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Glacier, Yellowstone and Sturgis
09:50 Sunday August 4: Neither the sun shining brightly in the Motel window, the Palm alarm at 06:00 as planned nor the dreams of the many thrills this new day had in store for us was enough to overcome the absolute exhaustion we must have reached. Finally my eyes open to realize something was not right. I look at the clock in the room with its evil red glowing numbers to see "9:59". Yes I said it again "OH SHIT". We're 4 hours behind "MY" schedule. And there you go! That's the only regret with this entire trip. It's too damn "Entire"! I'm finally starting to come to terms with what you and everyone else has been trying to tell me. I'm too much of a "Mileage" freak. "Slow down and enjoy life Son." Yeah, I know. Guess I should be a Long-Haul-Trucker huh. Which is an aspiration of mine. Maybe one day I'll wise up. But I just enjoy waking up in one location and going to bed later very very far away.
Please allow me to drift back to my youth for a moment. That's where "itch" started, as with most of us. Mom and Dad bought me a 74' Kawasaki 100 Enduro for Christmas at age 15. Today it sits just 100 feet from me in the "Beer Joint" out back. Still runs too. From that Christmas morning if I wasn't riding thru the 200+ acre woods behind our house I was riding the back roads of Anderson and Greenville counties, SC. I know that everyone rides and drives a lot when we first get wheels under us, but I never got rid of that itch. In fact, the more I try to satisfy it the worse it itches. Should I see a Doctor about that? Naw, I'd rather keep scratching it.
Anyway, that's enough about my boring ass problem (Did I say problem? Not for me bro). Let's get on the road and visit your beloved Yellowstone. Sorry I didn't realize you'd already been to all these places. I had not read that far back into your archives yet. Don't remember much about the early 60's hehehe. Just kidding man. I know you're not that old (Are ya?).
Actually Jellystone was planned only as an extra route if we had time. Just near the west entrance, one of us (I won't say who to keep from embarrassing her) developed a little problem. I'll call it the "Roids". A real pain in the ass if ya' know what I mean. This, we knew, meant today would get cut short. We enjoyed the scenery as best we could, and assured each other that we would "Definitely" come here with more time someday. We didn't see anything boring though. Pics#01-04 are yours truly, our first live wild Buffalo, Geyser Basin (awesome) and "Pahaska Tepee".
You've probably been to the Tepee just outside the east entrance, and built by Buffalo Bill at the turn of the century (20th that is). Anyone wanting more info it's www.pahaska.com. At first we only stop here to give Lori a break and goof off. And then, "Hot-Damn", that there's a Bar in the right side of this place. I love the West. As I sip (gulp) down a cold brew, I asked the Bartender if there were any cheap (yeah right) motels nearby. He directed me to a pretty lady sitting two stools to my left. I actually would have asked her to start with, but I figured her for a tourist like me (NOT). Turns out she's a year-around local who works here. When I asked her about cheap rooms nearby she burst out laughing and said, "No offense sir but, it's Turkey Season around here." Now I'm a Dumb-ass-ole-country-boy from SC, which I'm certain she knew by the accent, so I'm thinking, what the hell does hunt'n season have to do with anything? About the time she starts to explain, it hits me, "Tourist Season". Hey, these folks gotta make money while they can right?
After forking over the $95 bucks for the small room with no TV (there's one in the bar) and only a shower (Lori really needed a tub of water), we settled our stuff, and I went to the Exxon next door to look for ointment. "OH SHIT", here we go again. As I head back to the room with bad news I bump into, guess who? She tells me the closest store that might have it is in Wapiti 30 minutes up the road. "And if they don't have it?" "Then it's Cody which is about 30 more." It's 19:00 and Lori wants to eat supper before I go. The restaurant was really neat and the food was great. It has been restored, but still looks very much like the pictures of when it was built. I blast off on the bike as the sun settles into Yellowstone behind me. This was a beautiful ride, even though it was like a business trip and I'm hauling some serious ass (glad someone was with me to point out the sharper curves when they came up). The setting sun just added to the pleasure of it. I'll read the next morning that Teddy Roosevelt claims this road from Pahaska to Cody as one of the most beautiful routes in America. You're Damn Right Roosey! And I'll get to see it again at a slower pace in the morning as the sun rises. Man this is a ride I won't soon forget. But I gotta get my Baby feeling better.
Back at Pahaska 40 minutes later (told ya we, oops, I mean I hauled ass) with relief for my Baby in hand. She settles into bed, and I get permission to go settle into a barstool. Bartender tells me something I didn't know that you probably do. More people are injured or killed by Buffalo each year than by Grizzly Bears. Basically it's because people underestimate them. They look so big and lazy. On the contrary, they are actually faster than a Grizzly, and very temperamental. Glad he told me this since, though I don't know it yet, We'll run into a huge pack of 'em in South Dakota a few days from now.
A young couple from Mississippi stroll into the bar and join in the conversation. Turns out he had a little encounter with a Buffalo earlier today. He got too close trying to take a picture of it from behind a tree. Damn thing charged him, and he hurt his leg in a fall trying to get away from it. Lucky for him the beast was just F'n with him rather than really trying to catch him. A few minutes later my pretty new friend sits down near me (name omitted to protect the somewhat innocent) along with a guy who actually cooked our steaks earlier this evening. Sorry, didn't ask his name. Ya blame me? I'm having a blast. Everyone is very conversational, and although I'm a tourist, I'm not getting treated like an outsider. Wish you could've been there Man.
I asked the Bartender for a shot of an old favorite of mine. He looked but couldn't find any Yukon Jack. After I settle for an alternative, my new friend insists that he look harder. There it is. She orders two shots and slides one my way. Thanks Ma'am! Did I mention how much I love it out here hehehe? After a while a group of bikers from Minnesota ride in. I have no clue what time I finally went to sleep.
Monday morning we get up around 7:00 with Lori feeling much better. We'll head across Wyoming today. Destination is Buffalo Chip Campground Sturgis, SD. Holy Shit what a party, and the girls out there reeeeeeeally are proud of their bodies. And for Lori, so are a lot of the guys. Hey, a girl's gotta have her fun too right?
After breakfast we start saddling up. I see ole Mississippi hobbling into his cage to head out. I yell, "Have fun man, and stay clear of the F'n Buffalo hehehe." They both laugh and he yells something back that I can't hear as I fire up our now "Trusty" steed. "Roosey, you were right, what a beautiful ride this is!" We're on our Harley in Northern Wyoming with no roids, no hangover (unbelievably), beautiful sunshine and fond memories with much more to look forward to. Pics#05-07 are a glimpse of the scenery ole Teddy spoke of.
Later Dude
Dandy Dan
Glad things are looking up for ya now... you're right - been all over that area a couple dozen times, having worked in Yellowstone for two years with Kim back in the early 80's. Stood at that very Park Sign and got the very same picture! Hate that you missed the Grand Tetons, though... and you went from Pahaska to Sturgis in one day, huh? Son, you DO like to haul ass! No wonder your OL got, uhhh...errr, well, perhaps we'll just skip that subject, whaddyasay?
Bring on the next part, can only get better!
Muthuh  For Information, contact: Muthuh@Muthuh.com
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