430 miles

Things are going great. I'd love to show ya'll my pictures from the last few days, but I'm at a library that disallows uploading photos. Boo! But can tell you how beautiful Montana is? Wow I love it! It was hard leaving the amazing hotsprings place. But the riding was excellent. Except for the hords of attacking mosquitos! There was a 20 mile down hill on a lovely country road without any cars. Big Hole Valley is a huge wet river valley surrounded by snow capped mountains. Hige swathes of the wet meadows were purple with Iris. Then there was 18 miles of a single lane dirt road that cars were not even allowed on. This was my favorite part of the ride since I left Jenny Lake in the Grand Tentons. Such beautiful back country scenery. The road followed the Trail River and gently climbed up to a pass. I guess it was a historical path the Indians used to try to escape from being killed by the pursuing whities. Sad history. The wildflowers were incredbile. Larkspur, lupine, penstemon, primrose, native thislte, and a bunch of others that I didn't know. Then there was a crazy steep long down hill thru a burned area. It was erie to be riding thru a standing forest of all dead trees. After 58 miles I rode in to the little town of Sula, population 50. But the restaruant and grocery store were already closed. Groan. I thought I was going to have to eat power bars for dinner. But when I rode into the camp ground, I passed a large group of families all camping together who had a huge feast laid out. They noticed I looked hungry and invited me to join them. They all thought I was crazy for going solo. But they were just proving to me how many nice people there really are out here in the world. Then another group of cyclists came along and were invited to eat too. Then a hiker came to the table who is doing the continental divide trail. It was a dinner of BBQ ribs and every kind of salad and pie. Once again, the kindness of strangers prevailed. It was great to hear the cyclists' stories. Two women from Seattle quit their jobs to cycle to New York (see people you could have come with me!). They took a long route thru the Cascades and had already completed 1000 miles since May 31st.
I am going to stay at a cyclist only lodgin tonight in Hamilton Montana. There is a woman who lets bike tourists stay in her guest room. I hear she feeds you dinner too! Can't wait. Tomorrow I'll complete this leg of my journey. I'll arrive in Missoula. I have heard great things about Missoula and am excited to see for myself.
Then on Firday Marc is coming to pick me up and take me to Bend Oregon to celebrate our anniversary. So excited!