We departed from the Super 8 in Columbus with renewed hope that the longest day was now behind us. No wrong turns this time as we headed for the Beartooth Pass, just out of Red Lodge. The road out was a real treat. Long sweeping curves through beautiful country side, very little traffic and awesome music. We fueled up in Red Lodge and headed for the hills. Didn't make it more than 10 miles before I pulled over to add some layers. It was already getting chilly and we hadn't even started our climb.
Back and forth on a very tight road we climbed higher and higher. Stopping at one viewpoint for some images of just a captivating sight. It was just the beginning. So it's around 9:30 AM, the middle of August and here we're passing by all the vegitation covered in frost. Yes frost! The air got thinner and noticably more difficult to breath. Once on top, again stopping for pictures it was definitly the top of the world. I was looking over mountain ranges higher than I'd ever seen before. The official height? 11,500 feet! We passed through road construction and around 12 miles of gravel, partial gravel and slow going, but the decent only brought more wonderous valley roads, sweeping curves and appreciation for the planet we live on.
Then, even more treats! We turned left on the Cheif Joe Highway. I'll be brief and say, everyone agrees this was by far the most beautiful road -yes, even better than the previous two days. We're talk'n bout perfect pavement, meandering fields leading up to a climb through at least 20 switchbacks rated from 20 - 40 mph (posted speed). The top viewpoint revealed the curves and massive valled we just came through. Then, departing, just around the corner were these increadible red cliff canyons. We decended into Cody for lunch and proceeded to push through to
Back and forth on a very tight road we climbed higher and higher. Stopping at one viewpoint for some images of just a captivating sight. It was just the beginning. So it's around 9:30 AM, the middle of August and here we're passing by all the vegitation covered in frost. Yes frost! The air got thinner and noticably more difficult to breath. Once on top, again stopping for pictures it was definitly the top of the world. I was looking over mountain ranges higher than I'd ever seen before. The official height? 11,500 feet! We passed through road construction and around 12 miles of gravel, partial gravel and slow going, but the decent only brought more wonderous valley roads, sweeping curves and appreciation for the planet we live on.
Then, even more treats! We turned left on the Cheif Joe Highway. I'll be brief and say, everyone agrees this was by far the most beautiful road -yes, even better than the previous two days. We're talk'n bout perfect pavement, meandering fields leading up to a climb through at least 20 switchbacks rated from 20 - 40 mph (posted speed). The top viewpoint revealed the curves and massive valled we just came through. Then, departing, just around the corner were these increadible red cliff canyons. We decended into Cody for lunch and proceeded to push through to Riverton.
Memories of the roads past filled my mind as the road ahead was flat. We're talking about looking 20 miles into the distance and nothing but a straight road. So for the next 200 miles, it was head down, throttle on and get er done. We pulled into Riverton around 4:30, good time to wash the bikes and ourselves down, socialize a bit and have some dinner. Happy to say, I go the worst meal of my trip out of the way. Even when I sent the prime rib back, it came to me again, bloody rare and pan grilled. Anywho, doesn't count for snot.
We're all feeling tired and everyone smiles and thanks me when I tell them, they all get Wed. off!
Memories of the roads past filled my mind as the road ahead was flat. We're talking about looking 20 miles into the distance and nothing but a straight road. So for the next 200 miles, it was head down, throttle on and get er done. We pulled into Riverton around 4:30, good time to wash the bikes and ourselves down, socialize a bit and have some dinner. Happy to say, I go the worst meal of my trip out of the way. Even when I sent the prime rib back, it came to me again, bloody rare and pan grilled. Anywho, doesn't count for snot.
We're all feeling tired and everyone smiles and thanks me when I tell them, they all get Wed. off!
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