Looking at this first photograph, you may wonder a bit about our trip this year. Our annual trip out to the Tetons via South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. Each year friends ask if we had another "encounter" with buffalo. But no one ever asks about our navigation of the mountainous roads. Since I am posting this, it is safe to assume that we made it home in one piece. No close encounters with the railings along the different passes, and no close encounters with the four legged friends of Yellowstone National park. Just a passenger that tries to take too many photos!
We did nearly have an issue with our gas tank though. This was the first time we road the Honda Goldwing with the Bushtec trailer across several mountain ranges. Up and down. Up and down. And nearly not all the way UP one time. Luckily we found a gas station at a resort just before we were going to have to coast all the way down! Price was nearly a dollar more per gallon, but that is better than the alternative.
We did see more wildlife this time than in the past. Many falcons and turkeys along the roadways. Luckily they new better to stay out of the middle of the road. Not so good for one lonely cow who decided it wanted to go for a walk out in the middle of Hwy 212. Traffic very sparse in that part of South Dakota, so we were able to avoid him.
Many of the mountain passes still had snow from last winter. There were even fresh ski tracks in places where those crazy ski bums chose to full fill their need for speed on snow. I was quite content sitting on my heated seat and taking in the view.
Jim was kind enough to stop at three quilt shops while on the trip. This particular shop was just east of Red Lodge Montana, out in the middle of the mountains. Husband is a retired airline pilot and collects antique cars. Wife owns a quilt shop. Seems fair.
