7/11/08 – Leaving Concord Friday morning on Hwy 4 towards Stockton and then Hwy 160 to Hwy 12 towards Sacramento, Hwy I-80 east to Reno NV and on to Elko NV (distance 502 miles). The first gas fillup was in Auburn CA $18.06. Wonderful riding weather, even with lots of smoke in the air, but absolutely NO bugs! More gas $14.03 in Reno NV. The next fillup was in Winnemucca NV $15.99. Gas in Wells NV $7.94. Comfort Inn Hotel in Elko NV $100.79.
7/12/08 – Gas in Elko ($22.69) and back on the road, leaving Elko Saturday morning on I-80, we took US-93, the Great Basin Hwy, and crossed into Idaho. Gas in Twin Falls ID $16.93. Then on to I-84 towards Pocatello (Gas in Blackfoot ID $18.45) and Idaho Falls. We turned on US-20 toward West Yellowstone (gas in West Yellowstone MT $19.46), crossed into Montana, following US-191 through Wyoming, and crossing back into Montana to Bozeman MT (distance 525 miles). We stayed at Comfort Inn in Bozeman MT $101.11.
7/13/08 – An easy ride into Billings; we didn’t realize it would be so close (distance 143 miles). Riding alongside much of the Yellowstone River was beautiful; the valley is peaceful with trees and mountains in the distance. Wow, the Cracker Barrel in Billings served excellent tortilla soup. The evening friendship dinner was fun, before the Gold Rush rally began on Monday morning.
7/14/08 – Our stay at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center was very enjoyable ($83.75 inclusive each night). The restaurant was excellent and close, Cracker Barrel across the street, Holiday Inn next door, rooms were large and comfortable. The Opening Ceremony was great fun as always, much like the political conventions with the high energy, lots of people, speakers, noise, entertainment… Vendors were open all day with something for everyone. Lots of jewelry and health opportunities, many trikes by Hannigan (one thoroughly beautiful white trike painted as though a US flag was adorned around and across the trike, Wow!) and Champion, and pin striping. One booth had gloves, etc. Leather items and jackets were missing, as well as bike parts and tires (except for NECE Trikes to do some mechanic work). Harley’s Beartooth shop was nearby with all kinds of things available. There were other scheduled activities to choose from, like a downtown treasure hunt and mountain riding seminar. The Rider Education meeting was interesting. The evening promised a ghost tour in Billings for those adventuresome enough to sign up. The Light Parade was fantastic with about 300 bikes going through town, curving around and up a hill at the edge of town, and then coming back while meeting bikes going up. And ice cream at Cold Stone, of course!
7/15/08 – The Living Logo photo session was held early Tuesday -- our trike is nearly at the end of the line under the letters GWTA. Harry was inspired to get up early and be part of the logo. Again, more vendors, the downtown treasure hunt, dirty bingo, group riding, Region B meeting. The downtown had been arranged for a street faire, chocolate walk, bike show, and drill team performances by some very talented riders on ATV’s and bikes. Western dance classes were also available for those hardy souls able to stay awake after an early dinner.
7/16/08 – Wednesday had vendors open, family games (all of us Chapter P members, too!), Ride with Ed (which we missed because we had been told it was cancelled but it was not), dirty bingo, etc. A baseball game was available on Wednesday evening.
7/17/08 – Vendors again open, awards ceremony in the am, Battle of the Regions in the afternoon, and a talent show. The really amazing part is the creativity that goes into making up the parts of the Battle of the Regions! The event publication listed all the rules for the light show, Chapter Pride, bike show, etc. Very informative. After the dynamic closing ceremony, we enjoyed a great dinner with Virginia and Cesar in the motorhome and campground.
7/18/08 – Today we are back on the road on our way out of Billings. Cesar and Virginia rode with us to Top of the World and on for lunch. We went west on Hwy 90 and turned on Hwy 212 to beautiful Red Lodge (gas in Red Lodge $20.79) and then out of the trees and through bare and open plateaus on nearly solid rock and dotted with high altitude lakes to Bear Tooth Pass at 10,947 ft high. We stopped at Top of the World but they only had coffee and muffins (and gift things), so we went about 6 miles further and found a great place on the way to Cooke City. After lunch, Cesar and Virginia turned back to Billings and we continued on Hwy 212. We entered Yellowstone’s northeast entrance (gas $15.27). The receipt says we paid Wyoming state fuel taxes. The park is huge, seems to go forever, and is peaceful and beautiful. There is lots to see, trees, rivers, mountains, scenery. Fire damage from 1988 was visible and so were many trees that had been planted during the years since, with the groves labeled by year. We went south at Tower Junction and went alongside Yellowstone Lake and south to Jackson WY through Targhee National Forest and past the Grand Tetons. Hotel in Jackson (the last room there under $500!) $111.30 for a bare and old room. Jackson is home to one of our favorite ski resorts, Jackson Hole.
7/19/08 – Riding west now, on Hwy 22/US 93 and then US 20, into Victor Idaho (gas in Victor ID $16.40 with free coffee!), across the Snake River plains, fantastic scenery, and on to Boise. (Gas in Arco ID $17.30; Gas in Boise ID $23.53). Most of the area had rivers and lakes all along the road, with cool views and great riding weather. The Snake River is more beautiful than legend says. We detoured to Craters of the Moon National Monument and through the Lost River area. It’s quite an experience to see so much lava everywhere with no evidence of mountains close by that could have erupted in the past. On into Oregon (gas in Burns OR $26/61). Dinner at the Apple Peddler in Hines OR and motel Best Western Rory & Ryan Inns in Hines OR $94.16. I thought everything was in Burns OR but a couple blocks separates the two cities, so we were really in Hines.
7/20/08 – We followed Hwy 395 south to Lakeview OR (gas $21.37) and then on Hwy 140 to Klamath Falls because fires were reported to be burning in the Alturas area. Gas in Klamath Falls OR $16.56. We then took Hwy 97 southwest to Weed CA and had a great lunch at Hi-Lo Café. (Gas in Red Bluff CA $23.90). We went south on US 5 on our way home to Concord CA. We enjoyed the ride as much as the destination and are looking forward to our next road adventure! It is possible we missed keeping a gas receipt or something. Worth the trip? The only way it could have been better would be for us to be rich and riding for weeks and weeks!!!