After our first camping experience on this trip we packed up and headed out. Camping would have been better if we'd had electricity to plug in our electric blankets and also if there had been a shower house. But hey, I guess that's why it's called camping! We did well though and survived it. Next camp facility WILL have showers at least, I can live without the electricity.
We had a very hearty breakfast at a little cafe in Hulett and then started the ride out with a bang. We were warned by a big flashing sign that cautioned motorcyclists about "no pavement for next 8 miles and to use extreme caution". No kidding! 8 miles of gravel and rutted out dirt "roads", more like paths if you ask me. And it was rough going too, thank goodness it hadn't rained otherwise it would have been mud and then we would have had to found a different route. I've not had any stress in my neck or shoulders until that. Whew - made it out alive and in one piece and neither of us dropped our bikes in the mess.
On to Red Lodge we said! Talk about vast and wide open spaces! I carried my camera on my bike with me for part of the journey and the pics you'll see were taken while zipping along Hwy 212 at 65-70 mph.
Stopped at a very old rest station and met a very old man who told us a couple of very good stories, he also mentioned we'd better make a reservation for a room, otherwise we'd be camping on the side of the road. Great advice! We got the last room at a little hotel named Yodeler Motel. Upon check in Kevin asked the lady if we yodeled would we get a big discount, answer was "no". Bummer, I was ready.
GREAT room - it's actually an apartment that was used by the miners years ago when Red Lodge was a mining town. Upon seeing the room we both had the same thought - let's stay here a few days and explore. Not gonna happen though, all hotels booked solid for the weekend. Sigh.
And did I mention how super nice the people are here? We had a blast last night and even cut loose on the dance floor of a hopping bar we donated some $$ to. I thought Kevin would appreciate the local bourbon, but found that not to be true, and even the bass player of the band said to avoid that at all costs. Made it up by getting him some Knob Creek. All was good then. Also met the Chief of Police (not in a bad way!) - he used to be an Indiana State Policeman, but wanted out and came here. Said it was the best decision of his life, and I can see why.
I'm actually writing this on Day 7 and I have to give a special THANK YOU to Kevin! He snuck (is that a word?) out of the room while I was still snoring away and took our dirty cloths to the laundromat. It will be so nice to be in clean cloths again! Thanks honey - you are all that and a bag of cookies!!
On to Bear Tooth Highway today. We'll see what mayhem we can get in today!
PS Newsflash! The motel had a cancellation so we are staying another day here at Red Lodge! Yippee!!
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