Day 9 - Stephanie

6 hours 20 minutes and 210 miles.

This morning we left Red Lodge to ride the Beartooth Highway.  We were really excited about the ride over the pass, but that feeling quickly turned to dread.  Not the best of weather with signs indicating possible ice.  We ended up riding the 10,000 elevation starting in rain and fog, then sleet,  finally snow.  Thankfully it didn't stick to the road but it did stick to our windshields.  I wore the helmet cam today and caught some of the "fun".  Some Harley riders had gone up ahead of us, and then apparently chickened out because 5 minutes later they were high-tailing it back down the mountain the way they had come.  I told Kevin we needed to find a badge or patch that says we can ride anything - bring it on!

We made it up and down the pass with no mishaps and happily pulled into Cooke City to have breakfast/lunch.  Met several more motorcyclists and we swapped horror stories.  Also met a couple of locals that gave us great destination roads when we are en route to Glacier National Park.

We rode and explored the northern part of Yellowstone, mainly in rain.  Saw lots of buffalo and some elk.  At one time traffic was stopped due to a lone buffalo walking up the middle of the road.  Thank goodness he decided to get off the road before he got to us.  We weren't quite sure what we would have done had he not exited the road.  Whew!

We are now in Livingston, Montana in a lovely mom and pop motel.  Its is owned by an elderly couple and boy does that man like to talk!  They guided us to a good steak house off main street where we chowed down on ribeye steaks and salads.  They are interesting, have a pet bear and have raised several wolves.  Need to poke around in the morning to see if they have any babies I can play with. 

Much later...................I've given up on trying to edit videos.  Too tired and listening to Kevin snoring away (jealous really).  I uploaded a small clip of two videos up on you tube.  The first one is when the snow started, 2nd one is the end of the snow.   Here are the links (and I hope I did this right!  My first time uploading to you tube. 

PS:  To play video on youtube, select the link, right click, and click open link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZXjRaYjFns&list=UUrb4F99kmAREz6PrCySyx9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49fa9g6C884&index=1&list=UUrb4F99kmAREz6PrCySyx9A

Day 9 Red Lodge, MT to Livingston< MT - Kevin

Beartooth Highway:
Once again we started our ride with another sign of foreboding news on the road ahead. The flashing sign warned of possible ice near the Montana/Wyoming state line. My interpretation:  possible clear road ahead also, what the heck, it was 56 here at the sign. Onward we rode, hey there were several Harleys that had went up ahead of us as we gassed the bikes. That didn't last, they high tailed it back to Red Lodge within a few miles. Harley riders, what was I thinking? First it started to rain with some heavy fog. Then the snow flakes started and within no time the windshield was covered. This continue all the up to and over the pass. I was able to lower my windshield to see over it and Stephanie wiped what she could over the top of her windshield and basically followed my taillights. We took Beartooth all the way into Yellowstone with a stop in Cooke City for lunch/escape from one of many rain storms. Poor weather really defined our day with brief pockets of sunshine and a few photo ops. We want a merit badge for twice now successfully ignoring all warnings and coming out unscathed. Sitting in a awesome hotel where the owner has a pet grizzly bear with our bellies full from a steak dinner, although we are both still shivering a bit, I'll call it an interesting day we will not forget.

Entrance to Beartooth Highway all seemed calm

That is SNOW covering my windshield

Yellowstone

Mammoth Hot Springs

Roosevelt Arch entrance to the world's first national park 

Day 8 - Stephanie

Chill day - no miles on bikes (except for Kevin going 1/4 mile and back to laundry mat).  Woke up to drizzle which turned into a decent rain during the day.  Really glad the motel had a cancellation so we could keep our apartment for another night. 

Had a late breakfast at the Regis Grocery and Cafe.  The Colorado peaches melted in my mouth!  It was good but our server had an attitude, guess she wasn't having as good a day as Kevin and I. 

Walked though town taking photos, have seen some interesting things to do with old skis.  Strolled through the small back streets and discovered a doe sleeping in someone's backyard.  Another block over and we came across 5 turkey wondering down the street.  No fear in any of them and we wonder if they are pets?  Very nice town and I highly recommend it.  I do not recommend Bogart's Restaurant however, slow, food wasn't all that great and I didn't get what I ordered.  Oh well, can't win them all.

Since we didn't go anywhere am posting a lot of pics instead of words.  Tomorrow we hit the Beartooth Hwy - action cam is charged and ready for videoing the trip over the pass!  Elevation 10,000+ - can you say break out the electric jacket?  Yep!

Magpie