Day 12 miles: 75 Total miles: 476
By bike:
Biking out of sandpoint at 5 a.m. was gorgeous. I did not get the best night of sleep the night before due to screaming kids and some anxiety over my right knee. Regardless, I took amazing photos and was able to press forward through some of the most epic scenery on the trip. Great bike paths and the American Cycling Association off-route made it all the more enjoyable.
I met a 76-year-old biker near the Montana border. Though I had some gear and he didn’t, after talking with him I couldn’t keep up. I’m sure it was just his carbon-frame bike. He inspired me to never stop exercising and moving as at 76 he wasn’t stopping anytime soon.
Montana was a rocky start as the paved road ended right on the border. No sign, no welcome center, but I knew where I wanted to be. The first people I saw were an older couple in a pickup truck who offered to drive me as they knew I was going to encounter some hills. Already I felt like I was at home. Montana kept up the momentum from Idaho with stunning views of mountains and gorgeous views of the Bull river.
Smooth Idaho to rough and wild Montana
My first 50 mile break was at the junction between 200 and 56. I stopped at a store that I thought was open but regrettably it was closed. The owner, Jared, said his wife was inside and may sell me some food but she was not interested in making sandwiches. He offered me a spot outside and said I could fill up my water. We talked while I ate a protein bar and I kept going down the road to a real estate office.
Unfortunately the real estate office was closed, as well. I went inside for information about Montana real estate and instead of taking a siesta, like I had wanted, I kept going. Little did I know that literally nothing existed by way of commercial stores until the campground. I was also in bear country, which meant no breaks.
I made it to the campground that my wonderful wife had secured in Bull Lake and was sweaty as all get out. I dipped in the coldest water on the trip in Bull Lake and made a ghetto shower before crashing for the day.
By car:
Matthew didn’t share with you guys that we had a wild animal sighting last night! It wasn’t as wild as you would expect given its situation, though. It was actually incredibly tame. So tame, that a four-year old could even walk it on a leash…
…sort of.
The SWEETEST wild animal.
I gave Matthew a nice head start this morning by going to my new favorite coffee shop in Sandpoint, Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters, and updating the blog.There are numerous benefits to seeing the country by bike-car combo: With routes planned through the eyes of a cyclist, I get to see the country through US bike routes and smaller roads less traveled that I would never otherwise know about if just cruising along the interstate. As a professional rose smeller, this suits my needs just fine.
Beyond that, when Matthew needs a day off, we can both hop into my motor vessel and explore 50+ miles off course to other hot destinations! Finally, I need access to the internet at least once a week to join phone conferences and seminars for some career-related goals. Oh and to blog- I also need internet for this blog.
While chugging away at the blog and watching a group of elderly men play chess, I eventually packed up and prepared to drive to Montana- my dream state. Matthew and I have fantasized over living in Montana one day. The time isn’t right just yet, but we’re ready to take two weeks to explore her from west to east.
Matthew apparently took a path that didn’t allow him to be formally welcomed into Montana. Not to worry- I had his back:
I found a campsite right up against Bull Lake. Of course our first camp night in Montana offers us some of the best views:
Overall, today and tonight were uneventful in the best possible way. Good coffee, updated blogs, phone calls, and our first introduction to heaven once we crossed the Idaho/Montana state line. The night ended with more s’mores and hot cider. Tomorrow we begin to tuck ourselves evermore into the intimidating mountains of bear country, USA.
No Jobs, No Home, No Worries. A Shared Journey by Bike and Support SUV Across the U.S. 