Freedomflyer

Couldn't believe the size of some of these trees, But never noticed them, pretty old growth. Sky was also beautiful that night. Had to leave a longer exposure to catch the stars.

Dinner and a visit

We had a great weekend with our friends from Wyoming. Left work early on Friday, needed to was a loooong week, went and picked up my trailer. Already had the machines loaded, mowed my yard, grabbed our lunch, my 10mm, and bear spray and headed out. Our friends were coming right by the exit we needed to take to the trailhead, so we just drove to the exit and met them there. When they showed up they put on some extra layers and we headed up to the trailhead, we were unloaded and on the trail by 6. Was already cooling down so we knew we needed to get going and get up to where we wanted to have our picnic dinner. Wind was blowing pretty good so I knew it was going to be chilly on top. We worked our way up stopping as always to admire the colors and scenery. Got to our scenic overlook and enjoyed our dinner and a great visit. As predicted was windier than all get out at the top to ended up getting behind some of the few trees to eat. Unfortunately we ended up yakking a little longer than we should've so by the time we got back on the trail I could see we weren't going to get to our spot to watch the sunset. We stopped at our overlook to the west and stopped anyway for a stretch and to enjoy the last few rays of sunlight and another time of fellowship. After the sun set we headed down the dark trail to the truck, stopping one last time for a few more pics of the moonlight through the trees. We got back to the truck and loaded up about 9:30, wife was a chilled to the bone, was about 49 and not enough layers. But as always was great to be out and and saw the local beauty of our area.

Thanks Retro.

I know, I know, for me it's about just getting out and being in our great Montana Big Sky and sharing pics of those outings. Red: 2016 Can Am 570 Outlander Max, KFI 2500 lb. winch, Heat demon handwarmers and thumb warmer, Can am quick link storage trunk, Moose storage Box, Maxis big horn 2.0 tires, beadlock wheels, Cannon windshield. Orange: 2019 Can Am 570 Outlander max, Heat demon hand warmers and thumb warmer, Super winch 3500 pound winch, Quadboss trunk, Maxis big horn, 2.0 tires, Beadlock wheels.

Hondas only?

I don't think it's epoxy, it is a super glue called Cyanoacrylate, unsure works but so does acetone, the un cure is just not as aggressive as acetone.

Prov, those are sure funny looking horses!😁

What the heck?????? What are those?

Looks like o s max and super Motors

What an idiot!

I know you were 😁 I think anything when abused isn't going to hold up, eventually somethings going to give way. I know it's never going to happen but I sure wish Honda would join the playing field and make a 2 up I think they would clean house with sales. So til then I'll just slum it on my Canned Ham and be thankful everytime I make it back to my truck😁 You do know I can't resist throwing a pic or 5 of them in with my posts. Grateful you guys haven't run me out of here, enjoy sharing our rides with everybody. Wish a few more would get out and do the same. I'm thankful to be able to ride where I do. It is really amazing how our areas change so much with the different positions of the sun. I never get tired of being out and getting away from the growing turmoil in our Valley.

😁

Hey, if Honda made a 2up I'd have one. But I do like the ride of these machines, smooth, fairly nimble, incredible engine braking, no shifting. Most of our rides are done in low range, and in and out of 4 wheel drive. Not because we'll get stuck, just better traction coming down the steep rocky trails, keeps the back end from sliding. Over al have been great machines. Do miss the fuel economy of the Hondas we had though. Don't miss the ride at all.😁

Bummer😕, when I bought my Glock40 10mm I got one if these holsters, keeps it right on front. That's a really too bad.

Was a tragic day in our valley and area on Wednesday, 3 major incidents resulting in the loss of 4 lives. With all the influx of people coming from different areas, there are all sorts of different driving styles. There was a major accident on the I-90 running through the middle of the Gallatin Valley. 5 vehicles involved, 2 pretty much unrecognizable one gone on site 33 years old, the 2nd life flighted to Billings hospital 150 miles away, died 2 days later, 33 years old. Another separate accident on one of the main arteries in the valley, another lady dead on site, 33 years old. Another accident involving two girls one 12, the other 13. They were in a SXS crossing a highway, evidently the 12 yr old was driving was crossing the highway and was drying struck broadside by a pickup. Both were thrown from the SXS, the 12 year old didn't make it. The 13 yr old turns out is my cousins, sons, daughter, so I guess my 2nd cousins daughter. She was flown to the same hospital in Billings and underwent reconstructive surgery on her left side of her face and eye as well as her left shoulder and arm. Not sure what her status is at this point. Another incident up the canyon towards Yellowstone Park, a guy that rents ATVs and SXSs rented a couple atv's to some bow hunters, they killed a deer and contacted him and said they were going to be late with the return, he went up to help them and found them looking at the kill getting eaten by a Grizzly. It was a small one and they were able to scare it off, unfortunately when they turned around the mother was there, the SXS rental guy got attacked. It bit him in the face, tore his jaw off, ripped his chest open and severed his right bicep. The other guys somehow chased it off, they couldn't shoot in fear of hitting him so threw rocks and yelled. It finally left, they contacted emergency services and were with him to keep him conscious till the life flight arived. They flew him to Salt Lake in stable but critical condition. Horrible.

A few more.

Was able to get out with my brothers yesterday for a short ride. We were on the trail at 7:45 and took the ride my wife and I took the other night for our picnic dinner ride. It is so amazing how you can go to the same place and it can look so different at different times of the day. As always, was great to get out and get some time with just my brothers. Seems to too far and few in between that we get the opportunity to do that. Probably need to make a more concerted effort to do that. My oldest brothers health is not that great and it makes it more critical to take the opportunity to makes it happen. That being said, the ride was great, we took a spur off of the loop trail my wife and I rode and added a total of 4 miles to the ride to explore a little bit. Unfortunately we were on a time frame due to my other brother needing to be back for another pre-planned engagement. So we (I) will explore that trail further at a later date. Here's some pics from our day.

Well said Prov, first and foremost, would highly recommend several things. Make sure you have a machine(regardless of brand)with independent suspension, not saying it's a must, but power steering makes your riding days longer with less fatigue. There are those that say it doesn't matter once you're on the trail, sorry but they're wrong! As Prov said, be prepared with basic essentials, tire plugs are a must, we have some trails that are pretty rocky with very sharp rocks that can puncture. Tow strap is a must, if you're going to be out in unfamiliar area waaaaay back in take gas. These cans are expensive but fit flat on your racks and can bungee other things on top of them. https://www.ebay.com/itm/201509474562?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=201509474562&targetid=1645685073288&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9021321&poi=&campaignid=20133407470&mkgroupid=147476396765&rlsatarget=pla-1645685073288&abcId=9312979&merchantid=114622461&gclid=CjwKCAjwu4WoBhBkEiwAojNdXgzz5TXeswYjKRZ_Ggg-BLWGASH5IYJo43p6L2D-_uPxDt-_o5uStBoCwkIQAvD_BwE Most of the states around us, including us(Montana) require offroad stickers or permits, we have to buy an offroad trail permit every two years, Wyoming and South Dakota require a Temporary pass if you're gonna ride their trails. Plan your routes well and and have fun, If you're ever up montana way, Would love to take you out on some of our trails.

That's awesome fish!!

Already have had about 10 of our friends wanting us to take them out. Running out of riding season😕

Couldn't take enough pics

Incredible views. It was at this point I video called Prov in Minnesota and told him we'll hit this short ride when he comes back next year. I turned the phone around so he and his wife could the landscape. I think he'll be back. 😁

Long week, couldn't wait for it to end seemed like nothing went right. My partner and I took over a job that another contractor has been milking for the last 11 months. Progress on the house virtually stopped last November. We got called in by the home owner to do some work on the exterior, a wrap around porch with an enclosed 3 season room. Ended up getting pulled inside to finish all the custom trim. The contractor thought his toes were getting "stepped on" so decided he was going to step aside. Unfortunately he left us with a mess, and 4 stacks of post and beam timbers worth $32,000 and no direction of what to do with it. So we spent most of the week visiting with the homeowner and going through materials and coming up with a plan as to what to do with what is there. We did find that he ordered way too much material that was special ordered and can't be returned. Probably $10,000 worth. All that to say it didn't look like we got anything done for the week and I was ready for it to be over. Texted my wife about 2 to see what she thought about a picnic dinner and a sunset ride. She seemed up for it so picked up my trailer and loaded the machines when I got home and headed out. Chosen area we rode is only about 22 miles from home, 18 of those pavement, and 14 of those interstate, so only about 40 minutes from driveway to trailhead. Got unloaded and on the trail at 6:50. Was a perfect night 66 degrees and cooling, had rained on Thursday so trail was somewhat wet which was fine as it kept the dust down. This was an area we had ridden the 3rd weekend of August but was pretty socked in with smoke, and we had started early in the morning and rode further up the trail. This particular loop is only about 11.5 miles and can be ridden in 3 hrs or so with plenty of stops to visit and enjoy the views. This was really enjoyable but we really should've been on the trail between 5:30 & 6, we were kind of rushing to get to where we wyvern the last of the sunset. Will do it again but different this next time. We certainly weren't disappointed it was worth every minute and just the recharge I needed for what seemed like an unproductive week. Wasn't enough time to take all the pics we wanted. Everywhere we looked was just so incredibly beautiful we didn't want the sun to set. By far one one of my most favorite rides. I love areas with water in the scenery but expanse of the views here are just amazing.

A few more, 2nd to last pic shows a view that over looks the valley we live in, pretty cool perspective.