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The trip of a lifetime!
I had a request from one of our members (old has been) to plan a route where he could come to Gods country from Texas.
I planned this route for him, but i may as well share it with all of you?
Get on Google maps and check it out, you may want to do it yourself?
Suggested route:
All the country I am suggesting to you is EYE CANDY!
Be aware that most State and national parks have an entrance fee. I have a handicap license plate on my tike which makes admission free.
1"st item to pack is a camera and your fly rod ok?
I suggest you make a documentary because it could occupy your time after you get back for many moons posting your trip on trike talk.
I am going to play loose with the first part of your route by just going straight from Huntington, Texas to Custer South Dakota ok? (You decide how to get there)
I begin the Route in Custer, South Dakota. (Named after General Custer and his expedition found gold here, Good place for lodging, if you have time, look into a place called the black hills playhouse at Center Lake and take in a play, I have never seen a bad one there) You are in the black hills! Custer is a small city, touristy but not much,( prices reasonable). I then list the Custer state game lodge (beautiful place) in order to put you on the Route I wish you to travel, please follow this route as it will make a difference in how you see the black hills. (The state park is a fee area but it’s reasonable, there is no charge to just pass through, but that’s not what you wish to do.
Going past the State game lodge you then turn on South Dakota, Hwy. us 16 alternate, (nicknamed the pigtail hiway or Iron mountain road)
Bring along some carrots or celery to feed the wild donkeys and by this time you should see buffalo, (yes, they are wild, stay out of their face)
This a gorgeous area, The hiway will wind through the mountains and at some point if you keep your eyes open you will begin to see Mt. Rushmore from about 16 miles out.
As you travel this road you will come to a couple of tunnels blasted through the mountain and the forest has been cut back so as you go through it makes a perfect frame for shots of Mt. Rushmore in the distance. (Speed limit signs MUST be STRICTLY observed because the corners are very tight and narrow and you just may encounter a tour bus at the wrong time ok?) (This rule is in effect for the ENTIRE Black hills for your safety, as there ARE corners with a DECREASING RADIOUS!) There are picture opportunities and scenic vistas along the route if you’re smart enough to take time to avail yourself of them.
Continue down the road and it will take you into a series of pig tails across scenic log bridges.
Keystone, South Dakota is a touristy little place but its fun, and you could take an 1880 train from there over to Hill city, SD. And back.
After leaving Hill City head for Mount Rushmore.
After leaving Mount Rushmore continue in the same direction you came in on until you hit a junction at (Hwy 16), make an almost immediate left, This road takes you to Sylvan lake (past the Sylvan lake Hotel under Harney peak the highest point E. of the Rockies), And you are on the world famous needles highway and I promise cathedral rock formations, and high mountain vistas that are breath taking, Tunnels through the mountains etc.
Follow this road back to Custer, South Dakota. (Plan to take an entire day, preferably two to do this route justice, there is just too much to enjoy and it is a sin to hurry in Gods country!)
I would then like to take you through Hill city, SD., to Deadwood, SD. (legal gambling, reasonable lodging and an area with so much history I can’t begin to explain it), so you will have to investigate it on the computer yourself.
Then I would like to take you to spearfish, SD. And follow the route through (Spearfish Canyon, where they filmed the last part of the movie Dances with Wolves) there are high narrow canyons, water falls, latch string inn and rough lock falls and bring take you to highway 85 at a place called Cheyenne crossing.
Take right and head toward Four Corners (there is a small country store and restaurant there that also has some lodging if you wish and it should be reasonable), (you are also in my old stomping grounds) At four corners take another right and head toward Sundance, Wyoming. Your destination is Devils tower, Nat. Monument. (Mashed Potato Mountain to movie buffs watching close encounters of the third kind)
From here I want you to play loose on the route as you please, but your destination is Saint Mary’s Lake, Montana, and then Lake McDonald, Montana, You are in Glacier Nat. Park, Montana) I am listing it this way to make sure that you head over the (highway going to the sun), My god this is the most breathtaking road I have ever been on without going into the Canadian Rockies) THIS ( ARGUABLY) IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE ENTIRE TRIP AND ABSOLUTYLY CANNOT BE MISSED PERIOD) .( If you plan to commit the sin of rushing yourself in God’s country, or by-passing this highway, STAY HOME ok?, You don’t deserve to have a motorcycle!)
Hah-Hah, - (If there is an old testament God up there with a big old fly swatter just waiting for us to land, he would be well served to smite you forthwith and without further adieux!)
This truly is the country that god made for the serene peace of mans soul. (there are allot of people visiting so be forewarned as to traffic etc.)
This is the high lonesome! (You would be well rewarded to travel it one way and turn back around and view from the other direction and keep your eye out for wildlife including big horn sheep seeming to hang on a cliff side that looks impossible to be on) I will warn you that lodging close to Glacier park will likely be steep. Gas prices aren’t a joke, but pay it! (You will be well served to pack a small cooler and buy sandwich makings etc. Long before you get there, as food prices will shock the unshakable.)
From there I am going to head you to Kalispell Montana, and then to Missoula, Montana.
(At this point I need to let you realize that you could change your routes as you please and head toward Challis, Idaho and run along the Salmon River.
The country side follows the route of Lewis and Clark but it’s not all that wild after you come out of the Montana, Idaho border.)
Instead I would like you to head toward Lewiston, Idaho, This road follows highway 12 and the LOLO pass, (all gorgeous) and this is one of only a couple roads that cross a vast wilderness. ( this part of the route that Chief Joseph of the Nez-pierce led the united states Cavalry on a merry chase through Idaho and Montana trying to escape into Canada)
This will take you through Coeur d lean, Idaho, and I promise you will be impressed.
Also Lewiston, Idaho actually has big ships in it as it is an inland port. (Weird) (It is a sin to speed in Gods country!)
Then head to Stanley, Idaho in the high lonesome (beautiful country (you are in the Saw tooth mountains) and when you leave I am sending you to Redfish lake for a good around (don’t miss it).
The area has so many sights, and so much history I can’t list them all and it IS gorgeous, the road you will be traveling is high country and there are scenic passes and vistas galore. (Google the surrounding area, ok?) When you leave there you will still be in the high lonesome!
Your next destination is The Craters of the moon Nat. monument which is a visit back through eons, to a time of volcanic eruptions and its aftermath, and it really is cool and different!
Continue down the road and you will come to the small town of Arco, Idaho, stop at the lost river drive in and say hello (it’s owned by relatives of mine) (you are amongst my old stomping grounds.) Arco is the first U.S. city to be powered by atomic energy. (Be sure to take your hang glider and run up to king mountain (The family farm is under it!)
The next destination is Idaho, falls, Idaho, Traveling there will send you past the atomic energy commission and the site where the big lost river drops into a large hole and disappears, and this is volcanic dessert country for 100 miles or so and takes you past the twin buttes (ancient volcanoes).
From Idaho Falls I send you to Jackson Hole the premier destination of tourists, Traveling along the Snake River and it is a sight to see, Expensive lodging etc. and send you past the Grand Teton Mountains, there are tons to see here, I will let you plan it!
The next destination is Yellowstone Nat. Park. (Again I will let you plan it!)
After you are finished communing with all that the nations first Nat. Park has to offer. I will direct you to Cody, Wyoming, (Nice place, lodging affordable) and then I am going to send you over the chief Joseph highway ( you are still close to Yellowstone Nat. Park)To find the route that takes you over the bear tooth pass (sites similar to Glacier park) and then back to Cody,Wy. (Don’t be in a hurry you will want to rest up a little and tour the Buffalo bill museum, in Cody which could take you an entire day and then some!) (All of this god’s country.)
Your next destination will be Ranchester, Wyoming. This will run you through Shell Canyon. (Be sure to take your fly rod and your hang glider.
From there I want to send you back into Montana a short distance to visit the Custer-Big Horn Battle field in the little big horn Mountain range, and then back track you to Sheridan, Wyoming.
From there continue to Buffalo, Wyoming. Where you will enter the gateway to the big horn mountains and up over The Sleep Canyon, (prepare to be impressed) to the town of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, and then progress to Thermopolis, Wy. (Site of the world’s largest hot Springs and you may wish to rest your weary bones in either the state bath house or Evans plunge?)
From there I am sending you to Flaming Gorge Nat. recreation area at Flaming gorge, Utah.
From there I will direct you to Estes Park Colorado and there is a mountain pass you should run! (Gorgeous)
Thus ends the route and I will let you decide how to get back to Texas. You will have made a big circle and have seen a good deal of what the west has to offer in these states.
My fingers are tired of typing; look up the surrounding areas on Google maps because it would be impossible for me to direct you to every thing these places encompass.
Originally Posted by Rod69
I hope so Rod69, in truth when i re-read it, it sounds pretty bland but i would have to use up half the forum to explain what someone would see.
The fact is, most every mile of this route is pure eye Candy!
