We got started dark early this morning, excited to be back on the road. In honor of this special day, Shirlene wore her favorite new shirt (a gift from Alaska) to visit her favorite old stomping grounds. With a heartfelt hug, we said goodby to Millie and Clyde and headed for Provo Canyon. We stopped at the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls, the site of our first kiss -- we both agree they have gotten better. We have both loved Provo Canyon for its cool breezes, beauty, interesting geology, and opportunities to steal a kiss...

We turned north at Heber City, then east to Evanston, Wyoming. We caught Highway 89 north, which took us from Wyoming to Utah, back to Wyoming, to Idaho, then back again to Wyoming. Last time we were on this road we hit a skunk, which memory stayed with us, and our car, for weeks. We avoided the skunks this time. We have seen more squashed skunks in this area than we have seen squashed rabbits in Delta!

We loved the ride through Starr Valley! The stream fed valleys were beautiful! There were lots of gentle curves in the road which climbed higher and higher, which meant, for a day at least, we escaped the heat. We stopped at the Starr Valley Cheese Factory for lunch. Motorcyles always tend to start up conversations, and today was no different. We met Tom McLachlan, a captain with the West Valley City, Utah Police Dept. He was on a fly fishing trip, but owns a Harley. Dick asked him if it was true what he had read that there were over 5000 bikes on this years MDA run from Salt Lake City to Wendover, and he said it was true, and he had ridden in it. We hope to add this run to a vacation at some time. It sounds so exciting to cross the salt flats with 5000 other bikes!

It was then on to Jackson Hole. The road followed the Snake River, which we crossed several times. it was teeming with rafts, canoes, and fly fisherman.

Shirlene spent two summers during her college days working in Jackson Hole, so she was more than excited to see the place again. It has changed a bit since she was there. It has gone from a quaint small town, to a huge summer and winter home for the very wealthy. Some changes were a welcome surprise, like the Harley dealer. Others were just surprising like Jerry Spense's Law Firm. Some things have not changed, like the Buckrail Lodge, where Shirlene worked, and where Dick and Shirlene spent a few nights on their honeymoon. The elkhorn arch still graces the town square, and the scenery is still breathtaking!

We cruised through the Grand Teton National Park and then on to Yellowstone. We danced along the continental divide, stopping in Yellowstone to see Old Faithful. As evening approached, we saw some wildlife in the park as well as lots of other bikers. As we checked into our motel room we met Gary and Phyllis Bowe who were finishing their bike trip. They are from Portland, Oregon and have been on the road for seventy-some-odd days. They have logged over 12,000 miles while riding through 21 states. They've traveled down through California and Arizona, all the way to Florida and up to Washington DC and are heading back home to Portland. Those smiles look like they will be permanent.

It was a full day, and we feel blessed to have had the experience. We felt the history of the area with names like John Colter and Jim Bridger appearing often. We will fall asleep tonight to the sound of thundershowers. Its the perfect ending to a great day.