Virginia City

This historical town decided to go the tourist route, with alot of kitchy stores, candy and ice cream,  but still fun to stop for a few pictures before we headed up the pass. 

Nevada City

this old town is a living history museum. we didn't pay the $8 admission to mill around inside the village, but it seemed no one else does either.  Notice the old fire station 1.  It was getting into high 80's so it was a quick rest to stop for a Ginger Pop.

Dillon to Ennis

Nothing much to write about. alot of Montana farmland and a few historical markers, mostly about Lewis and Clark, (Beaverhead Rock) and one about Robbers Roost, homebase for the infamous "Innocents" gang before they were finally brought to swift justice by a group calling themselves the "Vigilantes"... interesting enough to look up on the net.

Dillon

A few miles before Dillon, i noticed not far from the road,  this really old pioneer cabin with a sod roof. 

Had some time to hang out in Dillon, where there's a museum and a replica.

Jackson to Dillon

Two passes, 3000 feet altogether.

One thing I've noticed is a "Montana Mile" or "just down the road" is usually closer to two miles.  The picture where Im sitting on the fence at the top is at the top of Big Hole Pass, several miles from the beginning waaaay down there.

And yes, I cut my hair.  All Off!  much easier.

Badger Pass wound a ways around, up to sagey pines.

Jackson- quintessential Montana

Rode into Jackson late afternoon. So glad to see this tiny town appear around the bend.

The bar hall was huge, my eyes adjusted to the expansive inside, a menagerie of animal heads and horns on all the walls, a huge bison, with several cowboys quietly talking at the bar. We arranged our cabin, then came back for a beer and dinner. Rich had a small aged steak, the best he's had.

I was talking with the bartender about the mosquitoes and the the cowboys started giggling, they could not contain their chuckles.  We chatted about the cold nights most every day- 30's and 40's even when it heats up in the summer.

The hot springs here have a history all the way back to Lewis and Clark, when Sacajewea showed them.  The water was a relaxing 102.

Big Hole

So at the bottom, the road opened into this expansive valley with striking mt ranges on all sides.  Within a mile we were swarmed by mosquitoes even though we were riding over 17 mph!  We sped up to over 20 and wow they still hung on and bit our legs, neck, and arms through long sleeved shirts and biking gloves. 28 miles to Jackson so Rich got out the Deet after 15.  Other than that, just cows. Rich entertains himself by mooing at them. He's learned to hone it to where he can get them mooing back and running.

Big Hole ties with West Yellowstone for coldest temps in the country, it will be in the 30's when we wake tomorrow.