March 19, 2023
It’s been a long winter here in Montana. OK, our winters tend to be long but what made this one different from last year is that snow and ice stayed on the ground longer, making motorcycling a dangerous endeavor. We did have a few days where the frozen water had retreated but that was accompanied by low temperatures. I don’t consider myself a weenie when it comes to the temperature, but, please, 40 degrees or higher, please.
So, today was gorgeous. It’s been relatively warm the past few days and there hasn’t been enough precipitation to slow down the melting process. I keep my bike in the garage across the the street (I’m the landlord) and since the end of November it’s been stashed there with my ‘83 240 Volvo. I had the Volvo out frequently and it’s difficult seeing the bike sitting in the back of the garage with the cable going to the battery tender. But today!!! Low 50s, sunny, and no wind.
I moved the Volvo out of the way and wheeled the bike into the driveway. It fired up with no hesitation or no hangover from its lengthy slumber. I brought it to my place, checked it over, air up the tires, donned my gear, and out we went. My wife had taken Bart the Dog to Lake Elmo so I figured that would be a good first stop. The lake is still frozen except around the edges and Bart was having fun tromping through the water. We played fetch with a stick in a field for a while and then he had to go. I shot a photo of the bike before I took off.
I wound my way through Billings Heights to get to Wicks Lane and rode that west to Alkali Creek Road. This road goes through an undeveloped area with only a few ranches present. I found a place to stop for a photo or two.
As I was getting ready to go, a couple on a Harley passed me. We both crossed Highway 3 and continued west on Shorey Road. I’ve done this route quite a few times so I just rode along and didn’t stop for any photos. When I got to Molt Road, the couple on the Harley had stopped and she was getting off the bike to adjust something. I went past them and headed on to Molt.
Molt is a small place, just a few buildings and one less than the last time I was there. On the corner, diagonally across from the post office, was an abandoned building, probably a small house at one time. One reason I wanted to visit here today is because I may use an image of that place in a drawing project but, it was gone. Well, not really gone but disassembled. The lumber was stacked around in piles and all that was left was the floor and a few items like a cabinet, a chair, and a table.
I wasn’t disappointed because I’ve been out here in the past with my cameras and has some good images to work from. However, I did grab a shot today that has some possibilities.
And, of course, a photo of the bike while we were there.
I headed south on Buffalo Trail and stopped at a pull-out for a couple photos.
The road winds though a nice valley. There is still some snow in the shady spots.
The rest of the ride was standard: Buffalo Trail to Lipp Road and then find my way to Grand Avenue and then to Rimrock Road. It felt great and I’m really happy to be back in the saddle.
64 miles today.
