Home BLOG Daily Pics Daily Map Previous Day Next Day
DAY: 47 DATE: Friday, Aug 3 MILES: 266 TOTAL MILES: 6169
LOCATION: Cody, WY
COMMENTS:
We're on the road by 7:15, I take an exit to get gas and there is no return to US 20. When I get gas I ask another gent at the pumps how the hell do I get back on 20. He gives me directions but I guess the fumes from filling the gas tank have befuddled my mind. I goes up the street and hang a right all the while Connie telling me to go left. What the hell would she know? So I wander through town for 10 minutes looking for US 20. I stop at another station and the guy says turn around and go back. I casually mention that that is what Connie said before so he turns around and gives her a thumbs up. I'll NEVER live it down. You know, a slice of humble pie first thing in the morning will set you for the rest of the day. I have to say, I never saw another crow either.Finally, we're on the road for Yellowstone. Last night several bikers heading to Sturgis mention that the road out the East Entrance of Yellowstone to Cody is under construction and is dirt and gravel, I might want to reconsider going that way. I tell them that I went on line and there is nothing on the Yellowstone website about this. I'm absolutely certain that a squared away organization like the Department of Interior would make mention of this. To their credit though, they do mention construction but nothing about dirt. So plans stay set.
We enter Yellowstone by having Connie flash my Annual National Parks Pass. Oh no, this older woman says. I must personally present the pass and with identification. We are in what is called the express lane for those who have such passes. The vehicles in front of me just got waved through without as much as really scanning the pass. Seeing my face turn the color of a beet she decides to be magnanimous. She said she'd let it go this time. Aren't I the luck one!!!!
On we drive, speed limit 45, life is good. Until we go about 5 miles when all traffic comes to a halt and creeps for several miles. I figure there has been a grizzly attack. No, better yet. Everyone has dropped to a crawl to photograph ... a freakin' buffalo near the road. Later in the day as we head out the East Entrance the same scenario presents itself. Except this time the park rangers are on the ball and are waving people on. If you want pictures go up there and park and come back.
I think the neatest things about the park are the abundance of wildlife and the geysers. I read some where that Yellowstone has half the world's geology of this type. Also, there was a show on Discovery that this is the likely area for the ... Super Volcano ... aieeeeyayaya!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Break out the graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate.
But wait, life gets better. Heading out the East Entrance what do we encounter .... yuppers ... dirt and gravel road down the mountain. I knew I was in trouble when I saw a sign that said, "Motorcyclists use extreme caution". The pictures give you an idea of what it was like. I would think that the Park Service would mention this on their website.
The ride into Cody was beautiful. The town itself is very nice. So much so that Connie is ready to move out here ... hitch up the buckboard, Festus.
We saw lots more guys heading to Sturgis. Of course it is just over the next hill or two and starts this Monday.
Tomorrow, it's down to Nebraska.
