Day Three: Spot the Mountain Pine Beetles

Sunday morning we awoke in beautiful Saratoga. About 9 we moseyed down to the local breakfast joint for waffles and eggs benedict. After some confusion over who ordered what and mom and dad eating another tables waffles (good, weren’t they!) we made our way back to the bikes and started over the Snowy Range. Enjoying the scenery, we made a few short stops at camps, mountain lakes, and overlooks. By the time we made it to Centennial, it was almost time for the group to part ways (insert sad face here). We made it back to Laramie a little after 2 and each headed our own way. Some to the airport and some back to Minnesota. It was a beautiful day and very memorable, especially lake Marie. (I told you there’d be snow!)

Playing in the snow and spiritual journeys up the mountain. A great place for family photos! I heard many in the group proclaim, “Scott would be proud of us”! I agree totally. I also heard a few planning for next years ride. Who is up for Tennessee June 2009? Rahn and Terry volunteered to plan out the route. Then how ‘bout Minnesota? Ya, sure, you bet cha! Then South Dakota or Route 66? Which one would Scott have liked best?
Sounds like we’ll be doing this again next June. Looking forward to it!

Day Two: Wyoming Great Plains

What a day! We started off in Laramie and headed in a northerly direction to the semi-abandoned town of Bosler; on west to the oldest structure in the world, found in Como Bluffs; thoroughly enjoyed lunch at the folk art inspired, hand painted, wood carved Dip; made a quick stop at the Hanna mine disaster monument; got gas in Walcott; and went south to Saratoga for steak, cake, and a soak in the Hobo Pool before bed! (Was that a run on sentence or what?!?)

Kelly and Jason pose with their ride-inspired tattoos before hitting the highway with fresh fuel.
When you ride with Terry...
Dad and Rahn check to see if this prize will fit on the airplane to go back home.The ride "family"
When these two are involved, I'd recommend the "or not".

Fossil Cabin at Como Bluffs (built from very old dinosaur bones). A stagecoach on display at the "Dip" in Medicine Bow. The artist carved this whole thing out of a single block of wood--then opened his diner "specially" for us, cooked the whole group a terrific lunch, waited the table by himself (despite Dad's best efforts to help), and served up the homemade pie and heaping piles of ice cream--all while telling wonderful stories and explaining how he had been forced to hand-make the indian artifacts found elsewhere in the diner (because all the indians from these parts were apparently killed off a long time ago). We all had to pose in front of the Virginian Hotel for a quick photo before a quick jaunt through the local museum and a couple of pauses to read the historical signs. Rahn B. tries the locally popular "post lean" as a form of R&R before heading back out to the open road. Of course we made friends wherever we went. These guys were traveling coast to coast on the Lincoln Highway as a promotional stunt for the Piaggio MP3, A three wheeled motor vehicle. They interviewed me with a camcorder on the side of the road in Medicine Bow and pictures of our bikes made it to their website: http://www.piaggiousa.com/Today was also Rahn B.’s 27th birthday! Thanks to Dee and Bill for bringing the "official" cake. Kudos to Kathy Williams, the Elk Mtn cake chef/decorator! Rahn also scored "birthday" brownie pie from the owner of the Dip.Rahn also scored "birthday" cheesecake from the Wolf Hotel.

AND, Rahn also convinced some members of the group to buy him "birthday" drinks for two evenings in a row (you'll have to ask him to explain his "time zone theory").

Don't look Grandma, but Dee even got to take a spin on a Harley.

No pictures from the Hobo pool but it was interesting--and suprisingly HOT, despite the relaxed look on Rahn G's face as he submersed himself and tested his theory on "mind over matter". (Good news, the doctor says Dad's feet should have skin again in a few short months!)

Memorial Ride for Scott

Butt Busting!Day One: Laramie to Sybille. After an uplifting prayer and sharing memories about Scott at the church, we headed into the canyon. Jason gave us a tour of the Sybille Wildlife Research Center, where he used to work. After fear of chronic wasting disease gripped us, we were all afraid of picking our noses or touching anything, we headed on to the Shamrock to hang out with the locals. Thanks to Crile and Laora for their warm welcome and letting me try out the new camera! (Sorry these pics aren't from that camera...)
Some from Kelly's and Trey's:

Kelly's first ride:

Rahn B., the bandit:

Jason giving an educational and entertaining tour at Sybille:The Gang at the Shamrock Saloon:

Rahn G. (MN) lassoing the locals:Brother (TN) and Sister (WY) on the Road:The Coolest Mom & Dad (GA):

Mike (MN) on the yellow beast:Matt (MN), looking way cool:

Our friend James (WY), thanks for joining us!What a FOX!