Enjoyed a sleep in until about 1030 then up and packed by 1045. I had that sleep in because I am meeting my Brother in Law Bill today in Shelby, Montana and we are going to ride together for several days. He rides in a crew called 'Coots on Scoots' to which I am a recently adopted member having turned 50 years old last week, the entry level age. They like to depart at 0600 and finish riding early afternoon before it gets too hot. I like to leave at 1100 and stop at Happy Hour!

We had started discussing going on a trip together last year and despite many obstacles it all came to fruition. The major differences in our riding styles were easily overcome by our mutual passion for riding. Sadly he will only be with me for a few days as he has to limit his days in 'Merica.

He and my sister Agnes in addition to keeping homes in St. Albert and Penticton, also have a home in Palm Desert, California. They split their time primarily between BC & CA, coming home to Alberta for Christmas, and sporadically throughout the year. The US limits the number of days they can live there to 182 and if you exceed that you can be excluded from entering the country for up to 2 years so he needs to be very careful.

As such he only has about 4 or 5 days for this trip. He left Thursday and drove to Kalispell and we'll be meeting today in Shelby.

The first thing I did was inquire at the front desk about a local post office. My 2 Pelican rig was not working out for me as the top one kept bouncing around and hitting me. Also keeping it just to carry in my other luggage was not worth it. I downsized the rig to the single largest case and moved my laptop and a few items into it. I decided against lugging Churchill with me the whole time as well so I stopped at the Post Office and mailed my laptop Pelican and the book back to myself. Now with the single case only I don't even know it's there, so much that I reach around and check from time to time that it is still there!

Speaking of not knowing it is there, the optically correct visor on my helmet is as pure as the driven snow. It is so clear and optically correct that several times I have reached up to close it only so find it is already closed!

I departed Claresholm and was very careful not to make the same mistake I always make and that is to turn south before Lethbridge. This takes you to the Cardston border crossing which adds about 100 miles to the trip after the border crossing. Continuing through LB takes you to the Coutts/Sweet Grass crossing which goes direct to Shelby.

I know this crossing is way busier than Cardston but I was not prepared for the 100 motorcyclists in front of me. The lane didn't say motorcycles in particular so I went to the far lane behind some motor homes. The way the math worked for me was; 100 feet of motorcycles is 50 stops with the customs guy. 100 feet of motor homes is 3 of them!

My theory held some water, although the motor home stops were lengthy due to multiple passengers etc. I was still through in about 30 minutes and left many, many, many hogs behind me. The amount of Sturgis traffic always boggles the mind. This otherwise sleepy town of 6627 people swells to accommodate over half a million people during the rally each August.

There are some interesting stats here: http://www.sturgismotorcyclerally.com/r ally-info/faq-and-statistics

I especially like the link about what bad behaviours will cost with indecent exposure topping the list. Is that because it is the cheapest or the most frequent?! This year marks the 75th Anniversary, (*****! I remember the 50th Anniversay, wow, am I old!) so the traffic and attendance will prolly be through the roof!

Anyway, I digress, we are going the opposite direction as Sturgis and on purpose! After crossing the border it was a quick 50 miles to Shelby where I drove directly to the O'Haire motel where I have stayed for over 25 years. This motel is almost exactly 700 kms from my driveway so it is an excellent first days ride, or last night in 'Merica if coming home.



I had actually made reservations so we could get apartments on the Courthouse side, Shelby gets a lot of big boomers and if a big thunderstorm is coming, it will come in from the west which this side of the motel faces so you can watch them come in!



After checking in, I went to get provisions. Turning left into the Conoco station I noticed a rather odd looking 'motorcycle' but carried on and parked. When I dismounted I heard Bill's voice, easily as I was not wearing my helmet. (When in Rome.......). He was sitting in a park biding his time as he thought it might be too early to check in. I went in to get some refreshments and upon stepping back outdoors met Bill with a hearty embrace!

We set off together to go and check him in. The turn off to Main Street was a little funny as you exited parallel to it. Made a quick left then a quick right. There was a stop sign there that I ignored, but the Statie watching us from close by did not.

As we pulled into the steep 3 tiered driveway to the mo'tel the Statie was in hot pursuit and he lit us up. Bill, being the most responsible of the our small party of 2 pulled over immediately. I thought we could prolly wait 10 more seconds until we were in front of the hotel. We had a pleasant stop as the Sheriff chastised me for, in his words, not taking a 'dab' at the stop sign. Taking a dab means putting your foot down for a second or two. Ridiculous really when you consider the traffic levels of Main Street Shelby, but I guess the law is the law, eh?

The auspicious start to our adventure was made more palatable by the Sheriff's dazzling beautiful blond partner, made all the cuter by her restrictive bullet proof vest! She chose to handle Bill though. In the end we got our licenses run which proved our Choir Boy status in the eyes of the law and were released without further fanfare, and most notably without a ticket!

We got Bill checked in and he was across the hall from my suite. We enjoyed some beverages on the picnic table on the veranda. Our discussion centered around how best to marry our distinctively different riding styles, but Bill made it all a moot point by saying he was just along for the ride. We did concede to a 0900 departure time, middle ground from his preferred time of 0600 and mine of 1100.

After a while Bill thought it was time to go dinner but we found it was only 1630! We decided a nap and freshening up was in order.

Lobby call was 1800 and we proceeded to the Sports Club for some fine dining, Montana style. That means a ginormous steak of course! The owner/chef/bartender/pot washer of this fine establishment has a refreshing attitude when it comes to customer service. When I asked for a specific condiment his reply was NO. I asked for a specific kind of rum and he answered NO. At least you know where you stand with this guy!



Following a satisfying dinner we crossed the street to The Montana Club for many, many, MANY cocktails and much spirited conversation.



Pretty late, well late by OUR standards, we staggered home up the 3 tiered driveway back to our apartment and turned in looking forward to the following day.

Day 2
Claresholm, AB to Shelby, MT
251 km