Final Map

This map shows the path our intrepid travels took to get from Yorktown, Virginia to Missoula, Montana.

 

Day 62 July 18th Florence to Missoula, MT by Leisa

The last day was such a sad/sweet day.  It was a nice ride day and Regine joined us in Missoula.  Adventure Cycling was a great place to end our ride.  I should not say "end".
It is only on hold until we can all finish it.  Angie and Bill are already home and Eric has to go back to work tomorrow.  We will be back on the road again.  It was sad to be done riding but it was great to see our friends,Tim and Priscilla.  They made the trip from Spokane to Missoula in their van to haul us home. The trip to Spokane was super fast to me.  A car going 70 mph does not feel the same as a bike going 10 mph.  Now I am home
and the adjustment has started out very well. My riding friends left me an "epic" greeting and others left me food and coffee to start my return.  How can I not be glad to be home to see all of them.  I will cherish and reflect on my adventure as I start planning for the next one.

 

Day 61 July 17th Hamilton to Florence, MT by Leisa and Eric

 

The start of our day was highlighted by sourdough huckleberry waffles made by our hosts Regine and Mike.  Gourmet french press coffee also made the menu.  We visited with them about their travels and they gave us info to do an extra excursion to the Redsun Labyrinth just outside of Hamilton.  Mike drew us a map and we took the extra waffles as we headed out.  The route was 20 miles and worth every mile.  The Labyrinth was built by a husband and wife in the 1990's.  They were influenced by a friend from England.  We enjoyed the site as well as the Bitteroot mountains all along the way.  A trail took us in from Victor to Florence.  We stopped at Stevensville for lunch that included a great root beer float.  Cory and Dianna have welcomed us into their home in Florence. 

Day 60 July 16th May Creek to Hamilton, MT. by Leisa and Eric

A cool morning greeted us. The 36 degree temp went down as we started up Chief Joseph Pass.  It was 32 when we topped the pass at 7300'.  The downhill was great and we ended up at a rest area and an entrance to Lost Trail Ski area in our 10th state - Idaho.  We were right next to Montana and went right back in.  In Sula, we had a cup of coffee with a photographer from the area.  He had great stories about bears and moose encounters.
Darby was getting ready for their Strawberry Festival when we came into town.  It wasn't starting until 5pm so we missed it.  We enjoyed their library and some cold drinks.  Finally in Hamilton we reached our warmshowers home.  Mike and Regine have lived in 10 different airforce bases and many other places with their 4 children.  They have chosen Hamilton to retire in.  They are big cyclists and skiers.  Dinner was unique with a
really fresh salad, fresh bread,  and a Turkish meat/vegetable dish that had a yougurt sauce.  Regine made a fresh huckleberry crisp and Mike made a yogurt lemon gelato.  It was a wonderful meal.  We stayed up until 10 pm talking - something I cannot remember doing in the last 2 months!

 

Day 59 July 15th Wisdom to May Creek Campground, MT by Leisa and Eric

 

Thunderstorms and rain kept us in our rooms at the Nez Perce Motel in Wisdom. The llamas right out side our front doors did not seem to mind rain. The storms seemed everywhere as Jaz texted us from Hamilton saying he was waiting out the storms too. At 10:30 after a stop at the bakery and grocery store we took off on to a perfect smooth roadway.  Most interesting site of the day was the Big Hole National Battlefield 9 miles out.  The visitor center is very well layed out and the movie was well done. It was right at the site where the battle happened.  On down the road was a large burn area.  We rode through 4 miles of burned forest.  We have no idea when it burned.  Luckily our campground was not touched.  Unfortunately there are mosquitos.  Montana still flood irrigates and the canals are breeding grounds for those pesky bugs!

Day 58 July 14th Dillon to Wisdom, MT. by Leisa and Eric

Today required an early start as we climbed Badger pass at 6800' and then Big Hole Pass at 7400'.  We arrived at Jackson but were not impressed with options for accommodations mainly because of mosquitos. Many riders headed East had told us this. So true!  On to Wisdom we went. Six eastbound riders passed us.  Stopping along the way to see a large Osprey nest brought out the bugs in earnest.  Stopping was not an option after that.  We went right for the local store in Wisdom to get cold drinks, ice cream and directions to the hotel.  It was just around the corner.  No time was wasted getting in our rooms.

 

Day 57 July 13 Twin Bridges to Dillon, MT by Leisa and Eric

Our day was not as long as normal so we had a late start with real coffee and yougurt at the local market coffee shop.  The Beaverhead river was beside us most of the day as we road to Dillon.  The trip was so short we were in Dillon for lunch at the 4B's.  I had a great chef's salad and Eric's denver omlette had fresh sauteed mushrooms, peppers, ham and cheese in it.
Most of the afternoon, we spent at the local library that is a Carnegie library built in 1901.
Their internet worked great and the workers gave us recommendations on restaurants.
Just as we were headed to our bike camp a thunderstorm forced us into a nearby store.
How nice that is was a Patagonia Outlet store.  How ironic that neither one of us would think of buying something to pack on our bikes.
The camp was full with 10 other bicyclists.  We set up our tents and then headed to the recommended restuarant - The Taco Bus.  Yes, a bus; see the picture.  More importantly, if you are in Dillon, eat here.  The food was great, even on of our riders from San Diego said in his opinion it was good.