Picto Diary - 05 to 08 June 2024 - John Galt Riders Cody Loop
Above: John Wesley Powell River History Museum. Green River Utah. 05 June 2024.
John Galt Riders
Out and about on the 'Wing.
Green River burgeons following heavy snow year.
Galt and Earp had ridden from Walla Walla, WA to join me in Park City on 04 June 2024. Our original plan was to do a five-day ride to Big Bend National Park and back to Park City, but we changed our minds on the fly. It was going to be really hot south of Park City. So, we decided to ride to Grand Junction, CO and leave the ride to serendipitous decision-making thereafter. We would spend the next three nights together in Grand Junction, CO, Thermopolis, WY and Cody, WY. Earp had never been to the Buffalo Historical Center in Cody and Galt and I were happy to return to this Smithsonian quality museum In Cody, on 08 June, in Cody, we parted ways. Earp and Galt rode north across the Bear Tooth Pass and then west to Missoula where they would spend the night and ride home, to Walla Walla, WA the next day via Lolo Pass. I would ride from Cody home to Park City on the eighth. And, that's the way it was.
Above: Blade and Bone Restaurant. Grand Junction, CO. 05 June 2024
John Galt Riders
Out and about on the 'Wing.
Sitting at the bar nearby, Dusty hears the John Galt Riders talk of tomorrow's destination, Thermopolis, WY. Dusty comes over and says, "hey, I grew up in Thermopolis, WY!" Dusty now lives in Arizona where he is in the trucking business. Another of those spooky, "small world," encounters.
We took an uber to Blade and Bone from our Best Western Motel in Clifton, six miles distant. Blade and Bone scored number one on Yelp and we had no reason not to give it a try. John Galt claims his fairly good-sized pork chop was the best he had eaten. I had a bite. Uncommonly tender! Earp and Mwah (sic) had ribeyes that passed the test. Recommend Blade and Bone if you are going thru Grand Junction. The waitress, a thirty-five something looker with a diamond stud in her nose and a tattoo on her right arm was super competent and won the banter game with the wanna be cool John Galt Riders.
Above: Blade and Bone Restaurant. Grand Junction, CO. 05 June 2024.
Bishop, John Galt, Earp.
Above: Sweetwater Station, Wyoming. 06 June 2024
John Galt Riders
Out and about on the 'Wing.
John Galt riders taking a break on a 450-mile long run to Thermopolis, WY from Grand Junction, CO. I covered some new roads on this trip. I had never ridden the segment from Meeker to Craig. I rode from Rawlins to Sweetwater Junction (US 287), and from Sweetwater Junction to Riverton on WY SR 135. Galt rides a 2019 Goldwing; Bishop, a 2021 Goldwing. And, Earp, a 2015 BMW R1200 GS.
Above: Thermopolis, Wyoming. 06 June 2024.
John Galt Riders
Out and about on the "Wing.
Like the Green River the day before, here the Big Horn also shows a robust flow. This water will eventually reach, The Yellowstone, The Missouri, the Mississippi, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Above: The One-Eyed Buffalo. Thermopolis, WY. 06 June 2024.
John Galt Riders
Out and About on the 'Wing.
Earp, Galt and the Bishop enjoy a storied western brew pub.
Above: Ste. Mere Eglise, Normandy France. 07 June 2024.
Caleb Chapman Soundhouse Voodoo Band poses in anticipation of its performance at 80th Anniversary D-Day commemoration. Our grandson Drums is just to the right of the ersatz Utah flag. What a great opportunity for Drums and his fellow band members. Drums will start college at the University of North Texas (UNT) music school in August.... following in the footsteps of Don Henley, Roy Orbison and many other famous UNT musician graduates. UNT alumni won big at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in February -- eight awards in eight categories. Winners of music's most prestigious award include composer Michael Daugherty ('76), country singer Maren Morris, opera singer Patricia Racette ('88) and jazz band Snarky Puppy.
Above: Utah Beach. Normandy, France. 07 June 2024.
80th Anniversary Commemoration of WWII Normandy Invasion, Operation Overlord, by allied troops on Utah, Omaha, Sword, Gold and Juno beach heads. Drums (right) and friends, with band uniforms to emulate WWII soldiers, chat on storied, sacred ground. These boys can enjoy freedom because of the sacrifices made on this beach. I know they appreciate that. Mwah (sic) visited the Normandy Beaches in 1967, when he was not much older than Drums.
Above: Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY. 07 June 2024.
John Galt Riders
Out and About on the 'Wing.
Sheepherder wagon, circa 1910. Precursor to the Sprinter.
Above: Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, WY. 07 June 2024.
As he ruminates about the construction of his Irma Hotel in Cody, WY, Buffalo Bill's language seems a little harsh in today's politically correct world. But then, Buffalo Bill, were he living today, might be tempted to pass stern judgement on us as we allow homeless encampments outside of luxury digs in our major cities.
Above: John Galt Riders Belt Buckle.
Only four have possessed this storied and treasured sterling silver buckle. Ted (deceased) John Galt Riders founder. John Galt, the society's current leader and the Bishop and Earp. Proficient motorcycle riders, Earp and Galt are also qualified airplane pilots. Earp was a helicopter pilot in Alaska for fifteen years. Bishop likes hanging out with guys who know how to do stuff, but, wonders, considering his limited mechanical aptitudes, why these guys let him hang around with them.
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Above: The Premier Ivy Inn and Suites, Cody, WY. 08 June 2024.
John Galt Riders
Out and about in the 'Wing.
Galt (rear) and Earp head for the 'Tooth and Missoula. Bishop goes southbound later this AM. Destination Park City, UT. 420 miles.
Above: Red Canyon, Fremont County, Wyoming. 08 June 2024.
John Galt Riders.
Out and about on the 'Wing.
South shoulder of Wind River Range not far from South Pass. In prior years I've ridden the red stripe road below at the bottom of the canyon, albeit on a more compatible bike than the big bruiser 'Wing.
Above: Maverick convenience store. Kemmerer, WY. 08 June 2024.
John Galt Riders
Out and about on the 'Wing.
Hot Dog and Vitamin Water.
310 miles ridden since Cody.
115 miles remaining to Park City.
Above: Iron Canyon, Park City, UT. 08 June 2024
John Galt Riders.
Out and about on the 'Wing.
Rendu. 420 miles today. 1250 total trip miles.
Trip summary: 05 June: Park City, Helper, Green River, Grand Junction. 06 June: Rifle, Meeker, Craig, Baggs, Rawlins, Riverton, Thermopolis.07 June: Cody. 08 June: Thermopolis, Riverton, Lander, Farson, Kemmerer, Evanston, Park City.
Addendum:
What a terrific idea for mounting a TV when you have a wall of glass and don't want it sitting on a bulky piece of cabinet furniture! ! Wish I had thought of that in a similar situation many years ago.
Nathans,
Orlando, FL
Easy to forget the beauty that surrounds us amongst the din of “civilization”. I teach my kids to have the connection with nature as a secure lifeline to reality. Thanks for sharing.
Tony,
Park City, UT