Thursday and Friday in and around Red Lodge

Thursday we went downtown to see what was going on. A good breakfast at The Red Lodge Cafe in town and then we walked the streets a little bit. Since it was early in the rally and nothing was scheduled yet, we decided to get some riding in. After a loop or two up and down the strip, we headed out to the fairgrounds where the rodeo would be taking place on Sunday. It's also where many people would be camping over the weekend.

Not a lot going on out at the campgrounds so we we took a nice scenic 120 mile cruise and made a our way back to the KOA. The pool looked very inviting and it had gotten a little warm so I took a quick dip before we went back into town for a very good dinner at Pollard's Pub. Back to camp for a couple of cold ones and we were looking forward to the poker run on Friday.

Friday's poker run was a little different than what I'm used to. Usually there are 5 stops with a card at each and best hand wins.

This run had 11 stops (each being a bar) and you took your best 5 cards. We had a great day and some of the bars that we stopped at were so very old and small and in areas that make you wonder if we were the only people that they saw in weeks.

It was another warm day so the stops became a nice break and we had some very interesting conversation with fellow bikers and a few of the locals.

Some of the bars were a bit larger and situated in some of the bigger towns but some were sitting out along a stretch of road with nothing around for miles.

Montana Jack's was one of the nicer and larger bar/restaurants along the way.

This is out in the back of Montana Jack's. Nothing to be seen for miles but it looks like a great place to dine outside at sunset with some good music in the bandstand and a sky full of stars.

Back into town again to walk the strip and think about dinner.

The motorcycles were starting to fill the streets more and the town was getting into party mode.

There are quite a few bars along Red Lodge's main drag and they were all hopping. Add to that some live entertainment on two of the side streets and Red Lodge was now officially "ON" !!!

Tomorrow we ride the Beartooth !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Montana Vacation

When my friend Dick said that he was thinking of taking a motorcycle trip to the Beartooth Rally in Montana, I thought that it sounded like a good time so I told him that I would like to join him. He has a beautiful "Toy Box" 5th wheel and we figured both his bike and my trike should fit. At first he had planned to visit family in northern California on his way so I figured that I'd ride up alone and we'd get together at the rally. Then we'd take the ride back home together.

Well, you know how it goes when you plan something. He decided to cancel the California route so the new plan was just getting the bikes loaded and hauling them up to the rally.

Monday, July 16th was spent packing and riding over to Dick's to get the camper ready and secure the bikes in the back. Everything fit fine and I made it an early night because we wanted to get on the road rather early to get some miles in on day #1.

We were on the road around 6:45 on Tuesday and after a breakfast stop in Searchlight,Nevada it was smooth sailing and the miles rolled by. The truck and trailer seemed to ride just fine and although I had told Dick that I'd share the driving, after watching what he was going through to handle all that weight I thought it best if I didn't ruin either the truck or the trailer. Highway 15 is a nice ride and the scenery was beautiful. We only missed one turnoff (my fault) when we tried to find a bar in Morgan, Utah where a friend used to live. After a couple of quick turnarounds we were once again headed in the right direction and the first photo shows our campsite at The Golden Spike R.V. Park in Brigham, Utah.

Day 2 was rather uneventful as we stayed mostly on the interstates. The scenery had definitely changed from the deserts of Arizona to a more lush and green landscape. The temps had also dropped nicely and the ride was both calm and beautiful.

The continental divide is crossed many times by many of the different routes we took during those two weeks. I would have to say that if we crossed it once, we crossed it about 8-10 times.

There was of course the obligatory stop at any Harley dealer that we might find along the way. This is Beartooth Harley Davidson in Belgrade Montana. A very nice break in our day and I was able to get most of my collectibles. Being around lunch time we asked about some good grub in the area. We were directed to  the Chalet Market for lunch.

The Chalet Market makes and cures all of their own meats and the sandwiches are absolutely delicious. Dick had a Reuben and I had a kind of beer wurst with cheese and the Chalet's dressing. With full belly it was back on the road to finish the first long leg of the trip.

We took a scenic back road into Red Lodge and although it was a pretty drive, Dick didn't enjoy it as much pulling that big rig as he did the next day when we rode it on the bikes. It was rather narrow in spots with some limited visibility and then you throw in some mountains, valleys, curves and the occasional deer and it becomes a very nerve racking drive.

But we made it to the KOA in Red Lodge around 7 that evening and although we were tired from the ride, it was time to offload the motorcycles and venture into town. There were very few campers around but then it was only Wednesday and we had heard that it gets pretty packed and by the weekend the whole site would be full and downtown would be bustling with activity.





And so ends part one of the adventure. We made it to Red Lodge and were settled in for 5 days of fun and riding.

Laughlin River Run 2012

We took a ride up to Laughlin on Friday to check out the River Run. Susan was away for the weekend and Melina had an appointment in the afternoon so it was just John, Darryl Faith and I. We had planned to get some breakfast at the Pioneer Casino so we got on the road about 8:30.

It was a beautiful ride up. Temps were perfect and it was the start of a really nice day.

After a great breakfast ( Faith and I both got the "all you can eat buffet with omelet station") it was time to walk some of the meal off so we headed out to the vendors.    Not that we were anywhere near thinking about lunch, but we did find some interesting menu items.  




The vendor areas were just about the same as any other rally but we enjoy checking out all of the leather goods, shirts, jewelry, bike parts and so forth.         

And when it comes to trying on leather pants and such, who needs a dressing room ????  The day was warming up nicely and jackets and tops were being removed so everyone could enjoy the warmth and the scenery.

Darryl and I took a little break from walking to just watch the traffic and the people for a while. It wasn't quite as crowded as past years but then again it was only Friday and it was still early.

Back to the vendor areas where we found someone who does some really nice custom paint jobs. How many of you remember this guy from way back when ??????

Faith found herself on the other side of the camera here. Isn't she adorable ???

.The Laughlin River Run differs from a lot of the other rallies because along Casino Drive there are about 8 hotel casinos and each parking lot is chock full of vendors. Most rallies have a large field or just one area set up for shopping. So we did quite a lot of walking through the day. But some of the custom work that you find makes it worthwhile

Did I mention that the temperature had risen nicely and the day had actually warmed up to where less clothing meant staying more comfortable ? You might note that she's not sweating. Unfortunately for us, since we rode the motorcycles, we had long pants on. But there was a slight breeze and if you found some shade, it really wasn't that bad.

We took a refreshment break near the Hogs and Heifers stage setup. The music was far too loud but the dancers were having a ball. By this time Darryl had gone back home for a previous engagement so John, Faith and I went to meet up with a couple of John's friends for a drink and then dinner. Although we had wanted to get on the road before dark, we left Laughlin just as the sun was beginning to set.

It's amazing how much the temperature changes once the sun goes down ! By the time we got through Bullhead City we had to pull over to put on a jacket. It seemed that the temps would change every couple of miles. We'd hit a warm spot and then suddenly an area where it was actually more than cool. It was downright cold !

But we made it and all in all it was a great day. I was supposed to go out with a friend on his boat for the races on Saturday but after all of the walking and being on my feet all day Friday I just couldn't do it. Saturday was a day of rest and Sunday was back down to Fox's for church. Then we went home, got the bathing suits on and went to Darryl and Melina's for a little pool time and BBQ. GOOD TIMES----GOOD FRIENDS

It's amazing how we can be 2500 miles away from the New Jersey shore and find some way to bring it all right here.

Lots of stuff coming up in the next couple of weeks so stay tuned !!!!

A Wedding on the River

We went to a wonderful wedding last weekend for some friends that we met at Fox's Floating Dock Bar. Greg and Denise were to get married on Saturday but the wedding was actually a three day event that proved to be a great time with some truly great people.

 Darryl and Melina took their "toy box" down so Faith rode with them on Friday afternoon. I waited for John to get home from work and then he and I rode the bikes down to join them.

So by Friday evening the "wedding weekend" had begun and quite a few people that were in the wedding party also came for the weekend and it was a good night of fun and friends.

Roger, John and Darryl are always ready for a photo op. The weather was perfect after a rather hot afternoon. As soon as the sun set the temps dropped and being near the water made it a night that made you just want to stay out and enjoy it until the wee hours of the morning.

 And I'm pretty sure that's exactly what we did. We had no early plans for Saturday so Friday night was wide open !

Melina and Faith had a great time and although Melina worked through the night into Friday, she was up and partying with everyone.

Some of the Fox's regulars were there as well. Barb got some chat time with John and Darryl.

A cold one for me and some country music on the juke box for Darryl and Melina and the night just kept going and getting better. On Saturday morning John, Darryl and I took a ride down to Ehrenberg just to kill some time before the wedding that evening.

When we got back to Fox's most of the wedding party and a number of the guests were there in various stages of getting ready. It was another hot day so most were in swim suits with a cold beverage in their hand. Then the bridal party left by boat and went down river a bit to a park for the ceremony.

It couldn't have been more beautiful and unique when they came back on the boats as husband and wife.The sun was just beginning to set and it made a great backdrop for the happy couple.

And then the party continued. Susan had come down earlier in the day on Saturday so all of the girls along with the new bride were ready to party all night.

You have to agree---they make a pretty nice couple !!!

The food was great and there was plenty of it. Check out the scenery !! What could be better than a beautiful moonlit night sitting at a table along the river at a friends wedding ?!?!

A beautiful backlit wedding cake which was simply yummy !!

James and Shirlene took a slow dance break.

Shirlene is another wonderful friend that we've made since moving to this little piece of paradise. It just seems that the weather and the company are always great and the good times keep on comin' !

C'mon Mom, this is a happy occasion. Wipe away that tear and join the party !

And the party lasted well into the night and I must say that it was a wonderful weekend again spent with some wonderful friends (who we mostly consider family now).