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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prepared for the toughest day so far- Chief Joseph Pass with 2800 feet climbing, and 58 miles altogether. Left Sula (pop 50), the next town being Wisdom (pop 114) to reach Jackson (pop 38). We heard the mosquitos are cruel in Wisdom, don't even think of staying there- push on to Jackson.
Our pace up the pass was steady, 3 hours steep grade. The road tops out at the Continental Divide, 7241 elevation, another milestone today. Made fast progress down, with more beautiful scenery, meadows, streams, elk and hawks. Rode past the site of the tragic Nez Pierce Indian Battle, and into what's known as Montana's Big Hole, a great expanse of marshy prairie ringed by snowcovered mt ranges. more on that with next post.
Morning started with an odd sprinkle from a clear blue sky. Rich said did you feel that? and I said, what is that, bird spit?
We knew a day like this was coming eventually- this thunderstorm came up on us fast, with lightning. We found cover under a business's porch just in time- the owner laughing knew we were sprinting for his place. One of the hardest drenching, cannot describe the volume of water and horizontal wind. Got our raingear on and when it slowed to a drenching rain about 20 minutes later, with passable headwinds, we set off. It was about 2 hours of rain, then it cleared. We are so glad we have Seattle tested gear and waterproof panniers and covers.
More picturesque montana scenery but was still too drizzly for this phone to take pictures.
