Days 15 & 16--Shake It Up, Baby

On Monday, July 9, we left Billings at 8am. This was a later start than usual given the light day ahead. Temperatures were very mild (in the 80's), having been cooled off by the Saturday evening storm that blew through. As well, the 55 mile ride had very little elevation gain, putting us in Hardin, MT in the early afternoon. We dined at 'The Lariat' for both lunch and dinner. We were going to eat at the 'Four Aces' after a round of Moose Drool (beer), but didn't see anything on the menu that wasn't deep fried or meaty. We got a well deserved 'what did you expect, city boys' look from our waitress. A real highlight at Hardin was getting to use their solar heated indoor pool and hot tub at the rec center. It was tough duty, let me tell you.

The next day at 6am, we left Hardin for Sheridan, WY. Temps were still mild, starting in the 60's in the early morning, and hitting the 80's in the afternoon.We started the day at around 2,900' elevation, climbing to 4,300', then back to 3,700' at Sheridan.

We hit two milestones on Day 16: 1,000 miles and our fourth state--Wyoming (pictured)! We travelled primarily through the Crow Indian Reservation, following the Little Big Horn River in spots--very close to Custer's Last Stand.

The culinary highlight of the day was the best milk shake in these here parts in Ranchester, WY. Jerry K., after 30 years as a rancher raising Black Angus cattle and horses, decided to open up a western craft and milk shake store. No one shakes things up like Jerry (pictured). The man is an artist with a blender! My chocolate milk shake (with malt) was superb. When we asked for his secret, he replied 'I make 'em for my customers the way I make 'em for myself.' On the way out of town, I was going to stop in the local taxidermy shop (pictured), but I was already stuffed.

Onward through Wyoming.

Marty