Before telling you about our change of plans, I must mention one of the stranger coincidences I have experienced in a long while. The flight attendant who just served me coffee asked how I would like it. I asked if she had soy milk. She responded "Huh, what are you from LA or somethin"? The male flight attendant at the back of her drink cart looked up and said with unbridled delight and in full volume, "You're the guy who asked me for soy on the flight to LA a few weeks ago. I told you never to ask for that again." In fact, I was that guy and he did tell me that. Unbelievable! Can't a middle-aged lactose intolerant man catch a break?
And another thing; there is a fly buzzing around my $4 hummus and pita chips. I've never encountered a fly on an airplane before. It seems to me that a bug on a plane cruising at 34k feet violates the laws of science, if not the laws of the FAA. I want my $4 back.
Now the important news. From a national weather website;
"Heavy rains sent walls of water crashing down mountainsides on Thursday in Colorado, killing at least three people, forcing the state’s largest university to close, and isolating remote towns across a rugged landscape that included areas blackened by recent wildfires.
After a rainy week, up to eight more inches fell in an area from the Wyoming border south to the foothills west of Denver. Flooding extended along the Front Range mountains and into many cities. Numerous roads and highways were washed out or made impassable by floods. Floodwaters poured into homes, and at least a few buildings collapsed in the torrent. The deluge is moving north and is expected to continue throughout the weekend." Moreover, Eric reports that due to plummeting nighttime temperatures, people traveling through the mountain passes are being warned to keep chains in their vehicles.
Now Eric and I are not ones to overreact to weather reports. As our longtime readers know, we've tackled severe storms multiple times on previous trips. However, this time is different. People have died. We've decided to alter our plans and head west into Idaho, rather than north into the above described front that has stalled over Wyoming. Hopefully things will clear next week and we can loop back towards Montana for few days.
I am disappointed. I was looking forward to sleeping in the Grand Tetons' mountain air, dancing with black bears in Yellowstone Park, cliff jumping in Glacier National Park and trying my spanking new camping gear. Maybe next time.
Instead of riding his new Honda NC700 from his digs in Colorado, Eric set out yesterday in his Jeep to meet me in Jackson Hole tonight. It was a smart decision. 500 miles through mountain passes and unprotected desert plains on a motorcycle would be too risky. If the rain, wind or icy roads didn't get him, the lightning surely would've.
Now Eric is going to rent the last BMW that Jackson Hole Adventure Riders has left, a 2012 R1200RT. Unfortunately, unlike my 800GS, the RT is a touring bike that is unsuitable for our off-road antics. It's too bad. Riding remote mountain paths on powerful hybrid motorcycles is a life-changing experience. I'm wondering whether we can make it down to Salt Lake City where Eric could swap his RT for a GS. It's worth investigating.
No matter what bikes we have, or which direction we head, this trip is sure to be a blast. Tonight we will explore Jackson Hole's night life. Early tomorrow we will pick up the bikes and head out. From there, who knows. I can't wait.
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Location:Jackson Hole, WY
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