The plan for the day is to ride from Grand Forks, ND to Wolf Point, MT some 430 miles and 7 hours ride time. The day started with a bath for the bike. Riding through storms really wears the sexy off, so of course I bathed her…
Next fuel for me and the bike. Then Highway 2 westward. Breakfast at the Northside Cafe in Grand Forks was just what the Dr ordered, about and hour down the road I realized two things, first I promised to do better with pictures today (not sure I met any expectations but it will be better than yesterday), and I hadn’t taken a dirty bike picture (I couldn’t, it was disturbing), or clean for that matter, second I needed to stop anyway…
Next I worked my way west for some 5 hours, passing Minot City I wondered where the Air Base was, as I hadn’t passed it, like the one in Grand Forks, more distressing was the lack of the sound of freedom rumbling through the skies. I wonder what their missions are…
Anyway I needed a break and thought about fuel, but I was still above 1/2 tank ( this almost bit me later), but I really needed a break and a cold one. So I pull into Stanley, ND looking for a nice place to grace with my presence. I see a place called Leaders and think it looks like a nice place, the bartender even opened the door…
To let me know they don’t open for another hour, yeah great, so I walked across the street to the 5 Spot Bar (total local hangout-dive bar). I had my single drink and got zero interaction with anyone but the bartender (I need my photographer back -she makes me less scary to approach).
So I left and continued blazing west, just ready to be out of North Dakota, and into Montana, so focused I nearly ran out of gas, requiring a u turn and an extra 20 miles of driving. Then just after crossing the border there a gas station, I shoulda kept going in the first place…
Just over an hour and I pulled into my hotel, then searched out food and decided on a place called Harry’s Nite Club – it must be a joke cause the place was very similar bar to the one this afternoon. But the burger was perfect, the drink cold and only 7 miles from my hotel. Things here are sort of spread out a bit, and very appealing (especially with less people). Then 7 miles back, grab some fuel for the bike and gets some rest (I mean get this post up before I even dream of relaxing), and prep for tomorrow…
Two best things about today besides the clean bike, was gaining an hour back, and being 1 day closer to home. Tomorrow, I traverse North Dakota into Montana, I’ll try to do better on taking pics…
Breakfast
Rest Area- All Clean
Windy-Chilly Day
Not Leaders
