Moab, Ut. to Mexican Hat, Ut.

Got on the road in good time and the weather is clear and sunny if a bit cool but nothing we can't handle.  Heading south on Hwy 191 our aim is to make it to Mexican Hat today.  Got as far as Blanding and turned west on Hwy 95 to have a look at Natural Bridges Nat'l. Monument.  This was well worth the side trip as the canyon was spectacular and we were able to see (at a distance) some ancient Indian habitat in the bottom of a canyon.

After seeing this area we had two options to finish our days trip.  One was to return to Blanding and then turn right on Hwy 191 and then on to Mexican Hat a trip of about 70 miles or take a short cut down Hwy 261 scenic trip along a river through a canyon a trip about 35miles long.  But and this was a fairly big but.  Hwy 261 started out going down a very steep narrow gravel road with lots of hairpin turns.  In the interest of all I opted for the longer safer route.

When we got to Mexican Hat and were in our hotel and nice and relaxed here was the view we were presented with, it was worth it.

Vernal, Ut. to Green River, Ut. (Moab, Ut.)

This morning started out more promising the the last two days but it is still cool.  From the news last night about the heavy rain in eastern Colorado I think we're lucky.  No Flooding.  We go east on Hwy. 40 from Vernal and turn south on Hwy. 191 again and all is well, we're driving along a coulee which (unknown to us) had been closed the day before because of flooding.  The road in places was a little slippery because of the wet mud, but we persevered and made it through.  Other than the few slippery spots the road was nice and twisty making a good ride.  The scenery was OK but not great.  Made it to Green River about 3pm and were going to shut down early but there were no rooms at the Inn(s).  So we went on to Moab which was only another 55 miles down the road.  On the way into Moab there were two large thunder storms one on either side of the Hwy. both with lots of lightening and heavy rain and we were not dressed for rain.  So being the bit of a coward that I can be we pulled over to prepare.  Well it only rained for the last few minutes on the way into town and we hardly got wet.  So we got a hotel (the same one as last year) and went for a coffee.    No Photos taken today.

Jackson, Wy. to Vernal, Ut.

Got up at early this morning and the sky is once again overcast and is threatening rain.  After breakfast we're on the road again.  Its a little cool but we're dressed for it I hope.  Heading south on Hwy. 191 and take a break to warm up in Pinedale at a gas stop.  The girls are cold.

The drive is uneventful and the sun finally shows its face as we're coming into Rock Springs.  It only stays out a short while while we're having lunch :-(  Onto Vernal and trying to avoid the thunder storms on Hwy. 191 through "Flaming Gorge Nat'l Rec. Area".   Great ride but we hit a rain storm that was so hard we had to pull over and stop because we could not see, and Sharron was complaining that she didn't like the ice facial she was getting from the hail.

 Stopped at a lookout for a drink of water and a warm up .

The Sun comes out and we take another stop to enjoy the view.  Boy did the Best Western Look good in Vernal.

West Yellowstone to Jackson Wy.

Got up this morning to an over cast sky got our bikes all packed up for the ride to Jackson, Wy. and went for a great breakfast.  Came out from breakfast and the rain started and it rained and it rained all the way through Yellowstone Park.  I guess the good news though was that we didn't have to put our rain gear on when ever we stopped like the poor people in the cars, trucks and motorhomes.

 Its hard to see old Faithful, with the heavy overcast and the less than spectacular blow but it was there and the rain stopped just long enough so we didn't get too wet.  But then it started again and didn't stop till we left the park.

 From Yellowstone Park on Hwy. 89 right into Grand Teton Park, were the sky turned bright blue (with Clouds) then onto the Teton Parkway drive as this was a slower road and took us closer to the mountains (they were quite spectacular).

Columbus, Mt. to West Yellowstone, Wy.

Up early today and Sharron's a little nervous because........ we're going over the "Bear's Tooth Pass".  The sky is clear and the day starts a little cool but promises to warm up.  The road from Columbus to Red Lodge is twisty and is a good practice run for the Pass.  When we stop for gas in Red Lodge at the foot of the Bears Tooth Pass Sharron talks to some other bikers and gets the S___ scared out of her, but they tell her they're just kidding.  So off we go.  What a great ride even Sharron enyoys it.  The bikers she was talking to at the bottom are waiting for us and a large look out 3/4 of the way up, just to see how she liked it.

 Hwy. 212 At the bottom of the valley is the entrance to the Bears Tooth.














The continuation of Hwy. 212 coming up to the first view point.

 The Hwy. has a few twists and turns.

Finally we made it to the top.

 Looking west from near the top of the Pass.

Sue wanted to stay here for the Night but she got out voted.

Sharron at the top of the Bears Tooth Pass (piece of cake!!)

On to West Yellowstone via the North East Gate.  Not much to say other than we went through Cooke City and it is very much a tourist trap, but all in all a cute place with good food and too many souvenirs. The traffic through Yellowstone was heavy and part of the road was under construction, but the sun was shining and it was warm.  Got into West Yellowstone around 530 and it took about an hour till we found the very, very last room in town.

Tuesday Sept 9th

Heres a Photo of the wounderful hotel we stayed at in Seeley Mt.  It was Warm, Dry and clean and the bar next door only charged $2 for a beer.

Got away at 8am against Sue better wishes.  Easy and scenic ride to helena which was was suposed to be are secound night stay but since we arrived ar noon we kept going and drove to Columbus Mt.

Tomorrow I'm taking Sharron and Crew on the Bears Tooth Pass....  Sould be fun. and we'll take pictures.

Sept 8th 2013

Well we got off to a good start today.  We met Don & Sue at 8 am an headed off to Creston and breezed though the boarder.  On to Kalispell what a ride.  Arrived in Kalispell at 2:30 our time 3:30 Montana and were still ready to go.  I had the brainy idea to drive down the road to Swan Lake and spend the night.  Well we got there OK but not only were there not rooms at the Inn there was no Inn.  So another 50 miles down the road to Seeley Lake for the night.  Sorry no pictures were taken.