Yellowstone NP - July 16-26, 2011

My dad (Jack), my two brothers (Gary & Mike) and I wanted to take a trip together. Our plan was all four of us would ride motorcycles but unfortunately preceding our departure date in July 2011 my dad and brother Gary had accidents riding their motorcycles.

This didn't stop us from the trip as Mike and I rode our motorcycles with Gary and dad following along in Gary's Honda CRV. Having a car follow along was nice as we had plenty of room for all our camping gear. The trip from Oregon to Yellowstone National Park and back allowed us to visit family and friends along the way.

Each night at the campsite we'd site around the picnic table playing cribbage to relax.

This was our route to Yellowstone National Park:

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Day 1 - July 16 - Stayton, Oregon to John Day, Oregon
With dad ready to leave Stayton, Oregon on July 16th AND IT'S RAINING!!!

With Gary ready to leave.

Met up with Mike (who lives in Everett, Washington) at the Tastee Treat in Prineville, Oregon

East of Prineville a Suzuki 650 VStrom joined us. Turns out he was from Stayton, Oregon also.

Set up our tents in uncle Pete and aunt Donna's yard. Donna (my mom's sister) made us a wonderful fried chicken dinner with homemade dinner rolls, just like mom would have made. Pete & Donna live just outside John Day, Oregon

Day 2 - July 17 - John Day to Snake River (Idaho Side)

Sumpter Railroad Station

Visiting with Dean and Sharon at their ranch in Sumpter, Oregon

With Sharon & Dean. Dean was one of my college roommates.

Old store front at Granite, Oregon

Anthony Lakes Ski Area northwest of Baker City, Oregon

The road to Anthony Lakes opened a few days before but it was still down to one lane here.

Camping at the Snake River on the Idaho side

Playing a game of cribbage at the campsite

Day 3 - July 18 - Snake River to Challis, Idaho
We had breakfast at this cafe in Cambridge, Idaho

This is the view outside Stanley, Idaho

We followed the river between Stanley and Challis, Idaho

Enjoying the pool at Challis Hot Springs

Our campsite at Challis Hot Springs

Day 4 - July 19 - Challis to West Yellowstone
Our campsite was just outside of West Yellowstone at a KOA as everything in West Yellowstone was booked for the week. Make sure you have reservations if you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park in July.

Day 5 & 6 - July 20 & 21 - Yellowstone National Park
Visited the park over two days

Jack (dad), Kevin (me) & Gary



This was easy getting down but a different story climbing back up the steps

At the bottom of Uncle Tom's Trail - The river was running very high which made all the falls in the park beautiful

Gary & Kevin

This was our route back to Oregon from Yellowstone:

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Day 7 - July 22 - West Yellowstone to Lolo Hot Springs, Montana
Breakfast in Ennis, Montana

Interesting history here as this is where Chief Joseph was trying to escape from the US Army

Campsite at Lolo Hot Springs in Montana

Day 8 - July 23 - Lolo Hot Springs to Joseph, Oregon
After a swim in the pool the night before we left our shorts out to dry. Surprised when we woke up to temps in the upper 20's and our shorts were frozen solid. It was the third week in July and still freezing at night!

Breakfast at Lowell, Idaho after a cold morning ride

Grande Ronde River between Lewiston, Idaho and Enterprise, Oregon

Uncle Earl & Aunt Joanne had a BMW touring bike back in the 80's and would regularly ride 500 miles in one day

Gary with Earl and Joanne's puppies

Day 9 - July 24 - Joseph to Alicel, Oregon
Wallowa Lake outside Joseph, Oregon

We rode the Hells Canyon Loop from Joseph, Oregon to Halfway, Oregon

Didn't have time to get a steak at the Haines Steakhouse but if you are in Haines near dinner time it's a must

Both my parents graduated from Union High School back in the 50's

I have family in Cove, Oregon

Day 10 - July 25 - Alicel to Fossil, Oregon
Spent the night at Bob and Sharon's ranch in Alicel, Oregon (l-r) Kevin, Mike, Sharon, Gary, Bob, Jack & Rob

This is the view from the back desk of Uncle Bob and Aunt Sharon's ranch house

I was talking to the clerk at the general store in Ukiah, Oregon (who has lived his entire life there) and we got on the subject of the post office. I mentioned a friend (Randy in Salem) grandmother was the postmaster in Ukiah years ago. He said his mother took over as postmaster in 1960 from Mary Arbuckle, who just happened to be Randy's grandmother. He then told me how the Arbuckle's were a very important family in the history of Ukiah.

Mike and I worked at this plywood mill in Heppner, Oregon back in the late 70's. This one building is left but the mill closed years ago.

Dinner in Fossil, Oregon. Dad was born on a ranch just outside Fossil.

Day 11 - July 26 - Fossil to Stayton, Oregon
No camping on our last night as they didn't allow tents at the RV park in Fossil so we had to get a motel room.

From Fossil we split up. Mike rode north to his home in Everret, Washington. Dad and Gary drove back to Monmouth, Oregon and I rode to Stayton, Oregon

Between Fossil and Antelope, Oregon

Outside Shankio, Oregon

Old service statin at Shankio, Oregon

Near Bakeoven, Oregon

We covered about 2,500 miles in 9 days of riding on back roads only. Had a great time as we visited family along the way and got to see many small towns and friendly folks along the way.