This morning’s ride out of Cody, WY, began with the most appropriate song playing thru my bluetooth helmet speakers… Can’t Find My Way Home by Blind Faith. We were on the road by about 8:15am and the beautiful scenery continues on.
Last night we went downtown Cody, and had dinner at the Irma. The Irma was built by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1902 and was used by travelers to stay on their way to the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. Pretty cool place, I thought, and steaks and country fried steaks, with a fresh salad bar were had all around. And of course, a couple double doubles. After dinner a couple guys were ready to retire for the evening, and a couple others were ready to have a couple more adult beverages. I forgot to mention that while I was writing yesterday’s blog in the room and doing laundry, the other 4 were tailgating in the parking lot.
The BBQ restaurant in the same parking lot as our hotel only served beer and wine and did not have a bar for us to sit at, so Ski Doo, Monkey and Stick continued the tailgate party in the parking lot. After a quick couple pops, some lively conversation, and we retired as well.
The ride to Yellowstone was only about 50 miles and we passed the Wild Bill reservoir and park, some more beautiful scenery and went thru a couple of tunnels on our way to the east gate of the park.
While I have been to Yellowstone one time prior, it was winter and quite frankly I did not enjoy that visit. We were 2 sets of adults/parents with 5 teen agers/ preteens, and it was an 8 HOUR snow coach ride. The snowcoach went about 15 mph, and 8 hours in a Ford Econline van with each other and we were all at each others throats! Enough reminiscing about good old times, this trip was much more enjoyable. We saw buffalo up close and personal again, elk, deer, and more beautiful scenery that is just un-imaginable. It was also cool to see the visitors stopped along the road in turn outs and picnic areas enjoying the views. And there was plenty of fly fisherman casting their lines in the abundant streams and rivers.
We did the Big Loop around the park, which was about 145 miles. Me made plenty of stops for pictures, viewing and breaks. We had a lunch break at the Old Faithful Grille, and decided it was time to move on to Jackson Hole.
Jackson was about 90 miles to our south. Truck/Trailer Brian’s tour of duty driving the support vehicle that stays ahead of us was coming to an end. He had a flight out of Jackson Hole early in the afternoon, headed to Chicago. Apparently there was a couple snafu’s that he encountered with our scheduling system. The flight I booked was for Friday the 29th, not the 15th. Oops, again, for you kids at home blogging and being a travel agent, while at the bar, do not mix! Also, while booking our stay at the Antler, Ski Doo thought he had called the motel direct. Apparently we did not. The friendly male voice on the other end of the line said Yes, we have plenty of trailer parking. Yes, of course we have a shuttle to the airport. Of which, they had none of the above. And upon our arrival to check in, the friendly female host said “we don’t even have a male that works the counter/office”. Booking.com did a great job of misrepresenting themselves, just saying. Anywho, Brian was able to snag the last seat on the plane leaving for Chicago, and the airline worked with him so there was no additional fees. Thank you Truck/Trailer Brian for your service, the cold rocky mountains when we came in each night, and the friendship.
We will be getting a replacement driver this afternoon when Monkey’s brother Rick flys in from Vegas to take the wheel of the truck and trailer.
We got into the Antler Motel around 5:30pm and with about 280 miles on the odometers. We have dinner reservations at 7:30 pm at one of my favorites in Jackson, the Snake River Grille. But first we are going to the Million Dollar Cowboy bar to sit in the saddles that line the bar to have a cool down.
BREAKING NEWS: Monkey Brother Rick, missed his connection flight in LA and is now stuck waiting for a flight on Saturday morning. Monkey genes run deep, apparently.
Well, tomorrow the riders take off for Sun Valley, Idaho, and continue our journey west to the Pacific Ocean. Recent conversations suggest we will hit the big water somewhere in Oregon.
We shall see.
Bye for now,
Stick.
