Picto Diary - 1 to 8 June 2025 - Spring Motorcycle Ride, John Galt Riders
Above: Silver belt buckles for each of the only members of a highly exclusive motorcycle riding club, John Galt Riders. 03 June 2025. Note: Club co-founder, Howard Roark, died of natural causes ten years ago. There have never been more than four members of The John Galt Riders. John Galt, on this ride, was the other co-founder.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Riders
Itinerary:
03 June 2025 - John Galt and Wyatt Earp ride 485 miles from Walla Walla, WA to Pocatello, ID to meet The Bishop, who starts in Park City, UT, and rides 200 miles to the Pocatello, ID Best Western.
04 June 2025 - John Galt Riders ride 435 miles to Caspar, WY via Swan Valley, Jackson Hole, Moran Junction, Togwatee Pass, Dubois, WY and Shoshoni, WY (US 287).
05 June 2025 - Ride from Caspar, WY to Mt. Rushmore, SD, Devil's Tower, WY, and Gillette, WY. 410 miles.
06 June 2025 - Separate. John Galt and Wyatt Earp ride to Missoula, MT. 600 miles. Bishop rides to Thermopolis, WY. 200 miles.
07 June 2025 - John Galt and Wyatt Earp ride to Walla Walla, WA via Lolo Pass. 350 miles. Bishop returns from Thermopolis, WY to Park City via Lander, South Pass and Kemmerer, WY. 341 miles.
Total ride Miles: John Galt and Wyatt Earp - 2280 miles. Bishop - 1586 miles.
Above: Witch's Rocks. Echo, Summit County, UT. 03 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
Important landmark in Utah along the Mormon Pioneer Trail and the Transcontinental Railway, and now, I-84, on the way from Park City, UT to Pocatello, ID. 200 miles. I'll switch to I-15 from I-84 in Tremonton, UT, Box Elder County. From there, an 80-mile run to Pocatello.
In 1858, army Captain Albert Tracy described Witch's Rocks in his journal as “witch-like” and “so singularly like figures in kirtles [long skirts] and steeple-hats, or bonnets that they have received the appellation [Witch Rocks]”. By using your imagination (and perhaps squinting a bit), you can picture a coven of witches in long robes and witches’ hats standing on the hillside.
Above: National Museum of Military Vehicles, Dubois, WY. 04 June 2024.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Riders.
National Museum of Military Vehicles
Three new major exhibits at the National Museum of Military Vehicles since my visit two years ago: Japanese Artillery (pictured above). Korean War Section. Vietnam War Section. Good timing to see this world class exhibit as US Army 250th anniversary coming up in less than two weeks on 14 June 2025.
Ride notes: Overcast all day. Most of the time ride temps were in the 55 degrees area. At the top of Togwatee Pass, temperatures reached low of 42 degrees. No precipitation throughout the day though it always looked like rain was a possibility. I wore a waterproof, armored KLIM riding jacket, a Patagonia down filled liner, a Pendleton shirt (heavy wool) and a T-shirt. I wore Pendleton jeans and military green, waterproof, lace-up tactical boots. Light deer skin gloves, which were only useable given the Duc's heated hand grips. I was fine, but during the fifteen-minute-long high elevation (9.7 K feet) ride over Togwatee Pass, a heated body core liner would have been nice. Riding at 42 degrees over an extended period would have required more layers and/or the heated liner. The three of us shared a 14-inch pizza at Noon Rock Pizza in Dubois, WY. The preferred lunch option, Cowboy Cafe, was closed.
I have spent many days over the years in the Dubois area since hosting the Big Cat motorcycle event (attended by 125 riders, including rally riding champions Scott Harden and Joe Barker, there in 2013. Absaroka Range on the north and Wind River Range on the south. Wind River courses through the valley between the two ranges. Beautiful, rugged, and less traveled (than nearby Yellowstone and Teton area) country.
Above: Best Western Motel, Caspar, WY. 05 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Riders.
2021 Ducati Multistrada - Bishop
2015 BMW R1200GS - Wyatt Earp
2019 Honda Goldwing - John Galt
Looks like rain.
Above: Mt. Rushmore, South Dakota. 05 June 2025
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Riders. Bishop, John Galt, Wyatt Earp.
230 miles from Caspar to get here. Light rain and 45-degree average temps the entire ride. Brrr. Essential stop for hot chocolate and bike refuel in Lusk, WY. It is difficult to discern from this image, but my teeth are chattering.
Notwithstanding the cold rainy day, there were quite a few visitors at this important American landmark. Today marks my fourth or fifth visit to Mt. Rushmore, but it was the first time for John Galt and Wyatt Earp. I get Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln. Teddy Roosevelt was a good president, but not on the same level as the other three.
Before undertaking the 110-mile ride to Devils Tower, we rode back to Custer, SD and had a BLT at the Custer Wolf Cafe.
Above: Devil's Tower, Wyoming. 05 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Riders.
Off and on rain, sometimes heavy rain, and sub-50-degree temps to get from Custer, WY to this point. At least a bit warmer than the first segment of the day, from Caspar to Mt. Rushmore!
Close Encounters Of The Third Kind Chords by Gene Page - ChordU
We stayed at the Best Western in Gillete. There is a Rib and Chop House in Gillete (one of our favorite restaurants in St. George, UT). I had a 16 oz ribeye steak and a loaded baked potato. Though a $45 choice cut of meat it was a better steak than the $75 prime ribeye I had at Ruths Chris in Park City a couple of weeks ago. Any time I'm in nearby Sheridon, WY, Rib and Chop House is where I eat. Rib and Chop House is one of the great up and coming steak house franchises. Rib and Chop House challenges the likes of fru fru, prime cut, Morton's, Flemings, or Ruths Chris with its cowboy, deplorables, choice cut atmosphere. You'll never find the fru frus and Rib and Chop House in the areas. Rib and Chop can only be found in authentic, deplorable, MAGA locations in the American west.
Quality Steaks, Casual Dining | Rib & Chop House
Above: Best Western Motel. Gillette, WY. 06 June 2025
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
Duc. Loaded up and ready to ride.
Above: Chevron. Buffalo, WY. 06 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
Big Horn Range, over which I am about to ride on US16, can be seen in the distance. No rain in the forecast, but it's going to be cold at the 9.7K summit of Powder River Pass. The hot spring dip at Thermopolis will be a welcome end to my cold riding day. I'm now riding alone again. My companions are on their way back To Walla Walla via Missoula today and Lolo Pass tomorrow.
Above: Ten Sleep Canyon, Big Horn Range, US 16. 06 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
Wyoming. Westbound. US 16 over the 'Horns. 40-degree temp at Powder River Pass summit, ten miles behind this mage, but clear all the way.
Above: Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis, WY. 06 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
Me stepping in to the 104-degree water: "Ahhhhhhhh......"
Above: One Eyed Buffalo Brew Pub. Thermopolis, WY. 06 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider
Prime rib and loaded baked potato (just like the night before at Rib and Chop House). Best deplorable brewery food in Wyoming. Must go.
Above: Red canyon, Lander, WY. 07 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
Above: JC Penney Mother Store, Kemmerer, Wy. 07 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
Above: Opera House Store, Kemmerer, WY. 07 June 2025.
Out and about on the Duc.
John Galt Rider.
In Jackson, WY it's The Snake Creek Grill.
In Gilette, WY it's Rib and Chop House.
In Thermopolis, WY it's the One-Eyed Buffalo.
In Kemmerer, WY it's The Opera House Store.
Opera House Store box lunch $16.00. Italian sandwich on focaccia, chips, cookie, drink. Eat in the park across the street.
Fifteen miles south of Kemmerer on US 189, I passed the Bill Gates and US DOE funded TerraPower nuclear plant construction. I didn't stop, but I could see trucks and workers as I passed by. Our coffee group, LSDM, had a field trip to Kemmerer, June 2024 to learn more about the projected effects of the plant on Kemmerer from Kemmerer City mayor, Bill Thek.
Addendum
My, my; so martial!
😊
Ps. It’s ok, we don’t need girly men. Handsome boys.
Panama,
Los Angeles, CA
Good Evening!!
Congratulations on the essay. What a wonderful eighth grade trip … going from SLC to Washington DC.
I have a new job!!! Starting last August I took a position at a local high school. It, too, is a Christian school (Luther High School). I have seen the exact same sentiment about prom, et al. In fact, I am amazed how much time is spent on the cell phones!!! Yes, things are different now. Social media! Whew!!
By the way, our bank in Park City/SLC/Detroit was bought out. There were only two of us from the original bank left - ironically, both of us had worked for Ernst &Young!!! I was in the Firm’s Cleveland office and the other lady was in the Firm’s Detroit office. I was ultimately let go a year ago (unemployed only six weeks - the benefits of contacts and friends helped me get this new job). The other E&Y alumnus is still there as the Comptroller! She may be the CFO, I think.
As always, I so enjoy reading your messages.
Have a wonderful summer!!
🎵
Music in the Moutains,
Racine, WI
Hi great thank you.
Brand Man,
Ventura, CA
Happy anniversary to two wonderful people.
Hoops and Bronx Girl,
Pelham, NY
Happy Anniversary, Steve.
Drummer Jay,
Lehi, UT
Hello Steve:
Congratulations on 57 years and glad to see you ae both still kicking up dust!
Donna and will celebrate 50 years in August. We are actually in Seattle now and heading to Vancouver tomorrow to do our first Alaska trip.
Best regards,
Carpet,
Atlanta, GA
A belated happy anniversary. Best wishes for many more.
Frotz,
Park City, UT
Sooo much family for you guys to be proud of and just appreciate!
Survival,
Hatch, UT