Thread: Miller: Sheep report

Originally Posted by OSIRIS

sheep~ You don't recall where the BMW rider was from do you? My mom's cousin is on a cross country road trip on a bike just like that We haven't heard any bad news though!

Not him. This fellow was from Colorado, Golden I think. 50ish. You can see him in the third picture sitting down.

Originally Posted by seamus

I'm on a roll tonight folks

Ist das ein KAISER roll, Herr seamus?

In Green River Utah. Came in on fumes. US6 is bleak from Wellington to here The area around Price looked like prime Bighorn turf but I did not see any. Weather looks good for tommorow but my ankle may not make it. Mood has got marginally better. Open range road trips are good for me

Think I headed to Blanding UT instead of Cortez CO....

Well I couldn't resist I am doing four corners ride. More details and picts throughout when I get home. I am pretty sore pretty much everywhere from the riding but a tad of hot tub soaking last night gave me the edge I need

The drive home is going to be Diet Mt Dew and Ibuprofen though

Diet?

Originally Posted by nhfirefighter13

Diet?

Elixir of Blue Sheep World Wide

So to resume:
I had three fabulous days at Miller riding the best I have since my shoulder got sliced and having a great time. I missed the 190/55 in the back but do like the way the BT002ST Bridgestone hooks and slips. Pretty much wore the left side out If I had done the last 2 sessions I would have had enough left but not by much.

Almost used the chicken strip up on the front going both directions

Saturday lap on west track in .avi (labeled .wmv for upload, 37.2MB) and Quicktime H.264 (better video, better sound and smaller 23.7MB) Added corner names

Sunday lap east track in .avi (labeled .wmv for upload, 40.6MB) and Quicktime H.264 (better video, better sound and smaller 24.8MB) both with corner names

Monday lap full track in Quicktime H.264 47.4MB if someone wants .avi let PM me and I will post it but it is 74.6MB

From the track I left and headed to Idaho Falls, ID. Over all a uneventful ride arriving at the Red Lion only to find they had closed the hot tub and suana The main reason I picked it was to soak a bit before riding the next day. Also they hosed my reservation and as posted before get four hooves down. There sounded like a waterfall across the road but while interesting it was man made.

On Tuesday I went for a ride doing a Yellowstone loop. I added Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming to the ride the RR in all lower 48 states project.

Leaving Idaho Falls I headed up US 20 toward Ashton getting off on ID47 for a Scenic Route loop. Not far but worth the detour. The road was nothing special but winding with 2 waterfalls on it. Almost got a picture of a monster Elk. He stood in the road when I stopped and disappeared when I got the camera out. When I drove slowly up I saw him just off the road and attempted #2 but he left when I turned my back to get the camera

In the pictures for Upper Mesa Falls notice the micro climate on the far side. Because of the mist from the falls it is unique compared the surrounding terrain. Very pretty and the sun was hitting it just right, the pictures don't do it justice.

There was a 'Mammal Display' in the lodge near the falls. The lodge was originally built by the power company that had planned a plant there (never built)

More pictures from ID47 loop:

I was hoping you would get a shot with the Teton Mtns in the background. Nice work. (very bottom left pic in post #40 for everyone who is interested)

I continued up US20 into West Yellowstone. Stopping to get some Diet Dew and food at the McDonalds. Yep McDonalds is nasty even at Yellowstone. There was about 6 crows there though that were hardcore mooches. One even got up on the opposite bench from me while I was eating. I run him off and he went up on the wooden indian by the door.

Once into the park I headed northeast on US89 spotting some Buffalo then heading accross Norris Canyon. I stopped at the Lower Falls and a couple of hot springs skipping some large ones as I had seen them in the winter. I think they are even better in the winter. From Norris Canyon I got back on Grand Loop down to US20 then on US191 and out the south entrance.

The weather was great and scenery better.

More pictures:

I head around the south getting some pictures of a sulfur hot spring and coyote (he was real uphappy about the zillion people watching his hunting)

Out the south entrance I was going to head to Dubois and to see the Jackalope Museum and National Bighorn Center. From there back up to US189 and into Jackson, WY then back to Idaho Falls via the Teton Pass. But here was where the day started to go sideways....

As I leave Yellowstone it start clouding up real bad and I can see rain in the distance. So I stop and get in the rainsuit (Nelson Riggs and I give it the only thing is your gloves still get wet as do your VENTED boots ). It rains a bit but not hard then lets up most of the way. I go by Jackson Lake considering turning around as the sight is impressive. Continuing on a short distance I run into a traffic jam with people looking to the edge. I am worried as some Harley riders went by when I was putting on the rains and I thought they may have lost it in the rain .

Good news! it is not anyone crashed it is a bear eating on the steep incline between the lake and road. I get a couple of photos from way to close (figuring the bear would eat a kid before a fat old sheep). From there I back track to the lake. I stop by Jackson Lake for some impressive views with the mountains in the background, the lake tossed by the storm and all quite wild looking. Then up the hill and back through the jam (easy on the bike )

At the turn to Dubois I debate on getting there or going to Jackson as I am low on gas. I decide to head that way. But about 2 miles in I hit a sign saying that there would be a 1 hour blockage on Sept. 4 Yep the one day I am there the route to the Bighorn Center is blockaded. Even at the time I am headed there

I turn around and head back to Jackson as an hour delay would have put me back in very late.

I stop at the glacier (yep despite global warming) and put the rainsuit away as it has got sunny, warm and nice again.

At Jackson I turn on WY22 to the Teton Pass. Things start looking real rough with a HUGE cloud bank right on Teton Pass. I head up hoping there will be a break on the other side.

No such luck as I get stuffed behind a motorhome burning his brake pads hard on the way down. Stopping at the stateline for some pictures. Off I head to Victor and it looks like I might skirt the top edge of the storm and only get damp. It gets a bit worse and I stop and put on my rain jackets as it is sprinkling a bit stronger. I get on ID33 heading into Tetonia where the rain just gets stronger and stronger.

Now comes the worst of the day I stop in Tetonia at a gas station with an awning and folks are laughing a bit, me included. I put on rest of my rainsuit and get a coke. I decide this is a good time to call home as the ride in will make it late to call from Idaho Falls. My purpose for calling is that the night before my brother had said Dow the dog was doing poor. He was real nervous and his stomach was bothering him. We had a discussion and decided he would be happiest at home as he is a bit senile and gets confused. We also discussed how long he had as it was obvious he was on the downside. I was concerned as he is 14 but overall he was still running around a bunch and happy. I called to see if he was doing better and got the news he had passed in his sleep the night before. I figure he got home and was comfortable and decided that was it

I had considered not posting that as it sounds whiney but figured it was part of the report and explains my debate on whether to just go home rather than 4 corners the next day. Needless to say it was a long 1 1/2 hour ride into Idaho Falls in pouring rain. When I arrived I was dry though except for my hands, boots (about 1/2 water in them through the vents) and cheeks

Before everyone gets all feeling sorry though I would like to explain. I did not figure he was going to make it 2 more years (my brother thought 6 months). His time had come. The good news he was active and happy all the way to the end, even as far as barking and terrorizing my brother's dog while we were talking the night before. I blessed with a fantastic friend for 14 years that was described a lot of ways. The best one was from my mom "he is a LOT of company". Yes I miss him even more now as I have spent the day doing things around the house. I get off the couch and catch myself checking to make sure I don't get him with the leg support. I go to let him in or out. Etc. I could focus on the hole left or the big heart that created it (leaving years of good memories) I choose the latter. So no sympathy needed though there will be a bit of a lag after his post as it was hard to do and I think I have something in my eye (yes I know he was not a people )

Great pictures sheep.

Wow Sheep, what a fabulous report and spectacular photos. You can see why I love this part of the country so much. Thanks so much for sharing.

Very sorry to hear about Dow. Our beloved cat Gaston - the best cat a family ever had, died a couple of weeks ago. We were blessed to have him for 16 years.

Great report. Now I'm really missing home though. I can't wait to get back. Still have 7 1/2 years though most likely before I can be there permanently.

bwhip, what part of Idaho are you from?

So the next morning I wake up having decided to drive to Cortez Colorado and decide on riding during the day. My ankle was a bit sore and the amount of riding in the truck, on the track and on the RR was catching up to me. Made worse by the Red Lion not having the promised hot tub

Well as I go my mood does not improve a ton but I pretty much decide to ride one day if the weather checks out when I arrive. The weather leaving Idaho Falls is bordering on wild but I only hit a spot of rain.

I head down I15 getting off on US6 below SLC. Nothing like cutting across the country on the US highways so my mood improves some. The road is a bit windy but no switchbacks so fairly easy. I pass through Price Canyon which looked to be prime Bighorn territory though I spot none. I stop at a pull off for multiple historical makers. Including a mine disaster that killed many and some history on Butch Cassidy committing a local robbery. I hit I70 for a short distance then drop down US191 to Moab on the way I decide to stay in Blanding UT instead of Cortez, CO to save about 1-2hour drive time.

I pass the hole in the rock but don't think a ton of it. I later find out there is a house embedded in the rock. I wish I would have had more time as it sounded very interesting.

Well the hotel in Blanding has .... wait for it ........ a broken hot tub The desk clerk suggested one up the road that had a working hot tub but no pool. So I am off and get a room there

I get a soak feeling much better. A bit of warm water for the ankle and humidity for all of me (felt like I was going to turn to dust). Check the weather and I decide to ride.

Some of the pictures may be named wrong on location.

RIP Dow.


BTW, Nikki (the black and white Boston Terrier) is not doing well either. She has a heart murmer that is progressing and water forming on the heart and in her lungs as well. Brought her to the vet last week and now she has an upper respitory infection which is taxing her already weakened state.

End of thread jack.

The next morning I get up and head out. The ride should get me Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado again.

I start out of Blanding heading south on US191 with a full tank. I split off onto US163 after crossing into the Ute Mountain Tribe reservation. The terrain gets more and more interesting but very austere as I near Mexican Hat. I cross onto the Navajo reservation heading to Kayenta.

I stop to see some Navajo Sheep and the sheep dog is rather upset I am outside the fence.

At Keyenta I get on US160 and head east. I stop in Tes Nez lah for a coke and see that is where US64 ends I ride US64 in the east all the time and am surprised to be at the other end. Even more surprised they end a US highway essentially at nowhere.

I follow US160 north and when I hit US491 (used to be US666) I decide to head down to Shiprock, NM instead of north. Kind of a cool rock. I turn and head north turn in Cortez, CO to Mesa Verde National Park.

US666 had to be renamed as people would steal all of the signs Not a single old sign was to be seen but I did see a billboard referencing it still.

At the park there is a sign warning motorcyclists. I stop and chat with the rangers. Seems they are laying down that tar chip crap and watering and have sections down to the dirt I decide that is not on the plan anymore.

So back into and up US491 (666) to Monticello then back down US191 into Blanding on the least interesting leg of the ride.

I get in early enough that I drive the truck up to Moab for some mexican and souvenirs. Moab is cool but the quantities of superficial yuppie bastids was overwhelming. Should I ever decide on a career in serial killing I will start there...

More pics

Moab has been destroyed by the yuppie tree hugging assholes.
They actually just shut down a whole load of off road trails there to anything but foot traffic.
Those Sierra Club jackasses want EVERYTHING closed to anything but foot traffic. They'll send out people to plant some "threatened" plant or release a "threatened" animal in places they aren't indigenous, then send out the BLM to close it down due to an endangered something being there (that they themselves put there). They also booby trap Jeep and bike trails all the time.

Basically, what made Moab Moab will soon be no longer thanks to domestic terror groups.

So I decide to head in. I had considered a ride in Colorado originally but I was gave out and the trip had been extreme on many fronts. All that was left was the route home. There was to options. Number one was to head up through Moab hit I70 and head east. The advantage being a bit quicker and a known Big Horn hangout near the interstate on the way. The bad is mile after mile of super slab. The second option was to head south on US191 hit UT163 to UT262 then CO41. Up US160 to US 491 then follow that to I40. I40 all the way east to US72 then to the house. Advantage a bit of a different route and a last stretch of local roads before the super slab. Disadvantage a bit further. Route #2 won.

As an added bonus I visited a cool town and stopping at an overlook seen some bizarre ant hills. The entrance was HUGE. I expected to see a 2" ant come out or at a minimum a regular ant on an ant Terex.

Well the road is a bit wild and all is well down to I40. When I hit I40 I open a coke I had got in Sheep Springs and it explodes all over me. It got shaken a bit to much on the roads so I had 7-up coating me and the steering wheel . I stop and get some cooler water to wipe most up (though I retained a bit of stick for a long way).

As I cross into OK I decide that the talking spiders were getting the upper hand. I consider stopping in Shamrock but continue on just a bit further. Well now the spiders are getting to numerous and talking nonsense so I pull off in Erick, OK. I walk up to the lobby and it looks like a illegal immigrant drop zone I mean once in a while you see a friend or kid but not much more, especially at 11PM. Instead there is about 15 guys in the lobby. Seems to dodgy so despite the talking spiders I decide to avoid the place. Well by now the spiders are putting on speeches and concerts so I pull off again in Elk City. As I walk up to the lobby a fellow follows the manager in and they proceed to argue. Not sure what but the guy wants cash and the manager says no way. I hear bits and pieces not caring to much but sounds like they repo'd the guys stuff or something and this gets worse. I decide not to be a witness or risk my stuff and walk out. Well by now the spiders are discussing the new route like I will let them drive.... One more exit at Clinton, OK and the place is so seeding looking I toss a dozen spiders out for fertilizer.

So now it is to late and decide to sleep in the truck a few hours then go on. I do wake up and most of the spiders are gone but wow I had some interesting dreams.... I head down the road a bit and pull off again for a couple hours more. By now the sun is up and the spiders seemed to have to a cab. So from there in was a boring super slab trip with occasional stops to rest my eyes (they are still sore ). Getting in after around 34-6 hours I think. Not real sure on time though.

Mostly unpacked and still downloading video (no tapes lost )

Summary:
4500+ miles on the truck. More than 430 gallons of gas. Tires near the end. Trailer tires cooked. Drove in Alabama, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Pirate Kansas, and Mississippi for a total of 13 states. No goal to get it in all 48 lower but it has been in 21 states.

1200ish miles on the CBR1000RR over 27 gallons of gas. Rode in Idaho Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico for 7 more states. This gives me 20 states when I update my map. Only 28 more to go.

250-300 miles on the RC with 10+ gallons. A set of BT002ST 190/50 Bridgestones torched. The RC has now been to Miller, Putnam, Barber, Grattan, Road Atlanta, and TGP. For 6 tracks and 5 states.

Now that is a Carbon Hoof Print Mr Gore

Originally Posted by slickwill

Great report. Now I'm really missing home though. I can't wait to get back. Still have 7 1/2 years though most likely before I can be there permanently.

bwhip, what part of Idaho are you from?

I'm in the Boise area, transplanted here from San Diego about 14 years ago.

Wow, Sheep! Great pics, great writing, what an awesome trip

I am very envious! I hope to make it out there and check it out myself, but your very well documented trip will tide me over for now!

Creating movies from Saturday and Sunday.... trying to make it 'doz friendly but the choice of formats for Windows sucks on how big the file is.... needs mp4 support