OK, Rain Man says 350 miles in 6 hours and 45 minutes. Probably 200 miles of that in 50-60 mph gusts winds, cross winds, and head winds - never had the winds behind us pushing us to our next destination - Glacier National Park. At times we were literally riding sideways! We also had to stop and put on our electric jackets as the temp dropped from about 64 down to 52. Add in the windchill factor and that's like riding in 39 degree temps.
En route today we played our "guess the # of birds of prey we will see". Kevin guessed 8, I guessed 15. Total we saw was 20. Ding ding - I win. :) We identified a Bald Eagle, along with a juvenal Bald Eagle, Swainson's Hawk., Golden Eagle, and a couple of Northern Harriers (I LOVE my Merlin bird identifier app!)
Also along the way we observed the old glass and ceramic insulators used for telephone and electric lines, old railroad beds, literally tons of alfalfa hay and straw being baled, and all kinds of wildlife. The most exciting wildlife for me was when I spotted a coyote running through a field of straw. Luckily there was a pull-off where he was, which I zipped in, grabbed camera and started shooting. Zooming in on one of my pics, I discovered he had his meal in his mouth, probably a rabbit.
At our last stop for gas before entering Glacier I went inside and was surprised to see the Indian clerk behind the counter with a UK hat on. I made a comment about being from Kentucky, and then was shocked to see the Indian clerk next to him with a UL hat on! Of course I had to mention my affiliation with UL. Their reaction was amusement and then I couldn't get them to quit talking to me. Do you think that will happen again? I doubt it!
Once at our destination we debated on camping. The logistics of setting up a tent in 50-60 mph wind didn't appeal to us so we stopped at the first place available. Too bad we didn't ride down another 1/4 mile to a beautiful lodge - where we are now and have been allowed to check in early and where we have decided to stay another 2-3 nights here.
I rode most of the day with the helmet cam on and got short videos today. But will need to download them this evening.
I will add pics this evening. We are anxious to go see the park!
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