We’ve actually been home since very late last Saturday, but I still have a few more stories left! I swear I need another week’s vacation to recoup. If you’re still here with me, thanks so much for coming along on our yearly jaunt.
We set out for Beartooth Pass with our friends on Saturday, August 6th. Our route was 212 to I-90 for a stretch, and back on 212 and into Red Lodge, Montana, where we’d set up camp for the next two days, and ride through the Beartooth Mountains. It was our second trip out and we were ready for the breathtaking views from the “top of the world”.
In Belle Fourche where we picked up 212, I had called the Red Lodge KOA, where we’d planned to camp. They were completely booked. I asked about any other campgrounds in the area and was given the number to Perry’s RV Park and Campground, just south of town. Cool.
The next five hours were the hot, windy ride I remembered from the last time, almost to the point where sunblock doesn’t do a thing, it’s better to stay covered or fry. Nearing the end of our jaunt, we passed the Little Bighorn Battlefield which I so wish we’d had time to stop for. Ugh! Next time.
At our last gas stop before arriving in town, I was elated to find Rainier beer at the gas station. We’d been looking for it for years. If you watch Longmire, you know that Rainier is Walt Longmire’s beer of choice. It’s sold only out west, and we had to come as far as Montana to find it!
We arrived at Perry’s and were taken down a relatively steep, curvy gravel road, to the most awesome campsite I’ve ever seen in my life. I took so many photos of this site tucked back in the woods, with a creekside rock fire ring. I close my eyes and I’m still there.
The park itself is also very nice, with a brand new bathhouse. The downside is that they’d been having a problem with bears, so we had to lock up any food or toiletries in their pole barn each night.
Setting up our tent we discovered that the air mattress barely fit. After a long day’s ride, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. There wasn’t even any room for the air pump. We literally had to stuff the mattress in, stretch the nylon over it and very tightly zip it shut.. LOL Only us.
We survived the first night without becoming bear food! This whole trip we constantly watched the radar to avoid getting wet. There were a few masses headed our way as we made our way up into the mountains. We stopped at the first large scenic overlook where my friend Kim first smooched a chipmunk. They are everywhere and love visitors with food!
Continuing up, we watched the sky darken and it was hard to tell if we’d run into it or not, as we were constantly changing direction on the switchbacks. Near the top, the sky opened up and we were not only pelted with rain and wind, but with hail. I tried to shield my face with one hand at times to keep from being stung. We pulled over immediately to wait it out.
Luckily it subsided and we all continued the trek bundled up (except for Bill) to the Top of the World gift store.
These rods around the gas pump are so they know where the gas pump is when it’s completely covered in snow. They line the road as well so the plows know where the road is.
We went as far as Yellowstone, but unfortunately were out of time.
After some quick pics, we headed back to the campsite. There was less traffic on the road and I was glad to not meet many cars or bikes in those hairpin switchbacks. Sitting by the fire, Bill sampled the Rainier and was pleasantly surprised. Bummer we have to go so far for it, but it’s the start of another tradition and more memories.
