into the great wide open: September 2011

Day 20/16 : July 28, 2011

Ferndale, MT to Saint Mary, MT

Today's destination was Glacier National Park.

And, of course, the ride leading up was beautiful.

(A daily re-occurring scenario.)

Large garden farm.

love.

The camera doesn't capture the same bright yellow field as my eyes did.

I don't know how necessary this stop was.

Going To The Sun Road is closed to bikers from 11AM to 4PM.

I had 1.5 hours before I would be able to begin my climb.

So, I ate lunch while looking over Lake MacDonald.

in Awe.

As soon as the clock hit 4PM, I was on the road.

Unreal.

My original intention was to make it to Avalanche Campground at bottom of where the climb began over Logan Pass.

When I reached the campground, I decided to continue on because I was making

good time, I felt great, and I had 4 hours of sunlight left.

It was 5:30PM with 16 miles of climbing and 20 more miles until a campground.

Ran out of water...so I filled at these falls.

A risk (maybe) worth taking.

Delicious.

(Fast forward...no sickness followed.)

After rough roads and 3 construction stops I made it to the summit a little after 8PM.

:)!!

The highest summit of the trip.

The sun was setting as I was descending.

My phone ran out of battery and I was unable to capture a beautiful sun set.

Saw 2 black bear

and

3 long horn sheep. (From afar)

I hit 42mph ... and passed a car (That was a pretty cool feeling:)

The last 11 miles were rolling hills.

All campgrounds were full.

I rode around the last campground of the park, and found an area

designated for non-vehicle travellers.

There were 4 hikers (Men : 2 and 2), an older couple (day hikes), and another solo-woman cycle traveller ( 2 week ride.. grew up in Troy, MI) !

Fun, nice, and interesting people.

*I am going to keep the post from here on out simple and to the point
(...as much as possible.)
to get myself caught up.
Sorry for the lack of keeping up with the blog.
but I am pedalin' on my bike...enjoying the countryside.*
Day 19/15 : July 27, 2011

Seely Lake, MT to Ferndale, MT
*
First night in the new tent...First full nights rest on the road.
Another cyclist during breakfast approached me. He was mountain biking the continental divide.
He gave me his bear spray.
Said, "I have had a number of people help me along the way, now it is my time to return the favor."

*
I crossed paths with 3 other tourers.
1 young man riding for MS.
and
An older couple...travelling just because the love it :)

Hit 1,000 MILES today!

Wahoo!

*
I was housed by a couple in Ferndale which were friends of my families friends.
Great couple. Adorable little son. And friendly dogs.
THanks!

Day 18 (14 of riding) : July 26, 2011

Missoula, MT to Seeley Lake, MT

64 Miles
***
A 9AM start was planned.
I managed to set my multiple alarms the night before on my phone
to make for an early rise,
which was pointless because unknowingly the volume was on
silent.
*
Greg and I woke at the time we had planned to be on the road.
*
The night before we tried having a conversation to figure our whether we were going to continue on together.
There was no final consensus before bed.
Making the morning a bit quit.
Awkward.
Keeping to ourselves and getting our own gear together.
Little conversation.
Finally, while Greg cooked his breakfast
and I ate my microwave popped popcorn and banana with peanut butter,
I said, "I think we should continue on our own routes."
So there the decision was made.
We would be parting ways after we went to REI to buy myself a tent.
(((I love my hammock but :
1. Finding the 4 perfect trees every night to properly set it up
was more annoying after a day of biking than what I anticipated .
2. It was a battle every night to stay warm.
3. I spent more nights cacooned in it on the ground then above the ground.
4. Ability to occupy inside is extremely difficult.
*