Saturday, June 18, 2011
Fishing on the Clearwater
Day 35
Today I am thinking and praying for my friends who lost there 18 year old son in a tragic accident. My heart goes out to you, Wayne and Kelly.
It was a sunny, cool day for a ride down one of the most beautiful highways in the country, HWY 12, though the Bitterroot Mountains. It follows several rivers on it's journey, including the Lochsa and Cearwater. The actual Lewis & Clark and Nez Perce Trails followed the mountain ridges because the river valley was too chocked with rocks and underbrush.
Shortly after my ride began today, I stopped in at the "Historic Nacsaw Forest Ranger Station". This multi-building station is a jewel out of a bygone era, when forest rangers often lived very solitary lives, at great personal sacrifice. I found this a fascinating place and well worth the time.
Later I stopped for a picnic and let my gear dry in the sun. Finally I was off to Lowell, a small town of about 30, where I stopped for a bite. While there, I met a gentleman from Slovenia, who is biking across America. We had a delightful conversation.
As I was leaving I realized my sunglasses were missing. Could I have left them at the picnic area? I rode back 7 miles just to check (I know, this is becoming a habit). No glasses. Then it hit, I left them sitting in the restroom at the ranger station. I decided it wasn't worth another 10 miles of backtracking. Finding "over the glasses sunglasses is now high on my shopping list.
I tried to make up a few miles by riding late and paid for it by settling for a dry drainage ditch for a campsite. Let's hope there's no rain tonight.
Miles: 73 (including 14 backtrack miles)
Total: 2,372
Friday, June 17, 2011
Day 34
Riding up Lolo Pass, with all its history and beauty, made me appreciate God's creative power and the resourcefulness of the native Americans who travelled through this rugged land for thousands of years before Lewis and Clark and those who followed. To this day a railroad has never penetrated this rugged terrain.
Today, waiting at the top is a visitor's center, complete with WiFi, coffee and hot chocolate. I relaxed for a good while before starting my decent. For the test of the story read my previous post.
I was hopeful the rain would end after leaving the pass, but instead it increased. Thankfully I'm now equipped with proper wet gear!
I slept under the canopy of old growth cedars, where the undergrowth is sparse and the rain cannot fully penetrate.
Miles: 85
Total: 2,299
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Charging behind
Well, I finally did it, I left my charger behind, at the visitor center, on top of Lolo Pass. I realized when I was at Powell, ID so I stopped in at the Powell Ranger Station and they were able to verify it was still there. So I stashed my panniers and headed back the 12 miles to the top. Got another cup of hot chocolate for my effort... and a fully charged charger.
Day 33
After making the pilgrimage to Adventure Cycling (great place), I continued up toward Lolo Pass. This pass was used by Native Americans for thousands of years before Lewis and Clark made their trek. If not for their Indian guide they would have been hopelessly lost.
Weather was chilly, but peasant Wednesday and I was able to find a creekside campsite in the national forest.
Miles: 59
Total: 2,214
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Adventure Cycling, Missoula MT
Day 32
Not a lot to say. Great scenery, slow biker. Made it within 30 miles of Missoulla and called it a day. I did call time out to climb a foot hill. Also had an interesting conversation with a forest ranger about the grizzly bear and wolf population in this area. An 800 lbs grizzly was hit and killed just 5 miles from Lincoln in 1996.
Miles: 63
Total: 2,155
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Day 31
Today is significant for having crossed the Continental Divide. The pass was not as strenuous as I expected, however, Lolo pass will be a different story in a few days. I'm camping just off the road in Helena National Forest and the full moon is alluminating the tent interior with a misty glow. Since I'm now in bear country I thought it wise to hang my food in a tree. The animals must have gotten a real laugh as I made one feeble attempt after another, but I finally succeeded in hanging it about 8 feet off the ground. If we have pigmee bears we should be fine. A nearby tree is squeaking as it blows in the wind, adding to the night's ambiance.
Miles: 73
Total: 2,093
Monday, June 13, 2011
Day 30
What a blessed day! It started with a visit to First Church of the Nazarene, Great Falls. Boy did I time my visit right! They were celebrating graduations with a full breakfast for everyone! Never mind that I'd already eaten at camp, the smell of bacon will always get my mouth salivating. I think I was the last to stop eating. And before service started someone offered to let me stay in the church for the night. They even have a shower (not that I need one. I had one just yesterday). Jim, the director of the local homeless shelter, gave the message on "No Excuses" from Romans 2:1-11. I'll think twice before I judge someone else again!
After service I went directly to the CM Russell Museum. Russell, a native of St. Louis, MO, lived and worked in Great Falls. It was a thrill to see so many of his drawings and paintings under one roof and then be able to walk next door to view his studio and home complete with original furnishings. This man truly captured the American West as it was disappearing.
If that wasn't enough I then headed for the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, a few miles away, on the shores of the Missouri. Along the way I marveled at the power of nature as I watched the massive flow at the Black Eagle Falls and Dam. This was one of the five waterfalls The Corp of Discovery was forced to portage around on their way up the Missouri.
The Interpretive Center did not disappoint. It was pact with interesting details about the journey, focusing especially on the great sacrifices made by everyone in the party during the portage. I am constantly reminded how selfless each individual was as they fought for a shared goal.
One more mission to accomplish... EAT! Because Marilyn had expressed concern about my weight loss, I wanted to put her mind at ease so I chowed down at Golden Coral and I have the photos to prove it.
A great day. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Tomorrow's goal is Lincoln, MT, on the way to Missoula.
Miles: 18 (in town)
Total: 2,020
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Day 29
This day seemed more like three. It started with a beautiful rainbow. By the time I hit the road at 7:05, it was threatening rain. Watching it approach over the mountains was breathtaking. By the time I hit the small town of Stanford I had my ZipLocks on again and decided to have a second breakfast at the local cafe to wait out the rain; biscuits & gravy with hash browns and one egg. Thankfully the rain did pass and I was on my way to Great Falls, 64 miles away. The countryside was somewhat reminiscent of home, but for the ten thousand foot peaks in three directions. When I finally arrived in GF, I did laundry and checked on a tent sight. The only one available was at an RV park. I happened to see a local police officer and asked if camping was permitted in any of the city parks. He said no, but then added if it was for only one night he could make an exception if I camped in a given area. I thanked him and prepared to set up camp when I heard what sounded like an outdoor rock concert starting up a few blocks away. I am now comfortably tucked in at the RV Park. Surprisingly I'm NOT the only tent camper here.
Tomorrow I plan to visit the local Nazarene Church then take in the CM Russell Museum. I'm excited about both prospects.
Miles: 70
Total: 2,002
Saturday, June 11, 2011
ZipLock Bags to the rescue
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDVtPwPvUF0
Just turn your computer upside down to view this. ;)
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