Helena, MT to Gillette, WY

8/4/2004

More mid-course corrections today as I navigate my way home. I left Helena and headed for Billings. The morning road was a pretty decent two-lane affair (US 12) and actually had some nice scenery and twisties for awhile. I could easily go 75 and made good time. One of the great things about the Big Sky country is that everything (like Texas) is writ large. Thus you can fly along at 80-85 and see most everything. Of course, at those speeds I get Clif-like mileage of 35-40 MPG.

I talked to a few other bikers at rest stops. One guy was from Wisconsin and was driving a 1979 Gold Wing 1000. He had all the Vetter dress equipment that was the norm before Honda started integrating luggage and fairings. I didn't ask how many miles, but the bike looked great. At the same stop, a guy and his wife from Albany, NY were riding Harleys together. He advised me of some construction (he had dropped his bike because the roadbed was clay) but luckily I hadn't planned on going that way.

It had been about 4,000 miles since I last had my oil changed in Seattle. After the dust of the Alaska Highway I figured that it was about time for some new oil. I located Montana Honda and Marine in Billings from the Honda website and arrived there about noon. I didn't have an appointment and the first mechanic said that it might take a couple of hours. As I was getting ready to leave, another guy came in (whom I guess was supposed to be at lunch) and said that he would do it.

While he changed the oil and checked the bike over, I walked down the street to an Asian restaurant and had lunch. When I got back, he was almost finished. The whole deal took a bit longer than an hour. He didn't see anything else that needed to be done so I paid and took off.

While eating lunch I had been trying to figure out where to stop for the night. The original plan had been to stay in Billings but I was clearly ahead of schedule. I had wanted to take Rt. 212 from Billings to Spearfish, SD as it looked a bit shorter and probably more interesting than I-90. It would have also put me at the doorstep of the Black Hills.

However, I'd already covered 220 miles to Billings and it would be about 300 more to Spearfish. With the upcoming Sturgis motorcycle rally, the prices around the Black Hills are also sky-high. I opted to go on I-90 and made reservations at the Comfort Inn in Gillette, WY. As I started down I-90 from Billings, I saw a sign for the Litte Bighorn National Battlefield upcoming in 55 miles. It seemed like a good place to take a break and was only about 1/2 mile off the Interstate.

You can tell it's almost time for the huge annual motorcycle confab headquartered in Sturgis. I think they expect about 500,000 people based on last year's attendance. Although it officially starts next week, the hills are alive with the sounds of Harleys. Hard to see almost any other make of bike. Many of them are heading away from Sturgis so I can only assume that they are taking in Yellowstone and other sights ahead of time. Even Gillette has a "Welcome Bikers" sign out and they are 100 miles away. I'll try and ride through Sturgis tomorrow but my real aim is to see Mt. Rushmore and a bit of the Black Hills.

The Comfort Inn upgraded me to a suite. I'm finding that making a Web or AAA reservation in advance really does save $$. A guy came in without one while I was checking in. His walk-up price even with an AAA discount was $19 more than mine. Naturally, I just smiled. As with the Fairfield Inn last night, I have a high speed connection. So maybe I can get caught up on my e-mail. The sun set at about 8:30pm. Guess I'm really back in the Lower 48 now.


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Helena, MT to Gillette, WY - 460 Miles

Helena, MT to Gillette, WY - 460 Miles

Indian Memorial at Little Bighorn Battlefield

Portion of the Battlefield
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Marker for Mass Grave of Enlisted Men

Custer Is Buried at West Point

Spot Where Custer Fell
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Soldier's Graves Are Marked Where They Fell


Hill Where Custer Fell