It seemed like everybody was getting ready for the upcoming Solar Eclipse in America – newspapers were reporting that thousands of people were to be expected in the area, roads totally blocked and hotels booked 3 years ahead. So our mission was to find a hide-out to avoid the crazy crowds for the next days – and also to see the Solar Eclipse. We headed to a small town called Driggs in Idaho which was going to be exactly in the center. In a camping store in town (we had to get a new stove, as Flo’s old one broke) we were recommended a remote area in the forest nearby and spent a few days there. The Solar Eclipse was truly mind-blowing – the sudden darkness for over two minutes, seeing the corona and everything around us standing still gave us goose bumps!
Next stop was the Yellowstone National park which is famous for its volcanic activity and geysers. We spent the night just out side the park and met a really nice French couple travelling in their van with their dog for over a year. After exploring the park the next day it was time to get back on the Continental Divide trail. We rode past colorful cliff sides and over ranches with horses galloping alongside the road. After a night in Pinedale we were heading out again, when we realised our chain sliders were totally run down. Just a day before they where still in good shape. Kate headed back into town to order spare parts from the local motorsports shop. While waiting for the parts we met Andy who had moved up to Wyoming and was building a log cabin up in the mountains. He invited us back to his place and we were spoiled with pulled-pork sandwiches and beers around our first camp fire – no fire bans here! Many thanks to Andy for the invitations and the great time!
After the downtime in Pinedale we were eager to get going again. We rode through the Great Divide Basin Desert of Wyoming. We were in the middle of nowhere and saw lots of Antelopes jumping through the vast landscape and the offroad riding was spectacular.
