July 8, 2010 60 miles Havre, MT

Last night in Chester was quite unusual. Our motel was straight out of the 40's and reminded me of places my family used to stay on summer vacations. As I mentioned earlier, I was upstairs. So, Jane and I had the windows wide open to let in the breeze. The birds woke up about 4 am and the trains never went to sleep. Despite all, I managed to sleep well. Earplugs help. I misread my watch, though, and got up at 5:38. Since b'fast wasn't until 7:30, I dressed and crawled back in bed for a nap.

The ride today was another 60 miler along straight/flat US 2. I think we follow this all the way to ND and maybe all the way to Fargo! The country side, though, is lovely even if it is flat. Today, we continued to see the Sawgrass Mountains to the north and picked up the Bear's Paw Mtns on the south, so there are mountains to see on the far horizons. The wheat fields go forever alnd from the air must look like a checker board. There are huge areas of green followed by huge areas of brown which are fields that have been left fallow. The prairie dogs were out early this AM - chasing one another or being chased by hawks. They dig huge holes in the ground - much bigger than the chipmonk holes back home. More farmhouses and wheat silos were noticed today and the houses actually all seemed surrounded by trees. Otherwise, there are NO trees - just fields and silos. I have yet to see a missile silo; not sure what I'm looking for anyway, but others have seen them.

My pics today consisted mostly of the wrought iron town signs. Some salesman/artisan made a living selling signs. . . . About 10 miles from a SAG stop my back tire went down. I had the bike upside down and was about to remove the wheel when two angels rode up - both competent SAG drivers. Lynn, Jean and I (probably mostly them) changed it fairly quickly. Since neither of them could locate the culprit inside the tire, I took it all apart later this aft and still couldn't find a reason for the flat. I do have two good size cuts in the back tire to which I applied a dot of super glue. Tomorrow, I'm going to check the old tube and patch it. . . . This nice man stopped to offer his assistance.  He's from Ottawa and riding across America.

My good friends Mary and Joann (Group #1) had supper with us again tonight and also Gloria, founder of WomanTours. It was fun to hear from Gloria about how she came to start the company twelve years ago. Joann was on the 1st XC tour and Mary was on the first transam tour.

Wednesday, July 8, 2010 65 miles Chester, MT

Today's ride was like a nice Sunday afternoon ride - straight east on US 2 along a basically flat but also rolling hills through pasture land, meadows, fields of wheat, and perhaps potatoes. Along the side of the highway we passed lots of grain elevators, abandoned farm houses and out buildings and total wide open spaces. The highway ran along side the railroad track that seems to go from Chicago to the west coast. Several long cargo trains passed by. At some point I couldn't help but start singing "Home On the Range". . . . Some of us stopped for coffee at a very nice expresso shop about 20 miles out.  I'm including a pic of one of the white crosses that are all along MT highways.  They represent highway fatalities and are quite sobering.  Also, there's a picture of me that's supposed to show off my GTTS jersey.  

In 63 miles, I only saw one large and very nice home. So, I wonder who owns all the land. . . A nice tailwind kept us moving along a good rate of speed. Almost without trying I averaged almost 15 mph. Believe me, we weren't hurrying to get to Chester. With a population of about 800 (info from the librarian), there isn't much here, but the main street has all the usual businesses - cafe (Spuds), drugstore, feed store, hardware AND a very nice library with the usual very friendly staff. Since the MX Motel doesn't have wi-fi, several of us are here using the library's computers or our own. Speaking of the latter, I sure am enjoying my little Acer - except for the over sensitive mouse. . . . The MX might be considered as 'shabby chic' with lovely owners. My room is up an outside and very steep staircase, down the hall and on the right. It's a suite of 2 bedrooms with bath and full kitchen facilities. Fortunately, Linda is preparing a delicious supper. We're even having margaritas tonight to celebrate the halfway point of the trip, and (I think), halfway across Montana (think Texas on the ST). Will close now and try to add a few pics.

July 6, 2010 60 miles Cut Bank, MT

Rain sprinkled on breakfast this AM, but it never affected our ride today. Partly cloudy skies followed us all the way to Cut Bank. Immediately leaving St. Mary, we climbed (6% - 8%) for 6 miles, then down, then up again. The next downhill left us in the flats and out of the Rockies. :(( The ride thus far has been so beautiful; I'll miss the mountains. I'm sure there's more pretty country in store for us, but today, the last 30 miles were flat. We turned into a road beside Cut Bank Creek that was lovely. Or, maybe it was the strong tailwind.

I took several pics of wildflowers which I'll post. Also posting a picture showing the devastating effect of a wildfire that was three years ago.  One can see the beautiful white wildflowers all over the ground. Coming into Browning, we turned onto US 2 and rode the next 30 miles thru Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The road had a wide shoulder that included rumbles. The truck traffic was heavy on the two lane road. And, the crosswinds! Wow! So, the last 20 miles were long. . . Coming into Cut Bank, guess what? - a long uphill, just to keep our climbing muscles awake! Fortunately, I spotted McDonalds and stopped for a double chocolate dip.

July 5, 2010 21.4 mi. Going to the Sun St. Mary, MT

Today was the day that we've all been anxiously awaiting - the Going to the Sun ride (GTTS). Most of bought the jersey in Whitefish, so we've GOT to do the ride. This is the route that goes over Logan Pass from approx. 3200 ft. to 6664 ft. The top is also a spot on the Continental Divide. Our clocks were set for 5 am; some heard it raining at 4:30. Thankfully, the rain stopped and we enjoyed a good breakfast of hard cooked eggs and hot oatmeal and coffee. Barbara Minnick, our one recumbant cyclist left camp at 5:45, determined to get to the top before 11:00 (she made it at 10:45 - yea!). Bicycles are not allowed between 11 am and 4 pm. So, actually, everyone felt "under the gun" to start out early. I think I left close to 6:30 and made it to the top at 9:30. We were encouraged to wear as much warm gear as we owned plus raingear and to take a change of clothes or extra dry shirt to put on at the top for the ride down. Since the morning was not too cold, I had to stop early on and put on fingerless gloves and remove two windbreakers and arm warmers. I still had on leg warmers and my rain jacket. The beginning 10 miles were relatively flat and easy. At mile 11, we began a steady, round and round climb for 10 long miles. The entire route was two narrow lanes with no shoulder; sometimes the road was dirt in the spots where crews were working. Personally, I didn't find the climb too difficult - just very long. I got in my granny gear and just stayed there - even left myself one gear on the rear for an emergency that didn't happen. I stopped at most of the turnouts to drink water, stand down, and take a photo. These quick breaks really helped me preserve my energy. The wind picked up a little at the top and the temperature seemed to plummet. I nearly froze during the photo session. Then I hurried into the unheated Visitor Center, ate my sandwich, added back the windbreakers plus my fleece, glove liners and warm biking gloves. By then, though, I was thoroughly chilled and shaking (no heat in the VC). It had started to rain, and I could hardly see my hand in front of my face due to the heavy cloud cover. Under those circumstances, and also because I really don't relish steep downhills, I made the decision to take the park bus down the mountain to St. Mary's Visitor Center. I watched my friend Jean disappear into the cloud as she began the descent. Although the sun came out when we got below the clouds, the air was still quite cold, and the road was full of potholes (winter ice and snow are not kind to these roads). My bike road on the front of the bus and I thawed out inside. There actually were 3 of us, but everyone else braved it and got down on their bikes. My hat is off to them!

Once at St. Mary's Lodge (about noon), we all had to wait until 4 o'clock to get our rooms. Fortunately, the reception rooms were filled with comfortable furniture. I napped on a rawhide sofa in front of a warm fire. . . . Linda prepared the perfect cold night supper - split pea soup, a fantastic salad and several delicious pies. Since it doesn't get dark until after 10 pm and we are getting a late start tomorrow, I'm getting in bed now to read some more of FEARLESS FOURTEEN, one of Evanovich's humorous stories.

July 4, 2010 Kalispell and Lake McDonald, MT

Patsy, Kalli, and Toth brought me p to Glacier today after lunch - arriving about 2:15. This morning we went to P's church - Bethlehem Lutheran and enjoyed a lovely, warm and friendly service. P fixed us Eggs Benedict for lunch. Yummmm

The day was drippy at Glacier National Park and showers are expected for our ride tomorrow. I arrived in time to clean my bike real good from the rain on Friday.

McDonald Lodge where we're staying is quite lovely. Built in 1913-14 even before a road existed. Guests arrived by boat or horseback. Several of us have rooms in a motel style building. Others have rooms in a cabin style building. The lodge is furnished with rustic, comfortable furniture and lots of animal heads. An inviting fire was roaring in the lobby where folks were milling about or enjoying the chairs and people watching.

I met Tyler Doss from Germantown in the gift shop. He's working here for two months this summer. He graduated from Houston High and is a sophomore at Ole Miss where's he's a Sigma Nu - a really neat young man. I took his pic outside the country store when he was on his break. I also got a few pictures of the lodge and McDonald Lake. One thing I missed was a pic of the large red car busses that are used for guided tours of the park. They've used this mode of transportation since the road was built.

July 3, 2010 Kalispell, MT

Up at 7 and made coffee. Patsy cooked us a great breakfast of omelet, turkey sausage biscuit. Before she got up, tho, I enjoyed a quiet time and read my emails. There's a school behind P's house and I'm linked to the school's sytem. We picked up P's mom and took her with us the Farmer's Market. P was looking for herbs to plant. Later, P and I shopped at the Sportsman's Ski Haus where I found a pair of quick drying shorts, a pretty t-shirt and a pair of warm gloves. At Hergerger's we found a t-shirt to match the shorts and a pair of white cut-offs - all on sale. Bought our lunch at the Blue Cow - delicious red lentil soup with coconut, rice and curry, etc. After lunch, P drove me to Big Rock on the northern end of Flathead Lake (27 miles long) and then up along Swan Lake. It rained hard almost all morning. I would love to know how my friends faired biking to Lake McDonald and hoping Jean can call me back with a report. She probably doesn't have cell service, tho. . . . We picked up Cathlynn and Troy's children (Toth 12 and Kalli 6) at a friend's home. They are staying with Gran while their parents vacation in Canada for a week. After lunch tomorrow they'll drive me to Lake McDonald. I enjoyed seeing Troy this morning and regret not getting to see Cathlynn. The children are beautiful and so smart. Toth looks exacctly like his mother and Kalli looks just like Troy.


I had a phone message which I couldn't retrieve because I didn't have a password. I've never been asked for a password for messages. Called Catherine who gave me the 888# for ATT and finally got a new password.

Tomorrow is the day all the bike group has been anticipating - the Going To The Sun ride. This scenic landmark crossing of Glacier National Park is a 50 mile paved road that was completed in the 1930's. In 1983 it was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark, placed on the national Register of Historical Places, and in 1996 was designated a National Historical Landmark, the only road in the U.S. with all three designations.

Forgive all the personal info from my days off;  family reads this, too.  :))

July 2, 2010 0 miles of 59 Whitefish, MT

As predicted rain came last night and continued on and off all day. I left the room ready to ride, but when I saw that most of the group was dressed in regular clothes, I changed my mind. As it turned out 14 of us rode to Whitefish in the van with our bikes anchored on top. Arriving about 10:30 at the Best Western, we were allowed to store our bikes and bags in a large conference room because our rooms would not be ready before 1:00 pm. Several of us then got a lift back to town where we went first to Glacier Cyclery for one item - a Going To The Sun jersey. I also bought a pair of matching socks. I'm sure we'll ride on Monday whether it's raining or snowing. Everyone wants to do this special and challenging climb. We then found a good place for lunch called LouLa's, and then it was time for a stroll on Main Street. Fortunately, this is the weekend for a large arts festival. Jean, Judy and I each made small purchases and enjoyed talking to the vendors. Also, we could stand in one of the tents when the rain came. Walking back through the residential area, we enjoyed many of the old cottage homes that have been rehabed into charming homes. As we got closer to our hotel, the bikers began passing us. They were wet and cold having been in several downpores during the 59 mile ride. I was so glad I hadn't ridden!


My friend Patsy Cloud picked me up about 3 pm, drove me around Whitefish and by beautiful Whitefish Lake where her children and grandchilden enjoy swimming and playing. I love where Patsy lives in Kalispell and she's so happy here. We enjoyed one of her delicious meals for dinner and a good visit. Patsy and I have been friends since about 1969 when our husbands both worked in downtown Memphis and ran into each other on an elevator in the building where they worked. They hadn't seen each other since they were in high school together in Oxford, MS. Small world... . Patsy and I are Delta Gamma sisters from different schools.

On Saturday Patsy took me shopping for warm glove liners. I haven't been able to find mine, but, of course, I did finally find them after I bought another pair. Fortunately, the new ones were on sale and only cost $1.99. I also found a few clothing items on sale. Since I brought minimal clothes on this trip, I'm looking forward to having a change during the next few weeks. :)) After lunch we drove to Big Fork which is on the North side of Flathead Lake which is 27 miles long. Unfortunately, today produced some hard rain and lots of low clouds, making the mountains almost impossible to see. I'm concerned that my friends got plenty wet biking from Whitefish to Lake McDonald Lodge. Patsy and I picked up her grandchildren late this afternoon. They will be with her for a week, and I'm really glad that I had a chance to spend time with Toth and Kalli.