Riding to the Regatta

[AbsolutEnduser]

Probably, it was a 5 minute time lapse. I took a few and saw some small maybe meteors in the results, but it's hard to tell. Regardless, a night out under the stars is always a good night.

That line, is basically, Starlink.

These lines re frequently mentioned/seen now as

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Could have been, but I'd expect a much longer streak over a five minute exposure, they are usually longer than that without a time lapse

 

[berth]

Do you have an iPhone or another phone that has an "astrophotography" setting?

 

[budman]

Do you have an iPhone or another phone that has an "astrophotography" setting?

He noted he does and used that in post 16.

 

[GAJ]

Another epic Nate adventure.

This time to spend time with your Dad.

He must be over the moon.

 

[berth]

He noted he does and used that in post 16.

Yea, I guess it was badly worded. Is he using an iPhone (I didn't know it has an astro setting), or some other phone that does?

 

[budman]

I think it was noted as an other as well in his Pakastan ride report. Android or ??

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I'm on the Android bandwagon using their Pixel 9 Pro. They have some pretty neat settings for the camera most of which I have not used bu Astro is pretty amazing when the lighting permits..

 

[N4teTheGreat]

On to day three (I'm getting a bit behind here). I woke up in Crane Hot Springs (well in the morning, I was also up in the middle of the night to return some beer and water) to find that all that steam from the hot springs settles over camp and makes everything nice and damp. As such, first thing I did was set crack open a can of coffee and start sorting things out for packing.

Natures drying rack, just don't touch the electric fence...

I packed what I could and went to the common area to get some coffee (free!). On the way back I ran into the owner of the Harley. His name was John and he only started riding to honor his son who ended his life due to PTSD from Irag. The bike was his sons and he was on the tail end of a trip that starts with a rally to honor veterans like his son.

Neither one of us were in a hurry and we were having a good chat so I suggested we get coffee and hang out on the porch. He'd lived his whole life in Oregon and was doing a loop through a bunch of eastern Oregon. We swapped stories about riding in the weather, dealing with heavily loaded bikes, etc. I think we talked for an hour or so before we both decided it was probably time to get on the road.

I got everything packed up, then saw the things I was drying, THEN got everything packed up, and was finally on the road. I went to the Crane store to get a tank full of 85 as I was told there was no premium Buchanan.

I had put a gallon into the tank from my gas bag the night prior, but with the fuel light still on, I wasn't willing to risk the 20 miles to Buchanan for what was just gpnna be 85. The day was clear, with amazing clouds, probably owing to the previous days weather.

It was a straight shot from Crane to Buchanan.

Turns out, they have premium, so I pulled over and topped of my tank as well as filled the gas bag. The woman running that place told me her father built the Crane store where I'd just been in 1978. I mentioned that was the year I was born and realized she might not have wanted to hear about me bneing the same age as something she's known her whole life. She also told me about the hot springs before they were developed and how muddy it'd get and how hot the water was. Cool to get some local history like that.

The only challenge with rides like this is I really wanna spend time in all these places, but then I'd never really get anywhere.

And given that, I was off. The route for the day was both scenic and entertaining, not particularly technical early on, but some nice sweepers and views.

I stopped at this pass because I was amused with the elevation noted given my Pakistan experience where anything under 6,000 feet didn't really register.

I was told by the guy I was chatting with at camp that the fries at the Oasis (only thing there) in Juntura were good, and as it happened it was around noon as I was passing through, so, I went for it.

Proper diner food and the fries were definitely fresh cut. This was a half order of the "large" order of fries. I was glad I was made aware that half orders were an option.

The guy running the counter was nice, and rode himself. We talked about stupid deer and motorcycles. He asked if I needed to use his phone to let anyone know I was good after I asked about wifi which they didn't have, I told him I was just wanting to look at my route but I knew where I was going. I told him my plan and he agreed iwth was a dead easy route to follow and told me I'd hit cell signal before too long anyway.

The road swept through a scenic canyon, but due to those fun corners and getting past slow trucks, only this one picture was taken.

I stopped at this store for gas, but it turns out, they were in fact, entirely out of gas. The only person getting serviced was a patron enjoying some mid-day mid-week white wine.

And also canned coffee, they did have those frappuchinos so I had one and chatted with the very dapper older guy running the place. He was a contrast to the otherwise disheveled state of the stock in that store. After finishing my beverage and chatting about the trip thus far, I was back on my way.

I stopped at this "scenic" overlook. It was fine, old volcano out int he field and an aqueduct that was hand dug in 1881.

After a bit of a haul, I was starting to get glimpses of Idaho in the distance.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

And then I was there.

Idaho was certainly turning on the charm.

I stopped for a shot of the old train depot in New Meadows

The road had these sorts of sweepers on and off all day, but as we started following a river after New Meadows it got even better.

I stopped for a short of this remnant of the original suspension bridge in Riggins, ID

I stopped a while later for a shot looking back at where I'd just been

And then things got really good when I picked up 13 out of Grangeville, you'll have to look at this screen shot because I didn't take a single photo, the road was amazing, drivers moved over for me without hesitation and I have no idea what the speed limit was, but it was a nice finisher.

View attachment 580414

I stopped in Kooska, which was the last town before my stay for the night to grad food and snacks. Ammo would have been an easy option as well.

I grabbed a shot as I crossed this bridge getting onto highway 12 which was going to be a treat for tomorrow.

Home for the night, and a grocery store sammich. It hit the spot actually.

Tomorrow I was headed to West Glacier, Montana.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I woke up after a night of sleeping in a proper bed feeling pretty refreshed and went to make coffee in the breakfast room downstairs. While I was waiting on my beverage I saw this on offer. I did not take one.

I got caffeinated, packed and was on the road around 10am, it was looking like a beautiful day and I'd be following a river for the next 70 miles or so before climbing over a mountain pass into Montana. The route for today promised to be fun and scenic. Well at least fun for the first half of the day.

The road was the prefect travelling moto road, straight enough that you were making good time, but winding enough to keep things interesting. Oh and the river was beautiful.

I was feeling a little off today, I'd gotten a bout of lightheadedness about 40 minutes into the ride and was feeling less that peak. I suspect a combo of too much caffeine and not enough water. I stopped at this lodge to take a break. I contemplated lunch there but decided to keep moving. I also contemplated gas, but decided to not get 85.

When I'd pulled up the place was full of bikes, always a sign you have chosen a good road. After my break, it was just me.

Just after leaving I hit Lolo Pass, having done both sides, I can confirm the west side is the best side and it was so much fun I didn't stop for a single picture untiil I got to the top. The visitor center also had free wifi, so i check to confirm gas was ~35 miles away. Good thing I was headed downhill with a tail wind as my gas light popped about 8 miles later,.

The top of the pass is also the border between Idaho and Montana

Gas and a bathroom break at this spot. There was a casino should I have felt like gambling.

I did not, and also filled up my gas bag as they had ethanol free fuel.

I was in a bit of a rush to get moving as I'd filled the tank so full the bike was peeing gas and I managed to forgot to strap down a dirty pair of compression socks I'd moved to get the gas bag. Down to one pair now, oops.

I made my way to and through Missoula and things got nice again, I was following another river on a nice two lane road.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

At clearwater I turned on 83 headed north, part of the Montana Scenic Loop, it was scenic, and also a relatively straight shot north. Big sky country and all...

A quick gas and go had me curious about what a "dark bar" was, but not curious enough to stop.

Did I mention the road was scenic? A view of the Swan Range.

I call this shot, reasons my rear tires wear unevenly.

I stopped for a snap at Swan lake, it's UGE!

More views of the Swan Range

The sun was starting to get close to the surrounding mountains, but I was getting pretty close to my destination and as such needed to find supplies and a full belly for the night.

Saw this thing off the side of the road, they were closed, but it was deserving of a picture.

A short while later I saw this place on the side of the road and decided it was time to eat something.

Other than some peanuts I hadn't eaten yet today, so I had a small chicken ceasar and a buger with tots. The spot was hit. The burger was juicy and tender and the tots were, well, tots.

When I got to the KOA I realized this might be a different experience from the Leander Texas KOA. It sure was this place had a resaurant, bar, ice cream shop. All I wanted was a camp site

I made quick work getting camp setup and went o buy firewood as there aren't yet burn restrictions in Montana.

They must have had heavy rain the day before I got here as the ground was pretty damp, so far so lucky with the weather. I waited until 9:30 which was dusk but still ight out and finally got the fire going.

Seemed like a good night for a cigar.

The site next to me got occupied at 11:30 pm so I was bathed in light while those folks got their tent up. I used that to get a lucky shot with the stars.

The fire was done around midnight, so I doused it and turned in. I was 8 miles away from Glacier National Park and looking forward to the follow day.

 

[Cupid's Arrow]

Thanks for sharing your ride with us. I love all the pics! Montana gives me real Alaska vibes, I used to live there a few years in my 20s.

I did not take one.

You could even say that the books were...left behind

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I was thinking the same, Montana had a very BC / Alaska feel for me, probably because I was just doing this sort of thing in Alaska last year around this time,

 

[blrmaker]

Amazing write up again Nate. Thank you for sharing.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

While at dinner the previous day I'd lucked into a timed entry of 9 - 11am which was great because I didn't relish the idea of packing up camp and leaving early enough to get to the park before 7am. I had also realized that I had an extra day before I needed to be in Idaho so I could be a little flexible on the route. As such I planned to ride through Glacier and just call it whenever I got tired of riding. Turns out Glacier is pretty impressive and took me quite a bit of time to cover so my route was pretty short.

I was up around 6:30, and finally got out of my tent around 7 to start packing. Around 7:30 I went to get coffee, the sun hadn't even crested the mountains yet, so things were still chilly and damp.

So was my tent, so while I enjoyed my coffee and packed up, I set it out to dry.

I went back for a refill (free!) and took a moment to appreciate the roof rack made of skis on this truck.

After finishing packing, and my coffee it was getting close to 9 so it was time to head out. As I got to glacier the line to get in was notable, but moving. Luckily it wasn't too warm yet so I wasn't dying sitting on the bike. I didn't bother waiting my turn for a photo with the sign...

Waiting in line selfie

It was a good opportunity to practice my slow race skills while I worked my way to the front. Before too long I was there.

I purchased an annual pass because it would pay for itself this trip, and every time I hadn't gotten one in a big road trip year I regret it.

I decided to stop at the visitors center first and figured this was a good spot to park...

After getting through another line where they checked for entry passes, I was off to the, slow, races. This was definitely a cruise and not a hoon. But also, there was quickly plenty to stop and see. Like Lake McDonald

And the namesake lodge

And this waterfall.

And the beautiful emerald blue river cutting through these rocks..

I'd go along for a bit and stop for another view, or stop to get room between the slower cars. It was not hard to find nice view to shoot.

Anywhere you look on going to the sun road is spectacular. I caught plenty more on my GoPro, as as the road started climbing in elevation, the views got bigger.

I was stopping often, but why not, the park was one of my goals on this trip.

Water was everywhere, often times running across the road.

Or just cascading down the landscape.

And the landscape... it's really something.

Looking back at Going to The Sun Road, standing on what I had been looking at, looking at what I had been riding along.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I stopped at Logan Pass to see the visitor center, the parking lot looked crowded so I made my own.

I dunno who named this marmot...

But he probably needs to calm down...

Sir!

We're pretty close to Canada up in these parts. How aboot that view.

Having been to the continental divide in Rocky Mountain National Park I was unimpressed with the general elevation, but I couldn't complain about the landscape.

A selfie was in order.

As I headed downward and eastward along the road I decided to stop and sit and enjoy the view for a while. I had some trail mix and drank some water and took a moment to really take it all in.

The clouds were moving and I was really enjoying the interactions they had with the mountains.

I took way more photos at this spot, and eventually decided to move on, of course stopping to grab shots along the road as I deemed fit.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

I got a little more road to myself on this side of the park, so I was able to wick things up here and there and enjoy the views at speed.

In between stops of course.

St Mary Lake

It's a big, long, lake.

Before exiting the park I took a short road to see the Historic Ranger Station. This old cabin was the home and office of the Ranger and his wife, stationed year round along a two track dirt road that was the eastern entrance to the park. Quite the job, not to mention what it must have been like to visit the park at that time.

Looking back at the park.

I got a nice seat with a view.

I treated myself to a beer and a buffalo chorizo quesadilla and enjoyed both. Then it was time to hit the road again. I'd looked at options over lunch and decided to tack on a short twisty road that was a cut-off of 89 on the way to East Glacier.

89 to get there was a proper good time, lots of fast sweepers and room to pass. As such I passed a sign talking about a closure of the road I wanted too fast to clearly read it. I almost skipped it, but I saw cars coming out, so I decided to chance it.

A sign at the start of the road said intermittent pavement, motorcyclists advised to take alternate route. Or it said something like that, at any rate, I assumed that mean it was gonna be goaty. And it was!

It also offered some pretty dramatic views.

It also had a speed limit of 25mph, and good sight lines, as such I was making some probably anti social passes and didn't bother to stop for any pcitures after this one.

There was road construction for a fair ways once I got to the end of this fun hoon of a road, but we were being allowed through, so it was worth it. The road was fairly straight after this. My next stop was this church I saw from the main road as I entered Browning, MT

Much of the land on the east side of the park makes up the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. A ways down the road I saw what I assume was a pow-wow or some sort of ceremonial gathering.

I was tempted to ride in to get a closer look, but I thought better of that and moved on. I thought this merited a stop.

Off the reservation it was the time of year for everyone to make hay, so it was interesting watching it happen. The road itself was big sky views and looooong mostly straight stretches that, at least, were very scenic. The road is part of the Montana Scenic Loop after all, and I'd done the other side on the way up to Glacier.

Despite being a relatively short day mileage-wise, I was pretty spent when I got to Choteau and decided to get a room.

Teton County Courthouse

I got settled in and took a walk to Antlers bar, the local dive (or what used to be). Their Roxy Theater looked cool.

The bar smelled new inside and was dead, dead quiet as well. I had two beers, chatted up the girl working there and determined the reviews of the owner were correct. He'd decided to make the bar fancy for tourists and sanitized it. No locals, no divey vibe. Too bad. I guess back in the day it'd get wild to the point people would bring their horses in the bar.

Well I saw it anyway.

Considered going to the VFW, but decided on dinner and an easy night.

Another burger seemed like the tasty option here. It wasn't amazing, but it hit the spot.

I sat outside the motel doing some trip reporting until the mosquitoes got to me, as did my general exhaustion, and it was time to call it a night.

The motel was my kinda classy.

I'd gotten far enough and only had a four hour ride to get to my brothers place for the weekend, so I was happy with the day.

 

[bcj]

When you were remarking on the marmots in Pakistan, I was sitting here at home thinking
Oh, you mean the whistle pigs, right?

 

[Escape pod]

That’s a lot of country out there, thanks for sharing