Pink Crocs in search of Lobsters

LibertyNH:

I know what you mean about riding around our own country, rather than RTW adventure but we are not all capable of being self sufficient nor have the funds and time to do it. To many, a 3 day long weekend is an adventure.

I also follow those unending journeys but I realize that I would never be in the position to undertake one myself. For the past few years I have toured the PNW but I never thought it worthy to post a RR, until now. For many years I have taken progressively longer trips up to 10 day duration. I am at an age where if I don't do a longer trip now, then it would never happen.

I have already been most places within range of my vacation allotment so this is the first time in my life that I have taken unpaid leave. I am not brave enough as others who have quit their jobs, sold their possessions and live the life of a biker vagabond, but I am going to get a little taste of that feeling during my 6 weeks on the road

bob

I'm a day behind due to lack of WiFi yesterday.

I left Cody early with the thought of rolling the miles. I headed East on Hwy 14 it was flat with the road straight to infinity. It was so boring that I didn't bother to snap any photos but it all changed when we entered the BigHorn Scenic Byway



it sort of sneeks up on you, flat and straight soon turns into a few twisties, and then



you enter the bottom of a slot canyon



It's not easy to be snapping photos with your left hand with the twisty road ahead but there was no one behind and I slowed down. Eventually you snake your way up to the top of the canyon where they have views of Shell Falls



It is basically a narrow gorge carved out by the water. There are many observation platforms. If there can be a road with too many curves and switchbacks then this is the road for you. You eventually descend into the valley



and then there are numerous switchbacks over the next mountain until you get to Dayton. It was nearing noon and time for a snack and to refuel so I took an exit to a small town



I must say that KUMming & GOing is a pleasant experience, and didn't take long either

I head on I-90 East and then north on hwy 14 near Moorcroft



It was a nice road with little traffic and took me to



the Devil's Tower. So far the day was Hot and sweating but shortly after the black clouds rolled in and the rain was exciting for a while

I decided not to camp tonight. The rain was very heavy and felt like hail



I'm not sure what is going on in this area but I checked the closest hotel and they are fully booked with a biker group. It was just starting to pour when I stepped outside and in seconds my jacket, pants and gloves were soaked. All of my raingear was packed away and not easily accessible

I went to the next hotel and a group of bikers had just pulled in and when it was my turn to be served, the clerk said sorry, we only have "smoking" rooms left and I can't have that as I am smoke sensitive.

I mounted my bike hoping for the best and trying to find a home for the night

Bob

I am going to blast off out of Shediac tomorrow and head for PA. I hope we will cross paths on the road then meet again here in Shediac NB.

I have started a ride report called "A Superior Ride"

Here is a link to it.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=21868979#post21868979


It should be fun to have our two ride reports intersect. I'm loving your pictures and RR. You are sure covering a lot of ground.

Looking forward to meeting you on the road, then again here in Shediac.

Kedgi

I am enjoying your report. A trip across the US is very interesting to me, if I ever get the chance to take an "adventure" it wouldn't be a RTW due to family and work obligations, as well as vacation time restraints. It would be something similar to what you are doing. Keep up with the great pics.

You can find us on the tent locater page. You and Kedgi will be in the area about the same time. Hevy Kevy

Hey Bob: Don't know if you have this bookmarked in your phone, but it may come in handy. https://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://tentspace.ridetoeat.com/gmap/artents130715.kmz&hl=en&ll=30.751278,-50.273437&spn=112.777667,228.339844&t=m&z=3

Plenty of riders looking to host you....

Hey Bob! Lookin' like a good trip so far. Hope you found a place to dry out the gear. Tenting is not much fun if you start off all soggy before the gear's even set up - and even less fun to squelch back into wet gear the following morning.

Nearly defeated in Chicago area. No Internet for the past two days so I am getting behind. Made it to the Crazy Horse monument, great roads around the Black Hills of SD , and made to Deadwood for breakfast.

Photos to follow when I get Internet. Presently overheated in full riding gear in Chicago commuter traffic, had to pull off and wait it out. I am not used to humid heat, we don't get this on the West Coast.

Lots of material "on deck" . Thanks for following along . . .

Enjoying your RR.

Glad to see you are on your way, hope you enjoy the lobster.

Dwight:

sorry been off the grid. No wifi two nights ago, and then no wifi yesterday as my host didn't know the password to get logged in

Tonight I am in the middle of nowhere, no place to have dinner and I'm tired of riding the lonely Father Road, The Lincoln Highway (Hwy 30) in Indiana

I should be in PA tomorrow I-80 heading for Bellefonte (junction 220). Have oil change booked at Kissell Motorsports in State College, PA

bob

LT:

I know exactly what you mean about RTW RR's . Exciting to read and make comments but I would never have the guts to do something like that. It takes a special person to let go of their assets and quit their job. It was even a bit out of the box for me to be able to take such a long trip. As you say, work and family obligations and also I can't horde them all for myself.

I am trying to spend most of my time on the Atlantic Coast rather than take too many detours along the way so soon I will slow down and smell the roses

bob

Hevy Kevy:

Thank you. I have been near Guelph before but many years ago. My parents used to live in Weston and I have relatives in London, ON not seen for a while either. I am not sure of my return route yet. I may change my mind and cross the border at Sault Ste Marie but I don't have to decide yet

and thank you for following along

bob

Chris:

Thank you for those links. I wished I could go farther south to Lawton. I could check out your garden and your floor

bob

JB:

I decided that I would like to try camping in "LIGHT" rain for starters. NOT HEAVY rain or torrential downpours like that one. All my gear was soaked within minutes and then I knew that I wouldn't have a place to dry it so I headed for the Motel, except that the first two were full of bikers thinking the same thing

bob

H14:.

thanks to you I know where to go when I reach Eastport. Lobsters are very expensive here in Vancouver . Based upon your research I'm sticking with the melted butter. I'll be sure to snap a photo for you too.

Kedgi is also going to feed me handmade Lobster Rolls. I've never had one. Can't wait to get to Shediac (Lobster capital of the world)

and thank you for tagging along. Wifi is sometimes a challenge, even here in the USA

bob

It had stormed out by morning and I left Belle Fourche under cloudy skies and a peek of the sun. The plan was to take it easy and head to Deadwood and ride some of the Black Hills. I was really lookiing forward to a good breakfast, for a change. After an hour or so I finally reached the exit and noticed all the Casino signs. I'm already getting bad vibes about a place that I had heard so much about



After a nice twisty road I ride down the hill and notice all the Casino signs. Somehow I thought that this would be a restored western town. Not a tourist trap



I ride up and down the streets and decide to place my bike here for my obligatory bike photo(s)



There are not that many cars around but I was trying to wait for a clear street and every time a car went out of the scene, another one drove by



For this shot I used my new Sigma 18-250mm ultra zoom and I really like it. Now I don't have to fiddle with changing lenses. I used to carry my 55-250mm but it was always a pain to dig it out so I never used it



I'll bet you thought I forgot to pose my Pink Crocs, didn't you ?



No parking is allowed on the main street and I didn't want to park my bike out of sight in the parkade a couple of blocks away so I was looking for a place with outside parking and I didn't realize that this was a cafe, at first

I find that when you are by yourself, you can make friends with other bikers more easily. Here are Stan & Becky, having ridden their Harleys from Indiana



Eventually I finish chatting with the locals and head south on 385 until I reach the Crazy Horse Memorial



It started raining a few miles out and I had to dig out my rain gear and when I finally parki

It started to rain a bit harder so I had to "Rain proof" my bike before I went inside to see the exhibits



I installed the zip lock rain cover for my Nuvi GPS and cover my tank bag



there are lots of bikes here today, mostly Harleys. The Crazy Horse statue is gigantic and it was started in 1949. Notice Crazy Horse's face, it is larger than the 4 presidents of Mt Rushmore (combined), and that opening which is the part under his arm is as tall as a 6 storey building



My bikes loves affection and loves to be posed



The rain continues and I am not used to this warm, humid rain. With a non-breathable rain suit I was getting super heated underneath. We don't get this type of weather on the west coast. We are used to cold rain. Anyway, this heat was making me dizzy so when I saw all the cars lining up to pay the $11. parking fee I just snapped a photo by the side of the road and left. I didn't feel like paying for only a 30 second photo opp



So that's my close encounter with Mt Rushmore and I was glad to be on my way

Now I was heading East on I-90 and about 50 miles away you start seeing signs for Wall Drugs. I mean Lots of signs and so when you reach the WALL exit you just have to exit and take a peek



It is a huge store and I think they carry most everything. I'm not much of a consumer of trinkets so they only got less than $2. from me

Good job on the pics, Bob. I especially love the picture of Mt. Rushmore. I have never been there.

Thanks for sharing.

Hey Bob

It appears we have crossed paths sometime last night. I see from your spot locator you are in Bellefonte PA this morning. I rode through there about 7Pm last night. I'm in Export PA today, just West of you.

Some hot eh? I saw 37C most of the day on the I-80 yesterday. Yikes!

This morning I am enjoying the morning by my friends Bill and Lisa's pool while I wait to go get an oil change at Bentley's KTM in Murryville, PA at 10am.




If I don't see you in PA I will see you in Shediac in ten days or so.

Ride safe

Kedgi

Dwight:

I'm so disappointed that we were so close but missed. I only arrived here at around 6:15pm yesterday and then we ordered a pizza delivered as it was so hot and no one wanted to put on riding clothes to go anywhere.

If you had a Spot or checked my location you would have known. I have a spot link on my right side bar of my blog (link below)

I have two tour guides to lead me to Portland Maine. Leaving in the morning and heading WEST towards the Atlantic

bob