We both are very tired but decide to carry on. Back on the road and it’s dark and driving in the dark for hours will wear you down fast. We started stopping every 35-40 miles for a break and to wake up. Man, were we tired. It was about 120 miles from Reno that we pulled over on a exit (I80) and decided to try to take a nap on the bike. It’s dark and in the middle of the desert. You can sleep on your bike. I just laid back on my packed stuff and my helmet acted as a pillow. I put one foot on the ground and the other over the tank. It’s about 4:30am and ended up getting about a hour and a half before we feel good enough to hit the road. By the time we left the sun was coming up.

Back on the road and on to Ronnie’s house. I went in laid on his couch and slept for about 4 hours. Said my good byes to Ronnie (he is such a great friend) and headed over the hill home. When I left Ronnie’s house it was mid afternoon and hot! I had the sun all the way back and got a little more red. I was good to pull into the driveway after so many miles. Total miles were 3440.

I wish to thank both Ronnie and Jim for such a great trip, that I couldn’t have taken without them. Thank you brothers!

Polovison

It was about 80 miles from Salt Lake City that Ronnie got signal and give Ted Bell a call. He didn’t answer but Mrs Bell did and informed us that Ted had gone to southern Utal on a business trip. Well, that changes things. It was at this point that Ronnie and I decide to try to make it all the way to Silver Springs, NV. We figure that would put us pretty close to a 1000 miles in a day. We drive,…and drive,…and get gas,…and drive,…and drive. We finally get to Jackpot, NV and stop to eat at the casino.

Here is the Idaho sign on the other side of the state.

Then we drove…and drove. I think it was about 4pm that the batteries in my mp3 player gave out and now I have no music. I also learn Ronnie’s music is all dead. Going to be a long ride.

While we were getting gas in some Montana station I noticed this strange yellow car in a field across the street.

Stops were keep to a minimum. You can't see it in the picture but both of us we using a port-a-potty.

From here Ronnie and I head down Hwy 89 to Hit I15 and Jim heads west on Hwy 200. I’m leading again and we need to make it to Salt Lake City, UT by evening.

After a few hours we hit the splitting point. Hwy 89 and Hwy 200. Saying good bye to Jim after spending so much time with him on the road was hard to do. All I could think of was what a great guy he is. Happy riding Jim! Are they pointing again?

After breakfast we hit the road. From here it’s all parries…big parries.

I notice they just jump on their bikes and go. No helmets, glasses, jackets or anything. Looked like fun. Since this is our last night together we decide to go have a drink at a local pub. I think every building in Montana has animal heads on the wall. I’ve never seen so many deer head. I get the impression that Montana is for the hunter. After our drinks (Ronnie even had bourbon) we ride back to our rooms. The next morning we look for a place to have breakfast. We drive up and back but don’t see any place to eat. We ended up asking a local.

After dinner back on the road to find a place to stay. We pull into this little town Fairfield I think (Jim would know) and pull over at the first hotel we find. The price is right and we unpack. As we are unpacking I’m watching some other bikers staying at the motel and enjoying a great sunset.

Time for dinner. And may I say it's always a pleasure to be leading and have to find the resturant.

After a break we’re on the road again. The further from the mountain we got the faster the road got.

After awhile I get back on my horse and go looking for the boys. I finally find them drinking water and soda in the parking lot of this little store. What are they pointing at?

While I’m waiting I decide to get a picture of the bike.

Now it was about this time I notice Ronnie and Jim are no longer behind me….I pull over…

Love Tunnels!

As time went by the bad weather turned to good.

There was lots of traffic, but the view were so beautiful you didn’t care.

We stopped at the ranger station at the top of the ridge. This is also a stopping point for the famous Red Bus line which take guest through the park in these 8 seat red busses. We spend about 30 minutes at the top and it’s a good thing. Looking down the other side of the pass we could see heavy overcast. Up here it can go from nice to cold and wet in a few minutes. While we were waiting the clouds cleared away and make the trip down great.

Some of the construction going on.

This is looking back down at the road we came up.

In this picture you can see the road we have to take to reach the pass.

They had many pull-outs along the way up and we had to stop at several of them for pictures.

Scenery like this is what ridding is all about. It’s just not the same in a car.

The road hugged the side of the mountain, I would have hated to go over.

Mountains just pop up everywhere here.

We just drove up this road.

As you climb you begin to get the big picture of the Glacier floor.

Here you can see some of the construction.

They have major construction going on and in many places the road is only 1 lane. Traffic was heavy and sometimes we had to stop and wait for cars to pass on the single land. As we were passing this one spot the sign girl was waving at every car so I got her picture.

From here you go into the park itself. You start by following Lake McDonald to the north shore. You can see the mountain climb straight up along side the road. We wind up the Glacier floor until we get the end. The we hang a sharp right and start to climb the Glacier side.

Is that Jim pointing??

I had to get a picture of Ronnie and Jim in front of this place.

Now this is what I call a hunting lodge. 3 stories with tree trunk posts inside.

From here the road gently winds it’s way up to the Lodge (what was the name of it?)

At last we hit the park entrance.

As we get closer to the part the scenery just keeps getting better and better.

It even had a little Tee Pee next door.

We make it to Lakeside, MT and it’s getting dark and we just realize that we have crossed the time zone and it’s really 10pm instead of 9pm and we don’t have a room yet. Lucky us there was this RV hotel with…I guess you could say…the light on. It turned out to be a mon and pop shop that catered to RV’s and people who wanted a room. Were are tired, we been in 3 states and all we wanted was a room. The guy (pop) says “sure” and ask if we want smoking or none smoking. We say non-smoking because we always go out to smoke anyway. Then pop looks at us and says, “it will cost ya 300 bucks if you smoke in the room.” We OK, OK, if we smoke we will pay the 300 bucks! He replies, “I have two lawsuits out right now on people who have smoked in the room.” What ever… Then he follows up with, “And, you have to be out by 11am…no exceptions!” What ever…

We get the room, very nice, but we were to tired to give it a second look. We hit the sack and get some rest for tomorrow, Glacier Park!

The next morning we pack up and head for the park. Jim sees the shop he’s been waiting for this whole trip. A fur store.

The road seem to go on forever…

They describe the skies of Montana as “Big Skies” and I can see why. It seems like you can see forever in places. Most people live in a valley and can only see mountain range to mountain range. Here you can see several mountain ranges behind and next to each other. Beautiful!

Little towns in Montana, all seem far apart.

We cross over into Montana with out knowing because I never did see any state sign. Jim says Montana don’t have them. Ahh Jim, there you go making up stories again. The first thing you notice in Montana is the speed limit. In most area it 75mph. Even going through the mountains you see signs saying turn ahead slow to 70. All the twisties are big sweeping turns you take at high speeds. The sun was at our back, the music was perfect, the roads were smooth, and the scenery was fantastic! These 50 or 60 miles were biker bliss for me. Later I would learn that is what you call a spiritual ride.

We turn off on Hwy 28 and head north towards Glacier National Park.

Since I could get a good photo of Ronnie I decided to get at least one of myself. No bucket on that scull.

I was able to get a picture of Ronnie riding, just wished it was clearer. Ronnie where is your helmet?

In Idaho the scenery turns to forest and hills which is nice change from the flat lands of Eastern Washington.

Just past Coeur D’ Alene we stop at this mining rest stop. It’s here I realize that Idaho doesn’t require helmets. I think about what everyone says about safty…for about 2 seconds and tie my helmet to the back of my bike.