Day-14, Wednesday August 4th
477 Miles
The previous evening, over dinner and drinks, we discussed a general plan for the rest of the week and a general direction we would like to end up.
We still wanted to try and avoid the worst of the heat, so we tried to plot a course that would keep us in the higher elevations if we could.
We packed up and loaded some stuff that night, and the rest of it this morning.
We decided to save some time at Camp by not fixing our own breakfast. We would just get some in town when we passed through to fuel-up, as we knew we would have some miles to cover today.
After leaving the State Park and topping up the bikes in town. we stopped at a McDonalds and walked inside.
We placed our orders and then immediately noticed that the dining-room was closed. No inside seating!
This bummed us out a little, but not a big deal. We'll just sit in the shade and eat our breakfast next to the bikes.
While we were sitting on the Curb consuming our fast-food, Ron notices a few drips of Oil under his Vstrom.
After finishing the meal, Ron investigated the source of the leak and found it was coming from the oil-filter.
He grabbed it and it spun easily with just his fingers!
What a stroke of luck that the dining-room was closed and we were forced to eat outside, and chose to sit next to the bikes!
Had we ate inside we probably would have never seen the drips of oil.......... The Road-Karma Gods were still smiling on us!
There just so happened to be a Napa Auto-Parts Store right across the street!
Ron bought a quart of Motorcycle-oil and topped up his machine, (It was only down about a half-quart) and made sure the Filter was good and tight.
Then off we went riding south through Kalispell and then east on Hwy-82.
We rode through Bigfork and I stopped at a little roadside stand to buy some Flathead Cherries before making our way to Hwy-83.
These were super-sweet and delicious!
We ended up just grinding out miles for quite awhile, and having to stop for a lengthy construction delay.
The temps were staying quite mild, and we ended up stopping for a short rest-break at Salmon Lake.
We continued on and eventually reached Hwy-200 where we turned east.
Making our way in a general southeasterly direction, we decided to get lunch in Helena.
We had kinda had enough burgers for awhile, and wanted to try and find some good BBQ.
I punched in my Garmin and a few places popped up. One of them was called "Rib Shack".
We have a Rib-Shack in Denver and it's spoken about as having decent Ribs, so we headed off to find it.
We get to the location that Garmin says it is, and all there was at that location was a Funeral-Home!
Both of us decided at about the same time that there ain't no way in hell that we are trying the Ribs at this place!
Off to find #2 on the list, which is called "Bad Betty's BBQ"
We make our way back to the center of town, down a couple side-streets, and found the place.
It looked empty, and we parked the bikes right in front of the place and walked in. There were three young girls inside, who looked like they were cleaning up.
It turns out we walked in just as they were about to close for the day..........Bummer!
Just then one of the Girls with a broom in her hand says : "Go ahead and sit down! Don't worry, we'll serve you."
She must have seen the dejected looks on our faces instantly turn to relieved-happiness as she strolled over to take our order.
Ron ordered a Rib-Basket, I ordered Ribs and Brisket and go to use the bathroom to wash up.
About 30 seconds later the food shows up at the table, and the Girl says "Here's a complimentary dessert (Banana Pudding) for you guys too"
We thanked her and settled in to our BBQ.
The Ribs and the Brisket were excellent. I can't say they are the best I've ever had, but I'd give the Ribs a solid "7" and the Brisket an "8" (out of 10)
We conversed with the Girls while we ate, as they were cleaning up and packing things away.
It was just Ron and I in there with them, and we were having fun with the conversations. It was a very spontaneous afternoon in that place!
We paid for our meals before we were even finished, and tipped them pretty well since they took such good care of us.
What happened next was an absolute Shock!
As we were finishing up the last of our meal, one of the Girls comes over and says "Here's and extra rack of Ribs for you guys to take with you", and she hands us a complete whole Rack of smoked Pork-Ribs all wrapped up for take-out!
Are you kidding me???.................. WTAF just happened????
Ron and I are looking at each other and couldn't believe it. The Road-Karma Gods were REALLY shining on us today!
Not only did we find the BBQ we were after, but were treated like Kings in the process!
I tipped the Girls an extra $20 just for being so good to us.
If you are ever in Helena and looking for some good BBQ, you should definitely check out "Bad Betty's BBQ" on Front St.
They close early some of the days of the week, so check their website. They also operate a Food-Truck on the weekends the Girls were telling us.
We thanked them again and made our way outside to the bikes with our full bellies, and packed away the extra Ribs in one of my cooler-bags on top of my Hard-cases.
A funny note:
While we were riding through town, we spotted the "Rib-Shack" that we originally tried to find. It was a Food-Truck parked in front of a Tire-Shop, not anywhere near where the GPS said it was.
We laughed knowing we made the right choice!
We topped up the bikes with fuel and continued in a southeast direction on Hwy-287/12.
Just after leaving Helena we passed a slowly accelerating Freight-Train that was carrying a whole bunch of Army Tanks, Turrets, Humvees, and other various Military Equipment.
As we approached the next Crossing a couple miles up the road, I told Ron I wanted to get a Video of the Train.
We stopped and I quickly placed my GoPro on one of the Ties at the Crossing, facing down the tracks toward the Train.
It was approaching fairly quickly at this point, so we made sure to stand well clear of the Tracks.
Ron counted 72 Tanks as the Train sped past!
There were 3 "Puller" Engines and a "Pusher/Drag" Engine at the back.
You can see how much the Train flexes the Rails and the Ties as it rides over. You can also see how it disturbs the Ants, and they all start scurrying about.
A little further down the road we rode into Townsend, and turned east on Hwy-12. While riding through town I got stung once again. This time right in the face!
It was a warm part of the day, and I was riding with my face-shield open. Luckily I was wearing a pair of clear safety-glasses to protect my eyes. I barely saw it coming as it hit me in the right cheek.
I'm not sure exactly what it was cause I reached up instinctively and grabbed it and threw it all in one motion.
I pulled over and took my Helmet off, and checked myself over just to make sure nothing more was in there with me. I could feel my cheek itching with a slight bit of pain.
Not much I could really do about it, so we continued on.
We turned south on Hwy-89 and eventually east on Interstate-90
We've been on the road a long time today, and at this point we decided just to push on to one of our favorite Campgrounds at the base of Beartooth Pass.
We made a quick stop for fuel at Big Timber, and then exited the Interstate at the town of Columbus. We then took the easy ride down Hwy-78 into Red Lodge.
We topped up the bikes with fuel once more, and I picked up some cold adult-beverages in town.
Next we rode the short distance on Hwy-212 to Limber Pine Campground. We were hoping there was a site open as it was getting late in the day, and we didn't really want to try and find another option.
Luckily there was one site left! We claimed it, and I went back to the entrance to pay.
I said HI to the Camp Hosts and made my way back to the site to set-up.
No Campfires allowed due to the burn-bans, but we had our rechargeable LED collapsible lanterns.
It was a nice relaxing night under the stars with some cold drinks.................OH! and another whole Rack of Ribs for dinner!
Thank you Girls!
We ate as much of it as we dared, and when we'd had enough I took the remains away to the dumpster so as not to attract any Bears looking for smoked-meat!
It was a long day in the saddle, and man were we tired!
It's amazing how you can start the day in Montana, ride all day long almost 500 miles, and end the day still in Montana! (just like Texas or Alaska)
We both retired to our tents and fell asleep instantly.
Here is the "Relive" Video of our Route today.
Stay Tuned!