Camping Kennebec, SD

Today I left Gillette, SD. trying to get west of Sioux Falls, SD. It was a nice ride it was just 100 degrees and my 3rd day of long distance stretches. I took a quick nap against the Wall Drug building and then drove here to Kennebec. Earlier this evening I was talking to a friend and was out of my mine over it  and wished that I could find a body of water to swim and camp at, and 100 miles later, there it was. I am literally watching the sunset to the left, the lake in front me sitting in a U- shaped chair tree and this insane lightening storm too the right of me drinking a damn cold beer. How lucky am I ?! Leaving early tomorrow, I am trying to be in Bridgeport,WV Wednesday evening to see a good buddy of mine, then home by Fri. or Sat. I hate that it is about to be all over soon. Traveling gives you a clear mind and open heart. 

Out where the buffalo roam free

Today I rode to the North entrance of Yellowstone. I knew this day would be extremely long but went for it anyway. I finally got to see elk, buffalo and a grizzly. It's pretty amazing how the wild life roams free here, they don't mind if people are all around, they stop traffic if they want to. After all, it is their home and we are there to observe. There wasn't a lot of time for me to stop because at this point, Sunday, I had five days to be home and a lot of miles to cover. So I drove thru Yellowstone, thru Big Horn State park, which was a great ride and stopped in Gillette, WY. for the evening. On my way I met this kid that was riding a 82 Suzuki GS650. Jon, was a college student from Alabama. He had already put 6000 miles on his bike and was pretty much traveling in the same direction as me. So we rode together for a bit and then he dropped south to head to Denver, Co where his brother lived. LOL, I got to talking to him and everyone knows the ditz I can be, I forgot to get gas and ran out in the middle of no where Wyoming. Thank you Jon for having a gas can attached. Good thinking. Hope your trip goes well.

Bozeman, MT

Oh ...Bozeman, MT. This town really is pretty amazing. This was Amber's college stomping grounds. I met up with her here on a Friday night.  She was a bit worried about me because I rolled in a couple of hours later than I anticipated. Wandering around Missoula kept me tied up. So when I got to Bozeman I drove straight to the Filling Station, a local bar, met the regulars , and called my girl.  Needless to say we had a great time, as usual, and Dottie the Dyna almost stayed the night there as well. Played pool with this cool older fella that turned out to be Banner Thomas, the bass player for Molly Hatchet. I kicked his ass a couple of times at pool and he just loved that. The next day the bike got an oil change and we had some brunch at this cafe called the Cateye.  Later that evening we relaxed at Amber's second mother's home, Patrice. Her and Mark, her husband, live close to the west entrance and keep a Yellowstone journal. They educated me about the park and where I should go on my way out. Amber told me later that Patrice cried when I left. They are beautiful people. The little girls in the picture belong to this woman Laura, she use to work with. They were just irresistible. So from here back home we are on our own. Amber wants to stay and visit with old friends and  I want to go explore. I've decided to ride an extra 400 miles to West Virginia to visit a friend. Does it really have to end? Mind changes will probably happen. 

Coeur D'Alene

Amber and I took her car and my motorcycle across to Seattle on the ferry. I was going to stay there and meet Amber in Bozeman, Mt in a couple of days but after all the big city fun we have been getting into, I decided to go to Coeur D'Alene, ID. The ride was a little uncertain as I approached the dark mountains. I passed several signs within 5 minutes: motorcycles use extreme caution, unexpected lane changes, uneven pavement, rough pavement, bump, ice on bridge, and rock slide area. Indeed I was a little nervous, but it turn out not that bad and it only rained lightly. There is a relieving feeling when you come out of the dark clouds and see bright blue skies ahead though. And I have a whole new understanding for the phrase," riding in the wind." The wind in some of the places I've been has been pretty intense. I actually was running from a sandstorm outside of Monument Valley earlier in the trip. I saw it to the left of me and stopped to see if someone could tell me what was going on because I have never seen anything like this. When I got to Coeur D'Alene, I got settled in and went and had dinner at this grill called Cricket's. I met this gentleman there named Ron. He owns a Pinot Noir vineyard that he calls, 777, and a cedar company. It was nice to have some conversation with this really intelligent man after sitting on a bike for several hours. Going to sleep early, I have several big days ahead of me. My body is starting to feel entirely beat up. I better put my big girl pants on and toughen up. 

The farthest Northwest Point of the United States

Well, we made it together and separately. I only rode in the rain for about 30 minutes and when we found our campsite the sun came out. What are the chances?? We decided to go to the farthest point of Washington (Cape Flattery). Of course when we got there it was on the Makah Indian Reservation with a sign posted that you must have a permit to use the recreational sites. But we figured since it was late already, nothing was open and we were just going to drive to the peak, it might be ok. Seeing as it was pretty important to me to do this since I have come this far. I really needed to know that I reached the end point. Too close to turn around. When we reached the end of the road there was a trail going to a cliff, I am assuming, and I wanted to hang from it like a monkey. The trail was only a mile long and it technically doesn't get dark until 10 o'clock in the northwest, we decided with 30 minutes of light left we would run down this trail. I had the only headlight, we left Amber's at the campsite, so, halfway down the trail it got a little shifty in the dark under the trees, alone, and semi raining we turned around and ran back. I laughed, but really wanted to cry that we didn't do it. So here's a pic of me on the tip but not really, after running back up that hill. There's no point in really being disappointed, I've done and seen so much already. However, for my friends that are Twilight fans, although I didn't get to Forks, I went to Port Angeles and we just know... we saw Edward flying in the air. Couldn't catch him though. The story of my life. xo 

Portland... one big commune.

Today was a really long day. After trying to find a good place in the Redwoods with the biggest, most lush trees I didn't leave until almost 4 o'clock. I was one mile away from the Oregon/California state line when I got a speeding ticket. Of course I sped thru Oregon anyway, some people never learn their lesson. I was ready to get to Portland and see my friends, Aaron and Kelly. It's always nice to see a familiar face when you've been traveling this long. When I arrived, it was almost nine and me and Aaron went and had a beer, (Hamm's beer  is Portland's PBR, and is quite delicious), and a bite to eat. He showed me around a little and the next morning I did a four mile stroll around the city. Meeting up with Amber at this coffee shop called Fine Grinds, I met Luke and Ruby. Ohhh Ruby, he was a true joy to be around and I was a little disappointed that I only got to hang out with these two for about three minutes. We ate raspberries and sunbathed in his back yard for a couple of hours then I walked back to my friends place where I was staying.  Aaron and Kelly moved here last year and he had the opportunity to open his own piercing studio called, The Velvet Elvis. Well, I had planned on getting my yearly tattoo at some point on this trip, so this was probably as good of a time if any. Of course Aaron would know who to recommend, and Dan, was a terrific artist. He gave me a great deal and did a superb job. Very pleased. So far every time we roll in town people want to take us out on the town, but me and Kelly my last evening here did face masks and polished our toes. They were in the process of moving so I helped them pack up the kitchen and tried to reduce some stress on their part. Portland to me has it figured out. Everything here just makes sense. People literally take their yards out and put gardens in. Growing food, always leaving unwanted items on the corners for others and walking down the street in the middle of the night was not the least bit intimidating.  Portland is like  one big commune. Fantastic! 

Redwoods

Got off to a late start, left my jacket, went back, ate breakfast, then finally got moving.  Today was trying. Liver failing, over exposed to strangers and no alone time was taking a toll. Sunburned, wind-chapped and over all just exhausted, I was ready to get to the wilderness. It seemed like 300 miles was never going to end. Patrick Point was our campground for the evening, and the next morning we made our coffee/tea and walked this trail that took us to the rocky edge overlooking the ocean. Later we drove thru the Redwoods and it seemed like there was just not enough time to see everything that there was to see. On a trip like this you get 3 minutes in everyplace. Off to Portland late in the afternoon again, one mile before leaving the California state line I got a speeding ticket. LAME.