2015 - Motorcycle trip thru Pacific NW, Trans Canada Highway, Montana, Idaho
Above: Forest fire. La Grande, OR. 20 August 2015.
This is the third forest fire I have seen since Baker City, OR, about 70 miles back on I-84. 525 miles into a Duc ride today from Park City, UT to a friend's place in rural eastern Washington... total miles ridden on arrival, 630 miles.
I left Park City this AM in smokey atmosphere. The smoke didn't dissipate for the first 525 miles... until I reached this place, La Grande.
OK. Eastern OR and eastern WA is where the fires are. I can see the fires. There is no smoke in the atmosphere here where I am, northeastern OR. Yet, there was smoke from these fires over five hundred miles south east of here, in central Utah, where I started this AM. Go figure.
Above: John Galt observes forest fire smoke in Blue Mountains from his residence in rural eastern Washington. 20 August 2015.
Above: Earp family. Earp, Mattie Blaylock, Sax, and Trumpet. 20 August 2015.
Galt's residence over burgers and pinot. Hosted by John Galt and Dagny Taggart.
Earp, Galt and Mwah (sic) will embark day after tomorrow, from Tacoma, WA, on a motorcycle ride through BC and Alberta with the specific intent of spending a night in Calgary, a city I have never before visited. We hope to see some beautiful Canadian Rockies scenery along the way.
Earp installs irrigation systems throughout eastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. He owns a farm with "ancient" water rights, and owns a business which separates oils from seed... canola, safflower, etc.
Mattie Blaylock met Earp at work. 17 years later, they still work together in the irrigation systems sales and installations business.
Outstanding girls! Look you in the eye, smile, and talk to you. Totally comfortable around adults. Each girl raises a pig to show in the county fair. Per their names, they each play an instrument in the band.
I told Earp his girls seem headed down the wrong track. They should get some tattoos and some piercings. That way they would have a leg up on having careers as coffee baristas. Earp said that Trumpet, at 16, had showed no interest in having even her ear's pierced. Sax, he said, just likes to play in the dirt.
Great parenting much in evidence to judge by the two girls.
Above: John Galt's Cub in hanger on his property in eastern WA. 21 August 2015.
He was willing to take me for an AM flight.... but I looked at the process of getting in...and it didn't look easy for a near 300 lb fat guy. So, I passed.
Galt is standing at left.
Above: Cub runway on Galt property in eastern WA. 21 August 2015.
Galt has water rights. He has to water the run-way grass. Use it or loose it says the county.
Galt and Dagny Taggart's house is not seen, out of the image to the left... up on the bluff.
Above: Breakfast place, Bacon and Eggs. Walla Walla, WA. 21 August 2015.
Very good corned beef hash.
Add to the list of great breakfast places.... Winona's in Steamboat, Kate's in Ridgeway, Brothers in Ashland, Aspen Over Easy in Aspen, the Jail House in Moab, and Evergreen in Buena Vista.
Missing in Park City. A 'go to' breakfast place.
Walla Walla a happening place. 100 plus vintners. Unlike Napa, plenty of water. Watch for the rise of Walla Walla wines as California dries up. Also, tony Whitman College, for that liberal arts degree that is a sure stepping stone to top graduate programs around the nation.
Above: Sunflower outside of Bacon and Eggs. Walla Walla, WA. 21 August 2015.
Two flowers? Or one flower with hybrid flower?
Above: Bird killers. Southeastern Washington. 21 August 2015.
Many tourists mistake these structures for electricity producing wind turbines.
Above: The Bishop, Mt. Rainier, and the Duc. WA SR 410 between Yakima and Enumclaw. 21 August 2015.
Prior to taking this image, I had ridden the high elevation pass of WA SR 410, for about 10 miles, in dense fog, light rain, and 41 degree temperatures.
Two years ago, at about this same time, I rode this same road, in the opposite direction towards Yakima, experiencing from the summit, for a distance of at least 20 miles, some of the worst rain I have ever experienced while riding a motorcycle. Finally, near the bottom of the mountain route, I found a Shell station where I took temporary refuge. Then, I was riding the BMW K1200 LT luxury tourer, which I still ride occasionally.
Above: Mt. Rainier. Sunset. From Murano Hotel 24th floor window. Tacoma, WA. 21 August 2015.
Coming here for four years now, this is one of the best views I've seen.
FeeBee climbed this mountain with Kelly. Steve, El Contador's son, was a mountain guide on Rainier for two or three years.
The mountain is a reminder that the urban northwest sits on one of the more dangerous tectonic plate faults in the world. Check out this recent, well written article:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/07/20/the-really-big-one
Above: Grass field adjacent to LeMay - America's Car Museum. Tacoma, WA. 22 August 2015
"The Meet" set up. Image captured, telephoto, from my 24th floor Murano Hotel room, about 7:30 AM.
Above: 1979 Honda CBX. The Meet. LeMay - America's Car Museum. Tacoma, WA 22 August 2015.
The amazing motor! 1047 cc, 24 valve, twin-cam, air-cooled inline 6... transverse mounted.
This bike was only manufactured for three years... 79 to 82. It was Honda's flagship in its day, but, was outsold by Honda's CB900F.
As a promotional gimmick, the bike was used by the traveling marshals at the 79 and 80 Isle of Man TT. I attended the 2015 TT in June.
Above: The Bishop, Earp, and John Galt. The Meet, LeMay - America's Car Museum. Tacoma, WA. 22 August 2015.
The unusual museum building is in the background.
Galt restored a 1991 Paris Dakar. A beautiful job, in my opinion. But, he decided not to enter the bike into the competition.
Above: The Seattle Cossacks. The Meet, LeMay - America's Car Museum. Tacoma, WA. 22 August 2015.
The Seattle Cossacks is a group of precision stunt riders that harken back to the days of drill teams from the '30's and 40's.
The Seattle Cossacks ride vintage 1930 era and 1940 era Harley Davidson motorcycles.
I'd never seen anything like this. Right out of the past. Highly appropriate for a vintage motorcycle rally. These guys, many with beer guts, were very, very talented. I'll bet they have a lot of fun putting all this together.... keeping their motorcycles running, learning the stunts, making appearances etc.
Above: The Meet group. Arriba Restaurant. Tacoma, WA 22 August 2015.
Left to right front: Janet Zenor, Mark Zenor, Skip Moscorro, Burt Richmond, David Searle, David Madeira, Tina West Isbell. Left to right rear: David Edwards, Steve Taylor, Diane Fitzgerald, Clement Salvatori, Lynda Madeira, Tal Isbell.
The group included participants, organizers, judges motorcycle press, and sponsors for The Meet - Vintage Motorcycle Ralley. Tacoma, WA. 22 August 2015.
Mark Zenor - Chairman, CEO - The Meet
Skip Moscorro - Principal/CEO MotoDiscovery Motorcycle Tours
Burt Richmond - Former CEO - The Meet; current volunteer, The Meet.
David Searle - Editor in Chief, Motorcycle Consumer News
David Madeira - CEO LeMay - America's Car Museum
David Edwards - Motorcycle expert Bonhams; Former editor in chief, Cycle World
Diane Fitzgerald - Development Head - LeMay America's Car Museum
Clement Salvatori - Editor at Large, Cycle World magazine.
Note from Diane: Fun night and group, captured on film. I had this modified a bit – reducing the amount of table and lightening it. What a nice blend of Museum leadership, retired ACM Board member, mighty Meet Volunteers, exceptional media gurus, motorcycle enthusiasts…and all our friends. Very special!
Dinner was fun.
I had good conversations with David Searle, editor in chief of Motorcycle Consumer News, Clement Salvatori, editor at large, Cycle World, both of whom I met for the first time.
Most of the others I knew. It was fun to catch up with everyone.
Addendum:
The Aussies and Kiwis have gone to Oregon to help battle the bush fires.
Joe, Turramurra, NSW, Australia
Thanks. This was pointed out to me by traveling companion, Earp, who is also a volunteer EMT/firefighter in his eastern Washington jurisdiction.
Above: Map Southern British Columbia.
Traaaaa AAAA aaaaans Canada Highway take me home!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPtDXEpWsis
23 August 2015. Smoke. 630 miles riding. Tacoma, Washington to Golden, British Columbia. Start 8:30 AM (Pacific). Finish. 9:30 PM (Pacific) 10:30 PM (Mountain).
Smoke from Washington state wild fires occluded the magnificent Canadian Rocky Mountains the whole distance. The last hour and a half of the ride was in the dark. The highway was alternately two lane and four lane. Signs posted the authority's intent, by 2020 to have the highway four lane all the way from Vancouver to Calgary... 800 miles.
On arrival, we checked in to the Golden Best Western that we had pre-reserved at lunch in Hope, BC. The only restaurant open in town was The Fire Pit Barbeque Smokehouse, walking distance from the motel. Not bad. Pushing 11:00 PM Mountain time. We were hungry.
The Golden Best Western was the worst value for money of any Best Western where I have stayed. $200 for an average Best Western (not Plus) room. Indifferent staff. Charge for breakfast!
I loved every minute of the (ironbutt?) ride! The Duc performed beautifully. That the vistas were occluded gave more time to concentrate on the road and the bike's capabilities (the power of a positive mental attitude!). Cough. cough.
Above: Earp and John Galt post having breakfast in the Big Bend Cafe, at behind. Golden, BC. 24 August 2015.
My 2015 Duc Multistrada, is at left, then Earp's Suzuki V-Strom (650), and Galt's fine restoration of Ted's 1991 BMW Paris Dakar.
Big Bend Cafe was good. Funky. You had to get your own coffee. But the corn beef hash was excellent with two over hard. Guy in charge was circa 55... initially somewhat gruff... but, he warmed up during our stay.
Big Bend Cafe reminded me of the inclination - not realized - that I had a few years ago to chronicle the best breakfast places I found during my motorcycle peregrinations. Like, Brothers in Ashland, OR. Evergreen in Buena Vista, CO. Wynona's in Steamboat Springs, CO. Kates Place in Ridgeway, CO. The Jailhouse in Moab, UT. The Sheraton Hotel. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Above: Evergreen close up. Yoho National Park. British Columbia. 24 August 2015.
Diseased? Pine beetle? Notwithstanding, I was struck by the vivid contrast of the brown (dead) and the alive (green) growth on the same tree.
Above: The Bishop observes Takakka Falls, Yoho National Park, BC. 24 August 2015.
The falls is 254 meters. Daly Glacier, 300 meters from the brink of the falls, feeds the glacier. The glacier is, in turn, fed by the Waputik Ice Field.
The falls is a "wow." Requires riding up and back on a 10 mile long paved road. So many "never heard of" things to see!
In May, the falls has double the flow as seen in this image.
Image, even here, gives a sense of the smokey atmosphere.
Above: Accident scene on Trans Canada Highway - Highway 1 - 35 miles west of Calgary.
Overturned truck in right (east bound) shoulder, was actually going west on the "dual lane carriageway." Witness reported the west bound truck making a lane change, but, then, continuing to cross the median to collide with a white mini-van (visible at the left, in the median). Five people were in the van... a mom driver, two kids, and grandpa and grandma. Grandma was killed and the other family members, on critical, were hospitalized.
Galt, Earp and Mwah (sic), headed east to Calgary, came upon two lanes of stopped vehicles. Seeing some lane splitting Canadian motorcyclists riding east between the outside lane and the shoulder, we followed. Lane splitting thus, we overtook about two miles of stopped vehicles. One or two of the cars tooted us, but, none - at least that I saw - moved to block our progress.
I was leading, but, when I arrived at the accident scene, I noted that Earp and Galt were not behind me. I took the above image on arriving at the scene. The explanation of the accident, above, comes from local TV news that I watched from my hotel room.
On the advice of a man about my age, I followed his Escalade across the median, rode back five miles, turned off on a connector road to ride to an alternate Calgary entry road from the west - Highway 1A. I rode 1A about 10 miles to the west, found a connector back to the Trans Canada Highway, and rode into downtown Calgary where I found a room at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Galt contacted me by phone and I told him where I was. I have reservations for the three of us riders at the Trib Steakhouse, and at this writing, await Galt and Earp's arrival at the hotel. We didn't get a chance to talk about why they weren't behind me as I lane split to the accident scene.
Later: A policeman waved his hand to stop them from progressing further, after I had already ridden by.
Above: The Bishop observes Stephen Avenue Mall mall. Calgary, AB. 24 August 2015.
Bucket list item checked. Calgary visited. This a BIG city!
I've done three previous motorcycle trips to BC/AB, but have always stayed in the mountains... never visited, other than Lethbridge, any of the significantly sized Alberta cities.
My preference for this ride was to leave the mountains and overnight in Calgary... Earp and Galt were fine with the idea.
I suppose the best "tourist" time to come here would be for the Calgary Stampede during the first week in July. Now that I've been here, though, there are probably other things I would prefer to do in my diminishing (actuarially) number of Julys.
Ten years ago I motorcycled to another plains Canadian City, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, once a depot for Al Capone's illicit liquor.
Above: Earp and John Galt pose in front of Trib Steakhouse after having dinner there. Calgary, AB. 24 August 2015.
It was my turn to buy. I suggested Pizza.
Just toying with 'em. I specked the steak place out before Galt and Earp arrived (they were delayed more than I was by the accident on the Trans Canada Highway).
And, Galt fronted for a "not cheap" bottle of Napa cab... there being nothing, despite a significant wine list, from Washington State on the menu.
Galt is a big booster of Washington wines. Says many California vintners, hedging their bets because of the California water shortage, are coming to central eastern Washington where water is abundant. That water, by the way, from the Columbia River, starts as snow melt in the Canadian Rockies.
More interesting learnings, over dinner, from farmer Earp.
Farming in central/eastern Washington and Oregon is dominated by corporate interests and Mormons. Mormon's make it a practice of buying and consolidating farms. The LDS farmers are very successful and highly respected in the Washington farming community.
Other religious faiths are also active in central/eastern Washington/Oregon farming:
Hutterites. Notwithstanding their adherence to "old time" values, they deeply embrace technological advances in farming. They have their own machine shops and "tool" a lot of stuff in violation of patent laws.
Amish. They stick to the old ways and eschew, unlike the Hutterites, technological farming solutions. Both the Hutterites and the Amish always deal in cash.... never borrow or buy on time.
Earp says he feels good about his profession... all three of his revenue sources (farm, irrigation equipment sales, and oil separation from seeds) are food related... and, even in bad times, people will need to eat.
Addendum:
Above: TIMDT and cronies lunching in NYC 24 August 2015.
TIMDT and Mwah (sic) travel about half the time separately, me mostly by motorcycle and she, with cronies to far flung destinations, mainly India.
Half the time we travel together... cruises, and most recently a couple of trips to Jackson, WY, and upcoming, a visit to India at Christmastime.
Clement is with Rider Magazine.
Morgan,
Chicago, IL
Whoops... thanks for the correction.
Above: Fay Wray fountain. Cardston, Alberta, Canada. 25 August 2015.
Native Fay Wray. Cardston's claim to fame, along with the Alberta Canada LDS Temple.
How many know today that Fay Wray was the female lead in the first King Kong movie?
On the sign beyond the fountain is a sculpted representation of Fay being held in King Kong's hand.
Note: After a 7:00 AM breakfast at the Calgary Hyatt with John Galt and Earp, we parted company for this ride. I hung back at the hotel until noon... catching up on correspondence, paying bills, and updating my diary. Galt and Earp left immediately after breakfast hoping to reach Missoula... over 400 miles. Their objective for tomorrow would be to ride, from Missoula, US 12, the famed Lolo Pass road, US 12, back to Walla Walla.
I would take two nights to get back to Park City.... Kalispell, MT the first night, and Salmon, ID the second night.
Above: Fay Wray. Cardston, AB denizen. File image.
Above: Glacier National Park, MT. Going to the Sun Highway. 25 August 2015.
Smoke from local fires occluded the atmosphere. I felt sorry for the many vacationers I saw in the park today. They would not see the fullness of Glacier's scenery.
Between mile marker four and ten riding into the park (from the east) was a wholly burnt out area ravaged by fire earlier this summer.
The ranger at the entrance gate reported that there were three active fires in the park, but, that I could ride through safely.
Earp's Teachings and Reflections on Geezers Gaining Knowledge
British Columbia and Alberta were epicenter to smoke emanating from fires in central Washington State. Our "vistas" riding through BC and AB over the last two days looked much like that seen in this image.
Notwithstanding, its always fun being on a motorcycle, even in smokey atmosphere. I had seen much of the Canadian Rockies on previous motorcycle journeys. So I knew what the ghostly outlines of peaks actually looked like when smoke free. But, I felt sorry for Earp who was visiting western Canada for the first time.
A day or two ago, I asked Earp what his impressions were of Canada, him being a first time visitor. Two that I recall: Abundance of blueberries along the side of the road. Different irrigation equipment used by Canadian farmers.
Its amazing how one can go to a place and not be aware of or sensitive to a lot of very real, important features of the area. I've been through BC a number of times and never noticed the blueberries or the irrigation equipment.
In retirement I've had a lot of time to learn new stuff. Meeting new people, like Earp, a farmer, adds new dimensions to my knowledge base even at 70 years of age.
I ask myself, what good is all this knowledge doing me when I have a constantly shrinking window in which to put it to use?
In the end, I enjoy being curious, and learning new stuff for the sake of doing it, particularly if it comes from solid, knowledgeable like Earp... and, for now, that is enough.
But, yes. Lot's of blueberries in BC. How about that!? How did I miss that before?
Above: Mwah (sic) checks out ScottiBelli's Restaurant, Kalispell, MT. 25 August 2015.
I rode Canada 2 from Calgary, via Cardson, to the US frontier. 140 miles. I then rode through Glacier National Park on the Going to the Sun road to Kalispell... arriving at 5:00 PM. Total miles, pushing 300.
Galt texted shortly after my arrival in Kalispell. He and Earp had just arrived safely in Missoula, 120 miles further down the road.
I called Galt to confirm my own arrival in Kalispell.
Galt and Earp reached Missoula...by taking US 89 and US 2 to bypass Glacier National Park, before joining US 93 to ride to Missoula. After receiving the text, I telephoned Galt after I arrived in Kalispel. I told him I would pay for his and Earp's gas and dinner... plus an additional $100 payment to Earp... if they back tracked 120 miles to Kalispell to join me for dinner. After giving the idea serious consideration (cough), both declined. On 26 August 2015 they would ride the Lolo Pass, US 12, from Missoula back to Walla Walla.
I dined alone at ScottiBelli's in Kalispell. It was OK. I ordered a rigatoni sausage dish, which was served as penne. I pointed out to the bartender (I was seated alone at the bar) that the dish came with wrong pasta, but, that it wasn't a big deal, I'd eat it. The waiter said, "well, its the same sauce." Some people might have made a big deal of this... but, not Mwah (sic). Life's too short. Pasta is pasta. But, I still mentioned it. After all, I didn't want the bar tender to think that I was some rube. I didn't undertip.
With Charles Atlas in Glacier National Park... circa 1998.
15 years or so ago, in early retirement years, Charles Atlas and Mwah (sic) were riding motorcycles on the Going to the Sun road in Glacier. It was late and we decided, hoping for a cancellation, to take a chance on a room at one of the national park lodges along the route. We succeeded in getting a room due to a cancellation.
Charles Atlas and Mwah (sic) were two in the same room... two queen beds. At about 2:00 AM in the morning, the room's smoke alarm started to chirp. Atlas didn't seem to mind as he slept away, but, the chirping was driving me crazy.
The alarm was on the ceiling above Atlas' bed. I pulled a chair to the foot of Atlas' bed, and, using the dimmed lighting from the bathroom, mounted the chair and reached to the ceiling to disable the chirping alarm. I reached too far, lost my footing, and fell directly on the sleeping Charles Atlas. Atlas awoke with a start. "What the hell are you doing?" he screamed.
Finally, I called the front desk who sent someone with a ladder to disable the alarm.
I'm not sure, after that point, whether Charles Atlas ever again trusted my attentions.
On that ride, I remember that Atlas asked me... do you want to go on a hike? I said, "OK... where?" Atlas named the hike - I don't remember - but he said, "we'll its about 2000 vertical feet." Atlas then looked me up and down... paused... looked sheepishly away... than back again, and said, "well, on second thought, maybe we better not try it... I'm not sure you'll be able to make it."
Atlas was a spelunker, a rock climber, a hiker, and a long distance runner. He had reason to be concerned about Mwah (sic).
Over the years since I have hiked a bit and 1000 foot vertical hikes up to 6 miles are well within my capacity.
Above: Mwah (sic) and the Duc in Ronan, MT. 26 August 2015.
I departed Kalispell for Salmon, ID around 10:00 AM
"Can anything good come out of Ronan?" See Image.
Ronan, MT. Spook's birth and growing up place. Spook and Karen were up in this area a week or two ago... maybe they are still here??
Here's the thing... ever in the history of the world has their been any other marriage where the betrothed came from Ronan, MT and Koosharem, UT?
To be sure, a unique combination places and a unique couple.
Above: Matt Spencer and my Duc. Salmon, ID. 26 August 2015.
For years the Salt Lake City based "go to" Ducati mechanic (and part owner of Salt Lake Motor Sports) throughout the mountain west, Matt moved to Salmon, ID, his growing up place, about seven years ago.
I looked him up today in Salmon and we had a Mexican dinner together.
Duc owners from as far as New Mexico came to SLC to have Matt work on their bike.
For three or four years in the mid 'naughts, Matt was commandeered by KTM to mechanic for its US Paris Dakar rally entries. Matt traveled the world with the enduro racing crowd.
Matt was a three time attendee/rider (and sponsor) at Big Cat. We reminisced tonight about the great Big Cat Jarbidge ride. Matt and Joe Barker rode out to that ride together, Matt on an 1150 GS and Joe on a KTM 950 Adventure.
Matt still rides a KTM, but he left the motorcycle business for solar system sales and installations throughout central Idaho. Matt says most of his clients are in the sticks where they require off the grid systems. He says he is doing a thriving business.
Matt and his wife live on seven acres outside of Salmon and have 10 horses. Asked why he has ten horses, Matt responded, "ask my wife,."
Matt and Mrs, have a fifty acre property in Potlatch, ID, which is near Moscow. They may consider opening a second store in Potlatch, which is nearer "civilization" than Salmon. Moscow, Lewiston, Coeur d'Alene, and Spokane are all within reach of Potlatch.
While he still rides a KTM himself, Matt said he didn't miss the motorcycle business. Here in Idaho he's more fit than ever, he says. He mountain bikes and does long back country runs.
It was good to catch up.
Corps of Discovery country
The ride from Missoula to Salmon is a terrific one. US 93 goes south over Lost Trail Pass, the MT/ID state line, and has limited traffic, sweeping curves on both the MT and ID side of the summit. A chance to wear down the sidewalls of the motorcycle tire. I forgot about the smoke and took full advantage of the push the envelope riding experience. The Duc performed perfectly. I've ridden this road (Lost Trail Pass) five or six times. It is not to be missed.
Lewis and Clark crossed Lost Trail Pass in the opposite direction. They first came over Lemhi Pass, of the Bitterroot Range, which is forty miles south of Lost Trail Pass, near Salmon... my destination for the evening. They explored a bit continuing on the Salmon River, first north, then west, to reach the Pacific Ocean, but Sacajawea's brother, Cameahwait, chief of the Lemhi tribe, said, "no way you'll get through there." That is the "river of no return," the sobriquet by which the river is known today.
The Salmon River, indeed, passes through the central Idaho wilderness and would have been an impossible obstacle for the Corps of Discovery to accomplish.
Taking Cameahwait's advice, The Corps of Discovery headed north, over Lost Trail Pass, and made its way to Lolo, just south of Missoula. They portaged west up to the top of Lolo Pass and then re launched their boats into the Lochsa River near the summit. The Lochsa merges into the Clearwater River, near Kooskia, ID, which then flows into the Snake at Lewiston, ID. The Snake flows west for another one hundred miles or so and enters the Columbia, near Walla Walla. Earp and Galt followed this very Corps of Discovery route from Missoula/Lolo to Walla Walla today. Today the route is known as US 12. I got a note from Galt at the end of the day announcing that both he and Earp had arrived home safely... that, riding in the smoke, they had set a speed record going from Lolo to Kooskia, 99 miles of curves (another great motorcycle road) having passed only one car going in the opposite direction for the whole 99 mile distance.
Addendum:
It is great you have so much fun with you bikes, and lots of adventures. Keep on trucking.
Bridge,
Palm Beach, FL
Above: Bronx Girl and TIMDT from Bronx Girl's deck in Long Beach, NY 26 August 2015.
Cool! Thanks for coming!
Enfield Goat,
Tacoma, WA
Hi Steve,
We should tell your MEET guys about the moto film fest in NYC - or did you already? If you get me emails, I can pass them to the founder of the film fest. it’s in Sept.
Thanks,
Inventor,
Park City, UT
Above: Mwah (sic)'s Ducati 2015 Multistrada. Salmon, ID. 7:45 AM. 27 August 2015.
Packed and ready to go. Destination Park City, UT... just, under 400 miles.
TIMDT, now home from NYC, says she wants me to get home early... hence, the early start time.
Above: Selfie. Super 8 Motel. Salmon, ID. 27 August 2015.
Above: US 93, 30 or 40 miles south of Salmon, ID. 27 August 2015.
Wonderfully scenic road meandering along with the Salmon River on right. Little traffic. Another good road for wearing down motorcycle tire sidewalls.
The smoke had not disappeared at this point, but, it had dissipated considerably from yesterday's concentrations.
The chopper is used to drop fire retardant on forest fires in the area.
Above: The Bishop, standing by the Duc, observes part of earthquake fault at the base of Mt. Borah, Idaho's tallest mountain (12,662 feet). 2.5 miles in to the east on dirt road, from US 93, in the Big Lost River Valley... between Challis and Arco, Idaho. 27 August 2015.
The earthquake giving rise (no pun intended) to this particular fault occurred on 28 October 1983. Mt. Borah ridge plate rose about 6 feet and the valley sunk 9 feet. The fracture was 26 miles long and 7 miles deep.
This type of tectonic plate shift has been going on in this area for 20 million years. The plate movement created the range where Mt. Borah is situated.
A dozen large inland seas have covered this area over the last billion years. So, the area is a graveyard for fossils of thousands of varieties of sea creatures. Bones, shells, corals, microscopic remains have piled up in the area over the eons.
Mt. Borah is the upthrust from this fossil laden area, so sea fossils can be found at the mountain summit.
According to plate scientists, the plate will definitely move again. The valley will sink further and Mt. Borah will gain in height.
Mankind"s time on the earth is hardly measurable in the context of geological time. Prescience and foresight (of which, there doesn't seem to be much in today's America) will be required to assure civilizational survival in the face of earth's relentless, potentially dangerous (if glacially paced), change.
Recent published studies have highlighted the expected (overdue), major, tectonic shift on the US northwest coast (New Yorker) and the assured eruption of the Yellowstone caldera (Daily Mail), both events having the potential for major global civilization disruption.
The earth, in its 4.5 billion years, has been through 5 extinctions. There have been five ice ages in the last 300K years. Stephen Hawking's warning about all this is that mankind must hedge its bets by starting civilization on another planet. Now that's prescient!
Above: Valley central pivot irrigation system. Also, a Valley system in the background. Magic Valley, Big Lost River valley, ID. 27 August 2015.
According to Earp, most of these big irrigation systems come from three manufacturers in Nebraska. The systems/companies are all named for the towns where they are manufactured. The Valley system is manufactured in Valley, Nebraska.
I ride past these irrigation devices with a new appreciation for their significance, after Earp's teaching me.
Above: Mwah (sic)'s Duc Multistrada 1200 in TIMDT's garage. End of trip. 2700 miles. 27 August 2015.
I pulled into the garage at 3:45 PM. I stopped for a Subway sandwich in Pocatello, ID.
Addendum:
I guarantee you I remember it [King Kong movie] well! That was the greatest movie of all times back when I was a young teenager (probably around 1935)! There will never be a new version of King Kong that is as spellbinding as the original -- showing how careful and protecting Kong was of this beautiful young girl, putting her down carefully atop the Empire State Building as he fought those little airplanes shooting him with machine guns until he fell. I think the final words were some thing like "It was beauty that killed the beast".
Manhattan,
Park City, UT
I knew that, because I'm EVEN OLDER THAN YOU ARE Steve.
Pensacola Law,
Pensacola, FL
Everyone knows that.
Scribe,
Boston, MA
Ask some under 40,
And the card game at Lolo was also featured in "A River Runs Through It."
Pensacola Law,
Pensacola, FL