Moab...the back of beyond....

I've owned this Honda XR400R for quite a few years. This was an off-road only bike for the US market. Somehow, the previous owner added the necessary stuff to make it legal and got a plate and title for it. I walked into the Honda shop to get a can of chain lube, ended up with another red bike.

"well, maybe I'll get to Moab someday" I thought.....

and I did....

a Montana summer....

For me the summer of 2011 will prove to be among the greatest ever. I waded tiny streams and huge rivers....and many a trout was fooled, admired with amazement, thanked and released.

When I arrived in Montana in May the Elk calves were spotted and the size of a German Shepard. Late September has them bugling, rutting and continuing the dance that will ensure a new crop of calves next spring....The cycle of life..

Lungs were emptied.....filled again, and shoelaces tightened for the hike down.

Reunions were many, stories told, plans made, plots thickened.

Road maps were consulted, friends summoned, borders crossed, and miles (6500) ridden.

A broken heart was repaired and a hamstring was stretched kicking myself in the ass for having been so stupid/stubborn.....

And this morning a campsite on the Yellowstone was vacated, under this Montana sunrise.......

"he's a hard dog to keep under the porch..."

A full house

I've had a great visit from my new friend Pat, and one of my oldest, bestest buddies Tom. Two days of off-road riding, many many laughs, and a few wine bottles emptied. They are off this morning, heading back to Colorado via different routes. Great riding by great riders....and impressive as they handled the back country on their BMW's.....

Tom Miner Wilderness Area

finally, an iPhone with a decent camera...

This Honda Rocks (and rolls) !

but here's where I quit...the fuel tank was on reserve, the trail was getting REALLY steep, and the rocks were getting very loose...but a GREAT ride!

In a pasture in Montana

Guy Clark, Jerry Jeff, Lyle & His Large Band, Rodney Crowell and other VERY talented acts found their way to White Sulphur Springs....and about 6000 other people too....

trifecta

There is certainly no shortage of great mountain riding in the Rockies.....After doing Beartooth Pass, the Icefields Parkway in Alberta, the Sprint & I have been exploring in Glacier N.P. We rode up yesterday and took an afternoon ride over Logan Pass. Today we started out at 6am, rode from East Glacier Park, up to St. Marys, then east to west on the Going to the Sun Road. Then breakfast in West Glacier, and over the top again, West to East this time. The entire top section is being rebuilt from avalanches in this year of record snowpack. The road has been open less than a week, making this one of the latest openings ever.

The Sprint performed perfectly in it's new role as a 125 hp dirt bike.

I'll figure out how to post video one of these days, I've been shooting with a GoPro HD camera (you can see it mounted on the windscreen).

Oh boy...Video!!!!

Happy Summer...

I piss & moan all winter about dealing with the snow, then I seek it out on the 1st day of summer....

twisted, I am...

Today's detour around Buffalo

had nothing to do with western NY. These 4 made for an interesting traffic pattern in Yellowstone NP...

the other bike...the other direction...

and, too much water to fish...