Carolina Biker News
October 2007 issue
On The Road With Nancy and Jeff
By: Nancy Plumblee


Our journey started in Sturgis, South Dakota where we loaded the bikes and headed out toward Sheridan, Wyoming but detoured to go see the Devil’s Tower, an awesome rock formation that can be seen many miles before you get to it.  Rock climbers were way up high on it and only visible because of their bright colored clothing  As we left the Devil’s Tower, prairie dogs were frequently seen along the side of the road.  We decided to take a short cut but didn’t realize the road would be dirt for many miles with deer everywhere and extreme heat.  We kept hoping to find somewhere to stop and get a cold drink but each little store was deserted.  We joked about dying of thirst in an abandoned town!  Food and drink were so delicious that night when we reached Sheridan where we spent the night.
Changes in scenery were in store as we headed across the Big Horn Mountains finding occasional buffalo, sheep and cows crossing the road just in front of us.  The terrain had changed from hot and dry to cool with beautiful streams running along beside us.  As we climbed higher into the mountains, the land became more barren with few trees.  Very few towns were along the way but near the top of the mountain we could see the town of Red Lodge just over a peak.  Our dinner this evening was a treat at Bear Creek Steakhouse where the after-dinner entertainment was pig racing.  What fun we had watching and cheering for our pig...which was a winner!
After spending the night in the Alpine Lodge , we were happy to put on our leathers the next morning. The temperature was about 58 degrees.  It dropped more as we climbed higher into the mountains that were snow capped until at the top we were standing in snow at an elevation of 10,947 feet.  This stretch from Red Lodge to outside of Yellowstone is called the Bear Tooth Pass and is such a beautiful ride with gentle curves and great scenery.  We made a loop into the northeast entrance of Yellowstone Park and shortly came to the areas of boiling and steaming ponds and pools.  This are has a lot of wildlife even though it is dangerous area to walk in due to the underground activity in part of the park.  Old Faithful Geyser gave us a great show but it was not the only geyser spewing as we passed through.  Leaving the park through the east exit we arrived in Cody, Wyoming just at dark.  Our reservation at the Irma Hotel took us back in time with its appearance that has been maintained from when Wild Bill Cody built if for his daughter, Irma in 1902.