Steamboat Springs, CO Dubois, WY Big Sky, MT

Day 1

Mary and I left our Colorado home with our riding buddies Lora & Mark Merkling in tow to meet up with fellow SWA pilot John & Beth Souza in Morrison, CO then an easy first day to our first overnight Steamboat Springs, CO.

Day 2

A scorching ride soon developed as the day progressed and we battled strong winds sweetened by the beauty of sweeping rolling vistas of Wyoming ranch country.  We rolled into the wonderful cowboy town of Dubois, WY tucked up against the pine covered mountains.  A great little motel named The Stagecoach Inn was our abode for the evening.  A clean pool after a hot day soaked away the fatigue and great food made us drowsy and pushed us early to our beds for Day 3.

Day 3

As we arose on day 3 to prepare for the day’s ride we found the strong smell of smoke permeating the air.  Looking from our balcony door at morning’s first light we saw the beautiful moon in the west crowned with clouds and blue sky, but looking to the northwest a smoke cloud masked a third of the morning picture in the direction of our route to the west towards the Tetons and Yellowstone.
The riding was epic in its beauty even though our senses were filled with
smoke for miles occasionally masking the view towards the majestic Tetons.

Finishing day three into Yellowstone the ride quickly turned into a slog of heat, construction delays, and heavy traffic…our least favorite stretch so far…nuff said.  The Merkling’s split off on their travels to the west coast.  We sure appreciated them riding 3 days with us!

We stayed at Big Sky for the night at a great little AirBnB and feasted on the farmers market down the street from our stay.  Heavenly!

Day 4

Our longest day, so far, as we met up with John & Beth Souza again to ride our final day together after which we’ll split off and head to the north country toward the Canadian Rockies and beyond and John & Beth will head back home to Colorado.  Some of the most stunning riding filled our day rolling along pristine pavement with fast speed limits through the Montana ranch lands, mountains, canyons, and crystalline lakes.  Words cannot begin to describe the sensory overload of such days.  Exhausted nirvana by the end of the our 9 hours on the road!