Day 12-Red Lodge, MT to Bowman, ND

Day 12/Red Lodge, MT to Bowman, ND  
Distance today: 322 miles

Total to date: 4190 miles

Well looks like today we passed the 4K mileage mark! Very happy that no one has tried to kill either of us on our bikes, the bikes are running superbly & the trip has really been outstanding! I feel like an eagle or a hawk when flying thru the trees, mountain tops, & canyons!

We stayed in Red Lodge last night, which looked like another town I could settle in. Ironically ran into two guys from MO that were staying at our motel also & riding motorcycles. They are travelling west & hitting Beartooth hwy next in their travels. I told them they are in for a treat!! One thinks they are doing something kind of unusual, then you run into many others, each with their own stories, own destinations, & realize we are indeed all related-Mitakuye Oyasin. 

Took off this morn after checking out the very detailed & dowel-constructed bear made out of redwood or lodge pine, in front of our motel. 

Red Lodge Bear

the road goes on forever

ND colored rocks

Speaking of lodge pine, there are a zillion log cabins in MT. Unfortunately despite really liking this look, they all seem to look alike after awhile! I really liked the look prior to coming here but after seeing so very many, just got burned out on em! 

Then another day of driving thru a very different but incredible environ. I can tell we're getting out of the forests & coming into the badlands territories . The colors in the rocks are outstanding. What a beautiful & unique world we live in!

At this point we are deliberately planning our trip to avoid any interstates, if possible. The view never changes on the interstates it seems that, although I recognize the utility of getting from point A to point B, I still question why someone who doesn't have the time to savor & enjoy the trip would even go at all. Am very grateful to be able to have the luxury of time!!!  We've seen so very much going on the two lane roads that I just hate the idea of buzzing down an interstate & the view seldom changes. 

We also ran into some rain today. But when you have the right gear, no worries. The vast, unimpeded views still awe me. Seeing the storm coming across the landscape with the grey-blue continues to inspire me. 

Tomorrow we head south, through SD on hwys 85 & 385 & then into NE. This route will take us thru the Black Hills National Forest, which should be another area of outstanding scenery. 

Our trip is winding down. Rob & I are in a routine & compliment now each other as we travel. Good adventure. 

I must admit I miss my home, my family & friends & wonder what my animal companions are doing & if they miss me. My caretakers say my cat, Trouble, comes down when they go in my place to check on them, sees that they aren't me, then goes back upstairs. I wonder what my animals think of my absence? 

“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. 'Time' for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.” ― Roman Payne

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