Dusty's Finale...
Dusty Roads always does things with a flair, but he's so nice and considerate about it, too. Since our last day together would have us in Greybull that evening for the climax to our 'Bodacious Burger Binge', he apparently could not pass one more opportunity to ride an unpaved road. Mitch did present 'Rookie Ross' and this humble has-been with his 'plan', though, and he offered an alternative available to miss what for him would be high adventure. We discussed options over brunch...
Not a typical brunch, either... Not that there actually is such a thing. I enjoyed a corndog, for example. Anyway, I was all ears about the 'alternative' and the proposed meet-up location later in the day. Ross, on the other hand, seemed quite interested in Dusty's dusty route proposal... I'd long ago given up trying to keep up with a guy who believes a Valk is a perfectly good off-road bike. Ross, although having been exposed to some of that already on this outing, still had a few things left to learn...
We topped off our tanks, then waved as we headed in opposite directions... I couldn't help but wonder if things would follow the script or if possibly dire happenings might be just down the road... We'll see later that afternoon; I sighed as I let the kids go play, while I followed the easier, more sensible path...
I arrived at the proposed meet-up location in Dayton, WY, having no idea if I'd be really early or perhaps only modestly early. It was a sure bet I'd be there before my pals, though, as the distance was similar, but the roads I'd taken were all paved, therefore, more quickly traveled. The gas station/convenience store had a comfy bench right out front in the shade, so that became my spot for the vigil.
Just about the time it occurred to me that I was squandering a great nap opportunity, I spotted two Valks cruising towards us, and both appeared in-tact and relatively unscathed! "That's a relief," I silently mused... Judging from the breadth of the smiles on their faces, there could be little doubt they had had a grand adventure! There was other evidence, too...
Both bikes were covered in dust, and the riders themselves were both also heavily adorned with earth particles. Ross, having followed Dusty and therefore ingested far more dust, was particularly covered... Unfortunately, the pic doesn't do justice to the actual condition...
Ross following his initiation into the real 'Dusty Roads Experience'...
The two 'off-road' Valks...
According to their accounts, they'd ridden about twenty miles through gravel, dirt, sand, and combinations of those, but due to the tenuous nature of the surfaces, they'd been unable to risk stopping for any photos... Mitch uttered those most welcome but only rarely ever used words, "Good call, Bruce!"
Ross had a look on his face of awe, disbelief, and giant relief! He'd managed to survive, but... he wasn't sure how much of that had been due to skill or just plain blind luck! I strongly suspect he'll follow this easy rider next time rather than the bolder adventure rider!!!
The ride over the Big Horn Mountains on HWY 14 must have seemed rather tame to those two after their most recent route. Still, it is a nice ride with many scenic pullouts for sight-seeing, and we did take advantage of several. Soon enough we rode into Greybull, WY, and to the Greybull Motel... The Flower Power spot visited numerous times by yours truly and many of his pals...
Gliding along...
A modest amount of 'dietary foreplay' followed as we checked in and unpacked, then it was time at last... Time for the reason we'd ridden all that way... Once again, I failed to take a picture of the front of that place, but I did manage to have us 'captured' in the act of fulfilling our mission... A hamburger at the Smokehouse Bar...
Long Riders enjoying the 'fruits' of their journey...
Claimed to be the best burger in Wyoming by some... No way I could confirm that unequivocally, but I do maintain it is indeed a darned good burger, and it's certainly worth the effort to go all that way for! It helps that beer is also served there... No Bud Lights for any of our group, however...
Sadness prevailed the following morning, as the boldest member of our group bid his farewell and departed back towards his 'other life'... I always hate to see him leave. Truly exceptional riding partners are by definition rather rare, and this guy is one of the absolute best I've ever come across... Oh well, Ross and I would continue the trek and see what other adventures were still to be found... No more unpaved roads, though...
DDT (12)
