This was a travel day. 330 miles to Browning, MT at the entrance to Glacier National Park.

Nothing special to report. One pix of the ride showing Andy far ahead of me. One pix of a valley where silver was mined in the 1800’s.

Here are Andy’s photos; they also need no comment.

We started in Billings, MT and had a 100 mile ride to the park.  When we got close on Hwy 212 we found out that the entrance ahead was closed due to fires.  So we went an extra 75 miles South into Wyoming to go in that entrance.  Actually the best ride of the day was from 212 down to Cody, WY and from their into the park.  Had a great coffee in Cody (see pix).  We applied for the job, but they said we were too old and crotchety..

The pix that follow are all in Yellowstone; they need no comment.  We were up close to that Bison!  Hit is just right for Old Faithful–ice cream helped in the waiting.

Tonight we are in Livingston, MT.  Tomorrow we head for Glacier National Park (about 330 miles–a piece of cake).

We left Gettysburg, SD at 7:00 AM CDT.  Today we rode, rode, and rode some more.  Speaking to you now from Billings, MT (within striking distance of Yellowstone).  Tomorrow is Yellowstone and a drive North to Glacier.

Missouri River was spectacular; will post pix.  Saw a Buffalo up close soon after; pix follows.

Long, hot (98) day.  Two lane roads out here are straight and fast.  We cruise at 80 MPH, and we are almost the only ones on the road.  It was gravel for 10 miles at least in construction.  We are glad to be safe in Billings. the dental office pictured is in Bell Fourche, SD where Andy had a broken out filling replaced; it is right beside the Library where Bob graded MBA Stats homework online.

What a great day!  Spent time with all the kids and Heidi before taking off West from Minneapolis on Hwy 12.  This was a perfect day to ride:  70 degrees, bright sun, on a two lane hwy through middle America.  Small town cafes with friendly people all asking about our trip.  We could ride an hour and see less than 5 cars (slight exaggeration).  Also less than 5 trees in S. Dakota!

Got lost on one detour, but we did not really care.  We just drove Westy and occasionally looked at a map to see where we were.  Arrived in Gettysburg, SD for the night in a nice motel.

The day started wondering if the bike would start.  It did.  We drove to Rockford, Il and looked in the Yellow Pages for a motorcycle repair shop. Found one; found it, and they said they would look at it.  Two hours later they found the problem. it was a million ants that had crawled into the switch case and laid a pound of eggs!  Eggs blown out; bike fixed.  What joy!  They trip really just started for me.

We drove on up through Wisconsin to Eau Claire where when we had stopped for gas we saw a front coming in.  We put the suits and an left, but it was too dangerous; we pulled over and waited for the front to pass.

When it left, we continued on to Minneapolis and made it there by 7:00 pm.  Heidi, Shane, their four boys and all the neighborhood were waiting for us on the front lawn.  We had a ball with the kids and ate pizza.  It was a wonderful evening and morning spent with them. Lil had sent bubble gum and gummy worms to the two older boys.  They love their aunt “Owo.”  It was a great visit.

Got the bike all ready to go and took the picture below.  Just as I got on it to go I thought, “Wouldn’t it be something if the bike did not start?”  Sure enough.  Here I was in my rainsuit; bags all packed; gloves and helmet on, and the start button did not work.

On the second, more forceful push the bike started.  But that was just the beginning.  After many times with starting malfunction, I found myself in Clarksville, TN at a Yamaha dealer. They said it was a bad switch; they did not have one, but they would try to locate one and have it shipped to a dealer overnite in Bloomington, IL.  I got on the phone with the dealer, gave my card number, and they placed the order.  But they said the part was not available; it was on back order to be shipped Sept 13!

I rode the rest of the day starting the bike only one time at lunch.  I let it idle while gassing up (luckily I have a spare key with me; otherwise I would have to stop the bike to use the key to open the gas cap).  Don’t know what we are going to do.  We are trying to locate a used part or a dealer with one on a bike in a showroom they would sell.

Bob

Triumph (I think) Rocket; 2300 cc, 6 cylinder monster modified by my nephew, Travis Seera. He intends to ride with us part of the way down the Pacific Coast Hwy (PCW).

Bob and Andy in Maine showing off their “Old Guys Rule” t-shirts.

This post was created to share comments and pictures on our upcoming motorcycle tour to California.