Just thought I would provide a little update on the journey... Although I have had Forest Rat sightings now every day since getting the FJR back together, I am glad to say that I have missed all of them! It's amazing that even this evening here in Deadwood, SD, I had one run right along side of me at the end of town by the Super 8 motel for those of you familiar with the area. Believe me, we are not talking deep woods here! They are everywhere!!
Being on the road so long gives one time to ponder... Thus, if I were King, all motorcyclists would be allowed to shoot any deer within sight of the naked eye, as long as you are on the bike, any time! Sorry if this offends the PETA types, but better them than me! I am amazed as to how many semis and pickup trucks I see out here with these huge grill guards. I now know why. And deer are stupid and unpredictable. If you see one, hit the "binders"! More typically follow. I was leaving Crater Lake in OR, I come around a corner and one is in the middle of the road. Next thing I know, three other ones join the first by coming down a 15 foot bluff!! They looked like mountain goats coming down the bluff at the edge of the road, just to meet their buddy. And all this right in front of me!!
So stops so far have been Crater Lake, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Devil's Tower. If you get the chance to run the west end of Yellowstone, over by west thumb, then heading towards US 14, go for it!! I had wanted to run US-212 and/or the Chief Joseph Hwy, but both are still closed for the winter. However US-14 did not disappoint! What fun and what views!! Wow! We don't have anything like that in my part of Michigan!!
Overnight stays have included La Pine, OR (just south of Bend, OR), Missoula, MT, after running US-12 later in the evening than I should have, Jackson Hole, WY (cool town), Buffalo, WY, and now here in Deadwood, a gambling Mecca! (I figure I was lucky enough in Gunnison, CO hence no need to play the slots
!!)
One more thing.. On my way here, I stopped in Sturgis, parked the FJR right in front and underneath the sign for the Harley Dealer and snapped a couple of shots. This FJR made it to this point without being in the back of trailer hauled around by a pickup truck!!
Cheers folks!! Thanks again for the support!!