Rumor has it that I have not posted anything on this blog since June 19th, back in Wisdom, Montana. I cannot possibly list all that has happened, but will hit the highlights. Still an amazing trip. Very glad we did this.
We left Wisdom on the morning of June 20th, after saying hello to Natalie, Jordan and Israel, three young kids we had first run into a few days back in Hamilton and Sula. They ended up in the Nez Perce Motel after we had arrived. They, as Terri has probably already mentioned, are college friends from Tennessee. They started their journey in Astoria, Oregon and are headed for Virginia or so (can't remember exactly where).
Our original plans called for us to stop in Jackson, Montana for the night, but we were informed that the annual Rainbow People gathering was scheduled to start in a few days outside of Jackson. The purpose of the organization is to promote peace and goodwill among people of the world, but unfortunately a few members of the group have caused problems in the past (primarily theft we are told), so the local communities do not look forward to these gatherings. We stopped in Jackson for food and noted the large police presence. We decided to press on to Dillon for the night.
Just east of Jackson, we climbed a hill and dropped down into probably the most beautiful valley I have ever seen. Terri took a photo, but it did not capture even a fraction of this awesome valley. Mike took a photo, so hopefully we can get a copy of that after the trip. A single ranch house and barn surrounded by lush green pastures and cattle, with snow-capped mountains lining the valley. We could have stopped there and been happy with our journey.
Shortly thereafter, we ran across two ladies, Patsy and Sally, riding recumbent bikes. They are both 64 years old. Their goal is to cross the U.S. before age 70. They do travel slowly, but not that slow. They take three weeks each summer to tackle the next stage of the journey. This is their third year of doing this. They were headed to the KOA campground in Dillon for the night. There were some large climbs in this area, and both of them had around 100 pounds of baggage on their bikes. We volunteered to take their panniers and other miscellaneous equipment ahead in the truck to the KOA for them, which they let us do.
When we arrived at the KOA, we decided to stay their for the night, also. Just as we were setting up our tents, it began to rain. Looked to me like a major storm brewing. I was worried about Patsy and Sally, so I drove the truck back west to look for them. Found them just a few miles outside Dillon, but they did not want a ride into town. They are firmly set on biking every single mile! Earlier, when it appeared to them that a storm was about to break, they spotted an old barn on the side of the road and pulled into it to wait out the storm. A woman, apparently the owner, drove up a few minutes later and insisted that Patsy and Sally vacate the premises, or else she would call the police. So not everyone in the U.S. is friendly. Maybe, the woman (I think Patsy used the word, "witch") thought Patsy and Sally were Rainbow People. Who knows. Fortunately, the storm did not materialize.
Shortly after Patsy and Sally reached the KOA, Natalie, Jordan and Israel also arrived. To save space, the three kids share one tent, which appears to be designed for no more than two people. Natalie said Jordan and Israel sleep with their heads at one end; Natalie sleeps between them with her head at the other end. To be young, again!
The KOA was our first of the journey (actually, my first ever). We were spoiled by the manager, Bob. He likes bicycle riders. He discounted our fare ($25 dollars total for all of us), provided free coffee, lattes, hot chocolate and as many bags of ice as we needed. The tents site was on the banks of a river (Beaverhead, I believe), nice green grass, hot showers, laundry facilities (Terri got quarters in change from Bob, then lost some of those quarters out a hole in her jacket pocket while walking back to our site, which Bob insisted on replacing at his cost!).
[Well, I was going to just hit a few highlights for the past 20 days, but appears to be too many highlights. I'll finish later today.]
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