Bison Preserve

Nothing to show except the visitors center. They politely said the motorcycles frightened the bison and often caused them to run amok or charge. Therefore we were not allowed to enter the park and take the scenic drives to see the bison. 

Sorry to say you won't see a single bison photo here. What a tease, huh?

There was a very nice picnic area

And a way-cool antler pile

Road Seen:

Bannack Ghost Town

We've ridden through several ghost towns, but all were on a main drag, had lots of tourists lurking, and gift shops. We found this one way off the path. You had to be going here to get here. As is standard operating practice, we were early and had the place to ourselves for a while. It was the real deal, albeit preserved by the state. Bannack used to be the county seat until the railroad went through and sucked the population away. Oh yeah, all the gold got sucked out of the ground too.

Entrance

Schoolhouse

Inside the schoolhouse

The courthouse, later a hotel

Inside the hotel

Inside the hotel

Stove in the hotel kitchen

Inside the saloon

The church

On the "outskirts" of town

Most were open to explore

Road Seen:

My very first Walmartian. Only he wasn't at a store.

What else to do with your dead trees and skulls?

Yep, Used Cows

Twin Bridges

We're staying at friends Cole and Marilyn's rustic cabin for most of this week. Rustic means no running water or electricity, but there's gas lighting and a view to die for. That's the Jefferson River in the background. 

Cole has written the book "Motorcycling Montana" which became the bible for the Montana segment of this adventure. If anyone is thinking of exploring Montana, this is the place to start. The regional histories are described, then the best motorcycling roads are discussed with clear maps, road conditions, best times to ride, traffic patterns, etc. I haven't seen as comprehensive riding guide to a region as this. 

But the better news? Cole is working on an Idaho book, then soon a Wyoming book. Wouldn't I like to be his research assistant??

Cole's talking us into rafting down the river tomorrow. If we live through it, there may be pix . . .

Our hosts Marilyn and Cole along with bro Paul

Paul just chillin' after a hot day's ride

Time for dinner?

The cabin branding iron

The cabin brand

Sunrise on the river

Update!

Cole and his brother-in-law Tim took us on a float down the Jefferson River. Nice and relaxing. With four motorcyclists in the same place, The validity of the stories was suspect. Nonetheless, the tales were lurid and fraught with adventure. In the end, no one drowned, and no one got wet above the knees. 

Thanks to Cole & Tim for a glorious send off to our stay!

The unrolling ceremony. 

It was thunder stormy morning, but soon cleared.

Ready to Launch

All pumped up and ready to float

On the river

Cole & Tim, Captain and Bosun

Drying out

The re-packing ceremony

Eagle's nest seen along the way. 

There were several chicks poking heads over before this shot.

Cactus flower on shore

An unfortunate update: Cole Boehler died in a drowning accident on April 30, 2016, less than a year after he let us stay at his cabin. I wish there were more like Cole in this world. The motorcycling world has lost an icon. He will live forever through his excellent Montana and Idaho touring books.

Cole's obituary

Beartooth Pass

Beartooth Pass was a hoot! I don't know how many times I've ridden this, but it was a long time ago! We approached from Franz Joseph, then rode over the pass into Red Lodge. But once we got up on the 11,000 foot pass we found a great spot with a view and just relaxed with our coffee and lunch for about three hours.

The riding was great, with very little traffic - it's early in the season and it was a weekday.

Spent the night in Columbus, MT.

Snow in June. 

Note the old "glove on the lens" trick.

Winter sports! 

The boarders were being taken to the top by snowmobilers

What scenery to ride through all day!

Extended lunch break

Huggies on the summit

The Rockstars

The Bighorns

The northern Bighorn mountains were a treat. Still some snow at the 8000 foot level, but great vistas and roads. We had a relaxing ride and hardly any traffic.

The highlight of the trip was meeting Margie and Terry who own/operate Shell Campground. Their place was spotless and neat. Margie and Terry always always had hot coffee and refreshments in the office area. Our first morning, Margie had hot fresh cinnamon rolls waiting for breakfast. Our second evening, after we picked up some steak and potatoes, they supplied a grill and all the fixings for a great cook out. This is a place to stay a week and feel like being at home. Their cat, named "Cat" even brought us a mouse. The Shell Campground in itself is a wonderful retreat, but Margie and Terry made it like staying with friends.

Staying in Shell was an R and R stop with our second day spent lounging on the porch of our cabin and reading, with a short trip into Greybull for a museum, sandwiches and groceries. To date, this has been the best stop, by far.

Off the pavement

First stop before our ascent

Paul

On the western side of the range, heading into Shell

The monolith coming into Shell

The cabins at Shell Campground

BBQ night!

Boysen State Park, WY

Spent the night at an almost deserted state park between Shoshone and Thermopolis. The plan was to meet Paul in Thermopolis, but I made better time than expected. So I rode to Rock Springs, WY to meet him a day early as he crossed the Utah/Wyoming border. It was a short mileage day for both of us, but we're pooped. A good meal and shower make all well.

Some of today's photos below.

Yes, it really exists

And this is what it looks like

Some WX crossing the road ahead

Relaxing at Boysen State Park near Shoshone, WY

A storm blowing across Boysen Park reservoir