjoy the time off, while you have it. Hugs, Gary

Gary, about half of these pics are taking on the fly with a small Canon digital camera... you don't have to have a big DSLR to get a good shot... just takes practice... and hugs back!

 

[Tyler]

On popular scenic roads, national parks, etc., sometimes I get conflicted on the bike with the traffic. On the one hand, I want to be able to stop often and look around. I want to breathe in and really absorb the environment. But OTOH, if there is a lot of traffic, with limited opportunities to pass the RV train going 20 under, I sometimes pass up stopping opportunities. I don't want to get stuck behind the RV train AGAIN. Gear up and gear down - put it on, take it off. I know that this line of thinking is stupid. Take your time - enjoy, scratch, and sniff. But admittedly sometimes, I get caught up in it.

Not stupid at all... believe me, there are times I do the same thing (passing up stopping opportunities) for the very same reason... too much empty road ahead after working so hard to get around those goofballs... screw the picture!! :lol:

This picture makes me smile, it makes me think of the time in the back seat of Dad's 56 Olds driving thru at dusk and seeing the wild life and folks fly fishing. I wish I could have that memory in a photo taken by you! That was the year Earthquake Lake was formed, we had camped at Rock Creek just a few days before.This picture seems so Idyllic, no force to it and so peaceful. It's amazing how something so peaceful can be so powerful as just a few mile north is the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the three water falls. https://www.yellowstonepark.com/3-waterfalls-of-the-grand-canyon-of-yellowstone/

Keep on taking me on these rides Tyler, they are enjoyed.

That's a great story, Kev... I'm glad that it can evoke that kind of memory... it's what I'm shooting for (pun intended)... Look forward to sharing some (s)miles with you again sometime soon... miss the PNW folks... :wub:

AWESOME as usual Tyler, thank you for sharing, and more, more, more........(please!)

Well, since you said please...

 

[Tyler]

Sated we headed back to the motel for catching up and tall tale telling in the parking lot before retiring for a well deserved rest...

The next morning, Marie and I headed back over Beartooth Pass as I had wanted to stop for a few photo opps that I hadn’t had the chance to catch the day before... it was a gorgeous day... Marie on the way up...

The view from Rock Creek Vista Point... can’t get enough of that view and the road below...

This guy thought we were nuts...

Snow still at the top and lots of yellow wildflowers...

Iconic view of the top of the world with the road snaking through the lakes...

Blue, blue alpine lake water...

 

[Tyler]

Came across this father-son duo... I started chatting with the son who was on the FJR as I thought he was one of our group... turns out he knows about the forum and lurks from time to time but didn’t know about the gathering! He is about to become a new daddy so this was a big trip for the two of them... I remembered their names at the time and thought I wouldn’t forget them because my brain is like a steel trap... unfortunately, there seem to be a few holes in it... if you’re lurking, let me know and I’d be happy to send you a high res file of this and the other pics I took of you two!

Continuing along...

We stopped at the store to use the facilities and evidently someone decided to be helpful for anyone who wasn’t quite sure who they were...

The graffiti in this restroom is the happiest writing I’ve ever seen... this was just one sample of how much everyone loved this place...

On the road again (cue Willie Nelson)...

Stopped in Cooke City again and luckily this was the only wild bear sighting we had for the day...

From there, we scooted out to traverse Dead Indian Memorial Hwy...

For me, it is always a sobering reminder of the violence against the Native Americans and makes my heart heavy...

Looking back at the pass from the summit...

We ran into Dave & Sylvie at the top as they were headed the other direction and I caught them on their way down...

Sylvie knows me too well and knew I’d be up there with the camera so she put on a show for me... I could hear the “WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!” all the way at the top...

 

[Tyler]

Did I mention there’s a lot of roadwork going on? This guy needed lessons on how to properly flag people down... he was waving his flat as we came along like he was telling us to continue on... as I slowly passed him, he yelled, “STOP!!” pointing wildly and contorting himself... I apologized and said I thought he was flagging us through... he said some unintelligible things and made us turn around and get in line... wouldn't even let us stay in the front... douche canoe...

I made a note that it might be time to clean my windshield when I got back to the hotel...

Heading back down the mountain, the temperature started to climb as we descended...

And then we had a bunch of straight to get back to Red Lodge in the heat... urg!!

Made it back in time to catch a ride into town and have dinner with some of our riding brethren... good food, adult libations, and great friends... really hard to top that...

Don’t see this much around my town... one of the things I really enjoy about riding is getting to see these smaller towns... makes me yearn for a simpler life sometimes...

Brandon’s truck was full inside so we stashed a couple of other bodies in the back...

Meeting of the minds for the next day’s route...

Nikki found herself a nice little resting place to watch the festivities...

And with that, another day in the history books... coming next, a nice little day ride and the big BBQ!

 

[Bugnatr]

Nice photo bomb Zilla!

 

[Morecowbell]

You know you'll have to wear women's clothing, right? :lol:

I think some dudes are into that sort of thing...not that there's anything wrong with that.
The story and pics are just fantastic. I went through that area last fall, and reading this really makes me want to go back!

 

[Tyler]

Nice photo bomb Zilla!

What are you talking about? That's what he usually looks like... :lol:

I went through that area last fall, and reading this really makes me want to go back!

I'm already thinking about how to get back there... B)

 

[LCB]

Nice photo bomb Zilla!

What are you talking about? That's what he usually looks like...

I went through that area last fall, and reading this really makes me want to go back!

I'm already thinking about how to get back there...

Count me in when the planning begins

 

[Intech]

Nice photo bomb Zilla!

What are you talking about? That's what he usually looks like...

I went through that area last fall, and reading this really makes me want to go back!

I'm already thinking about how to get back there...

Count me in when the planning begins

Ditto. Definitely on my bucket list.

 

[Tyler]

The next morning, I had decided on a short-ish route as Sunday would be a big day for me so wanted to take it easy... evidently I wasn’t alone in that thought and found myself gifted with the companionship of several riders that decided to join me...

We would head out via 78 and into Columbus for a late breakfast... it was one of those mornings that made my heart soar as Iooked in my rearview mirror and saw the string of kindred spirits behind me... one of those moments where I am overwhelmingly glad to be alive... the road was pretty much empty and gently twisted and turned along green pastures and views of the mountains...

The clouds were putting on a show for us that morning as well...

Our merry little band at breakfast...

Kevin/AbercrombieFJR ordered a cinnamon bun that was bigger than his head...

And polished off the entire thing... it was impressive...

 

[Tyler]

We headed back on 78 through Absarokee, one of those little towns that you go through and wonder what life is like there... seems they were getting ready for a big yard sale weekend and there was lots of activity...

Another entry for the things I don’t normally see at home...

We then hung a right on 419 aka Nye Rd., which would be an out-and-back trip... through another even smaller town of Fishtail which was having a big (for them) festival... many gawked at the shiny machines as we made our way through...

Beautiful countryside graced us as we zipped along...

419 ends at Woodbine Campground at the West Fork of the Stillwater River... we dismounted for a bio break and to enjoy our friends and surroundings...

There was lots of gratitude for those friendships floating around...

Seventh inning stretch...

Even the youngster, Kevin’s son, was enjoying the day with the old farts...

View of the river...

After a leisurely pit stop, we turned around to head back to the barn...

 

[Tyler]

Deb had been curious about the Spyder so I let her take it for a spin in the parking lot...

Marty/0face was doing some networking...

For some reason, I thought of this...

Arriving back at the hotel, folks were gathering and sharing stories of the day as the scent of bbq wafted through the air...

Jim/fontanaman was happy to see everyone... or maybe it was the promise of meat... and beer!

Rich/YosemiteFJR made sure he wouldn’t forget his wife’s name...

The schwag...

Canadian goobers...

I loves me some 0Face...

John/JREW was excited about the feast to come...

Deb and Kevin had enticed their son along on the ride saying it was a family trip... they negated to mention that the “family” would include a whole bunch of FJR riders... sneaky!!

Witness protection member...

The quiet before the feeding frenzy...

Our hosts, the Red Lodge Lions, put on a fantastic spread and with lots of cheer...

 

[Tyler]

Let the feasting begin!

That’s a whole lotta people!!

And our friend, Beemerdons, made the rounds with everyone... here with Marilyn, Mrs. BigSky, who had joined us as our guest for the festivities in Cole’s honor, here with CraigRegs...

And other friends...

With happy bellies, we headed out to the parking lot for the group photo... what a crew!

Before we broke up for parking lot festivities, I presented Marilyn with a check from the donations received from so many good people on this forum in honor of Cole... I tried to do it without choking up but didn’t have very much success at that... I don’t think I was alone... still getting a little verklempted at the memory... either that or I got something in my eye...

Ahem, okay... meanwhile back in the parking lot...

I think Skip was a bit taken with my French friend, Marie... she is pretty awesome...

Craig had a thought... not sure about what...

And with that, we all drifted off to our respective rooms to get some shut eye before big trips the next day...

 

[Tyler]

I had a big day ahead of me... a one shot ride of 620 miles to Colorado Springs where I would leave my bike in anticipation of NAFO the following month... it would be my longest ride to date so I started early to give myself time to make the journey... there is something really special at that time of day... the sun rising and a new day beginning with the whole world in front of you... even though it means getting up at oh-dark-thirty, it’s one of my favorite times of the day to ride...

Me and my shadow...

Past Boysen State Park and along the river...

I rolled through Shoshoni and thought about getting gas but figured I had about a half a tank and I was sure there’d be another gas station along the way... but for a loooonnnngggg time, all I saw was this...

A whole lotta nothing... zip, zilch, nada (note to self – WY is not like CA with gas stops every so often unless otherwise noted... get the gas when you can!)... I was getting a wee bit nervous when, in the “town” of Hiland (don’t blink you’ll miss it... seriously!) I saw a store and decrepit gas pump in the front of it... I rolled up and the caretaker, Robert, came out... I pointed to the gas pump and asked if it worked... he said, “Yup!” and I said, “You, sir, are my new best friend!”

Robert’s side kick was a 1-year old black lab named Diesel... we spent a little time getting to know one another...

Tank blessedly full, onward I went...

Until I found myself back in civilization and weekend traffic in Denver...

I finally rolled up to my friend Justin’s house just before 6pm... about 12 hours... someone said I should’ve just gone the extra 400 miles and done a SaddleSore but at that point, I knew I only had an Aluminum Butt! Justin had a cold beer waiting and bbq’d ribs for dinner in the backyard... it was good...

He had moved some things around in the garage so I could tuck the Spyder in the back for the month or so wait until I would be back for more (s)miles... at least Sybil had company for the wait...

The next morning, I flew home but knew I’d be back soon... I couldn’t wait!

Coming soon... adventures at NAFO!!

 

[FJRfarrier]

awesome pictures Tyler!!!! You capture the fun and festivities so well. The essence of the group gatherings show up in your pictures... and it felt like I was right there smiling along with the others.... kudos.

 

[puppychow]

Someone said you should have done a saddlesore? It wasn't that bugger Justin who said that was it? I doubt he even knows what being saddle sore is - he probably most certainly has a titanium butt!

 

[hppants]

Really enjoying the pictures. Those "in bike" shots of you leading the group of 5 or 6 were really great.

NAFO was a large gathering.

 

[Tyler]

Really enjoying the pictures. Those "in bike" shots of you leading the group of 5 or 6 were really great.
NAFO was a large gathering.

Camera on a lanyard around my neck and shoot over the shoulder... takes a bit of practice... and you only see the ones that turn out... not the ones of the side of the road, blank sky, or my helmet! :lol:

Oh, and this was just the Red Lodge gathering... NAFO is still to come!

 

[FJRfarrier]

Oh, and this was just the Red Lodge gathering... NAFO is still to come!

Waiting...........

And then you might as well add EOM to it.... Since that is next weekend........

Waiting............. Lol.