Friday, June 5, 2009

THE MAKING OF A BIKER CHICK-Yellowstone National Park

Two years ago this summer, My Harley Stud and I along with our good friends, The Saint and the Biker Nazi took a two week bike trip out west. Prior to this ride, I had never been farther than one hour in any direction on our Harley. I was a reluctant biker chick to say the least. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to handle the road all day, everyday. No one was more surprised than I was to find that I loved it. Oh sure, I begged for frequent butt breaks, tinkle breaks, snack breaks and any other break that might get me off the darn thing for more than five minutes at a time but the overall experience was one of the best in my lifetime. If you’ve never ridden a motorcycle and you’re able and have the opportunity, I highly recommend it. I guarantee you will see things on a bike that you would never notice in a car.

For more of my “Making of a Biker Chick” series, check out my sidebar.

Picture 363 We weren’t inside Yellowstone long before we pulled over for our first scenic wonder. Taking in this view and all that came after made every single ache and pain worth the trip.

Back on the bike again, we came upon several cars pulled over to the side of the road. As we approached, we saw that everyone was out of their cars and standing at the guardrail with their cameras pointing down. We followed suit and were rewarded with our first bear sighting.

Picture 346

A big brown bear! He was apparently shy and not willing to pose for a Smart Mouth Broad to get a good shot.

And then there were buffalo and more buffalo and more buffalo.

Picture 357 The traffic is two lane and comes to a complete stop any time there are wild life nearby. That’s great when you’re in a car and protected on all four sides. But on a bike……..?

The video is short. Be sure to turn the volume all the way up. You can hear him snorting, growling, mooing? Whatever…….you can hear him.

We came to a stop right beside this big guy who was happily grazing. The Saint turned to me looking a little nervous and said, “I sure hope he doesn’t know that I ate his cousin for lunch.”

Picture 518 Just to give you an idea of how close we were to these giants: The road was two lanes. You can see the white line. Lord.Have.Mercy!

It was right after this unscheduled stop that we saw flyers announcing to all visitors that you should NOT approach the buffalo. They reported that many guests were gouged the previous summer. What the……..?

Picture 491

Look out, Biker Nazi and The Saint! She’s about to blow!

Picture 492

Picture 493

I have a little confession to make. At first I was a little disappointed about this National Treasure. Oh sure, it blew and it blew big but somehow I was left feeling a little uh “meh”. Then I gave it a little more thought and realized that with all our technology and my frequent trips to Disney World, maybe I’ve become a little desensitized to natural wonders. I began to think about not just the size of the spout but the reliability of the thing. I mean this thing is on time give or take a few minutes every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year! I can hardly do that once a week.

Want to see it for yourself? Here’s the webcam. If you have a few minutes, check it out.

Picture 499Another wildlife sighting! A Coyote’s butt!

Picture 500

I was so excited to see this sign. I know, I’m a dork. *sigh*

Picture 508

This is one of my favorite photographs. Two guys in awe of nature.

Picture 512

Do you see what they saw? An American Eagle!

Picture 514 See that little cord coming from the top of my jacket? That connects my ipod to the speakers in my helmet allowing me to entertain myself and dance when the scenery gets boring. That didn’t happen too often on this trip.

Picture 524

Picture 523 Scaaarrrry! It really roars like a dragon.

Picture 526 And then I turned around and saw this little guy. Isn’t he the cutest?

Picture 528 Buffalo always have the right-of-way in Yellowstone……or anywhere I suppose.

Picture 578

The oncoming traffic had to wait while this buffalo made his slow and determined way across the bridge.Picture 534

Who are these hot mamas?Picture 545 Just beautiful!

Picture 584 As we headed north toward Montana and BearTooth Pass, Yellowstone gifted us with this gorgeous view to send us on our way. Don’t the mountains look like they are covered in velvet?

My “Making of a Biker Chick” series is coming to an end soon. I have one more adventure to share and then what will I do? I guess we’ll just have to go on another trip……*sigh*

38 comments:

Everyday Goddess said...

What a great trip! Looking forward to your next installment.

Hit 40 said...

What's with the sunglasses in all of the photos? I was trying to see if you were on a most wanted poster for some cash???

Great pics!!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful trip and super pictures.

Jealous, as usual.

cheatymoon said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome. I would love to go there. Thanks for sharing. Where do you think you might go next?

Funny Girl said...

Great pics...Looks like you had a great time. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment.

Girl Tornado said...

You made my eyes mist over... or maybe it was the steam from Old Faithful, I dunno... so many good memories of my many trips to Yellowstone. I so need to go again soon. I love that place with every piece of my heart! For many years I donated to the Yellowstone Association - got carried away one year and was even listed in one of their donation supporter lists! The ex-hubby had to remind me that we're not independently wealthy...

Your last photo almost looks like a painting. It's gorgeous. And the rivers in Yellowstone; I remember the sound. What's so neat about Yellowstone is that it's only crowded near the features. Once you get about 5 mins away from a famous spot, you can be so by yourself, which is so cool.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful vacation with us. I really enjoyed it! :)

Jan said...

But...but...but what happened AFTER 1994? I MUST KNOW!

Anonymous said...

Hey Smart Mouth the Geyser photo of the 2 of you is the best!! So cute! Loved all the comments about the wild like...

Fragrant Liar said...

Ah, Jellystone. How can you not love the place that launched Yogi and Boo Boo? Especially on a Harley? I love living vicariously through your pictorials. And I think that's the first time I've actually seen YOU. Granted with half a disguise. :)

Looking forward to the next big adventure, Biker Chick.

Sharon Rose said...

Those are beautiful! Thanks for giving me a proper tour! I have never been there before. That is an amazing place.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Don't you love when the animals just take over the road? We once came around a curve in Wyoming and a big old bull was in the middle of the road. Looked at us, chawed a little, then sauntered off to one side. What were we goin' do. He's a bull.

Congrats on 100 followers. You go, girl!

Michel said...

OH man! I totally miss Montana now. I grew up at the base of the Continental Divide and clearly didn't appreciate it!!

Great PICS! keep them coming!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

CG-We really did have a great time. Wish we could do it again this year but alas........not.

Hit40-It was sunny. What do you expect?

Lisa-My next trip will be to Indiana.

Movie-The only place that I know of for sure is Indiana. We won't ride there but we will trailer the bike, I'm sure.

FG-Thanks. It was my pleasure.

OG-Wow! You really do love it! I really hope we can go again one day. It was a great vacation.

Jan-I think the only difference after 1994 was that the water doesn't splash up onto the boardwalk any more.

Sharing-Glad you like the photo but that is our friends, not us.

Liar-I don't like to reveal the real deal. LOL

PS-You should really go. Everyone should. It's absolutely breathtaking.

MLJH-It happened a lot on this trip with all kinds of animals. I just didn't have my camera ready all the time.

Michel-You're a lucky girl to have grown up in such a beautiful place. Do any of us not take our surroundings for granted? Especially when we are young.

Vodka Mom said...

oh my GOD I LOVED IT!!

It was the coolest field trip ever. Your shots were incredible.

Dee-Zigns Handcrafted Jewelry said...

Beautiful pictures, I cannot imagine ever riding a bike, so like Fragrant Liar, I choose to live vicariously through YOU! Looks like an incredible experience, but doesn't your butt get sore?
The mountains do look velvety. I would love to see that part of the country :).

TONY LETTS said...

Amazing! I honestly don't think I could have got so close to the buffalo without wetting myself :)

rachaelgking said...

You have lived, woman. You have LIVED.

duchess said...

Great pics.

I once had a flat tire on the Continental Divide. Right there. It made me unreasonably happy.

JeanMac said...

What great pictures - I love getting close to animals. Even the coyote's rear was good! Nice to see a picture of you. For whatever reason, I imagined you had dark hair.Wayne had a bike for a few years but children were young so he used it mostly for going to work.

Pseudo said...

Ahhhhhhhhhhh. Love those views. Absolutely.

Funny Girl said...

You are on my Must Read Blog Post, on my blog for this post!

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

Those are some of the nicest shots of Yellowstone that I've ever seen SMB!! B~E~A~U~T~I~F~U~L!!
Thanks so much. I loved them all and you're just so pretty :)

Steady On
Reggie Girl

CocoDivaDog said...

SMB,
I showed your blog pics to my Boyfriend (poor thing, he says to me, "what's a blog?").
I want to go there now! Bit not on a motorcycle, not strong enough. But a big comfy car.
Thanks!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

VM-I love it when you go on field trips with us.

DZ-I guess we'll have to meet at the beach then. No riding for you.

Tony-LOL

LiLu-I'm not sure one vacation qualifies but I'll take it.

Duchess-So you're a dork too! *wink*

Jean-Truth be told, I'm naturally a brunette. But I've been blonde for so long now, I forget exactly what color it was.

Pseudo-Glad you enjoyed it!

FG-Thank you so much. I'm honored!

RG-Quite a compliment coming from you! I am truly flattered.

Auntie-BF reminds me of my brother who asked me what a B.O.L.G. was. LOL

♥ Braja said...

What a marathon journey;and I think Hit 40's comment wins hands down...

I've been to Yellowstone and can remember NOTHING at all :))

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Pure heaven for this old broad! I loved every single moment. I will hate it when they end...these trips!
I am a wee overwhelmed with this blogging thingy...can you tell? puff..puff!

Yeah...the outhouse was a bit much for me too..but at least it was new and all white and didn't smell..but SO far from the cabin?
I don't think they realized that when they put in the new one and it didn't smell that..there was NO NEED TO HAVE IT clear the heck out IN TIMBUCKTOO!! Good lord!!

K Dubs said...

I am just in awe every time you post another installment. I'm going to have to go back and read them all again when you're done. The pictures are just amazing, and your descriptions are perfect. Thank you!!

Deb said...

Beautiful pictures. Yellowstone is on my list of must see's. I bet it was beautiful up close and personal from the back of the bike. Great pictures!

midlife slices said...

I want to visit there someday and your pictures are awesome! I think you're next trip should be to Texas or Oklahoma. I'll take you on Route 66 and I might even let you spend a night or two.....or 10. :)

Anonymous said...

AMAZING!!!!!!!

That Janie Girl said...

Beautiful shots, what an awesome trip!

I'm proud of you...and you look WAYYYY cute in HD gear!

Debbie said...

Beautiful trip with awesome photos! The buffalo there are like the moose here in Maine. They have the right of way too. Hey...your tagged to play the 6+6+6 game....get busy girl!

Jovita @ Inky Impressions said...

Gorgeous photos, I need to take a trip to Yellowstone. Maybe next year!

3 Bay B Chicks said...

I am definitely going to have to go back and check out this series in its entirety. What a wonderful post! Yellowstone is somewhere that I have always wanted to visit, but just haven't made it out there yet.

To experience much of this natural beauty as you did, at a slow pace with good friends, seems like great fun...even if it is on the back of a bike. :)

-Francesca

Joe Todd said...

I guess I'm behind in my reading Just found this post. What a great trip. Love all the pictures.. I showed Linda the bear and buffalo.

Optimistic Pessimist said...

I am beyong jealous...those are amazing pictures. And i can't believe the buffalo just walk right on the freaking road like that...crazy!

As I mentioned before...and probably on just about everyone else's blog..Ohio is as far west as I've ever made it...:-(

Anonymous said...

too bad you didnt stop off by us'ns... we have a B&B here in SW Montana... Maybe next time? Awesome photogs

happy trails
gp

Liz Mays said...

This was posted before I came back and I saw it on the sidebar just now and had to look. The way that you blog about your trips is so incredibly entertaining.

I had heard that it's quite rare to see bears out west nowadays. When I was there as a child, they were everywhere. It's a shame that they've been driven back as much as they have.

I love the buffalo roaming everywhere!

I am intrigued with the idea that you can see more on a bike than in a car. I'm trying to figure out why that would be, just more awareness of your surroundings?