Here we are in wonderful Montana just on the edge of the Blackfoot Nation. We crossed into the USA yesterday on the return from our Long Ride North and spent the night at West Glacier. Three times, in years past while in the area, we have tried to do the Going to the Sun road over Glacier National Park. Once it was closed because it hadn’t been opened yet for the season (we were to early), again it was closed because of a rock slide, and a third time closed due to heavy wind and rains. Today, we did it. Whooray! And even with all of the fabulous scenery we have seen over the last however many miles and weeks, this did not disappoint. It too was grand!

Here is a shot to show you:

There was, however, a lot of traffic and construction. The place was jammed. Tourist season at it’s height. Never-the less- the ride was stunning. I know, I know, I’ve said that on just about every post. I’ve tried to vary the adjectives but I’ve run out of them…those I can spell anyway. After leaving Glacier National Park we headed out onto the great grasslands of Montana bound for Helena, where we are tonight. More fantastic country. This is prime ranching country and since that blood runs thick in my veins, I really appreciated those rolling hills of tall grass. I was thinking just today that there hasn’t been much of the trip that I found the scenery to my distaste. Maybe between Grand Junction, Colorado and Vernal, Utah. And there was a stretch around Lethbridge, Alberta that didn’t offer much. Other than that, it’s been pretty much a grand visual feast.

Helena, MT is a favorite of mine. I’ve been up here several times and have always enjoyed it. They have a nice downtown area, in which the main section is closed off to traffic. An open air pedestrian mall of downtown shops. Nice. One of the winter time features of Helena is that it plays host to the start of the Race to the Sky sled dog race. I used to come up for that and did a couple of their race posters for them. It was always a fun time. Nearby Lincoln, MT is home to Doug Swingley, an Iditarod Sled Dog Race Champion who I’ve met and used to know. Those were good old days when we ran sled dogs. Fond memories here. But, this isn’t about then, it’s about today…and tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, we will head down I-15 for the closing days of this ride. The plan is to camp at the KOA in Pocatello, Idaho. We have ridden this whole trip, nearly a month now and 8,000 and some miles by the time we get home, without any reservations, looking for a camp spot or room where ever the end of the day finds us and so far we have done just fine. There’s been a time or two when our first spot didn’t have any vacancies and we always turned up with something and without except, that I can thing of anyway, it was always a better place. Good fortune. On several occasions we were able to score the last room available or the last camp site, but we always got something. Hopefully our luck will hold out.

OK. It’s late and I’m tired. I’ll leave you with this shot of me doing my thing. Thanks for tuning in. Mike out.

P.S. I have to mention the fact that it is awfully warm down here. Right at 90 degrees. After spending so many days in the Far North in cool rainy weather it is a little hard to adjust to. That and having it actually get dark at night. The past several days however have been clear and sunny. The most sunny consecutive days we’ve had. Luv’n it.