Friday, July 1

Today we left Belgrade and wandered down to West Yellowstone Park. On the way we crossed the Gallatin River and it, too, was exceptionally high. Along the road and across the river there was a log house which wasn't more than two feet above the rushing water. There was a veranda on the water side with chairs. I figure they must sit and watch the water roll by. You have to feel bad for folks who may or have lost their homes. This one was soon to be eaten up by the river if there is any more rain. It had rained the night before because there was some left on the road.

We crossed the Continental Divide twice today, once at 8,392 foot elevation. It was cold riding most of the day until later in the afternoon. I had not dressed for it as the morning sun is quite deceptive. Tomorrow I will be more prepared.

In the park we saw buffalo, an elk, deer and outside lots more deer, buffalo and antelope. When we first entered the park there was a long line of cars and it was going soooo slow. Figured it must be buffalo on the road. NOT!!! There were two eagles sitting in a tree. Good grief. Those people will stop for anything. Lol.

Was a nice ride, and we stopped to see Old Faithful, who isn't exactly faithful anymore. It's on a 90-minute schedule plus or so, but it was so enjoyable to see again. We stopped to see boiling pots and steam vents and had a great time. We did it pretty quick, though.

There were a number of folks fly fishing, practically everywhere there was water. All I could think of was that fly fishermen are nothing more than bear bait.

My bike problem for the day was a gas leak. I could smell gas last night but couldn't figure out why. Today, after we'd ridden for a while, we were just leaving a gas station when I looked down and saw it drip. I found where it had come from,out of the gas tank where the connections come in, so we called the shop in Jackson Hole, but it's only an apparel shop. We tried a garage in West Yellowstone, but there wasn't anything they could do either, so it's on to Rock Springs where there is a service department. We called and told them what was going on, and when we'd be there.

We left Jackson after buying the required shirts, and went about 76 miles south on 191 to Pinedale which is where we are spending the night. We found this quaint little motel and we told the temperature will get down to about 36 degrees tonight. Tomorrow we'd better gear up in warmer clothing. I'll get out my electrics now.

We met some folks in the next room who are from Wisconsin. And they live where Birdie used to live years ago. They invited us to join them for dinner so we had a very nice visit. Carol and B.J. Had been out backpacking and were going to camp when someone told them there had just been a grizzley there. So they decided not to camp, but the guy had asked if they had a gun ... no, bear spray ... no, nothing. Birdie and I walked a couple blocks and went in a hiking type of store ... bought them a bear bell and put it on their door for them.

Up early tomorrow to get to the Rock Springs shop. But first, a homemade breakfast at the motel. Who knew it was also a bed and breakfast type of thing. I smelled something when we registered. Turns out it was apple crisp. It smelled delicious.

By the way, yesterday we found this restaurant in Anaconda called Peppermint Patty's. We stopped to take photos because she also had a flying pig in the window. We went in hoping to buy dessert to take back to Jan's but they only had ice cream and shakes, and those definately wouldn't travel too well. I asked if I could buy a menu, and the kind lady gave one to me. She rides, so she was thinking mighty kindly of us. That was so nice. You just meet the nicest folks sometimes.

Til tomorrow, my friends.