I made it to Washington!

But first…..My Booty!

It’s hard to believe that you can just dig these suckers up, but it’s true. Then you want more. I felt like Bogart in the ‘Treasure of the Sierra Madre.’ I think I would kill for gold!

Also, I want to thank the kind folks at The Commissary at Gresko’s. 647 East Idaho Street in Kalispell, MT. 406-755-0336. That is where I used the computer yesterday. When I was done they gave me a big Toll House Cookie. It was good! People have been very kind to me on this trip. Lagniappes everywhere I go!

It took a lot longer to get through the rest of Montana and Idaho than expected, but I was determined to get to Washington. When I turned on to Route 20 it became desolate and mountainous. The sun was dropping quickly as was the temperature. I decided not to camp. I figured I could shack up at the nearest town, Ione. It turned out to be a bust. I had to go another 37 miles. I thought it was beginning to rain but it was the bugs plastering my face shield with guts. I had to stop a few times to wipe them off just so I could see all the deer that continuously jumped in the road. OK, only 4 jumped in the road, but I saw plenty more on the sides. Then there were these signs.

Needless to say it was not the most pleasurable ride. But I made it to Colville, WA and found a motel. Then I went to a bar and had a burger and a couple of beers. I was talking to some of the locals about their nightmare border crossing stories. I think i may scrap Vancouver. My bag is packed tight. I don’t need those border assholes tearing everything up. I’ve experienced it before. It’s not pleasant. I’m thinking of doing a Canada trip next year and up into Alaska. We’ll see.

Riding in Glacier

As I’ve said, I can hardly see these vids, but I think this gives a good idea of the experience.

Found a computer at a cafe outsie Glacier. Yahoo!

So I traded the Triumph in for this classic!

Here I am digging for crystals! I found a bunch. It reminded me of digging in Dirk’s sandbox as a kid. Unfortunately I keep forgetting to photograph my booty! I am sure you would all like to see my booty.

Having been conceived across the street from a Budweiser brewery I have a special place in my heart for these guys.

The Budweiser Clydesdales. Fantastic animals.

Having fun in front of the campfire.

Glacier National Park

This is underneath one of the snow drifts carved out by the melting waters beneath.

Some Bighorn Sheep. WOW!

A tunnel under the road.

It’s just awesome riding on these roads with 3000 foot drops beside you. Glacier is beautiful.

Here’s a mountain goat.

And a little baby.

It was tough to say goodbye to Glacier. But I gotta move West. I should be in Washington tonight.

Last night I went to a local joint called Packer’s Roost. I drank the local beer called Moose Drool and ordered the Packer’s burger. Big Nick’s can’t compare! There was a great band playing. Good mountain music. Banjo, Mandolin, Guitar, and drums. Serious jamming!

Packer’s Roost. While there I was talking to Rex. He used to ride bulls, now he chops wood to make ends meet. He told me after fuel and beer money he makes about $3 an hour. I said that’s hard work for $3 an hour. He said “You gotta do what it takes.” How true. I told Rex about the Moose in the road. He grinned with his toothless smile and declared, ” You don’t have to stop for moose, they’re so big you just ride under ‘em!”

OK Nygumbo Fans. Time to travel. Next time I’ll try to post some of the videos riding the twisty roads in the Glaciers. It’s nuts! See ya!

Here is a scary moment.

Once he passes you can move on. I have no editing software to crop.
I was really afraid this sucker was going to knock me over.
They are huge!!!

Fun in the Snow!

Gotta love the local libraries.

Hello! Libraries have computers with online access! I am in Polson, Montana on my way to Glacier National Park. I just  posted yesterday but had to run out without checking things. I will try to post a video as well. They will be unedited, but fun none the less. I will tell you about the crystal digging in my next post.

Yellowstone National Park

Hey There! I am in a library here in Butte, Montana. Didn’t expect to be here but a storm blew out the electricity at the gas station I intended on fueling up at. In Montana gas can be far and few between. So I ended up in Butte after going 163 miles on a tank of gas. I had to kick in to reserve at 140 miles. Thats a record for me!

Let me go back to Yellowstone before I move on.

I hit the 5000 mile mark!

This is called the Dragon’s Breath Spring. It sounds like it’s breathing.

Yellowstone Falls.

There are lots of fly fishermen throughout the park.

OK Brancusi. Here is a bird in flight!

Smimming to Mama!

That night I stayed up and sat around the fire with a fun family from the “rural Suburbs” of Chicago. The next morning another family pulled up with an owl stuck in their grill.

Let me add that the internet cafe I found was in West Yellowstone. Cammy who runs a travel business out of the same location was real kind and gave me a great deal on the internet time. Cammy, I can’t find your business card. So leave a comment and I can add the # of your business. Thanks again. After Yellowstone I crossed the great divide and went south to The Grand Tetons.

The Tetons.

After leaving the Tetons I continued into Jackson Hole. There was a storm ahead so I stopped to gear up. While along side the road I heard “Hey look!” It was an older gentleman pointing out my bike to his friend. His friend told me he useed to hold the speed record in a 1954 Triumph Tiger. I said “That’s what Brando rode in the Wild One. He said yes. He used to love beating the pants opff the Harleys. Then I rode into the mountains of Idaho. The rains were coming down heavy when a bigf mama moose and here baby jumped out in front of me. Unfortunately I couldn’t get my camera out. It was packed up because of the rain.

I headed North from there and caught this shot. Kind of erie. A big cross shape behind my shadow and a rainbow ahead.

I stayed the night at a motel in a town called Lima. Had a nice talk about the area with the hotel hostess. And more good conversation with Dorinda and the people at a cafe. They told me I can find crystals in the mountains. That’s where I am headed today.

Lima.

Then it was off to Bannack. A Ghost Town in Montana!

An old stage coach shed.

More Bannack!

I had to take shelter as a couple storms passed through.

There’s an hour time limit here at the library. I better go dig for crystals.

Later!

I found an internet cafe!

Hello Nygumbo fans. I’m back! I am going to post a bunch of pictures then add text if there is time. Here we go!

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

The falls that the town was named after.

It said 104 when I hit the button. It dropped to 102 before the shutter clicked.

Then it was off to the Badlands!

I found a bar on the indian reservation. The woman to the right is from the Sioux Nation. She told me she could tell I had a good soul from the moment I walked in the door. The Sioux are so perceptive.

This is the bartender who was feeding us drinks until sunrise!

This is the result of that experience. Say hello to Reid from Oregon.

OK, back to the badlands!

A Badland Goat.

Takin’ Care of Business in a Flash!

A last shot with the Badlands.

I flew across South Dakota and shacked up in a motel in Keystone for the next two nights. I needed rest and relaxation.

Here is an old train from the 1800’s

Chillin’ in Keystone.

I checked out this guy sculpting with a chainsaw. I gotta try that.

Keystone is the town just below Mount Rushmore.

Today is Jimmy’s Birthday. Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Nearby is the Crazy Horse Monument. It is being worked on by one family and is far from finished. The project is being worked on by the children and grandchildren of the man who began the project.

I went to Custer State Park and only saw one buffalo.

I went back to Mount Rushmore at night. I figured out how to park for free. Otherwise it’s 10 bucks.

I was so disappointed at having only seen one buffalo. So I went back to Custer State Park. The tatanka did not let me down!

People thought I was nuts walking amongst the buffalo, but I couldn’t help myself!

I stopped by Deadwood on the way to Devil’s Tower. I met Wild Bill.

I stayed at the campsite under Devil’s Tower. I storm blew in. I hung out with a guy named Tim from upstate NY. We drank beer and watched the lightning.

The next day I was inspired to ride like the devil all the way to Yellowstone. The winds were incredible. I had to ride at a 20 degree angle just to keep from blowing into oncoming traffic. In the Rockies I played in the snow. I have a video of my sliding down this snowbank but can’t upload it right now.

Beyond the train yard you can see the dust blowing. It was brutal.

I finally made it to Yellowstone! Old Faithful.

Yellowstone is beautiful.

A mule deer.

And more buffalo!

A bald eagle

An Eagles Nest

Cooking steak on the campfire!

Well folks, that does it for now. There is so much more to say. I just down’t have the time. It gets really cold here at night and I am at least an hour from the campsite. The sun will be setting soon and I gotta get back and start a fire.

Thanks to all of you who have left comments! It’s nice to hear from you.

This sums it up!

Black Hills

First of all, can anyone see the videos? I can’t anywhere I’ve stopped.

Still no pics for now. I’ll try to stop at a library or something and upload along the way. Yesterday was fantastic. I went to Mt. Rushmore, The Crazy Horse monument, and Custer State Park. Only saw one buffalo though. Today I head west again. I’ll be going to Devil’s Tower and the site of the Battle of Little Big Horn. I am also going to see a tree that Meriwether Lewis carved his name in. Yellowstone is far. Don’t know if I’ll make it there before dark. I don’t want to push it anymore. As my friend Thierry reminded me: It is vacation! I can’t wait to share videos and photos. Later y’all!

Oh! Kep, there is a BMW meet in Gillete, Wyoming this weekend. BMW’s all over these lands. That, and Harleys. I still have not seen a Triumph since I left NYC. I don’t know if I’ll get to Gilette. If I do I’ll be sure to rub it in. Sorry bro. I really wish you could be here with me.

And lastly, happy anniversary dad. Big 25!