I took the day off from riding today. Started to pack the scooter but realized this was my seventh day out, time for a rest. The room was available for another night, and there were other things I wanted to do… repack the scooter with my new waterproof bag using yet newer ideas, and spend some time on the blog.
I spent the middle of the day in the very impressive Cody County Public Library…set up my work space right next to their in-house coffee shop and played. Almost got caught up.
I spent a little time riding around town…very western. Buffalo Bill is as close as it comes to being a local god. There’s a museum in town dedicated to all things Buffalo Bill. It’s been expanding over the years and is now a destination point for folks from distant lands. Busloads of tourists arrive regularly at the entry. People get out, snap a photo of his bronze statue, pay their money and disappear inside. They come out impressed with Bill, talking to their companions about the things they saw. Most striking apparently is the new Winchester Gun Collection wing. I didn’t go in, just loitered around outside. That was entertaining enough.
In the evening the wind picked up and the sky clouded over. There was a weather warning about strong gusts to 50 mph. I was concerned about my scooter blowing over. It happens. A few hours earlier the manager made me move the scooter off the weather-protected concrete platform in front of my room and park it on the gravel. He said it was a fire department requirement, so people could escape down the sidewalk in case of a fire. (????????????..see photo) I avoided starting an argument by not telling him a bigger fire hazard was the non-functioning smoke alarm in my room (true). Anyway, I was worried about the wind so my motel neighbor and new friend Ken moved his really big Dodge pick-up to the up-wind side of my scooter as a block. I added the additional security of tying the scooter to his truck side rail. The wind was very dramatic. I’m sure the scooter would have fallen over without our precautions.
I also filled in three additional states on my topbox map…Oregon, Idaho and Wyoming.
Awesome! I just missed you! I work with your brother, Bill, and he heard of my return from WY – rode a twin BMW and camped in the Gravelly Range SW of Ennis MT — don’t try it on the Vespa!
Is the Chief Joseph Highway or the Beartooth Highway on your route — hi climbs, but traffic speed is slow and could accommodate your scooter — the vistas are awesome!
My farthest push east was Deadwood; additionally, Buffalo Bill’s actual house is in Sheridan…..
Also, the ride from Cody through Thermopolis is nice – and windy – there’s a very good café in Thermopolis – the Bear Café……
Good luck!
9/16/2015 10 AM. Yesterday I did not see photo images. Today – same story. Could be on my end but thought you should know in case there is an upload problem on your end. Anyway – not to worry because their will probably be a future slide show of your journey. Those of us, if anybody else, can visualized through your detailed narrative descriptions. Good for our brains. Thank you for sharing – Randy Pfyl Concord, CA
Mike, I looked at a weather map of western US and saw what appeared to be a storm front moving toward your location from the west. I thought, “keep moving east (where it still looked clear and warm), Mike!” Hope you and your bike are either holed up safely to wait out the weather, or you’re managing to stay ahead of it for now. We’re starting to get cloudy, cool, near-rain conditions here. Look forward to your blog posts every day, and esp. the great photos. Take care.
I”m glad a fellow really big Dodge pick up owner could help out. Are you taking pictures of your topbox as you add states? I love that process.
Hi, Mike. Verrrry interesting! What an adventure you’ve undertaken. I’ll enjoy your photos and comments as you cross our beautiful (& at times treacherous) country. You must have done some awesome planning and packing to have all you’ll need in such a small, neat package. I hope all goes well and that the weather gods give you great traveling conditions.
Take good care, and “keep the rubber on the road.”
Best, Susan