Day 4 Sturgis, Bike Rally capital of the north. New favored Curvie road.

After a visit to Sturgis, SD we went up to Ranchester Wyoming and rode across the bighorn mountain range on Hwy 14, this was as fun a curvies I have ever rode. About 25 miles of long sweeping and a few tight turns perfect for the end of days on the interstate. This road should be in closer to home. The sport bike guys would have a Blast. We didn't see any other bikes through these snowcapped passes. Couldn't get close enough to the snow banks to get any good pics but we were over 10,400 feet elevation and the the bluffs above us had quite a bit of snow. You can see a distant shot from the valley of the snowy peaks above. Ended the day in Greybull instead of Cody due mostly to the black sky between us and Cody. Good thing the storm with the gray sky was full of high winds and rain, best observed from the motel room.

After a day in the park we went to Wall and Wall Drugs then to a cozy camp site for the night the weather was perfect for camping, 55 low.

More BadLands

Day 3 Mitchell to Wall South Dakota

Spent most of the day touring the badlands, they got their name from the west bound settlers who said they were badlands because they were to bad to pass through them, it is easy to see why. The route is marked in yellow and the badlands is the dip in the left end of the trail.

Day 2 brings us to Mitchell South Dakota

Wind was unreal all day leaning to go straight, now we start being tourist rather than just riding the interstate. Tomorrow we go to the Badlands National Park, and Wall.

Second first day, better results than the first, first day.

Rode to Columbia MO, 580 miles. Good weather all the way. Tire holding up. Took me half a day to trust the new tire, just being paranoid I think. paid 4.09 for gas, took over $25.00 to fill the wing (running on fumes). Gonna get worse.

The Fix

Got up early Thursday morning and got the wheel off and took it to the shop and got another tire put on the rim. by the time I got the wheel reinstalled and trailer reloaded it seemed too late to leave. Looks like leaving #2 will be on Friday Morning.

90 miles from home and what happens

MAjor Blow Out with brand new tires, ripped a 4 inch chunk out of the tread. Called for reinforcements and went after the truck and trailer. Goldwings are not meant to be hauled. We put the wing in the trailer and the trailer in the truck. I've never hauled a bike that big before, worried me like crazy hauling it home. Those tires only had 340 miles on them.

Leaving Wednesday

Our neighbor took these as we were pulling out. Every thing was going fine until we got just above Manchester TN.

Getting Close

Finally have a draft of the tentative beginning route. We changed from starting across the south to beginning with a northern route. As the map below we will head for the Bad Lands of South Dakota and really start the touristing from there. Form Chattanooga to there it will be interstate and making time. After the Bad lands on the Yellowstone and from there to Glacier Nat. Park. (If you double click the maps or pics they will enlarge)
Went and got the Bushtec trailer today, don't even know it is there when pulling it unloaded, we will see about the loaded part later. There is no question the crew at Bushtec have it together. Think now we will have room for cold and warm weather gear and camping, and clothes, and, and, and, and,....
Moved the departure date up to Wed 25 June. Got some more vacation approved we are toooo ready to go. Thanks Boss!

More later...Jim

Travis and Tanner and the Aquarium

More pics of the Chattanooga Adventure

Reds new travel buddy.

Route Starting goal...

Trip west to San Diego, the long way, looks like we are going North first.