Day 13 – The wild west of Wyoming

Day 13 – North to Wyoming…

Date: 06/14/2016 Tuesday
Starting Location: Vernal, UT
Ending Location: Star Valley Ranch, WY
Starting Odometer: 9663
Ending Odometer: 9915
Mileage Today:  251 Miles
Mileage Total:  3060 miles
Today’s MPG:  41 mpg
Total Average MPG:  43 mpg

Leaving Vernal, UT

Last night I was up late finishing up the video and the posts for the adventure in Dinosaur National Park.  Since I got to bed late, I also got up a little bit later.  The net of my “sleeping in” was a 8AM departure from the hotel in Vernal.

After an extremely mediocre breakfast (although it was free), I packed the bike, and headed out.

Today’s Route

Today’s route was 251 miles, and it crossed between 3 states.  I started in UT, then went into WY, and then very briefly into Idaho, and then back into WY.  I did not know that I was going to visit Idaho, so I’ve taken a picture as proof…

614-Idaho

It was another windy day, tossing the bike around for about 200 of those 250 miles.  In addition, I had to deal with a few showers, but once again, the showers were short, and light.

Although I haven’t really been in a deluge, it seems that I am always living in fear of having to ride in a big storm.  I’m not really sure what to make of this fear.  On the one hand, it seems reasonable, and on the other hand, it seems like it is inevitable that I’ll have to deal with a storm, and if I’m riding a motorcycle across the country, it seems impossible to avoid.

So, once again, I need to address the problem by manning up, shutting up, and simply getting on with it.

Below, you can see the route, and notice that at the very end of the trip, I enter into Idaho, and then cut back into Wyoming, as I enter Star Valley, WY.

614-Route

So, what is Wyoming really like

Before today, I had never been to Wyoming.  I had always imagined what Wyoming would look like, and I guess I would say that I figured it was either full of big cattle ranches, or wide-open expanses of mountains and buttes and rivers.

It turns out that I was mostly correct.  But rather than tell you about it, why don’t we take a look at the video?

What’s in store for tomorrow?

Tomorrow I’ve got a route planned that is a little over 210 miles in length.  I’ll be riding through Yellowstone, and I’ll be stopping at Old Faithful, and looking for wildlife.  It should be fun as I end my day in at the Canyon Lodge Cabins in Yellowstone..

Updated: June 14, 2016 at 6:19 pm

About the Author

Cliff Musante

Cliff Musante is a technologist, business leader, motorcycle enthusiast, father, grandfather, and more. In June, 2013 his passion for motorcycles was revitalized, and he set out to ride across Patagonia. Since then, he's logged thousands of miles, ridden across the US, and on July 10, 2019, he began a 120 day trip through Europe, and then on to Russia, China, and parts East. This 'Blog is the story of all of his adventures.

Comments

  1. So Yellowstone … Anything bigger than you with antlers/horns should be respected. Stay on the boardwalks because the water is really hot. Just sayin.

  2. Got it,
    I have also heard about the guy that walked off one of the boardwalks, fell into the water, and deteriorated until there was nothing left of him. One of the facts that most people don’t understand is that there is not only hot water in these ponds, the ponds are basically big, hot acid baths. Yikes, will strive to stay away.

  3. Good morning Cliff,

    My parents live in Star Valley Wyoming, beautiful peaceful place. I’ve spent many of summer vacations running around that valley.

    Daren

    1. Daren,
      for sure Star Valley is a beautiful place. I can see why you’ve got many great memories. That said, it seems to be in the middle of nowhere, which is a description that seems fitting to any town in any of the Western States.

  4. Cliff, nice talking to you today in Teton Village. Hope you have a great ride through Yellowstone and the rest of the country. Give me a shout if you go through Atlanta.

    1. Hi Chris,
      Nice meeting you as well. Sorry for the delay in getting your comment approved, but the Lodge at the Canyon in Yellowstone lost my reservation, and had really spotty WiFi, so I had no connectivity.
      I hope you are able to realize the trip you’re planning. It sounds like fun.

  5. Wyoming – wow, pretty and quiet looking, as in not much happening other than the passing of the seasons. Looks inviting given the congestion and fast-paced living here in many parts of CA. Can’t wait to hear about/see your Yellowstone adventure.

    1. Hi Frances,
      You know, all of these 50 states have something special to offer. Wyoming has a lot to offer, but most especially, it has wind, and lots of it.
      Yellowstone is a really amazing National Park. It seems that there is an almost endless list of things to do and see. I regret only spending one night there.

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