Day #7 July 30, 2007

Day 7
Monday July 30, 2007

Bozeman, MT to Billings, MT
178 miles today (15,703 – 15,881)
1862 miles total

8:41 AM
I’m packed and loaded, showered and had my breakfast. This is a very nice park. There was a nice sunrise to start out the day. I slept good, but my back is “tight” today. I have been stretching, but I think I’d welcome a break in a motel.
I’m going to Billings today. I hope to see Gerald and Kathy, the owners of Big Sky Wood Products, a good vendor for me when I owned Royal Awards.

11:31 AM
Stopped for gas at Big Timber, about an hour or so west of Billings. Pulled off and some good Samaritans were helping a lady push her car to the gas station. She was still 50 yards away from the pump and needed some gas to get her there. She had run out coming off the exit ramp and had been pushed to this point. There I was, with my gas can to help a stranger. So my gas cans have helped me and helped someone else. Several guys on my pre-trip planning blogs asked why I would carry extra gas. THIS is the reason. She was grateful and refilled my can.

12:30PM
I stopped in Laurel, MT to see Gerald and Kathy.
Mary, the saleslady that helped us, has left (on good terms) to work her farm with her husband. Lisa, who was new to us, works elsewhere, but still does marketing for Big Sky. Kathy was not there and I stayed less than 10 minutes. I was sweating, standing there in leathers.

I got to Billings where it was HOT! Later on I would see a reader board showing 109 degrees. Surely a mistake I thought. But then just a few blocks away I saw another one showing 105. I stopped at a motel off the freeway, but just didn’t want to pay the nearly $100 for a room. I gassed up, had lunch at Applebee’s, and checked out the Billings motel map and directory. After 2 more motel drive bys and another camp ground, I settled on the KOA down by the Yellowstone River. I later learned this was the #1 KOA in the KOA system. I think it was 1967 when it was first franchised.

I checked in at 3:30PM. It’s now 5PM and I’ll eat dinner here at their own onsite kitchen/pavilion. Trout is on the menu! Yum. Tomorrow I plan on staying put. The heat over the last 2-3 days has taken it’s toll on me. I won’t pull the trailer. I’ll re-supply and look for a bike cover and a sheepskin seat cover. Mal-Wart will be on my list too.

Tomorrow I’ll have to decide about a) going on to Sturgis or b) going south to Pueblo to visit with Terry and Laurie Kraus.

6:40PM
Have swam, twice! Plugged in the laptop to charge and went to dinner. I had trout, corn on the cob, potato salad and baked beans. Lemonade and Texas toast rounded out the dinner menu. This was so good! Beats my “canned dinners” by a long shot!! I met 4 bikers from Hawaii, of all places. They were on their way to Sturgis. I didnt' get a chance to ask, but I guess they shipped their bikes to the mainland.

I look forward to not breaking camp in the morning. Staying here for 2 nights, even with good dinners, cost LESS than one night in a motel.

9PM
The neighbors finally showed up; 3 guys packing in LOTS of beer. Great..I pray they are quiet. It’s been a long, hot day. I rested a little next to the pool today, but will try to get caught up tomorrow.