Idaho to Montana

AUGUST 7 - DAY 3 - JACKPOT, NV TO WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT

As I lay in bed this morning I could already hear bikes on the road at 5:30 a.m. As good as they sounded I couldn't help but wonder if these were bikers out trying to ride as far as they could on daylight, or if they were really out there enjoying the ride rather than the destination.

We were up early despite the time change and decided to wait till Twin Falls for breakfast. As we loaded the bikes we chatted with others doing the same, and found others from California heading to Sturgis. Then we hit the road with our first stop planned in only 26 miles.

We got gas in Hollister, ID, if for no other reason than to say we had been to another Hollister. The gentleman behind the counter had retired 13 years ago from law enforcement for the State of Idaho, and he had plenty of stories to share. We rode through the "town" and took pictures with the town name. We knew then that this would be a scenic day.

Once in Twin Falls we had breakfast at Starbucks (notice a theme?), then rode on to the H-D dealership (see what I mean?). As we got ready to leave two more California bikes showed up, his and hers. They were from Elk Grove and turns out were taking our same path for the next three nights.

We headed along the backroads of Hwy 30 through Kimberly, along the Snake River and on to Burley before we picked up the Interstate and headed to Pocatello. There is nothing but farmland and it is beautiful. It reminded me a lot of Hollister and made me wonder if I fell in love with Hollister because I've always liked the country, or if all those times spent visiting Idaho made me love it.

In Pocatello we visited the H-D dealership, meeting friendly people in the parking lot and the employees inside. This really struck a chord with us as it reminded us of the unfriendlies we'd seen the day before.

As we rode through Nevada we saw a group of five on four bikes ride by. We waved to each one. We thought the first guy was kind of cute and slowed enough to give Angel a big smile as he waved back. The second guy had large broad shoulders but looked as if he was being forced and waved begrudgingly. The couple and the single guy didn't look or wave, and we just figured "oh well".

Our lunch stop in Elko found us seated next to them at the counter. Mr. Smiley is at the far end and is leering at Angel so much I'm thinking he might slither over. And we both concluded that he looked better on his bike and with his helmet on. Mr. Muscles looks like he is still feeling contempt for everyone. I begin to wonder if all those muscles have cut off the supply of blood to his brain. The couple just stare straight ahead - again. When Angel tried to have some friendly biker chat with The Loner he behaved as though simple questions were physically painful, then turned his back to her. We began to wonder if this was what it would be like the whole trip.

But that is where today differs and we realize they were the odd ones. Everyone we meet is friendly, whether they are bikers, coffee baristas, dealership or store employees.

After heading east on Hwy 30 and merging with I-86, we then head north on Hwy 91 to 26 to 20 and eventually in to West Yellowstone, Montana. But the fun was through the Reservations and small towns along Hwy 91. In Blackfoot we came across the Potato Museum, with a big spud statue right in front. We made a quick u-turn for a photo op.

However, as we pulled away from Pocatello we also noticed some mean looking clouds to each side that appeared to converge up ahead. We feared the worst. About 100 miles before our destination I was thirsty and tired and ready for a break. But we persevered. When we arrived at our hotel we noticed a few bikes parked under the awning of the registration drive up. We thought that brilliant but there was no more room. However, not to be easily discouraged, we moved a few of the outside tables and chairs and then parked ours there as well. Not an hour later we were treated to a wonderful storm of thunder, lightening and downpours. But our bikes were dry!

After dinner we each grabbed a drink, sat at the lone table left beside our bikes, and watched the world pass by. As we talked about our trip thus far we began to laugh at some of the things we noticed. Like how we were wearing the same type of jeans the day we left. Tonight I had put on my America's 9/11 sweatshirt while she wore another, but told me then that she had wanted to wear her same one. Then she asked me to call her so I could hear "my" ringtone. After I asked her to call me. When the same song, "Life is a Highway" began to play we both almost fell out of our chairs laughing. This is why we are friends, despite so many other differences there are so many of these similarities we keep finding.

Tomorrow we will tour Yellowstone National Park, a first for us both!

Today's stats: 8 hours, 335 miles