My ass was kicked so hard today by the winds on South Pass, West of Lander, WY. They have signs warning of high wind gusts, ha! South Pass equals CRAZY Winds... they were so intense and buffeting from all directions, seemingly at once. My vest was literally ripped open repeatedly - I’d slow down and do the snaps again, only to have it ripped open again. I finally took it off and put it in the rear pack. The breathtaking view above was taken near the top of the pass. The winds didn’t calm much after dropping into Kemmerer, but I was able to put a good cruise on into Pocatello.
I had reservation to stay in Boise, but the trip through South Pass over to Idaho, took much longer than I expected. I got to Twin Falls, ID as the sun set, a huge ball of red slipping over the mountains. I decided that I’d call it a day as I really didn’t favor the idea of riding at dusk and then in darkness through deer country... at least not on a motorcycle. Twin Falls was completely booked - every room available, taken. The manager at the Holiday Inn Express called around and finally found a room for me in Bliss, ID, 30 miles West. I found this a bit ironic, as approximately 25 years ago, I broke down on New Year’s day in my 1969 VW bus, in Bliss... 10 degrees out, and the one, the only gas station at that time, let me use their garage repair bay to stay the night, and then try to find a fix the next day - I spent the night, in the UNHEATED garage spooning my crazy Irish Setter, Barney, with every jacket and spare blanket thrown over us so we both could stay warm... what a night!
But, as my Rock and Roll hero Tom Petty wrote in his “King’s Highway” lyrics:
Oh, I await the day
Good fortune comes our way
And we'll ride down the King's Highway
Yeah Yeah
So, I finally got to Bliss, ID tonight, barely able to see the road through my bug splattered windshield, and pulled up to the Amber Inn. What a surprise! The managers were very cool, let me park my bike under the front walkway, and were genuinely friendly and hospitable. They even have internet Wi-Fi, and I get a great signal from my room. I couldn’t get my cell to connect though, and Eric Tharp, one half of the management team. offered me his cell phone so I could call Tish and let her know I was safely off the road, very cool! Tish was certainly appreciative, as she hadn’t heard from me and was starting to run worse case scenarios through her head... sorry I couldn’t get through any sooner ;(
Randy(trucker guest at the hotel),
Jodi and Eric Tharp - Managers of
The Amber Inn, Bliss, ID.
I’ll be up early tomorrow, getting the bugs off “The King”, and then making the final leg of this wonderful journey, home to Eugene. I hope to be in by early evening.
This has truly been an incredible and memorable trip.
E
