Big Sky to Jackson Hole

We woke up in Montana and by the end of the day we had been in three states.

After last nights thunder storm the morning dawned fine and clear. We bundled up our things and headed out alone at about 7.30am.

The first part of the morning was skirting around the Western side of Yellowstone National park. We passed one of our group talking to the Sheriff.

We came to an intersection where we intended  turning off and found a reasonable sized township there. Its one of the entry points into Yellowstone National Park and keeps busy with all the through traffic.

We stopped there for a breakfast of coffee and muffin. The lady who served us gave us a few tips for visiting the park. Apparently one person has come to a "grizzly" end at the hands of a bear this year.

She also mentioned a story we had heard in NZ of how wolves have been re introduced into the park having been wiped out previously by man. They where now growing rapidly in numbers and it's quite a controversy around here. Some want to shoot them and others protect them. The law currently protects them.

The sun came out and we headed out crossing the border into Idaho.  The country side immediately changed. For the first hour we thought we had made a mistake coming this way as the scenery was un inspiring and road an asphalted goat track.

Seeing a Gas Station we pulled in and found three of our travelling companions. Dave, Barbara and Gary. We decided to make a run for Jackson Hole, get in early and explore the Teton park together.

We crossed into road 32 and the scenery was again outstanding and road surface great.

 We've never seen such wide open space. The fields where full of potato or wheat.

 Signs around proclaimed this is the worlds largest potato growing area. Probably true.

We spotted a moose and two calves trotting through on of the fields. We shot up a gravel drive to photograph them but they took off not wanting a bar of us. Their gait really is comical.

We then climbed over the Targee Pass and had the obligatory photo there. Its a nice one anyway!

Our tour leader Ken had given up his bike for the day and was in the back up vehicle. He was a little "spirited" going over the pass and got to speak to the local Sheriff. Two in one day. No tickets, just warnings. 







We rode down the other side into some beautiful vistas. We learned from a helpful local that Ducatis can go much faster around corner then Harleys and are even capable of overtaking on the wrong side of the road around blind corners. The first stupid driving we have witnessed since being here.



Jackson Hole is another Ski Resort. There are many snow related and fishing / hunting activities in the greater area.

It gets seriously cold here, although we are sweltering as its high summer. Its touristy, but actually a nice place. We were in Wyoming now and there is a real feel for the ways of the Cowboy and Wild west.

You don't get Maori Carvings and Merino Jerseys here, oh no, you get Cowboy Boots, Stuffed Animals, Cowboy Bars, Indian Jewelery, Staged shoot outs in the square and Buffalo Burgers. (Mark says yum they are nice)

Mark, Dave and Gary

Mark in Million dollar cowboy Bar. Yea har!

With Ken

Two Geniuses

It was 2.30 and we hadn't eaten since 8.am. Mark had low energy levels due to lack of food and decided it was best not to push on as planned. We left Dave, Barbara and Gary to go on with out us and they came back reporting seeing heaps of wildlife. Oh well better not to ride when you cant concentrate 100%.

A lot of locals ask about our trip and are very friendly. They love the idea of New Zealand and are shocked to hear we think their Country is beautiful. Their perception is New Zealand is more beautiful then America.  Not from what we've seen so far. 

The people are still trim and we are waiting to see the giants wobbling around we have been told about. We suspect they will be frequenting the back blocks and places most people wouldn't want to live in year round. Time will tell.

The feeling here is that Obama hasn't helped the financial situation and he will pay come next election.  

Tomorrow its into Yellowstone National Park, see some critters then onto Cody. I hear the theme from Bonanza....