Elements of Surprise Butte, MT – Day 7 Thursday 5/20

This past September, I had the honor and pleasure of going to Colorado with my friends, John & Lynn (they also ride). We trailer our bikes up to Greely. Lynn was going to escort two veterans on their Honor Flight. There is a movement to get as many World War II veteran’s as possible to Washington DC to see the WW II memorial. On 9/11, Lynn flew on the flight and John and I escorted the buses of veterans to the airport with the local Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) chapter. After Lynn left on the flight, John, his sister and brother-in-law, I and a couple of other local riders headed up to Estes Park. We stopped for breakfast at the lodge right before entering the park. During breakfast they pointed up to the top and said that is where we are going today. It was quite a gorgeous view! After breakfast, before getting on their bikes, the locals started putting on their rain gear. I looked up at the top of the summit again and thought it odd that they were strapping on even more clothes. We got about half way and it began to drizzle. The drizzle then began to stick to the windshield. As we ascended, the sleet turned into snow. I mean a full on snow storm!! We got to the summit, snapped a quick picture, and proceeded quickly off the mountain (much quicker than I was used to traveling in inclimate weather).
I begin with that story to help you understand the range of elements I drove through today. I left Seattle this morning in the rain. Before leaving, I shared with Janet and Paul my appreciation and that they were a big STAR on my map. Janet replied in grand Lancaster fashion, “As I should be!” Janet and Paul were great hosts. I was well fed and cared for. Thank you! Back to the elements: After leaving in the rain, I quickly got up into the Cascade Range, in the Wenatchee Mountains (just north of Mt. Ranier). Janet swears they keep moving Mt. Ranier. On the west summit of the range, I encountered fog, heavy rain and sleet. On the windy east side, I encountered near blinding snow and sleet. I had to stop and change glasses, wipe off the windshield and of course snap a picture. Within 15 minutes, I was heading across eastern Washington in a bright sunny sky. Between Spokane and Missoula, it hailed on me four times. Now, do I need to tell you what pea size hail feels like; never mind? I encountered sunny skies, fog, rain, lots of wind, hail, sleet and snow all before noon! As the salesman at one of the dealerships said, “You can encounter July, August and winter all in the same day.” The highlight of the day however was seeing a black bear cub about 50 feet from the road. By the time I pulled the bike out of a construction zone and stopped the bike, it plodded over a railroad track and down a hill. I was in shock. I saw a real live bear. Not a dog. Not a cow or a horse, but a real freakin’ bear in the wild. I felt like Marlin Perkins! (now if you got that, you are clearly over the age of fifty). I am right on schedule and plan on going through the Great Divide and Yellowstone tomorrow. I am looking forward to fishing with Gary in Minnesota. I can’t think of a better way to take a break in the middle of the trip!

Milton, WA to Butte, MT
Miles: 601
Sites: All the elements of surprise, an unbelievable ride along rivers in Idaho and Montana & a freakin’ bear!
Emotion for the day: Hey, somebody’s pet bear got out!