Somewhere around 0430-0445hrs, Billy-Bob-Mikey-Joe and all of his kin folk decided it was time to head off to their stills, or what ever it is that they do. They made a point of ensuring that pretty much everyone in the motel knew that they were leaving early.
Chilly, windy and drizzly was the weather that greeted us when we rolled south on highway 6 towards the edge Waterton Lakes Park. The boarder crossing at Chief Mountain only took a matter of minutes and then we were on our way down highway 17 then 89 to St Mary. Rolled into the biggest tourist trap right off the highway where we stopped for lunch. Then off to the Going To The Sun Road Park entrance. Ended up getting 2 annual national park passes as we knew we would get our monies worth.
Wow!! What a fantastic route. The longest vehicle allowed on the road is 6.4 meters (21 feet). The pavement is well looked after. Lots of curves, and continuous views that are as grand and breath-taking as anything Marion and I have seen anywhere in our travels.
Curve after curve, valley after valley. The road is literally carved out of the side of the mountain. Very similar to many of the roads we travelled in the Austrian Alps. As we rounded a curve at the crest of one of the mountains, I actually caught myself gasping at the expanse that unfolded before me. Okay Greg! Stay focused, you’re on a motorcycle.
Winding or way down the far side, there were dozens up dozens of areas for photography, hiking, walking, pack packing, rafting, wildlife watching, tree hugging and just about any outdoor activity you can imagine.
As we wheeled into West Glacier, through the marvel of modern helmet to helmet communications (Sena Systems) we agreed without hesitation that the prefect break right now would something involving ice cream and wouldn’t you know it, the first place we come to was an ice cream shop, so stop we did. Before we do much else than park, we met a wonderful couple from, I think, Oklahoma? I knew I should have written this yesterday. If you two are reading this, feel free to set me straight. Anyhow, his Dad used to play football for the Edmonton Eskimos. Small world..eh?
Side stands up and back on the road. Off we head with no specific destination in mind. Just where ever we power out. Well, the power out happened just past the town of Flathead Lake at Polson. There were a number of motels near the water front, but they mostly looked a bit frightening and we didn’t want to bring any hitch hikers home in our luggage. By now Ties’s Sena ran out of power so we rode in to a place called Red Lion. Definitely a class act. Fairly new, friendly staff, exercise room which we were too tired to use, a hot tub we were too tired to use, swimming pool we were too tired to use, a restaurant with very good food that made us even more tired, and a very comfortable roll away cot for the odd man, (my turn tonight)
Good roads, good views, good food, good laughs, good friends, good night.
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Great riding with you Greg and pop
(Ties). I had forgotten how good of riders you both are. It is an honour and a pleasure to ride with both of you.
Thanks Larry. Now I have to go get a larger helmet.
Was on motorcycle only once through Logan pass in my riding days. It is an amazing ride. It’s nice to see your photos.
Would have liked to stop a couple of more times through the pass, but it just wasn’t in the cards
I am sure it wasn’t as breath taking as what we saw on our trip..perhaps in third place. Glad the stills weren’t found so you three weren’t tempted
Home town is always better.