2016 Motorcycle Adventure (DAY Nine)

Staying here in Cody, WY I am getting used to the weather patterns. The morning starts out clear and sunny and sometimes with a breeze and then by afternoon clouds start to build in the west over the mountains and that can mean a light sprinkle or a full on thunder storm. This morning it was clear and getting quite toasty by the time I pulled out around 9:30. My neighbour had suggested taking a northern loop up to Cooke City, Montana and then swinging south entering Yellowstone Park at the northeast gate and continuing south through the park and then leaving through the east gate and back to Cody. It was the perfect ride on this glorious day in Wyoming. I have to say that I am very happy I took his suggestion because one would be hard pressed to find a more beautiful place on earth. The scenery was absolutely stunning and I found myself stopping every few minutes for another photo until I finally decided to just ride and drink in the experience. Non the less, I took lots of photographs until I had used up my Nikon camera battery and had to switch to my iPhone for the last few shots. I hadn't charged it since I left so it lasts a long time.
Just as I was pulling out of the campground I caught a flapping flag out of the corner of my eye that was hoisted proudly over one of those half million dollar motorhomes and just had to snap a picture. I really don't know quite what to say. I guess he's a wealthy republican who supports Trump.

These next several photos are taken as I climb up from Cody at the basin floor around 5000 ft. elevation up to 8 and 9000 ft. level. Due to glaciers and natural erosion you can see all the various layers of soil and rock that are now exposed.

This bike is so much fun to ride on these awesome mountain roads from the long fast sweepers to the hairpin corners so I have to include my baby in a few shots.

I stopped at one of those scenic lookouts perched high over the valley below and had a fellow nomad snap a couple of pics of me. There was a plaque that described how a large band of native indians were being chased by the US army. They had about 1000 horses with them. They figured they would be shot if the army caught up to them so they decided that if they could get over this pass and then scatter the horses in three different directions the army would have a tougher time tracking them. This launched a discussion with other travellers and as we looked out over this vast lush valley below wondered why the army would want to kill all the natives when there was more than enough here for everyone. When you dig deeper into American history during this time in the 1800's it really makes one feel ashamed of the behaviour of some of our forefathers.

I eventually made it to the tiny mountain town of Cooke City and stopped there for gas and a snack before heading down into the park.
This entire area is designated "free range" which means that domestic as well as wild animals are free to go where they please and there are no fences to keep cattle etc. of the road. As you might imagine it can create some extra challenges for vehicles traveling through this terrain. I came to one patch where there were dozens of cows munching away on the grass right on the shoulder of the road. One just has to be a little bit more focused to avoid hitting one.
The park admission fee for a motorcycle was $25 but because I was going down into the Grand Teton National Park tomorrow it was $40. I thought is was a little expensive until I got inside the park. This is a park that everyone needs to visit in their lifetime, simply breathtaking.

It has all sorts of landscape from giant waterfalls to grassy pastures, mountains, streams filled with fly fisherman and of course........Buffalo.

Twice the road traffic had to stop as one of these stately beasts sauntered out onto the road without a care in the world. As you can imagine the photographic opportunities were everywhere. Everybody wants a memory.
It was getting on in the day and I still had an hour ride back to camp and because I planned on returning tomorrow I decided to leave the park.
As I descended to Cody the blistering heat returned so once back I jumped in the pool to cool off.
I cooked up some rice, corn and shrimp for dinner, worked on my blog and then it was off to dreamland.