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The Winds of Home..... our slice of the Rockies.......

1194 Views 29 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  Cousin Jack, 
Cousin Jack
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Last leg, CJ and Red's 2009 Motorcycle Summer.......



After Ft. Laramie, we faced a choice. We'd already made one a day before, in Oglalla, when we decided not to head due north through the Nebraska Sand Hills, Chadron, and the Black Hills. Although we love that area, we would then have to go over the Bighorns to Cody, but it would add a couple of days, and we were both needing to get home.... over four weeks out now...our money gone, our time close behind... and so...... on to Ft. Laramie. And now what to do? We could follow the pioneers up through South Pass, the lowest, easiest way through the Rockies, and then down the Snake River Valley.....but we've done that numerous times. And there is another way.....

If you angle northwest, through Thermopolis and Cody, you can catch three of the most dramatic, most beautiful motorcycle roads in America: The Wind River Canyon, The Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, and then perhaps the penultimate -- Beartooth Pass. And after Beartooth would come scenic Highway 90 through Montana to Missoula, where we could ease on home over the old Lewis and Clark route through the Bitteroots, Lolo Pass.

And, guess what.... these are our all time favorite roads! And so that's what we did!



The St, The Redhead, the Redhead's car..... Wind River Canyon......

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip2009134.jpg

CJ in the shadows...... Wind River Canyon......

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip20092052-1.jpg

Just out of Cody, starting the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip20092055.jpg

I can ride the Rockies forever!

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip2009137-1.jpg

CJ on his favorite mode of transportation, in one of his favorite places in the world! That's Hunter Peak (correction: Pilot and Index peak) ahead, just before the junction with Hwy 212, the Beartooth!

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip20092063.jpg

Often called the "Most Beautiful Road In America," the Beartooth again makes CJ's heart soar.....

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip2009145.jpg

Down below those serpentine curves is Montana! Montana...where my grandfather once dug for gold, where my father was born, and where my heart yet lives...Montana!

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip2009146.jpg

and so ends our big ride of 2009, 12 or so states, 6000 plus miles.... oh, the things we've seen and the people we've met! MDKramer andGina, Dubswing andLois, Lopeha, G Lester, Dave 0430,Monk, Flyone andKeri, Bill's Girl, and Patch..... and what roads! The Oregon Trail, Eastern Tennessee, The Blue Ridge, The Cherokee Trail,The Mormon Trail, The Trail Of Tears,The Sand Creek Massacre Trail, and all the others I can no longer remember...... thank you all for following along, and thank you for your support and good cheer...... I love riding motorcycles; I love America; I love this forum, and I love life! Thanks again for listenting...

Love,

CJ and Red

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/roscinante/MCtrip2009147.jpg
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RayandTracy
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Wow! you always seam to capture my utmost attention with your heartfelt words and wisdom CJ:coollep:

Thanks and do ride safe, Ray:waving:
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SpiderBob
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Outstanding, felt like I was following along all the way, perhaps I was at least in spirit.
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bbach
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What a wonderful riding area! Wow. Incredible scenery.
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DaveO430
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Outstanding!!!! I can almost smell the Rockies.
Been through the Wind river canyon but still long to see the rest of those places.
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Winger77
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And once again you have me all perked up CJ. I have enjoyed ALL of your writings and it has been fun to follow you on this trip. The way you are able to capture the west as it is, is what helped to make me go there. And I'll be there again in Sept.

PS. In the one pic you refer to a mountain peak as "Hunter Mountain". Is that the same as this one http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/winger77/Trip%20to%20Colorado/100_2187.jpgI assumed it was where it got it's name from "Beartooth". I remember you posted a pic one time with the remark of why they call it beartooth. Here is another shot

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/winger77/Trip%20to%20Colorado/100_2191.jpg
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Lyrkin
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Excellent post Cousin Jack...it's been a pleasure 'following' your 09 journey. You've ridden in 4 weeks almost what I have in 4 months !!

Glad you could enjoy, and glad your machine took you there and brought you back.
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lopeha
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Great post CJ. You & Red just made a trip most of us can only dream about. Thanks for inviting us along & look forward to your next "adventure".
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93Wing
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Cj, you should really think about putting these writings of yours in books. Few people have a way of telling a story and putting you there as you do. You have done more in 4 weeks than I have done in a lifetime, and quite frankly, I would love to do just what you did, ride across the best country in the world and meet some of the finest folks put on this earth.



I am jealous as all get out but, now I have to plan to do one of these trip before I meet the good Lord.



Thanks for all you put into your stories, we all enjoyed your trip:clapper::clapper:
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Cousin Jack
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Winger77 wrote:
And once again you have me all perked up CJ. I have enjoyed ALL of your writings and it has been fun to follow you on this trip. The way you are able to capture the west as it is, is what helped to make me go there. And I'll be there again in Sept.

PS. In the one pic you refer to a mountain peak as "Hunter Mountain". Is that the same as this one http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/winger77/Trip%20to%20Colorado/100_2187.jpgI assumed it was where it got it's name from "Beartooth". I remember you posted a pic one time with the remark of why they call it beartooth. Here is another shot

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/winger77/Trip%20to%20Colorado/100_2191.jpg
Click to expand...



Ya know, ya got me worried now, Winger...... I've always considered that peak, until this trip, as Beartooth, but this time I took the name Hunter Peak from a roadside sign (that I unfortunately don't have a photograph of!)...... I remember thinking, "gee, I always thought that was the Beartooth!" But to tell you the truth, I don't know for sure......!

I looked at all my maps, but neither Hunter Peak or anything like "Beartooth Peak" is on them. There is something 10,000 ft high over near the North Entrance of Yellowstone called the Wanderer, but I don't think that's our peak.......

I did some research on google, and we may both be wrong! Something that looks like Hunter or the Beartooth is called "Pilot" and "Index"..... look at this link!

http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/2281/photos.html

Maybe Dusty can help...... Hey, Dusty, what the hell are Winger and I looking at?!?

Help us get unlost!

Winger, sounds like you're gonna go to Montrose. Be great to finally meet ya, buddy! Looking forward to it! Great riding in Colorado, simply great!
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Cousin Jack
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93Wing, Lopeha..... c'mon guys! Ain't no rocket science, point those beautiful Wings of yours west and c'mon out! Be great to see you both at Montrose!
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Winger77
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Looks like our peak is Pilot peak,,,,,,,, the way I see it anyway.

Dang,,,,,,,, I really liked the thought of it being it looked like a bear's tooth. But it does make sense of it being a pilot for travelers back in the day.

It really is something to see with your own eyes. I was in total awe when came around that curve and saw it. Thats why I had to stop for the pick. I stood gazing at it for several mins.

And to all the others,,,,,,,, like CJ says,,,,point them bikes west and twist your throttles:action:You won't regret spending the $$ and missing work.

And CJ, you can bet the farm I'll be seeing you in Montrose ;). Thought you knew that, but I guess you been pretty busy:action:. Dusty Boots and I hope to hook up in Utah for a steak dinner. Yes sir, I got the wandering bug for sure:)
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Dusty Boots
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I remember the Bearstooth as a rather 'unimpressive' peak that was nearer to the eastern end of the road(on the right, orSE side of the road), not far from the one photo of yours showing the Montana state line area ... while the peak in question was further west and on the left/NW side of the road. :baffled:
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UbarW
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CJ, do you remember Greybull Wyoming?
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Blackdog
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Thank you for the words and pictures CJ. It is all inspiring.
I hope to ride it all some day with Penny.
Looking forward to meeting you and Red in a little over a week!


According to the national scenic byways program....



This is Beartooth Butte:




And this is Pilot and Index Peaks:
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CALEBNDAD
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Wow, the pics are great. Wish to go someday.
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OnaWingAndaPrayer
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So many miles , so many pictures .Its wonderful how you express yourself . Your a treasure . Thank you for all your travel postings.
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Cousin Jack
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UBarW wrote:
CJ, do you remember Greybull Wyoming?
Click to expand...
Yes, I do..... on an earlier trip, Red and I were in Greybull arguing over whether to go on over the Bighorns because there were extreme T-Storm warnings. We finally pulled out heading east, toward the Bighorns, when .....ZAP!....... a big bolt of lightning came blitzing down, landing smack dab in the middle of the highway centerline! About a mile away! I nearly pulled the grips off our old 1100! That was enough! Back to a Greybull we went!

Why do you ask?
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lostinflorida
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Okay,,, I've been doing some serious thinking...

And for me that is dangerous,, get's me in trouble every time..



You've proven to Red and yourself that you both have healed up. You had a fantastic ride together thru some beautiful country.



You bought a car for her,,,,,



When you heading South?? ;)



As far as I know,, you still have that all purpose go anywhere, doo-hickeey repaired jewel sitting there in Ellensburg. :action:



I'm sure that ride has never left your mind....



My guess, knowing men and their women,,,,, that car just might have been a little bribe.. :cheeky1:
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Blackdog
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He-he-he ho-ho-ho ha-ha-ha Can't wait 'till we get there. We are staying inside Yellowstone past the top of this "Beartooth Highway":
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