Running with the Wind

OK, we've had RBEMR for a couple of months now.  It's getting hard to watch all of the bikes out on the highway, especially for Judy commuting every morning and night.  Its time to test our selves.  Time to head out and put some real miles behind us.  Does it matter where?  Nope!  The destination is not important, it's the trip that counts.  Our plan?  Board the dogs in the kennel, make sure the cat is in the house and leave home Saturday morning....return sometime Sunday.

We loaded up enough luggage to sustain at least one change of clothes (plus toothbrushes), put on our gear and headed out.  Initially south.  No final destination in mind, just some good secondary paved roads with scenery.  First stop, breakfast in Hamilton then on down the road.

Next stop was on top of Lost Trail Pass and head over Chief Joesph Pass east towards the Big Hole Battlefield.  This is beautiful country and perfect for motorcycling.


We just missed the annual dedication ceremony at the battlefield, but sat in on a video presentation. 

An interesting note: the Big Hole Battlefield is dedicated to the flight of the Nez Pierce Indian tribe who were trying to flee their tribal homelands while being pursued by the 7th Calvary.  They ended up surrendering to the Calvary in the Bear Paw Mountains near Chinook Montana.  The site of their surrender was also our first road trip destination on the old BSA Victor some 41 years ago.  It was also our only road trip aboard that vibrating beast!

Next stop, Wisdom for lunch (meals are important on these type of events!)  They were having a dog day celebration.  Contests for dogs and were giving out awards just as we were leaving.  Exciting times in the old town!  Now off south towards Bannack Country.

We've been to Bannack before two years ago during Bannack Days so we blew on past and hit Dillon for gas, a break, and something to drink.

From Dillon, we head North towards Twin Bridges. Came upon one nasty accident where a car had rear ended another pretty hard, but all was under control with first responders on site.  We stopped briefly to view Beverhead Rock, an ancient landmark used for centuries by the Indians including Lewis & Clark.

You can see the shape of the huge rock promentory that does indeed look like the head of a beaver swimming across a pond.

Next stop, Twin Bridges.  Busy town,  with the county fair in full swing, so we just mossied on down the road towards Nevada City and Virginia City.

We stopped briefly in Nevada City.  Nevada City is comprised of many old building (very old) moved to the site many of which house material from the pioneer days of Montana.  I remember fondly listening to and playing the numerous old music devices. We checked to see if they had rooms available (getting to be that time of the day and us with no definite plans), but alas there were none to be had.

Well, on down the road to Virginia City a mere 2 miles.  A busy place full of tourists which we had seen before and considering our "planning status" we opted to continue on over the hill to Ennis.




Ennis is Fly Fishing central.  We locked onto a cabin for the night just east of town.  Very nice quiet location that fit our style just right.  We moved in, but headed back downtown for dinner.  There was a Chinese restaurant located through the back of a bar.  Not to big, but we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food.  It was great.  Don't remember the name of the joint, but with Ennis the size it is, if you find a Chinese restaurant on main street, its most likely the one we visited.

Traveling light like we were, it was easy moving in for the night, but I found it interesting how packing light can be interpreted: Note my bag of clothes and personal hygiene on the left and Judy's on the right.

After dinner and before we settled in it was off to the grocery store for drinks and snacks.  We spent the next couple of hours watching the Olympics before drifting off.  It had been a great day of riding.

Sunday morning was slow to get moving, after all, we had no plan to go by so were late to arise and get moving, but get moving we did.

A quick stop for gas on down the road now headed north towards Harrison.  We kept to the back roads and wandered on  up to Whitehall taking the old Pipestone Pass road over to Butte.  This kept us off of the Interstate and was one of the best motorcycle twisties I have had the pleasure to ride.  However, from Butte to Anaconda there is little choice but hit the Interstate. 

Now RBEMR handles Interstates just fine, but driving amidst tired tourists and big trucks with a schedule to keep are not fun for us little two wheelers.  I was reminded of this when an SUV decided to change lanes just when we where already occupying the space.  Judy held tight, I braked hard and the SUV driver about $*&t a brick as he looked over and saw us.  I was looking at the space betwen the left yellow line and the guard rail to judge if I could squeeze us into that width, which I did briefly.  Anyway he returned to his lane and we took off and got away from the traffic.

Off  the Interstate in Anaconda and west through town.  They have stretch on the west side of town that goes for miles and is much more rural than urban that has 25 and 35 miles per hour limit.  Took for ever to get through that (well it was warming up quite nicely by now, yesterday wasn't nearly so warm).  We hit Georgetown Lake and headed north towards Phillipsburg.

Phillipsburg has a very active downtown on Sundays.  We stopped for a while and took in the candy store and shared a lunch.  We stopped and chatted for sometime with the "Fly Guy" tying some flys and walked away with several.

Now off to Drummond and gas.   It's starting to get really warm. Only one choice now, more Interstate back west to Missoula.  Played real shy with any strings of vehicles with the previous incident in mind.  49 Miles to Missoula and look for a cool drink for a quick break before the last dash home.  Headed for the Wendy's and a couple of Frosties and cold ice water.  The last 30 miles home was quick. 

We both really enjoyed this trip.  Just shy of 500 miles, a good first long distance trip. We are ready for more!!!

Next time...more pictures!