Day 10 Update

I left Nampa, ID early to beat the heat and rode past several fertile farms and orchards and into the area bluffs. The road soon opened up into hot, barren desert. The mountains in the distance were hazy from all the California fires. 

I arrived in Reno late this afternoon, where I relaxed in the AC of the Harley Davidson dealership while the service department changed my oil. The bonus was they also washed the four days accumulation of bugs and road grime off my bike. I logged 3,990 miles so far on my road trip.

I now head into California where the fires may alter my travels into Tehachapi, where my good friends Rob and Lynn Brooks now live. 

Tomorrow, I will be navigating rugged mountain roads along the Sierra Nevada mountains. I plan to get an early start to beat the Saturday traffic around Lake Tahoe. The scenery tomorrow should be better than all the sage brush, rocks and sand I saw today.

Thanks for you continued encouragement and prayers for my safety.

Day 9 Update

Clearwater River

I just pulled into Nampa, Idaho, for the evening, after riding over 13 hours and 750+ miles for the day. That puts my mileage around 3,500+ for the trip so far.

The chilly morning warmed to a pleasant day and then became almost unbearable once I got to the high plains of Idaho. The thermometer on the bike pegged over 110+ degrees. It sure made me long for the 37 degree temps from yesterday morning as I rolled through the Tetons.

Scenery today was fabulous, even with the road construction delays on highway 12 in Idaho. As I rode over Lolo Pass and along Clearwater river, I saw several deer, most of which were grazing in towns on irrigated grass (they are pretty smart deer) and some wild turkey. A highlight of my ride today was watching a bald eagle as he swooped down to the river and caught a fish in his talons. It was  pretty incredible sight. There was a lot more haze and smoke from California and Idaho wildfires. 

I have a little shorter day tomorrow as I will ride to Reno NV where I have scheduled 45,000 mile oil change.

Day 8 Update

Tetons at Sunrise

I made it to Billings MT. Today started out chilly with temperatures in the upper 30s! I was prepared with my full leather gear and gloves--still a little cool. The Tetons were beautiful with the rising sun on the glaciers. 

Yellowstone too was pristine with the river and waterfalls. I saw more elk, deer, antelope and, of course, buffalo. They sure have the deer trained well in Montana. After riding through Bear Tooth Pass and heading into Red Lodge, a doe and her fawn used the crosswalk to stroll across the highway in front of me. 

Thursday will be longer day as I head across the Montana and Idaho mountains to Nampa, ID. 


Yellowstone River

Yellowstone River (2)

Yellowstone Tower Falls

Bear Tooth Pass

Day 7 Update

I had a perfect day for the leg from Rapid City to Jackson WY. I have now logged 2,491 miles. I crossed the continental divide and saw deer, antelope, elk (all well off the roadway). I rode along the Wind River Valley to the lake above.

Wind River Valley

The Grand Tetons were enveloped in haze, I assume from the fires burning in California. 

Grand Tetons 

Traffic in Jackson Hole was very congested--even had the horses double parked! 

Horses Double Parked

The city park entrance made from discarded antlers was an interesting landmark. 

Unique City Park Entrance in Jackson Hole

Planning to head out early to beat the crowd here. It will be 42 degrees here tonight, so definitely heading into some cooler weather. I will try to send some to Kansas!

Tomorrow I'll be riding through Yellowstone and over the Bear Tooth Pass through Red Lodge to Billings, where I will spend the afternoon visiting family. 

Day 6 Update



Moon in the Eye of the Needle

Spent my last day in the Rapid city area riding my favorite routes. After two failed attempts, I finally captured the moon through the needle's eye at the summit of the Needles Highway. 

I had a slight delay getting through the summit tunnel as there was a momma mountain sheep and her kid blocking the tunnel while licking minerals from the walls. 

I managed to avoid the numerous heavy thunderstorms circling the region most of the afternoon. Just hit a few brief sprinkles and some wet roads heading back to my hotel in Rapid City. 

Tomorrow starts longer days as I head out for Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

On Wednesday, I will be going through the Tetons and Yellowstone on my way to Billings, Montana, to say hello to my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. 

Mt. Sheep in the tunnel

Day 5 Update

I worshiped with brothers and sisters at Real Life Nazarene Church in Rapid City this morning. I've ridden over 1400 miles thus far and will head to Wyoming and points West on Tuesday Morning. Thank you all for the continued prayers and, more importantly, for supporting the starfish initiative.

After visiting Real Life Nazarene church for worship, I rode a new route to Deadwood and then stopped in Sturgis for lunch before returning to the hotel to recharge and prepare for the longer daily routes to start on Tuesday. 

I was hoping to capture a photo of the moon through the Needles Eye at the summit of the Needles highway however the clouds didn’t cooperate. I still got a few new photo view points.

Needle's Eye Tunnel

Needle's Eye Summit