Northward Ho; Day 6; June 15, 2011

Today we rode from Sheridan, WY to Columbus, MT via I-90 north, Hwy 14 west, Hwy 14A west,  Hwy 120 north, Hwy 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Byway) west, Hwy 212 north (Beartooth Highway), and Hwy 78 north to Columbus. This is a total of 320 miles.

We rode away from Columbus at 8:15 am.  It was sunny with temperatures in the low 50’s.  While riding north on I-90 my motorcycle rolled over 99,000 miles.  We took Hwy 14 and 14A west.view along Hwy 14We learned before we left that Hwy 14 beyond the point where it split with Hwy14 was closed due to snow so we opted for Hwy 14A.  It was a beautiful ride and we saw some snow and cold temperatures.view along Hwy 14A

I had an encounter with one of Byron, Wyoming’s finest while riding through that town.  I got my first speeding ticket.  What a pisser.  THE MAN is harassing me!  No pictures were taken to document this experience.

I found out later in the day, after a phone call, that my friend Gary had a similar experience in Byron on one of his motorcycle trips.  BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN RIDING THROUGH BYRON!

We rode the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (Hwy 296) west and saw some more beautiful scenery and had lunch alongside a mountain stream.view along Hwy 296

We turned north and rode the Beartooth Highway (212) over Beartooth Pass into Montana.  This pass had just opened recently due to snow and we could see ample evidence of that.  Some snow along the road was 15 to 20 feet high.  It was cold and windy with breathtaking scenery.view approaching Beartooth Pass

We gassed up in Red Lodge, MT and then rode north into Columbus, where we spent the night.lodging in Columbus, MTThe ride to Columbus was like riding the Flint Hills of Kansas with a backdrop of the Rocky Mountains.

After checking into the Big Sky Motel we walked to a steak house in town.  It was very good food.  Carl and Marge bought an appetizer of fried Rocky Mountain oysters that they shared with all who dared to eat them.  Chris had one and was mortified when she found out later she ate part of a bulls testicle.  They were pretty good – not a lot of taste, really.

It was an exceptional ride with the exception of Byron, Wyoming.  For more pictures from today click on the following link: https://picasaweb.google.com/goldwinger.shawnee/NorthwardHoDay6061511?feat=directlink

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