Vol. 21 No. 5 - 31 July, 2017

After loading on Friday morning in New Holland, Pennsylvania, we had the weekend to drive 300 miles, so we took a little detour via Bethlehem (near Allentown) to visit Jim's nephew, niece and families.  When we are there weekends, we park the whole rig at a parking lot of a friend of Jeff's cement business.  This time we were there at noon, so dropped the trailer at a truckstop and bobtailed to their house and parked in their driveway.

A beautiful back yard for relaxing.

We stayed the night with Jeff and Lori and both their sons, Andrew and Patrick were home for the long weekend.  Friday evening we went to Patrick's baseball game in nearby Hellertown.  It was hot and humid, and storm clouds building.

Watching Patrick's baseball game in Hellertown, PA.

Jim watching the game with his brother-in-law.

We moved into the covered seats, then the rain storm hit.

Preparing the field so it would remain dry during the storm.

The game was cut short, so we went to Jim's favourite beer store - Tanczo's.  A huge selection of different beers.

Jim could spend hours wandering around Tanczo's!

Back to Jeff and Lori's for dinner and beers that night.
Saturday afternoon, we went to Jim's niece, Eileen,  Jim and family.  We had a lovely afternoon with them at the local swimming pool.

Stayed Saturday night with Eileen, Jim and kids, Sunday morning, back to Jeff and Lori's to get the tractor/prime mover and then the truckstop for the trailer and on the road Sunday afternoon.  Always a good time to be had with the Pennsylvania relations.  We enjoy the same things!

Delivered at Monroe Tractor in Batavia, NY on Monday morning 3rd July, then over to Joe and Michele's.
Monday evening we visited Bob and Barb in Lancaster.  They host a 4th July party every year, and had some preparation to do; set up tents, lights, tables and chairs.
The village of Lancaster New York have an Independence Day Party and Parade.  The Carnival had already started Monday evening with live bands, carnival rides, and delicious food.   Bob, Joe, Michele, Jimmy, Jim and I were there for a couple of hours - had a couple of drinks, good food, and listened to the bands.

Monday evening at the Independence Day carnival in the village of Lancaster, New York.

Stopped at the service station for petrol and this red Trans-Am pulled in next to us.  A great car!

Internet:  The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile built from 1967 to the 2002 model years.  Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang.

The 1977 Trans-Am Special Edition became famous after being featured in Smokey and the Bandit; the 1980 Turbo model was used for Smokey and the Bandit II.

Bob and Barb live three houses from where the parade travel route.

The old fire trucks were well preserved.

Lancaster High School Marching Band.

A big representation of Western New York Jeep Club.

After the parade people went back to Bob and Barbs for fun with family.
Baillie drove her big truck and it looked huge in from of the house!

It was great to catch up with everyone - some people we had not seen for a couple of years - a lot of great food and antics.

Wednesday we rode the motorbike into Buffalo to meet Stephen and Teri Kowal at Parker's South Buffalo, an English-style restaurant.  Stephen and Teri had been there before and the fish and chips was the same as in Australia.

Internet:  Family-run shop for fish ‘n’ chips, take and bake pies, imported beers and other British goods.

It was a warehouse in its previous life.  There is work going on - inside it will eventually be like an old English street; with small shops, a bar, gas street lights and a cobblestone street.

Each couple shared one order of fish and chips and it was enough to fill us.

Teri, Stephen, Lesley and Jim at Parker's (Teri's photos). 

After fish and chips we went to Gene McCarthy's Old First Ward Brewery on Hamburg Street.  That was a great catch up with Stephen and Teri, as always a lot of laughs.

The First Ward is the Irish neighbourhood of Buffalo, and Jim's Irish ancestors lived in the area.  One address is within 100 metres of the Tavern.  I took a photo of where their house would have been.

Hamburg Street: Jim's Nicholson ancestors lived between these two houses, in front of the two carports.

On the way back to Attica we stopped in East Aurora at a brew pub - we were early enough to avoid the busiest time - 42 North.  It has been open a couple of years, but whenever we had planned to check it out - it was packed with people.  Found it at 'off-peak' time

Nice lights above the taps.

Restaurant area of East Aurora, NY.

East Aurora, New York.

The daylillies are blooming at Joe and Michele's.

We have been chasing an air leak in the truck for a couple of weeks.  Finally, with Jimmy's help, it was found.  A good portion of the week was spent with Jim running around getting parts, because when he replaced one valve, another one started leaking, so he replaced the whole brake valve - it proved a challenge!

Old brake valve, the original, did 1,200,000 miles.

New brake valve.

Once Jim had that all sorted, he found another air leak at the transmission splitter actuator assembly - more running around for parts and exchanging old for new.

Friday evening, 7 July was Tyler and Lisa's wedding (Tyler is Michele's son).  Jim and I all spruced up for the occasion - leaving Joe and Michele's place.

The ceremony and reception was held in Tyler and Lisa's back yard - they have a beautiful home and acreage.  It was a lovely setting.

LtoR: Jim, Paula and Kenny (Michele's parents, and Tyler's proud grandparents), and Joe.

Baillie was one of the bridesmaids - she looked stunning!

Mr and Mrs!

It was a spectacular day, and gorgeous wedding - from start to finish!

Saturday morning, 8 July, Joe, Jimmy, Jim and I left on the motorbikes for Elbridge, New York for the Rolling Hills Half-Mile AMA Dirt Track Race - near Weedsport, also known as the Central New York Half Mile.

Jim and I travelled with them until Waterloo, we wanted to have a look around the town.

Waterloo, NY has some history:

Planning the Women’s Rights Convention in 1848 took place in Waterloo.

The Village of Waterloo was incorporated in 1824 and again in 1866, the same year it celebrated the first Memorial Day.  Waterloo was officially designated as the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Several buildings in Waterloo are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The predominant colours were red, white and blue, of course.

We found the Muranda Cheese Company.
Website:  Muranda Cheese Company features the finest in Colby, British Raw Milk, Cheddar, Blue, and Read Buddy, as well as other uncommon varieties in the Finger Lakes.  Muranda Holsteins have earned accolades for their conformation and their milk, including the “Dairy of Distinction” award, and the “Super Milk” award for 17 years.  In 1997, one of the Muranda cows set the world record for milk production and held it for 13 years.  The Muranda Cheese Company was created nine years ago to showcase how high-quality milk could create exquisite cheeses.

Mandura Cheese Company, Waterloo, NY.

Cheese tasting was varied and interesting.

We bought a piece of "Fiesta" cheese.

Continued on to the town of Auburn, NY - another interesting town with history.

First, we found A.T. Walleys & Co. for a drink.

Around the corner was Prison City Pub and Brewery.

Website:  In 1816, Auburn Prison (now the Auburn Correctional Facility) was founded as a model for the contemporary ideas about treating prisoners, known now as the Auburn system.  Visitors were charged a fee for viewing the facility and its inmates. Although the ideas of the Auburn System have been abandoned, the prison continues to serve as a maximum security, and is one of the most secure prisons in the continental US.

It was getting closer to race time at Rolling Hills Raceway.

Penny, Jimmy and Jim sporting their Cody Johncox Racing t-shirts.

Wandering around the Pitt area is always interesting.

The No. 96 pitt area.

It was not a good racing event for Cody - still very competitive, but he did not make the main.   Weather and racing was very good though.

Jim and I stayed in a motel in Auburn; Joe, Jimmy and others camped at the racetrack.  We rode back to Attica with Joe and Jimmy the next morning.
A break in Lima, NY:

And lunch at Tom Wahl's in Avon, NY:
Internet:  Tom Wahl’s is a chain of fast food restaurants.  Named as one of “51 great burger joints across the USA” in 2010.  Tom Wahl Sr. Opened the first restaurant in Avon, New York in March 1955.  The restaurant specialises in ground steak sandwiches and its famous root beer and sells Abbott’s Frozen Custard.

Monday, 10 July, Jim chased more parts of the truck repair, and got it all back together. 

On the way to get parts, we stopped at Paula's Donuts.  Popular and very good!

Paula's Donuts, Buffalo.

Donut floor tiles.

We were happy to see the steel tower we delivered in Buffalo earlier in the year, was working above the highway.  Last time in Buffalo, they we still where we left them on the side of the highway.

A quick stop at Windy Brew - good beer and lovely people there!

We caught up with Art and Ann Marie for dinner at the Pine Lounge on Monday evening, a nice visit and meal with them.

Tuesday, we took the rig to Empire Truck and Trailer Service to check a vibration that started after the work done in June.

Discovered that the forward differential that was replaced two years ago - had failed.  The warranty had expired, even though less than 126,000 miles were on the new one (the old one lasted a million miles).  Not happy about that, the warranty was good only for 1 year.  Another differential had to be sourced and fitted that week at Empire Truck & Trailer.

Already, we had been in Buffalo area for 8 days, and were ready to go back to work, but the truck had to be fixed.  Long-time friends, Bob and Janice had often asked us to stay with them, but our time in Buffalo area was usually short or there was something on.

We were unsure how long the repair would take, so instead of unloading the le mans off the truck, Bob picked us up at Empire.

Tuesday evening is Food Truck Tuesday at Larkin Square in downtown Buffalo.  We were early, so stopped to have a look at Buffalo and Erie County Military and Naval Park.

Last summer we spent time at Canalside with Bob and Janice, the Military Park is in the same waterfront area near downtown Buffalo.

Internet: The military park is the largest inland naval park in the USA.  Explore the grounds, board the historic ships, and enjoy historic exhibits and displays commemorating the sacrifice and history of the Armed Forces.

Several decommissioned US Naval vessels, the Cleveland-class cruiser USS Little Rock, the Fletcher-class destroyer USS The Sullivans, and the Gato-class submarine USS Croaker.  All three are open to the public for tours.

Along with the ships, there are a variety of smaller vehicles, vessels, and aircraft on display.

Jim and Lesley at Military Park, Buffalo Canalside - Janice's photo.

A new sculpture at Canalside, "Silent Poets". (In the photo, there is a seagull on the head of each poet.)

Internet:  The installation features the work of artist James Plensa, whose “Silent Poets” sculptures sit 20 feet high above the lawn at the downtown waterfront.  The work includes two identical, internally-lit resin figures that sit hunched on platforms, with their hands covering their eyes.

Buffalo River/Erie Canal and Buffalo lighthouse.

Internet:  Buffalo (Main) Lighthouse is at the mouth of Buffalo River/Erie Canal, The lighthouse was established and lit in 1833, and was deactivated in 1914.  The 60 foot tall, octagonal limestone structure is the oldest still standing in its original location in the city of Buffalo.  It replaced the original 1818 light on this site along the Lake Erie shore.

Every Tuesday during summer months, from 5-8pm, Larkin Square welcomes dozens of food trucks and a diverse line-up of live, local music.  Beverages are sold on-site, with seating and hula hoops spread around the square.  Up to 28 Food Trucks at Larkin Square and additional trucks parked across the street at Flying Bison Brewery.  The wide variety of food and trucks have helped the event become one of the largest and longest-running food truck events in the country.

At 5pm, there were not many people there,, and seats were available.  Later it was packed!  We had a couple of local beers and ate dinner, and wandered around.  The Cheesecake truck was not to be missed!  So many choices, the 'Peanut Butter &Jelly and chips' cheesecake had won a 'Taste of Buffalo' award, so that was an experience not to be ignored.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cheesecake with chips - excellent!

Larkin Square was great - after we had eaten, had a couple of drinks, people watched for an hour or so, and once the band started - the crowds were thick.  A little further along the Buffalo River is RiverWorks Centre.

The Buffalo River / Erie Canal area of Buffalo has one of the largest collection of grain silos in the world.  Most of them have not been used in decades and been abandoned; some have been demolished to make way for other uses.  This area of Buffalo is getting a ‘makeover’.

RiverWorks is an entertainment centre built in and around the silos (also called ‘elevators’, and the area is referred to as “elevator alley” or “silo city”).  Ice rinks, roller derby, wrestling/boxing ring, a microbrewery, and restaurants.  Light shows are projected nightly on the silos.

Four of the silos of the six-pack of Labatt’s beer contain the tanks for brewing beer.

The partly demolished silos create a unique dining area.

The ruins of the silos are beautiful!

Roller Derby practice.

Janice, Bob, Jim and I at RiverWorks.

The Outer Harbor area of Buffalo has been redeveloped to incorporate several parks and picnic areas, host festivals, carnivals, concerts, and parties.  Bob, Janice, Jim and I watched the sunset from Wilkeson Pointe – beautiful.

There was a 'sculpture' of marble columns not far from the lake.

Manufacturers and Traders Bank - M&T Bank has many branches in Western New York

This gorgeous photo is Janice's - of the marble and sunset at Wilkeson Pointe.

Janice's photo of the marble and sunset - beautiful!

That was a fabulous day!  I learned so much about Buffalo and its history.  Still more to see and do on the waterfront.

Wednesday it was raining heavy in the morning, in the afternoon we went to one of Bob and Janice's previously explored places - the Village of Lewiston, beside Lake Erie.  Artpark State Park is unique.

Internet:  Gene Davis created “Niagara 1979” by painting 60 2-foot wide and 364 foot long stripes in nine different colours on a parking lot.  It is the world’s largest painting at 43,000 square feet.  Lewiston-Porter High School students re-created the painting on 10 May, 2017.

Lunch was at Brickyard Brewing Company in Lewiston.

Janice ordered something we had not tried before – deep fried pickle spears.

Deep fried pickle spears.

Raining heavily again Thursday morning.  The truck was still waiting for parts, so an excursion to Ellicottville, south of Buffalo was a good choice.  We had all been there before – it is on the way to the WNY Moto Guzzi Rally.  Saw and did things we had not seen or done before and left somethings for a future visit.

The Ellicottville Cheese Shop was lovely.  We sampled and bought some interesting flavoured cheese.

Bought a piece of the Wenslydale with cranberries and a couple of cheddars.

Always have to stop at the Ellicottville Brewing Company, the Blueberry Beer is my favourite!

The lighting at bars is becoming very eclectic.

Janice and I left the men at the Brewery and wandered the shops in the touristy area.

 The Purple Doorknob was all socks - hundred of different ones!  I found koala ones.

Tangled Twigs store - Janice's photo, I was patting the cat!

Friendly ginger manx cat at Tangled Twigs.

The store was closed, but the sign made us laugh!

Back to Bob and Janice's, their wildlife kept us entertained for the evening.  They feed the deer, and wild birds.

The next two photos are Janice's - orioles and finches came to the feeders, but flew away each time I tried to photograph them.  First time I have seen an oriole, the orange/yellow ones are male.

An oriole - Janice's photos.

The raccoon was uninvited!  He has been raiding the bird feeder for grape jelly (jam).  Possible it may be living under the back deck, and plans are in the works for it to be relocated.

The truck repair was completed Friday morning - we had had a fun and memorable three days with Bob and Janice in and around Buffalo.

Friday afternoon we loaded in Lockport, New York, at a rubber recycling plant - HTI.
Internet:  High Tread International is one of the leading companies in the tire recycling industry in New York.  The company manufactures crumb rubber through recycled tires.  It offers various home and garden products.  High Tread International makes products that can be used in landscaping, road resurfacing and horse arena footing applications.  It provides retired mulch for playground surfacing, athletic fields, golf courses, jogging paths, fitness parks and running tracks.

Piles of chopped up tyres.

The rubber is processed to 'crumb' size and shipped in bags on pallets.

Loaded 22 pallets on the trailer - very heavy, close to maximum.

Then tarped it.

Friday afternoon , we headed east - the delivery was for Monday morning south of Albany, NY. About noon on Saturday 15 July, we parked at a truckstop in Castleton, NY and unloaded the motorbike.  Jim's niece, Laura and family live about 75 miles from there at Lake George, NY.

Internet:  Lake George is a town in New York’s vast, protected Adirondack region of mountains and old-growth forest.  The town sits beside the lake of the same name.

Lake George is a long, narrow lake located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains, and in the Adirondack State Park.  Within Lake George, there are over 170 islands, 148 of them state-owned.

Situated on the rail line halfway between New York City and Montreal, Lake George attracted the era’s rich and famous by the late 19^th and early 20^th century.

Today, it remains a tourist destination, resort centre, and summer colony.

A couple of hours on the motorbike, Jim and I met Laura, Josh and children at Josh's family's 'beach house' about mid-afternoon.

Relaxed beside the lake, the dogs settled in with Jim!

The dogs liked Jim!

Josh took us all for a boat ride around Lake George; looking at the islands, homes, mansions, marinas and boats.  It was great weather and beautiful on the lake!

Some wild ducks and taken up sunning themselves on one of the docks near the house.  I thought they were pretty, but they leave behind a mess, so not encouraged.  The kids chase them off the dock.

Chasing the ducks off the dock.

Pizza, wings and beers in the evening beside the lake.

Jim and I stayed the night with Josh, Laura and kids - their home is near Glen Lake.  Wildlife in the backyard here as well.

A deer in the back yard (a bit blurry).

Coffee in the morning enjoying the sunshine and view of Glen Lake, and brunch at a local restaurant before Jim and I headed south to the truck.  The area is very popular, and crowded in summer, we have been wanting to visit for a long time - so happy to spend time with the family, as we usually only get together at large family functions, so this was good quality time.  Hoping for a return visit soon.

The trip back to the truck, we took a little more time.  Stopped in the town of Saratoga Springs.

Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Park, about three hours from New York City, Boston, Philadelphia and Montreal.  People come to Saratoga Springs in the Hudson Valley for the healing mineral springs, thoroughbred horse racing, the area’s rich history.

Found Druthers Brewery.

Druthers Brewing in Saratoga Springs, NY.

Saratoga Springs is a pretty town, we have been through it in the truck, first time able to stop and have a look.

The Museum of Dance is in Saratoga Springs, there are many decorated ballet slippers on the streets of the town.

Being a Sunday afternoon, and less traffic, we rode around downtown Albany.  Albany is the capital of New York state.

A parking garage at the exit off the Interstate highway.

Beautiful old buildings in Albany, New York.

The le mans was loaded back on the truck before dark Sunday evening.  Delivered the rubber crumbs to Maple Hill High School at Castleton-on-Hudson on Monday morning 17 July. The rubber crumbs will be mixed with urethane and poured to make an athletic track.

Over to Endicott, NY in the afternoon to load plastic pipe.  Storm brewing in the west.

Half way through loading, the storm hit!  Torrential rain and high winds.  Alerts over the phone to "Seek Shelter Immediately".  Scary in a plastic pipe yard, Jim stayed continued strapping and got soaked.

Loaded pink pipe at National Pipe and Plastic Inc., in Endicott NY for Florida.

Endicott, New York to St. Cloud, Florida.

Susquehanna River from Interstate 81 southbound, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Delivered the pipe to a job site beside the road near St. Cloud, Florida on Wednesday, 19 July, then to the house in Daytona Beach.  Typical summer weather in the south - hot and humid with storms.

Going over the Seabreeze Bridge, Daytona  Beach - storms in the west.

When all the business and work is done around the house and truck, we try to take time to enjoy our surroundings.  Like a morning walk to the beach.

Walking from the house towards the beach.

Through the Ocean Walk Shoppes.

Back to the house via Main Street.

Intersection A1A and Main Street.

Lucky Rooster Restaurant on Main Street.

More storms in the afternoon.

The storms cleared for the summer series Friday evening concert at the Bandshell.  Friend and neighbour, Diane came with us to listen and dance to Shania Twain and Garth Brooks Tribute artists.  A great night - can not beat the Bandshell as a spectacular venue.

These photos are taken toward the east, the setting sun in the west colours the whole sky and reflects on the ocean.

Saturday afternoon another storm system was over by the time the Elton John Tribute started at the Bandshell.  Two great evenings of music - the Rocket Man Band was great, the "Elton" was decked out in flamboyant costumes and played impressive piano. The bandshell and the beach were spectacular again.  Diane came with us again - and we enjoy her company.

Sunday morning, 23 July, Jim and I got back in the truck and left Daytona Beach and headed north to be ready to load in Pooler, Georgia on Monday morning.
Loaded a JCB Loadall forklift at JCB.  This one came in on a ship from Great Britain. That afternoon, loaded in Gaston, South Carolina.  Got to the shippers and he said "You are picking up the Miami, Florida load?"  ....  "Ah, no - the Idaho one."
They loaded the Idaho on the truck that was leaving as we pulled in!  Luckily the other driver had not gone far and came back and we swapped shipments!  We loaded a skid with two pieces of steel on it.  It fitted under the forklift.
Tuesday morning we loaded at Bully Aero, their hangar in the Burlington-Alamance Regional Airport, Burlington, North Carolina.
Internet: Bully Aero is renowned for intricate, high-tech mods – the company refines, maintains, and restores some of the world’s most exquisitely tortured aerobatic superbirds.

Three LTL shipments - for Wyoming, Idaho and Utah.

There was open space on the trailer, but we could not find any freight that was small enough, light enough, and not far out of route to fill out, so we headed west.

Hot temperatures and storms for the drive west, via a favourite BBQ restaurant near Kansas City -  KC Baby Back Ribs BBQ and we had a yummy lunch.

Thursday morning - an early breakfast stop and catch up at the Bosselman Truckstop in Grand Island, Nebraska to see cousin Willa.  Could spent hours talking with her, but lovely to see her even for  a short time.

Bosselman Truckstop, Grand Island, Nebraska to meet cousin Willa.

Good driving weather going west:

Wyoming - Interstate 80.

Little America truckstop, Wyoming.

Our view for the evening at Little America.

Off the interstate highway north in western Wyoming, heading towards mountains.

Delivered in Afton, Wyoming Friday morning, 28 July to Aviat Aircraft, Inc.  Everyone working there was very friendly!

Internet:  Aviat Aircraft Inc. is an American manufacturer of sport and utility aircraft.  It is the oldest continuously operating aircraft in the US.  Aviat Aircraft makes an aerobatic plane called the Pitts Special, a backcountry flying plane call the Husky, and a kit plane called the Eagle.

Delivered the fuselage there.  Had to be watchful of wayward planes in the yard!

Then back around the mountain to Soda Springs, Idaho.

A cute covered bridge in Wyoming.

Hwy 34 in Soda Springs, Idaho.

Delivered the steel plates to Monsanto Co.

Internet:  Southeast Idaho has a long history of phosphate mining and processing, and the most visible evidence of that industry is Monsanto’s elemental phosphorous plant just north of Soda Springs. Established in 1952, the plant runs three furnaces that turn phosphate ore into elemental phosphorus, which is used in herbacides, hydraulic fluids, and food products.

Monsanto Co., Soda Springs, Idaho.

In Idaho - headed to the truckstop.

Just the JCB LoadAll left on the trailer for the weekend.  Did not have time to get to Salt Lake City, Utah before 5pm to deliver it.  Parked Friday afternoon at the Flying J truckstop in McCammon, southern Idaho, and unloaded the motorbike and headed north to Pocatello.

Internet:  Founded in 1889, Pocatello was known as the “Gateway to the Northwest.” As pioneers, gold miners and settlers travelled the Oregon Trail, they passed through the Portneuf Gap south of town.  Stage and freight lines and the railroad soon followed, turning the community into a trade centre and transportation junction.

…  After the gold rush played out, the settlers who remained turned to agriculture.  With the help of irrigation from the nearby Snake River, the region became a large supplier of potatoes, grain and other crops.

Our first stop was the Museum of Clean: brochure:  Walk into an awesome 75,000 sq.ft. complex of hands on fun, excitement, education and inspiration for the whole family.  Founded by cleaning expert and best selling author, Don Aslett, the Museum of Clean is the only museum of its kind illustrating the importance and value of “clean” in every aspect from clean houses to clean habits to clean conscious and clean language – using humour, art and one of a kind displays.

We got there at 3.30pm and left when it closed at 5pm and could have stayed longer!  The guided tour was fun and funny and very informative.  I took a lot of photos, but I thought it was great!

The World's Largest Janitor statue!

Washing machines.

A quilt made of vacuum cleaner bags.

 A musical instrument made with metal vacuum cleaner pipes of varying length, with a plunger for a mallet. 

Agitators for old boiler style washing machines.

A drive around Pocatello - beautiful old buildings.

Found Portnerf Valley Brewing in Pocatello for refreshers and dinner.

Internet:  The Portneuf River is a 124 mile (200 km) long tributary of the Snake River.  Pocatello sits along the river near the emergence from the mountains onto the Snake River plain.  It drains a ranching and farming valley.

Neither of us could eat our 'appertisers' - too much.  Jim got pork nachos, and I ordered an antipasta.

Back to the truckstop, via the town of McGammon, ID.  It is almost a ghost town, these banners are on the north entrance/exit.

A big day on the bike was planned for Saturday - back through Soda Springs and north into Wyoming to Jackson Hole.  Jim checked over the bike before leaving - he asked me to stand behind the bike to block the sun, and I saw this cool photo opportunity.  Motorcycling and trucking!

First stop was at Lava Hot Springs town for a coffee.  It was great weather and peak holiday/vacation time - lots of people.

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.

It was a nice motorcycle ride to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  A petrol stop in Soda Springs on the way.  The Geyser Days festival was on in Soda Springs.

I have not seen the Techron cars for years!

Valleys, farming land, mountains.  One stretch of road was being resurfaced with small, loose stones. Traffic was limited to one lane for many miles.

 Into the mountain range, highway beside the Snake River.  Lots of people out rafting, canoeing and tubing.  A very busy river.

The town of Jackson Hole was packed with tourists, and very commercialized, it has certainly lost its "old west" appeal.  It is an all seasons destination with snow sports in the winter and river activities in the summer.

Internet:  Jackson Hole is a valley between the Teton Mountain Range and the Gros Ventre Range in Wyoming.  The term “hole” was used by early trappers or mountain men who primarily entered the valley from the north and east and had to descent along relatively steep slopes, giving the sensation of entering a hole.

The town square is unique, it has four antler arches - one at each corner of the square, and it is a beautiful park.

No elk were killed to make the arches!  Each spring male elk shed their antlers and, since Jackson Hole is home to the National Elk Refuge, there is an abundance of antlers, with 5,000 elk wintering on the National Elk Refuge, they leave behind quite a mess.  The Boy Scouts started collecting the antlers in 1967.

Lunch time when we got there, so luckily there was the Snake River Brewery!

There were a few items of local flair to choose from - Jim had Bison Burger and I had Trout Cakes.

Both our meals were delicious!

Some sights around Jackson Hole.

Grand Teton National Park occupies the north-western part of the valley, north of Jackson Hole.  We headed across Teton Pass, back into Idaho to Idaho Falls.

Teton Range in the distance.

It was hot out of the mountains, so we found the Idaho Brewing Company.  The friendliest 'strangers' we have run into for a long time!

Idaho Falls - a great Brewery!

The city of Idaho Falls is beside the Snake River.  There were once rapids on the Snake River, but a retaining wall for a hydroelectric plant resulted in man-made falls.  They are beautiful and the parks along the river are a credit to the city.

The falls at Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The Latter Days Saints temple is in the middle background of this photo.

On the way back to the truck, we went through Pocatello and a quick beer at the Portneuf Valley Brewery.  It was getting late, riding back at dusk.

Leaving Pocatello at dusk.

Back to the truckstop just on sunset.  Put around 350 miles (560 kms) on the bike for the day.

Sunday was a morning trip to Soda Springs.  Geyser Days festival was on Saturday, so we didn't stop to see the geyser - too many other people with the same idea!

Research:  Soda Springs is named for the hundreds of natural springs of carbonated water that are located in and around the city.  The springs were a landmark along the Oregon Trail in the mid-19^th century.  Today it known for the Soda Springs Geyser.

In 1934 towns people were looking for a “hot pool” bathing attraction, instead they drilled into a chamber of highly pressurized carbon dioxide gas and cold water, and a geyser was released.  After running for weeks and flooding downtown, it was capped and manually released when requested.  Now it is let loose by a timer, every hour on the hour.

That experience was fabulous!  Roadside America called it "a unique semi-unnatural feature".

Back to the truckstop to load the bike and get down to Salt Lake City.
Delivered the JCB forklift to United Rentals Monday morning. 31 July, then loaded eleven reels of cable at Pacificorp on the north side of Salt Lake City late morning.

Salt Lake City, Utah to Portland, Oregon.

A long, hot drive into eastern Oregon, Interstate 84 - extremely hot temperatures forecast for the next five days.