July 4th, National Parks, Goodbyes, and More

RIDE UPDATE
The Garmin Zumo 665 GPS, our trusty guide for the ride, indicates we have traveled 5,808 miles so far. My motorcycle odometer has recorded more miles - but who's counting? However we track the distance, we've seen a lot of America in the past week-and-a-half. Here is a visual overview of where we have been so far:

Yesterday, we rode two great motorcycle roads - the Chief Joseph Highway and Beartooth Pass. White-knuckle excitement would be an apt description. We did it, and I have the t-shirt to prove it! Pictures and video to come later. Tonight, we are resting in Rapid City, South Dakota. We're in a motorcycle mecca of sorts, as the largest bike rally in America, based in Sturgis, will begin in a few short weeks. Riders come from everywhere to ride The Black Hills and The Badlands. We are enjoying these areas in our time here. We were  also able to visit Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. All were inspired by the sights and the history associated with these national treasures.

National parks are always a part of these epic adventures. This year, we visited two of the gems of the national park system as we made our way through The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. Our visit was preceded by expectation and apprehension. The apprehension centered on visiting these national parks on the July 4th weekend: I was concerned that our attempt to see such a vast area in two days would be compromised by holiday traffic. Traffic was a non-factor, and we saw everything we planned to see… Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the Fountain Paint Pots, Tower Falls, and so much more. We saw a bear, buffalo (or bison - not sure which is which), elk, mountain goats of some sort. And we were able to savor the experiences along the way.

My expectations were high. Still, I was not prepared for the splendor and majesty of God's artistry evidenced in our ride - especially in Yellowstone. Oh, my goodness! I won't even begin to put into words the grandeur of creation. Perhaps the pictures will give you an idea of the beauty of it all.

JULY 4th
The July 4th consideration (happy Independence Day, by the way!) turned from concern about traffic to appreciation for this great land we call America.

• We should be grateful. The foresight of those who envisioned a national park system, protected the natural beauty of these lands, and then made them accessible for us - these things should be appreciated.
• We should be proud. We saw people from so many peoples and tongues who were here in our country to experience our great land.
• We should treasure our heritage. In striking up conversation with a server in a restaurant in Yellowstone, I discovered she was from Bulgaria, working in the park for the summer. When I asked if she would stay in America, this server spoke of how much she wished she could remain in the United States. Our nation, with all of her challenges, is still the greatest place in the world to live. Let us give thanks!

GOODBYES

We said goodbye to one of our riders yesterday after our ride through Beartooth Pass. Trent Schelin in making a bee-line for San Antonio to share an unexpected and wildly exciting family blessing. I won't share details, as Trent, Wendy, Sally, and Larry should be allowed to share their excitement with the world on their own timetable. I'll simply say (1) God is good - all the time, and (2) Pray for Trent as he rides solo from Montana to Texas to celebrate with his family.

Tomorrow, we say goodbye to Annette and Elizabeth. They fly home to resume normal life. Because someone has to work to pay for this crazy adventure! We have enjoyed a wonderful time riding together, and they have endured the long days and miles with tremendous grace. Randall and I are blessed beyond measure. These lifelong friends are pictured at the end of The Devil's Tail in Hell's Canyon - just before we turned around and rode it again - the other direction. And they are still smiling. The ladies are the best!

THE DAY AHEAD

We get our oil changed. We visit Sturgis, ride more of The Black Hills, make our way through The Badlands, stop in at Wall Drugs, and then press east into Nebraska on our way to some place called Sheldon, Iowa. And the adventure continues.