The Sky Really Is Big Here

Well I have one bar of service, so maybe I can post today...

I set out from Sandpoint a few days ago, and had the most lovely ride through the rest of the Panhandle and on into Montana





I camped in the foothills of the Cabinet Mountains, of which I especially like Ibex Peak, primarily because I am wearing Ibex bike shorts, which makes me think if Nathan, who gave them to me (hi, babe!). Ibex is the tallest-see photo below.



I got eaten alive that night at Bull Lake. By mosquitos that is, not bears! But the site was very pretty.



The next day I biked through a very very hot sun to Rocky Gorge campground, on lake Koocanusa. I biked by the dam that created the lake on the way.



There are almost no people or anything out here, it is spectacular. However, I was able to have a nice long chat in the campground with the grounds host, Eric. He and his wife are from Bremerton, actually. He's quite the character. His t-shirt said, "sorry, I'm not here right now, I've gone to my happy place". Plus, there were no bugs! Awesome!

This morning I awoke to ominous skies and a drizzle. I hemmed and hawed about whether I should stay put for the day or take my chances, and decided to go for it. Everything was going fine, but then the sky got darker, and darker, and then darker. Then I looked out across the lake, and thought, "what the eff is that?!? Oh, it's a SHEET OF WATER MOVING TOWARDS ME. Rain gear! Rain gear! As I was putting on my gear by the side of the road I nearly had a heart attack when an earsplitting CRACK of lightning and thunder hit. It was basically like that for the next 25 miles, where I stopped with relief in Eureka. I had some lunch, and by the end of it the skies had cleared and now it is positively gorgeous. Go figure.

I decided to stop for the day at Dicky Lake. I ran into the campground host when I stopped by Fortine to get a cool drink. He is a sweet old man named Wardy (strange name, but that's it). He gave me a sweet deal because I'm on my bike. Two picnic tables, right on the lake, right next to a bathroom and changing room. Two bucks!

Everyone has been so sweet and accommodating to me here in Montana, it is really great. Every campground manager has always made sure to check on me and see if I need anything.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to make it to West Glacier, where I will treat myself to a motel for a night before I go through the big pass.

Here is me, relieved and almost dry!



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