Monthly Archives: September 2012

Pig Races for our Wedding Anniversary

Barb on the Beartooth Highway in Montana.

Plans were made and the bike was packed as I headed out on Aug 7th to Red Lodge MT by way of Colorado Springs. Admittedly Colorado Springs is not quite on the way to Red Lodge but I had a riding friend and lodging invite waiting for me in Colorado Springs.

 

My friend, Jack and I enjoyed a couple days of loop rides based from his home before we headed to Cody, Yellowstone and Red Lodge. Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy and the Beartooth Scenic Hwy were just a couple of our highlights. Plus, riding a motorcycle into Yellowstone is always an exciting adventure.

Beartooth Highway

Jack and I parted ways on the 14th and Barb arrived into Billing MT on the 15th. Advance plans had been made to stay at a couple of B&B’s in Red Lodge MT. We ended up staying 6 days at the Rocky Fork Inn B&B which exceeded our expectations. What’s not to like about a place with a back patio, out your room, over looking a stream.

Rocky Fork Inn B&B

Barb and I were able to ride the bike up Beartooth Scenic Hwy to the “top of the world” store. We also explored a few of the local roads and small “towns”.

OK, now about the “Pig Races”. Unfortunately the Mine Disaster of 1942 just about wiped the mining town of Bearcreek off the map. About 27 years ago a couple started with a mexican restaurant that today is called the Bearcreek Saloon. They have managed to stay in business being innovative. They had one of the first Velcro Walls and now have Pig Races out back behind their Saloon. It’s a blast to watch, watch the video and listen for Barb’s name to be called for pig number 4. They do a 50/50 with half of the wagered funds going to assist local young men and women with educational cost.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1H7x45g48I
After hearing about the Pig Race I couldn’t think of a more memorable place to take Barb for our 28th wedding anniversary dinner. We road the bike to Bearcreek MT, had a nice “local steak” dinner and then Barb got into the pig races and the betting. YES, she WON!

We had a great trip,

Dennis & Barb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audra and Danny in Grand Forks

Audra and Danny were a nice couple that Jim and Dom meet on their way to supper in Grand Forks, N.D. They were “tailgating” in their truck in the parking lot of our hotel. Audra said she did not have a picture of the two of them so I made one.

Dom at the Green Mill in Eau Claire, Wisc.

Dom ponders what to order at the Green Mill in Eau Claire. Dom wears his safety vest when riding–the kind with the reflective strips. At a rest stop in Wisconsin, another man got out of the car with his dog and ordered Dom to fetch water for the dog. Dom said incredulously,  “You want me to do that?” Words don’t do justice to the tone of Dom’s voice.

The man thought Dom worked at the rest stop. I will add that Dom was not next to his bike.