Curve Cowboy Reunion 2005
This year's Curve Cowboy Reunion (CCR) was held at Jackson Lake Lodge, in the shadows of the Grand Tetons. Although it is primarily a K1200LT event, I brought my friend, Maria, on a two-up weekend of fun and relaxation in Wyoming riding my K1200GT.
We departed after work on Monday, August 29th and spent the night at her friend's house, a nice place in Steamboat Springs worth something in the seven figure range. Not a bad way to spend a night!
Tuesday morning we were off to a late start and arrived at the lodge a little after 6:00pm. We caught just a little sprinkle from the ominous clouds that hovered over the mountians. The color and texture of the clouds reminded me of some sinister mountain hideout in a science fiction / adventure movie, akin to the Misty Mountains in JRR Tolkiens trilogy.
Unfortunately the camera batteries were not charged and no pictures were taken on the ride north from Denver to Steamboat Springs and Jackson Lake Lodge.After taking some pictures, we followed the trail out into the meadow and along the banks of a small shallow creek.
We enjoyed the morning sunshine until we were paged on the FRS radios we were carrying. The incessant call of "Pecker Gnat 8, Pecker Gnat 8, do you copy?" quickly reminded us that we were among savages. The parents of young kids stared meanly at us as the screeching voice of Jim Sutton continued its mating call, "Pecker Gnat 8, Pecker Gnat 8." We quickly departed the scenic turn-out before the vacationing families turned into a menacing mob.We left for a short day ride around 11:00am. The frost had burned off and the temperatures were quite comfortable by then.
The first stop was on a scenic overlook for a photo op. The route continued south to the Signal Mountain, then onto the Jenny Lake scenic loop, exiting the park over Wilson Road to the Jackson Hole Ski village, then towards the town of Jackson, finally returning to the park via the main road.Thursday evening's dinner was at Colter Bay's Chuckwagon restaurant. We had a blast and created quite the stir, even though we hadn't had a drop to drink (yet).
Here's our waiter, Eddie, who is training to be a younger version of Jim Sutton.
When asked if he lived alone, he responded "Naked Time for Eddy!" Just a bit too much information!The next morning me head to Yellowstone. As we approach the south end of the park, evidence of the forest fire are everywhere.
Living in Colorado, I am used to seeing forest fire damage. However, the massive size of the burned area in Yellowstone amazes even me. I've not seen so much fire damage, not even along the Pine Valley Highway in Colorado (home to about five fires over the years).