the ride to Sturgis

Judy is hosting a travel at home and abroad week. You must run over to her blog and see her wonderful travels to Europe and then click onto her links at the end of her post to travel with all her friends.

The most interesting trip that we have taken is on the back of our VStar 1100 Yamaha.

In 2004 my beloved made a trailer using a tote, bicycle wheel and a hitch.

We loaded a tent, or sleeping bags and a few essential clothes and off we went.

We travelled with two other couples approximately 7000 kilometers to Sturgis and back.

Most nights we camped. . . except for the days that we had chased storms.

The one day after being chased by thunder and lightening and hail. . .

us girls put our heads together and pointed to a motel. . .

with a bath tub.

The scenery was amazing.
From the flat plains to the high mountains. . the view from the back of a bike is the best.

Giving our bottoms a break now and then was important. .

often this happened at a Dairy Queen.

We entered the US through Idaho, stopped at Waterton Glacier National Park. . which was simply amazing. We biked the Road to the Sun which was built during the depression.

We survived the ride to Ennis Montana where I was certain I would die in the storm.

I poked Terry numerous times, asking if we shouldn't stop. . .apparently it's better to ride than be a bump on the side of the road where lightening can spot us and the hail can drive us into the ground.

We went to Yellowstone National Park in Montana and saw Old Faithful do his thing.

We passed through Cody Wyoming where we saw a rodeo and Jackson Hole where there are shoot outs in the town square everyday for the tourists.

We rode up through the Big Horn Mountains where the snow was still on the ground and we coasted down the hill for a half hour .. me praying and Terry making use of the down slopes when we were nearly out of gas.

We arrived at Sturgis and saw more bikes than I could have ever imagined.

The mornings were spent in town seeing the sights and before the party crowd woke up.

The afternoons were spent seeing the areas close by.

Mt. Rushmore and Kicking Horse canyon are ticked off my list.

Terry shook the hand of Larry the famous bike maker who was dead before the annual Sturgis ride was done. . .

That felt a bit odd to hear on the news.

The benefits to a motorbike trip are so unique.

The scenery is all around you.

The air is unique around every corner.

Driving through the farm lands and through the sage brush and then into the forested mountains might have all happened in one day.

The trip was further enjoyable because we travelled with good friends.

It felt safe travelling in a pack and even better since our friends had travelled these roads before and so we had experienced tour guides for free.

Most nights the camp was set up only to be dismantled in the morning.

The year was exceptionally cold with some of the nights going as low as 39 F.

The last few days we split up. .

one couple heading to Calgary to see their kids. .

the second couple heading another direction to check on a job . .

and we headed straight to a motel. .

I never did figure out why this town dropped the A from their name.

Thank you Judy for giving us the opportunity to revisit the holidays we have loved.

I will never forget this one. . .

lots of shivering. . .

lots of eating. . (we didn't pack pots and pans)

lots of laughing. .

lots of sharing .. . .

and lots of memories that we'll enjoy together.

Have a wonderful day my friends.