Buffalo WY to Livingston MT

June 12, 2025

i awoke before sunrise about 5:30 am. I got up to use the restroom and there was the moon still visible, beautifully mountain adjacent. As the sun began to rise, so did the fog. I decided to take a shower. When I was done, the fog had lifted and the mountains were visible again. I packed up and did my best to dry the fly, but the under pastic was a lost cause and would have to dry under the cargo net. I traversed the gravel camp road just fine, and headed down town to a cafe for breakfast. I see one on the left side, but saw a second cafe with a motorcycle parked out front, so I went there. It was called the Busy Bee Cafe. It was in a building called the Occidental Hotel from 1880. I didn't find the biker inside the cafe. This cafe had the best tasting coffee I had had on the trip so far. I had eggs, bacon, homefries, and a homemade biscuit. Yummy. I chatted with Rob while I ate. It was nice to hear his voice.

Once back out on the street, the owner of the motorcycle showed up. It was a Ducati. The owner was from southern California. He said that it takes him three hours just to get out of the city where he lives. He was travelling all over. He was a very nice gentleman.

I left the Busy Bee and headed for the local Nappa auto parts to see if they had oil for the bike. They were very helpful, but in the end they didn't have the T6 that I really needed. I left there to find a Wal-mart or Tractor Supply in Sheridan WY the next big town. I came to Tractor Supply first, so I tried there, but they were out of stock. On to the Wal-Mart. I searched the oils, but only found T6 in gallons. I picked it and a funnel. I also bought two bunggie cords and some other needs. When I was at the checkout, I remembered I wanted to get another outlet charger. Luckily, a nice employee helped me find one right at the register. I rearranged to fit the gallon on the pillion. I secured it with the two bungies with the mesh carrier over it. It is amazing what you can find room for on a bike.

It was getting pretty hot. I drove around to find a gas station. Conviently a Subway was right next door, so I bought lunch and enjoyed some air conditioning for a few minutes. I was getting a late start to drive to Billings MT and then on to Livingston, MT. I got my show on the road. This would be the day of beautiful mountains. I made it to Billings MT, over 100 miles without a stop. The faster speed limit does help the miles fly by. The half way rest area was closed. I am riding along and didn't even realize that I had made it to Montana. I finally stopped for gas and coffee. The highway up to Billings followed the edge of the Big Horn Mountains. Magnificent. Then as I go along I see a small sign on the side of the road that says Bear Tooth Mountains with an arrow pointing south. As I looked to my left there are the Snow capped Bear Tooth mountains in the distance. I stopped at the next rest area and there were more mountain views. This time they were called the Crazy Mountains. I went along with beautiful buttes to my right and snow capped peaks to my left. As I got closer to Livingston the peaks got bigger.

As I pulled into town I stopped to take in the beautiful mountain views. Livingston is near the entrance to Yellowstone Park. I made it. I read online that the road into the KOA was not good, so I decided on a hotel for tonight. The Yellowstone Inn would be my home for tonight. There were stunning views of the mountains outside my window. A picture on the wall reminded me of one my Great Aunt Jean had given me of 63 Ranch. Back in 1980 I went on a trip to Montana with my Great Aunt Jean. She took me to a Dude ranch called 63 Ranch. Since then, I have always wanted to go back and see Montana again.

I needed some dinner, so I walked across the steet to the grocery store and bought a grilled chicken salad, an apple, and some Ben and Jerry's for dessert.

I almost forgot to write that I almost hit a dog today. I was going through the Crow reservation area on the highway. I saw it crossing the east bound lanes. It then kept going and started across the west bound side. I slowed a bit, I didn't know if it saw me, but it seemed like it was looking for cars. (not his first crossing I imagine.) It ends up darting not 20 feet in front of me. That woke me up for sure.