It's November and I am on the road for an adventure trip out west. Wyoming, Idaho and Montana to be specific. The vast open land of the United States was the destination to explore.
Snow had made a little presence in the area before I arrived and some was on the forecast horizon. However, not enough to say it's time to ski and not enough to fuss about. With that in mind I assumed business would be as usual in the areas. Little did I know.
Yellstone National Park for instance closed all but its north gate from November through December 15th for vehicle traffic. On 12/15 the only vehicles allowed are snow-equipped vehicles that mostly do tours of the park. Oddly enough you need nature to provide the snow too. I am sure there are many reasons for the closure of the gates to the south and the west, etc. Safety. Limited resources for plowing and sanding miles of roadways. The list could go on.
The downside of this is mountain towns are ghost towns. Shops, eateries, service businesses, etc. are closed for the season. As in until spring of 2024. I had a million questions about how businesses survived, where the proprietors go during these shutdowns. Just overall crazy to me.
But I did meet some cool workers at the few places who stay open year round. The fishing store guy. He was a wealth of information. He stays open to take calls and reservations for the busy season. Smart! The coffee barista who is also the ski rental girl and the bike rental girl and the retail store attendant. A jack of all trades. A free spirit who willingly shared her adventurous spirit and knowledge of the area.
This led me to a remarkable quest. Bike riding into the west entrance of Yellowstone National park in chilly 30 degree temperatures. An amazing experience that I will cherish in my memory bank. Picturesque scenery. Desolated roads made it seem like the park was just mine for a day. The quiet of the day allowing me to hear all of the sounds of nature. The anticipation of seeing a bison cross my path. All of it.
Snow under my tires. Ice at times. Thicker in spots but then sunny and dry pavement in other areas. The fresh air was clean and crisp. A little cold at times but then warmth hit in the break of the trees when the sun shined through. Mile after mile of peace and tranquility. I pedaled and enjoyed the ambiance in the air.
About 8 miles from the bike shop to the 7 mile bridge. About 1.5 hours with pit stops for absolutely stunning photos. Rolling alongside a river for a few of those miles was another level of awesome. Hearing the current hit rocks or logs showed the power of the flow. Seeing the fresh and clear mountain water was a reminder of how precious our land is. Observing nature. Being present in the environment. It was a great way to exercise.
From paw prints in the snow to animal droppings on the road. Suspense was lurking around each bend. A wolf? A bear? A deer? A bison? An elk? The options of wildlife were abundant. An experience worth my time. Unplanned yet unprecedented. While many may shy away from a non-peak travel time, I actually enjoyed the emptiness. It felt like my own private playground for miles and miles.
This particular trek had me starting in Montana while working my way into Wyoming. Two more states added to my biking list. I enjoyed it so much I'm planning my next ride to Idaho in a few days on a rail trail should the weather permit my excursion.
So many views of the mountains. Just above the tall pines. Between breaks in trees the white caps of the mountains shined bright. Pictures don't even come close to magnifying the beauty of the lived experience. However sharing these photos may spark an interest for you to travel or learn about Yellowstone: the national park not the television series.
Enjoy.
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