Still Saturday
We rolled back into Yellowstone, and I figured as it was our last night there we should have a better dinner than canned whatever so we headed to Old Faithful and raided the burger shop there.
No pics, too busy eating
Got into camp well after dark, made a fire, hung out a bit then crashed.
SundaySundaySunday!
We woke fairly early Sunday morning, having slept well as it hadn't been as cold. We had an alarmingly unusual breakfast consisting of Stove Top, noodles, PopTarts, coffee and cocoa. A repeat of Friday morning's culinary feast
Even Mr. Happy needs his morning cocoa!
After breakfast we broke down camp and packed everything on the Bandit. A older couple had set up camp next to us during the night and watched with bemused fascination as I somehow got everything repacked, even almost correctly
We piled on the poor bike and paddled our way around the corner and out to the main road. We exited Yellowstone via the West entrance and aimed for highway 20. We followed 20 and entered Idaho as we crossed the Continental Divide for like the 89th time on this trip. We were in some seriously beautiful country!
Henry’s Lake Idaho
It was while bombing along the above lake I had my second 'Moment'. We had been fairly cold for the entire trip. When it DID warm up it was only for a couple hours then it got chilly again. We were riding along this lake and the sun suddenly came out. This was some of the prettiest country I have ever seen, we were totally alone on the highway, the sun made us toasty, I was on a way cool trip with my daughter, one of my favorite songs came on my XM (Sunshower by Chris Cornell), and it all hit at once. I knew- I KNEW- that right here, right now, this was the absolute exact place that I needed to be at this time of my life. No, this wasn't the epiphany that told me that I would only be truly happy around motorcycles. I had that one when I was 15. This just told me that I am doing what is perfectly right for me right now.
I had to slow the bike down a little as the tears were streaming across my cheeks and into my ears. I just basked in the glow of this emotional high, my heart filled with love for all of my children and for my place in life. I turned off my XM as the song ended and I enjoyed listening to my baby singing her heart out to Flyleaf.
After a few more miles we entered Montana again and joined up to Northbound Hwy 287 and continued on to Ennis, turning West on 287 to Virginia City.
Virginia City is a National Historic Landmark, an original gold-rush town that still survives. Nearly 300 buildings with over half built before 1900.
We pulled most of our cold-weather layers off and spent some time wandering around. There was an ice cream shop, which was closed, but it had the coolest thing I've ever seen--A GAS ENGINED ICE CREAM MAKER!!!
We then found a cool little candy store
Got back on the road and headed to Dillon
I don't have pics for this, but in Dillon was Moment number 3. We rolled up to a favorite restaurant of ours called 'Grandma's' for lunch. As we were getting off the bike and removing our gear, I noticed a very elderly gentleman observing us from the sidewalk near the front door. I smiled as I approached and he had a big grin on his face. As I neared he said "Beautiful bike!" I thanked him sincerely and stood near to hear him clearly as he spoke softly. Jamie (my Bandit) though heard his compliment and turned even darker red
We chatted for a minute and he told me he bought his first bike, a Harley-Davidson, brand-new for $410.00. I said "that must have been some time ago." He said "1938"...Holy crap! I didn't know what to say so I waited for him to continue. He said he sold it before he went to the war, and has regretted never getting another one. I figured he's around 90 years old. You should have seen his eyes sparkle as he talked about his bike! His face turned thoughtful as he drifted back in time, and I think he momentarily lost about 60 years remembering his youth. We chatted a few minutes more then went our separate ways. The twinkle in his eyes and soft excitement in his voice will remain with us forever.
After lunch we fueled up and headed toward Jackson and Wisdom. Antelope all over everywhere. We had been battling a severe cross-wind since we left Dillon that had me almost dragging my left knee to stay upright. We turned West at Wisdom and stopped at the Big Hole Battlefield. We were tired and hot and wanted to take a break.
http://www.nps.gov/biho/index.htm
From the website:
On August 9, 1877 gun shots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of Nez Perce. By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 Nez Perce were dead along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there. The Nez Perce were ambushed by American soldiers as they slept in their teepees.
There is a private collection on beautiful Native clothing and jewelery on display
And then there’s Rachael…
We left the visitor's center emotionally drained. We were physically pooped too. As I backed Jamie out of the parking slot, I heard Rachael say 'Dad...' I looked where she was pointing and laying on the ground was a long bolt and big washer. Rachael asked if they fell off the bike and as she picked them up I realized where they belonged. I unpacked and got my tools out and half-assed it back together
We crossed Chief Joseph Pass (7264 feet) and and Lost Trail Pass (7014 feet)
and blasted up 93 to Missoula.
We rolled into the driveway with exactly 1000 miles on the trip odo.
Best fuel mileage was 63 mpg, bombing around Yellowstone. Worst was 54 mpg fighting the winds from Dillon to home.
Sunshower
When you're all in pain
And you feel the rain come down
Oh it's all right
When you find your way
Then you see it disappear
Oh it's all right
Though your garden's grey
I know all your graces
Someday will flower
Oh in the sweet sunshower
Oh in the sweet sunshower
In the sweet sunshower
Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! 
Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to 
I look forward to my kids being old enough to do some trips with me.
I took my son to Wisconsin for the Oshkosh Fly-In when he was about your daughter's age. I towed a small cargo trailer behind a Concours for our stuff.
