More National Parks Stamps

So I plan a trip north to pick up a couple more stamps.

I have to take the freeway80 until Malad, Idaho. I've found a back road shortcut from Malad to   up around Pocatello that is fun to ride and
only adds on a 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour or maybe a bit more. Nice shortcut eh?!

I keep working my way north and then stop in Arco and stay at this colorful motel.

The Lost River Inn - has some unusual and fun decor.

Outside my room

Inside my room

The neighbors

The owners are bike friendly.....in fact they are everyone friendly...just some real good people!

So, I stay in the colorful Lost River Motel the night then the next am I'm up and riding south west to get the Craters of the Moon stamp

Whew...One more stamp for the book.

Then I make a U turn and go north. I make it to Missoula and get a room. Because I'm so close, the next day, I made it to Glacier NP way before noon...waited in line and finally got my stamp. I've been to Glacier NP probably 3 times before so I'm not to disappointed that I'm not riding through the park. Besides going on roads outside of the park are incredible by themselves. Once again the scenery is incredible!

These photos are from Bonners Ferry area off of the deck of where I stayed.

In the morning I plan to stop to get gas at a station on the edge of town  There at the station they have two islands with two pumps on each island. As I pull in I observe two domestic cruisers and owners sitting astride their bikes but they had already fueled and were just casually chatting while they effectively shut down half of the stores pumping ability.

I stopped at the other island because the two bikes were blocking anyone from using 'their' island. Still the two owners continued their convo.

Finished fueling and moved my bike from the pump and over to the building and parked in a designated spot.

  Meanwhile the two cruiser dudes kept chatting.  Into the store I went, and bought a large soda and breakfast sandwich. Paid for and heated I went out by the bike and enjoyed my meal.

.

Just as I finished my food I noticed the cruiser dudes preparing to leave, then they fired up their machines and I found myself hoping we were going in opposite directions.....but no such luck, they pulled out in ahead of me and those bikes were LOUD.

Down the road we go, they are about 100 yards in front of me while I decide whether to pass them or slow down and get more room between us. Then I notice an object lying across the lane - at first I thought it was a tire alligator - the two bikers continued to think only of themselves, and rode around the object continuing on there self focused way.

When I got to the object it turned out to be a bumper jack, the kind 4wheel drives carry with them. Obviously this would cause considerable damage to a car or truck, but if a bike hit it the result would most likely be catastrophic. So I did what any responsible adult would do, stopped and moved the jack off the road. I leaned it against the fence hoping the owner would see it.

It took me mmmmmaybe 3 minutes, but I"m glad I did it and likely saved someone a big headache!

After I got my Glacier stamp, I turned south west riding over to Spokane Valley to see good buddy Don. 

(far left on this file picture)

I have a deadline I need to meet,  so after a good chat it was south bound down to Oregon's excellent 12 to Orofino, Idaho.

Then two more easy days and I was home.

About 1850 miles and I now have 33 NP stamps 30 to go!

 We've had the NT for about 2 months now and it has 9600 miles on it.

The DCT has some good points and some not so good points ...if I had to buy another bike right  now I would pass on it in favor of the clutch and gear lever.