We got an early start from our hotel in Missoula under clear skies and 36 degrees. Heated jackets, handlebar muffs, layers and layers...we were prepared for a cold start and both of us were comfortable. The temps rose quickly and within thirty minutes the temp had risen to 50+ and we settled into a nice ride on Hwy 93 North. The route took us through the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area with numerous potholes holding tons of ducks, past the National Bison Range and through the Flathead Indian Reservation.
At Polson (on the south end of Flathead Lake) we turned east/north on Hwy 35 and ran along the eastern side of Flathead Lake (for the third time on this trip) enjoying the fabulous views of the lake and the Cherry orchards on the hillsides.
With the last of the sand finally running through our hourglass, we turned into Ernie's driveway and into his eight acre Shangri-La that faces the Flathead Range. Reece, the wonder dog, bounded out to greet us and Ernie was right behind him. We caught up (it snowed here two days ago and Going-To-The-Sun road opened the day after we left), had some laughs, packed the trailer and within 60 minutes turned left and headed down Hwy 83 through the Swan Valley.
A right turn on Hwy 200 and a right on Hwy 141 took us to Avon and through some gorgeous ranch country.
At our last gas stop a guy on a Harley pulled into the same gas station we were. KC pointed out that he had a Louisiana plate. He was wearing no helmet, but did have on a hat like this....
I yelled to him, "What part of Louisiana you from?".
In the thickest Coonass accent I've ever hear, he answered, "Nawlins".
"Where you headed?"
"I'm lookin' for the four corners".
Which he explained meant the four corners of the US...Key West, Maine, San Diego and Seattle. We warned him that the mountain peaks all had fresh snow, but when he left he was still headed west.
By 6:00PM we'd arrived in Billings and our latest Hampton Inn.
Tomorrow we'll really log some miles and plan to get an early jump...maybe Kansas City??
2 comments:
For the first time on this entire trip I got a horrible nights sleep. I have no idea why, but I popped awake at 1:30 and what shuteye I got afterwards could, at best, be called sporadic. The plan to make Kansas City has already shrunk to St Joseph or maybe Souix City, 985 and 750 miles respectively. Today will take multiple doses of 5 hour energy drinks.
One of the funniest lines I heard on this trip was when Bob's Cajun Harley buddy was warned about snow on the mountains he got a wide eyed look and firmly stated that "This coon ass don't do no snow!"
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