It’s Monday, I haven’t done a productive thing all day and real work doesn’t start again until 16 June. So I was thinking, maybe drive the bike up to Missoula, see my nephew and his family. After all, they’re kin. And I have never yet seen Montana. Google Maps tells me that it’s 1262 miles from my house to Missoula. I believe I could make Provo on the first day. Maybe camp at the park.
Reckon I’d need to bring my own beer.
Then up to Missoula the next day. Spend a day or two. Float a dry fly perhaps on the Bitterroot.
Wouldn’t make any sense coming home the same way. Have to decide between heading west via Klamath Falls, or south through Boise. There’s so much to see. The PCH through the Bay Area and down all the way to LA maybe before getting back on the highway. That’s another 1572 miles or so.
Klamath Falls is about 600 miles from Missoula. Ten hours in the saddle, not counting breaks for food. About as much as a man could take, I imagine, but at least I’d be fresh. That’d leave around 900 miles to split up over the last couple of days.
Truth to tell, the Hobbit’s enthusiasm for this plan is difficult to discern. The last time I went on a really long ride she ended up having to visit me in the ortho ward at Oakland Naval Hospital. And it isn’t like I don’t have stuff I ought to be doing here at home. Need to clean up some loose ends.
Still. It’d be quite an adventure.
Read it. Recommend it. As for such a trip – time is the resource I don’t have. For now anyway.
But soon.
Maybe it’s vicarious desire, but it sounds like a good time for a ride to me (but then, when isn’t. ) Badbob and others have great route suggestions, but to chime in on favorite road, Hwy. 12 west out of Lolo, MT across the Idaho panhandle is really not to be missed. Nothing like it for leaving Missoula headed west.
http://www.motorcycleroads.com/routes/RockyMtn/ID/ID_3.shtml
With all the free lodging, food, offers of assistance and other logistical suggestions, sounds like the trip just costs gas and wear/tear on the bike, which is more than made up for by the sludge and muck which gets blown out of one’s brain and the cleansing of the soul which happens on twisties.
Deal’s Gap, also known as “the Dragon,” is a national treasure.
Here’s why I ride.
Go, there’s nothing (much) stopping you.
Respects
OAM
If you’re serious about stopping in Provo, I’ve got a roof and four walls where you’d be welcome to stay (about a mile from the mouth of Provo canyon). And yes, we’ve got a couple bars on center street. And yes, the local grocery stores sell beer. Also, SLC has one of the best microbreweries in the west (about an hour north of Provo on I-15)
Let me know (via my e-mail) if you’re interested should you decide to come this way. I’ll toss in dinner (either local or at the brewpub). Call it payback for some of the fine sailors I worked with during my time at PACOM (J1/2000-2003). -cp
and don’t forget, the Pacific Northwest is practically the birthplace of the American Microbrew. One could spend the rest of their days sampling them. mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I envy you.
brockkl
Lex,
I will be TAD from my place in Phoenix, AZ up in Elko, NV for 6 months for a Engineering/Project Management gig. If in Elko, dinners on me if you can stand to have a brew with a Bubblehead
family fun rv center montana…
How does the rss feed work so I can get updated on your blog?…