Sunday started out with us repacking everything on the bikes and seeing our wives off to the airport.  We headed north on I-25, not quite realizing how far much of "nothing" there was that way.  We managed to make it to the last exit before I-80 before we stopped for gas.  We were all running on fumes and really nervous about running out.  A lesson for later rides.

We then jumped on I-80 West and pretty much just hammered for a couple hours (150 miles).  We did stop at exit 323 to check out the Lincoln Memorial and take a couple of pics, but then we just continued on to Rawlins, WY.  Jim was leading as we approached Rawlins.  He apparently wasn't paying any attention to the GPS, his map, or the big brown sign that pretty much said "Yellowstone - Exit here", as he sailed right on past it.  I jumped past him, pulled off at the next exit and had a few choice words with him. Jim was officially done leading that day. ;)

We gassed up in Rawlins, after another little roadside discussion, where Richard (Jim's BMW rider friend) convinced us of the need to get gas instead of relying on the three little dots on the map to have gas stations.  This was a good call... I apparently hadn't learned the previous gas lesson... We wouldn't have even made it close to the next station if we hadn't gassed up in Rawlins.

From Rawlins, we headed North towards Yellowstone on rt. 287.  This is a long, mostly straight road across miles and miles of nothing.  It's some huge basin or plateau or smthng.  It's a good road to be on... for about 5 minutes.  Then it's all just more and more of the same nothingness.  I vaguely remember a couple of curves and maybe a hill or two within about 100 miles of each other.

We took 287 up to 26 and headed towards the Tetons from there.  26 was a lot nicer than 287, but it's still a long way to go.  Wyoming is big.  We stopped somewhere near Brooks Lake at the Lava Mountain Lodge for a quick rest before hitting what looked like some interesting roads.  Ginger ale, windshield cleaning, a guy playing a guitar and some pictures later, we were back on the road approaching the Tetons.  From there, 26 does get interesting.   Twisties, canyons, beautiful views, etc.  Amazing stuff!  Unfortunately, we were looking directly into the sun by this time. 

We made it to the Grand Teton National Park just as the sun was setting.  We made one photo stop, but the light was going and the mosquitos were horrible!  Then, it was on to Yellowstone!

We made it through the GTNP and into Yellowstone right around 9:15 pm or so.  Way dark.  We continued into Yellowstone on 191... a road that runs along a river and then a canyon.  No guard rails or anything, just a big drop into a canyon if you miss a curve... at night.  Tons of bugs... my faceshield and windscreen were nasty!  We stopped at Grant's Village to clean up and get gas, as I didn't know if there was any where we were staying.

We continued on a bit more and passed a buffalo wandering down the road.  I slammed on the breaks to make sure we could get past without it making any sudden surprises for us.  It was about 12 feet away from us.  Richard and Jim didn't even see it.  I guess that's why I was leading. ;)

We finally arrived in Lake Village at the cabins and lodge at about 10:30 pm.  We checked in, parked the bikes and we were pretty much done for the day.  All's well and we're where we wanted to be. :)