Yellowstone to Denver

None of us slept very well thanks to Albert. He locked his "partner" out of the unit and she was hollering like a banshee trying to get back in. Once the whole neighbourhood was awake he let her in then he buggered off. Saturday night excitment in Bozeman.
Despite our broken sleep we were up early and on the road by 7.45. Pretty good for us. We rode for 50 odd miles towards West Yellowstone when we came upon a cafe. Stopped here for breakfast and to thaw out as we were all very cold. The road had wound through a small canyon  and we were on the non sunny side. Man it must be freezing in winter. Fed, watered and thawed out we continued onto the parks entrance. We had hoped to see some wildlife but all we saw we two single buffalo on the road, and a glimpse of an elk. Very disappointing.

 We sat and waited for Old Faithful to blow but even that wasn't very exciting.  We had actually gotten up to leave when it sprang into life. I think we have been very spoilt by our thermal areas back home.

 We continued onto the Grand Tetons. I love this area it is so beautiful.

We didn't have a map and missed the turn off to Lake Jenny. Maree was too hot and bothered and didn't want go back but told us to but as it was already 4pm we decided we'd keep going and get to Pinelands our destination for the night. Found the hotel which had a laundry straight across the road so got that underway while we had dinner at the restaurant next door. I was so tired I went straight to bed when we got back to the motel.

 We visited the Mountain Man Museum on our way out of Pinedale. Was pretty well done giving a history of the fur traders and trappers. Sad part of it was in a few short years the managed to almost wipeout all the beaver, bison and grizzlies.

 Not an inspiring ride today. Scenery pretty flat and repetitive.

 Pretty in a strange way. We eventually hit the I 80 interstate east. Speed limit 80mph most all if the time. Trucks for Africa but they zip along. Arrived in Rawlings, unpacked then went down to the restaurant for a coffee. Ended up having coffee and dessert. Yum.

We made an early start this morning so we could to Denver before the 5 oclock traffic and before it got to hot. We were having a lovely ride and right on schedule until 8 miles from Fort Collins and 60 odd miles from Denver. Marty thought he had a rear tyre puncture but no the tyre had disintergrated. Shit and its a Monday when most bike shops don't open. Luckily we were by a animal hospital and they let us park up in their carpark sit under their trees and use their loo.

 We found a shop that was open and had a tyre even though it wasn't the preferred brand. Off Marty went again on my bike leaving us to rest in the shade. He got back a couple of hours later and we were off again. Stopped for a coffee and bite to eat as we hadn't had anything since our toast at 7.30 and we were all a little peekish. So we hit Denver at rush hour. I was absolutely shattered by the time we arrived at Maree's penpals place. Had a lovely evening.

 Marty contacted a guy who was recomended to us by Steve who we met in Pinedale and is going around there tomorrow afternoon to do some work on his bike. He is big into BMW's.

Had a good sleep but still felt tired so was nice we weren't doing anything. After Marty left to see Paul and Maree went off for a walk  I had a sleep. Bliss.

Maree and I took Caryl out to dinner. Marty was still out working on the bike. Back at Carol's  place we met a couple of her friends. Hopefully we will see them in NZ soon.

Marty arrived back about 9pm with working lights and indicators. Yipee.

Next morning it was time to say goodbye to not only Carol but to Maree who has to fly back to NZ. I'm sure her bum is glad to not have to sit on the back of the bike but equally sure she'd like to stay.

Safe flight home and enjoy going back to work.