Early in the morning of July 17, 2007 Andy Buttles and Dan McQueen drove west from the Baltimore area headed to Montana. We are going to mountain bike Adventure Cycling Association's "Cycle the Divide Montana" on or near the western Continental Divide.
Our plan was to have a leisurely 5 day drive crossing Michigan's Upper Pinensula, exploring Lake Superior's shoreline, checking out the Boundary Waters in Ely, Minnesota and driving across North Dakota where neither of us had been before. As we drove we realized the potential to do more hiking in Glacier National Park, so we skipped Ely and sped up our journey. We managed to reach Glacier NP in three and a half days covering 2368 miles in 40.4 hours of road time which includes stops during the day.
We had two spectacular days of hiking in Glacier NP after much reading, discussion and consulting with park rangers. We hiked the Highline Trail carved out of the mountainside high above the famous "Going to the Sun Road" to Granite Hut then down to the road. The next day with warnings about high grizzly activity, we followed the Piegan Pass Trail and then the Siyeh Pass Trail over Siyeh Pass. If possible the views were even more spectacular especially in the high pass as we hiked around the glaciers and played on the large snow fields.
We drove to Whitefish to meet the Adventure Cycling staff and fellow bikers, 37 in all, from 16 states, Canada and New Zealand. The next day we began 5 days of biking covering 261 miles climbing 20,274 vertical feet while descending 19,374 feet in 13 climbs of 200 or more vertical feet. We averaged 52.3 miles per day with the longest 68.5 miles. This took an average of 7 hours and 45 minutes on the road while the average cycling time was 5 hours and 36 minutes. We biked some paved roads especially around settled areas where we spent the night. Most of the cycling was on dirt or gravel forest roads with several fun stretches of single track paths some of which was fairly gnarly for an inexperienced mountain biker. One rider fell breaking his collar bone and had to abandon the ride. The scenery was great and much more dramatic than back east with the deminutive mountains. We had an off day when many of us hiked up to the scenic Morrell Falls.
All 3 daily meals were catered and the food was excellent and plentiful. We could also purchase cold drinks for a nominal amount each evening. We had a rest stop with sport drink, fruit, light food and energy bars each morning and afternoon. Excellent route maps were provided as well as directional markings along the route. Our lugage was transported from point to point and there were several sag vehicles patrolling the route each day manned by staff, one being a bike mechanic.
After dropping Andy off at the Kalispell Airport for his flight to California to backpack the Muir trail, I drove back to Columbia, Maryland alone. Taking the shorter faster route, I made it in 3 days driving 2596 miles (shorter?) in 39 hours and 30 minutes on the road including stops averaging 66 miles per hour. I know, that is pretty fast but before you accuse me of speeding you must realize that the speed limit is 75 in the western states and 70 in the mid-west.
July 17, 2007 Tuesday Drive Columbia, MD to Gaylord, MI
I got up at 5:37 a.m. and drove my green 1996 Mazda 626 with 207,269 miles on it from Columbia, MD to Andy's house in Glen Burnie. I already had Andy's bike with my bike loaded in the car, so we quickly loaded Andy's backpack and gear, penniers plus other bags with biking gear.
We departed Andy's house at 6:41 driving up MD-100 to US-29 to I-70 west. We stopped for 11.9 gallons of gas for $35 in Myersville, MD and then at Bob Evans for breakfast at $12.37 in Breezewood, PA at 8:37.
We continued on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to the Ohio Turnpike at 11:40 to US-23 near Toledo, Ohio which turns into I-75 north. We stopped at 6:40 in Gaylord, Michigan after 773.8 miles in 11 hours 24 minutes of driving and checked into the Royal Crest Motel room 67 for $63.72.
The town was holding a weeklong Alpenfest so we walked a few blocks to the center of town for the event. I feasted on a bratwurst $3.75, a taco $1.50, a craft brewed draught beer $3.75 and a huge ice cream cone $3.45. There was a live band and they were in the process of electing a fest queen. Three high school/college age ladies were on stage giving short speeches about themselves then a vote was taken. It was clearcut clean Americana.
July 18, 2007 Wednesday Drive Gaylord, MI to Bemidji, Minnesota
We got a late start as the motel breakfast was not available until 7:00. We drove north on I-75 across the Mackinac Bridge
and the Upper Pinensula of Michigan. Fortunately the fog cleared crossing the bridge. We immediately turned left on US-2 west
stopping at the bridge overlook to take photos and take in the cool fresh morning air.
We stayed on US-2 all the way to Glacier NP. We drove west across the Upper Pinensula along Lake Michigan's north shore. We saw many motor cycles usually in large groups and about as many bicyclists. This is pasty (meat pies) country with signs advertising the tasty pies so we stopped in Crystal Falls for a chicken pasty, macaroni salad and fruit drink for $6.02. We briefly passed through Wisconsin and back into Michigan. We stopped an hour or so later at a Dairy Queen for a milkshake at $2.64.
We continued west on US-2 across Wisconsin twice passing Lake Superior's shore into Duluth, Minnesota. Crossing Minnesota we crossed three small branches of the Mississippi River near it's source. After 12 hours 19 minutes of driving and 652 miles we checked into the Bemidji, Minnesota Super 8 room 214 for $78.21 at 6:50 having passed into the Central Daylight Savings time zone. We ate at the Peppercorn next door where I had cod, mashed potatoes, salad, a 22 ounce Killians draught and a fruit tart with ice cream for $25.74.
July 19, 2007 Thursday Drive Bemidji, MN to Havre, MT
We got up to 60° and a breakfast of orange juice, milk, bagel, cream cheese and jam at 6:00 a.m. Again we are headed west on
US-2 at 6:30. At 8:30 we cross into North Dakota for the first time for Andy and myself. We stop for pictures and a small celebration
as ND is the last continental US state for me to visit. There are many people on loaded touring bikes going in both directions.
We stopped at the Homesteaders Restaurant in Minot, ND for lunch at $19.07.
Ever westward on US-2 we crossed into Montana and Mountain Daylight Savings Time at 2:30 (1:30 local time). In the first town we stopped at a Wendy's for a Frostie for $2.25. Eastern Montana is Big Sky country and appropriately named. At 6:40 we stop at the Havre, MT Super 8 and check into room 105 for $67.29. It is over 91°. We have driven 12 hours 12 minutes covering 761 miles. We decide to eat at a nearby Wendy's where I had a taco salad and Frostie for $7.08.
July 20, 2007 Friday Drive to Glacier NP and Hike Highline Trail
We are anxious to get to Glacier so we can get a good hike in today. We get up at 4:30 for a 5:00 breakfast. We're on
the road at 5:30 headed west on US-2. We reach Browning, MT and go north on US-89 along the eastern boundary of Glacier.
We arrive in St Mary after 181 miles in 4 hours 30 minutes and stop in the St Mary Lodge grocery store to buy lunch for hiking. I puchase a banana, plum,
ham, cheese, roll, cookies and milk for $5.82.
We enter Glacier on my Golden Passport and stop at the visitor center. We talk to two young rangers about possible hikes and they recommend the Siyeh Pass hike. We drive across the park over Logan Pass and down the canyon wall on the spectacular "Road to the Sun". I recall biking this road in the opposit direction in 1997. Andy is stunned by the magnitude and beauty of the canyon. We drive along Lake McDonald and stop in Sprague Creek Camp site 19 for $20 and set up our tents. We talk to the volunteer ranger from Florida and she recommends we hike the Highline Trail which we decide to do. We return to Logan Pass to start the hike.
We start the hike at 1:30. It is hot and the trail is crowded for the first mile then we see very few people. The trail is
carved out of a sheer cliff and is about 4 feet wide with a cable handrail. Soon the trail is simply carved out of the steep mountainside and
very high above the "Going to the Sun Road". The views are spectacular looking across the canyon at a glacier and down the canyon
to Lake McDonald. There are several mountain peaks in view. We hike about 7.5 miles 
to the Granite Chalet sited on a
prominatory with more great views and about 10 cabins where people can stay for the night. We buy a drink and then head down
the mountain about 4 miles
to the road. Some of the lower wooded portions are burned out.
We catch the free shuttle back to my car at Logan Pass. There is a big horn sheep
grazing and a herd of mountain goats
including several young grazing nearby. We drive to the Lake McDonald Lodge. I enjoy two
Big Tire draughts (crafted beer),
a salad bar and pizza buffet for $23.71. Returning to Sprague Creek Camp we take a refreshing swim in the clean Lake McDonald.
July 21, 2007 Saturday Hike Siyeh Pass and Meet ACA in Whitefish, MT
We woke up at 5:38 a. m. and quickly packed up and took down our tents. We drove to the Lake McDonald Lodge for a great
buffet breakfast at $9.25 plus tip. We drove 25.5 miles up the canyon on the "Going to the Sun Road" over Logan Pass and down to
Siyeh Bend to park.
At the trailhead about 5760' elevation we receive a small lecture about the grizzley bear activity, the weather in the high pass and concern
about the one liter of water I was carrying from a young female park ranger at 8:30. Andy and I proceeded up along a stream
and through a wooded area on the Piegan Pass Trail.
We pass some women and kids and then two guys. The trees are thinning
out as we turn right on
Siyeh Pass Trail. Soon the trees are gone and we pass snow patches and a lake. We stop to play on a
patch of snow and two young guys who we had not seen before passed us with a greeting.
We can see the barren rock strewn
pass high above us.
When we reach Siyeh Pass at 7750' elevation we are treated to several fantastic views.
We can look southwest down the
valley we just ascended with the lake and snow patches. North and a little west is Mt Siyeh and Cracker Peak at 9833' elevation.
Northeast is a lake, the source of Boulder Creek flowing down an ever widening valley towards Canada. To the east we see our
young friends climbing the ridgeline to a minor summit. We would like to join them but realize our time is limited. Southeast we
can see our switchbacked trail winding it's way down over 3000' to the road which is out of sight. We can see St Mary Lake beyond the road.Southward we can see
Going to the Sun Mountain with the large Sexton Glacier clinging to it's side with Baring Creek flowing from it. After staring
for several minutes we soon traverse the pass on the narrow rocky ledge to descend steeply passing a large marmot.
It is a long trek down to the road and it is turning hot after the cool very windy pass. It is 1:41 when we reach the road. We hiked 10.4 miles in 5 hours 12 minutes averaging 2.01 mph including stops while climbing 2000' and descending 3000'. A free shuttle bus arrives almost immediately for a cool ride back up to my car. We talk to a young couple from northern Virginia who followed us onto the bus and are parked next to us.
We drive back over Logan Pass and down into the large canyon passing Lake McDonald before exiting Glacier NP. After a brief stop for refreshments in West Glacier we drove on to the Whitefish High School at 4:00. We checked in with Adventure Cycling Association staff and and set up our tents. Thirty seven participants had an hour meeting with staff going over procedures for the ride. As everyone enjoyed a catered meal, I drove across town to friends Rich and Carol Atkinson's houses on Whitefish Lake for supper. I have known Rich for 39 years. We enjoyed a barbecue with two grandsons staying with them before catching up and reminiscing on the deck at lakeside untill 11:00 pm.
July 22, 2007 Sunday Bike Whitefish to Big Fork
It gets light about 5:00 a.m. so I was up about 5:20. It is comfortably cool probably about 60° in Whitefish at about 3000'
elevation and the tents are almost dry. Packed up my gear and tent and stowed them behind the luggage truck. Breakfast is catered
by Linda, her son and his friend from Seattle, Washington. Served at 7:00 buffet style were hot and cold cereal, pastries, fruit,
eggs, bacon and sausage, orange juice, milk, coffee, tea and Tobasco sauce for the eggs. This is a typical breakfast for the entire trip.
At 8:10 we biked north out of town on paved roads circling around east and then south. The roads soon turned to gravel or dirt. Bob marked the roads by sweeping all loose materials away and then spraying in orange chalk a CD and directional arrow. The markings were so good I never referred to the excellent cue sheets provided the entire trip and never got lost. We passed a flock of wild turkeys in a field and spotted a deer fawn. We had a mid morning rest stop with water, sport drink, fruit, bagels and energy bars. The last three miles were on an abandoned railroad bed along the turbulent rocky Swan River into Big Fork elevation 3100' at 1:04. My elapsed time was 4 hours 54 minutes to bike 46.81 miles with a moving time of 3 hours 58 minutes 19 seconds to average 11.8 miles per hour reaching a maximum speed of 29.5 mph while climbing 1382' and descending 1282' in 2 climbs greater than 200' elevation gain..
We are staying at the high school and it is hot well into the 90s. We set up our tents and eat lunch. Lunch consists of a wrap or sub, various chips, fruit and drinks. Many of us bike downhill a few blocks to the town dock and go swimming in Flathead Lake. Big Fork is a very small town full of tourist buses who leave about 4:00 or 5:00. Andy, Paul who has been biking with us and I found a bar and enjoyed a Fat Tire draught beer each before biking back to the school. We ate supper in the shade. As the sun went down it started to cool off so Andy, CJ and I walked back to the same bar for another Fat Tire 16 ounce draught beer at $3 each.
July 23, 2007 Monday Bike Big Fork to Condon
Today is a long ride with a lot of climbing and it will be hot so we got up early for a 6:00 breakfast.
We packed our gear and tents for loading on the truck.
It is cool as we biked from Condon at 6:41. The biking is easy for a few miles as we retraced yesterday's route along the Swan River before crossing it and riding on the other side. At about the 4.5 mile mark we start a 6 mile climb gaining 1600' to 4700' elevation. It is not that bad of a climb as it is still relatively cool and the incline is not too steep. We descend about two miles and come upon CJ with a few others who apparently hit a rut filled with sand and fell breaking his collarbone. He is upset with himself because his ride is over. The call is in to have a sag pick up CJ and Andy decides to stay with CJ so I continue on about a mile to the first rest stop and wait for everyone.
It is getting hot as we continue on for our second climb of the day greater than 200' vertical. This 400' climb is stepped and the grade is gradual so no problem. After a simlar descent we start a long very gradual ascent to our lunch stop at about 29 miles into the ride.
It is really getting hot and we seem to be more exposed as we continue our gradual climb over rolling terrain after lunch. I'm feeling pretty good despite the heat so I decide to attack when the road turns sharply up at about 33 miles into the ride. The incline gets ever steeper over the next three miles as we climb 900' vertical with less shade. I am totaly spent when I reach the top and a water rest stop past the 40 mile mark. Everyone is feeling the heat and climbing.
The Gatorade, water, fruit and snacks don't seem to help but after a long break Andy, Paul and I continue. We descend about 700' over 3 miles which helps our recovery. We begin a series of little rolling hills as we gain altitude over the next ten miles. We then begin our fourth climb of the day a four mile 1100' climb. The climb isn't that hard but we are tired and it is 101° with virtually no shade. I am feeling pretty bad by the time we reach the top. It is all downhill from here. Despite frequent stops and heavy drinking I cannot recover. I have to make an emergency stop for several bouts of diarrhea and vomiting. I continue to sweat profusely even after being stopped and sitting in the shade for a long time. I know the signs, I have been here before. I am severely dehydrated. Routemaster Bob stopped and said people were swimming in the Swan River about a mile down the road. We rolled down to the river and went swimming. I lay in the cold flowing water for a long time to lower my body temperature. Andy and I finally got started again only to stop again after a mile or two to stop at a store for cold ice tea and ice cream. I limped into Condon 3900' elevation at 5:05.
Today I spent 10 hours 24 minutes on the road biking 61.49 miles with a moving time of 7 hours 7 minutes and 40 seconds averaging 8.7 mph reaching a maximum speed of 23.0 mph while climbing 6558' and descending 5758' in 4 climbs.
With the aid of a couple Fat Tire beers I was able to put up my tent. By now it was time for supper in the community center. It was not air conditioned so a bit uconfortable. Immediately following supper, grizzly man, a former park ranger, gave an interesting and lively presentation on grizzly bears. His 20 minute presentation stretched to 40 minutes at which time I had to bail out for a shower, change of clothes and bed.
July 24, 2007 Tuesday Bike Condon to Seeley Lake
Today is a simple day. We have to climb 20 miles to 6700' and then coast down a little over 20 miles. We also have some
difficult single track that is a little worrisome for an inexperienced mountain biker like me. The temperature will be in
the 90s and I'm not sure how well I have recovered from yesterday. Andy and I talk about the need to pace ourselves and
preserve our bodies to survive. I got up at 5:42 and packed up my tent and gear. Breakfast was served at 6:30.
Andy, Paul and I rode from camp at 7:20. We were soon startled as two wranglers with several pack horses suddenly emerged from a side trail right in front of us. We started climbing immediately as we went up a little then down a little always gaining altitude. We continued this for 13 miles and the first water stop gaining 1100' elevation.
We passed around a gate onto single track with high grass. We have a gradual uphill mostly wooded so we are comfortable.
We are taking it easy with frequent stops and enjoying the ride. After about 2 miles of single track we come to a very steep
bank about 50' long which we walk up. A short distance later we pop up over another steep bank onto a forest road where
we turn left. We have a short descent of perhaps 200' over a couple of miles before we start our long ascent.
We have to climb about 1800' over six miles. The road is switchbacked and not too steep. We have beautiful views across the Clearwater River valley. Near the top we see a fire starting across the valley and it grows as we watch it for five minutes. We turn sharply left and enter our second major single track of the day a 4 mile stretch. We pause for some serious huckleberry eating before continuing to climb gradually for about a mile. It is not too difficult except for two areas where the trail slid away. I dropped into first one and got stuck having to walk out. I prudently stopped and walked the second one fortunately as the trail was totally gone and I could have gone down the mountainside. We started to descend and things got exciting. We passed through a narrow trail with rocks, trees, ditches and other hazards to keep you busy and alert. We crossed a steep mountainside on a narrow rock strewn trail six inches wide. A bolt came out of Andy's pennier rack almost causing him to wreck. After a quick repair we continued down at an ever faster rate running drainage ditches 3' deep at 15 plus mph and large dips even faster. The first few I thought I would go over the handlebars as they looked like vertical banks. Andy, Paul, Carol from Vancouver, Canada and I arrived at our lunch stop unscathed. Carol joined us sometime this morning. She had not ridden previously due to a bad cough and cold. We enjoyed watching the riders coming in to lunch with very big grins on their faces.
We had some tough downhill with switchbacks, loose material and rough road. Eventually the road became less steep but was a continuous washboard for many miles all the way to camp. We biked into the Seeley Lake Motor Lodge at 3:05. We felt good as we paced ourselves well and had a lot of fun. We were on the road 7 hours 45 minutes. We biked 47.56 miles in 5 hours 46 minutes averaging 8.2 mph reaching a maximum speed of 26.5 mph while climbing 3709' and descending 3584' in 2 climbs.
Carol, Andy, Paul and I biked about 2 miles to a park on Seeley Lake for a swim. When I emerged from the water I realized that I had a bump on my shin and several scratches on my lower legs some that bled a little. I didn't feel any of them and the road dust was so thick that it covered them like masquera. We enjoyed some beer and a nice supper. Andy and I walked to an ice cream stop for a huckleberry milk shake.
July 25, 2007 Wednesday Hike to Morrell Falls
It cooled down nicely last night so I slept well. I got up at 6:19. We have the day off so breakfast is at 7:00. At 9:00 two 9 passenger vans loaded up for the short drive up to the Morrell Falls trailhead. The hike is about 2.5 miles uphill through the forest to the falls. We passed CJ coming back down with Sophie who is going to drive CJ to the airport for his flight home in Carson City, NV. The falls are about 90' tall and had good water. Some people climbed the falls or played near the bottom as we ate lunch.
Back in Seeley Lake it is hot again above 90°. Andy and I walk to an ice cream parlor, reputedly with the best ice cream in Montana, for another huckleberry milkshake $4.75. It was very good! The remainder of the afternoon is spent lounging around socializing with other riders and staff sipping ice tea and a beer or two. After another superb meal of barbecued pork, pasta salad, green salad plus more we continued to relax and chat until bedtime.
July 26, 2007 Thursday Bike Seeley Lake to Lincoln
We have another long hot day ahead of us so we need an early start. I got up at 5:30 and packed up my tent and gear. I ate breakfast at 6:30.
We biked out of Seeley Lake 4025' elevation at 6:55. It is cloudy in the mountains with a pleasant breeze and therefore a bit cooler
although it is still hot. We start off fairly flat for a couple of miles back the way we came in two days ago. We head up into the mountains
on an 8 mile 1000' climb. We descend about 400' over 2 miles to our first rest stop at 14.6 miles.
We start climbing again regaining the 400' over 4 miles. On the 800' descent in 3 miles from 5000' elevation we see two different piles of bear scat. Garth, from New Zealand who is everywhere today, saw a bear. We cross the 22 mile wide Blackfoot River Valley of small rolling hills slowly gaining a little elevation. We stop in a nice park along the cold running river for lunch at 31.7 miles into the day's ride. Even the hardiest among us are reluctant to swim in the cold water although a few took a very quick dip.
We continue across the valley to the 44.5 mile mark where we begin to ascend again. This climb is our biggest of the day rising 1700' in 6.5 miles. The scenery is grand, the trail is switchbacked so not too steep and it is fairly cool with a breeze most of the time. We pace ourselves stopping frequently enjoying the ride. At one point we can see for miles back over our route. We see tiny specs of riders approaching the base of the mountain. The climb goes on and on but is very enjoyable. We reach the summit and our last rest stop of the day at 50.9 miles.
We descend 600' in 2 miles then climb 200' our last of the day. It is all downhill from here and we enjoy the fast ride down even with the washboard road. We pass through forest where we see some deer and families on a day out. Lower down it is cattle country as we pass through a few sprinkles that are cooling but don't even make you wet. We pull into Lincoln High School at 4:37.
It took us 9 hours 42 minutes on the road to bike 68.49 miles in 7 hours 7 minutes and 15 seconds of biking averaging 9.6 miles per hour reaching a maximum speed of 27.5 mph while climbing 5572' and descending 4997' in 4 climbs.
I hurriedly set up my tent as the wind picked up and and you could see the approaching rain accompanied by thunder and lightening. It rained fairly hard while I showered but it was over when I came out. The caterer had set up in a large park pavilion across the road. We enjoyed two beers and snacks while socializing. There were envelopes to tip the caterer, staff and bike mechanic. After another superb meal we had a group awards gathering with a lot of group comraderie.
July 27, 2007 Friday Bike Lincoln to Divide Return & Bus to Whitefish
It is our last day of biking and our shortest day. Got up at 5:41 and packed my gear but left the tent standing. It is cool in Licoln at 4600' elevation. Went to 6:30 breakfast. Andy is not riding today because of a sore back which has been bothering him all week. Paul is undecided but may go later.
I leave on my own at 7:15. After crossing the Blackfoot River on the edge of town the road is gravel/dirt and starts up very gradually at first. It is an 15.2 mile climb of 2400' to Stemple Pass 7000' elevation and the Continental Divide. It is cool and I'm feeling good so I move along quickly to the rest stop at 11.5 miles. Here the road gets steeper with some switchbacks. I begin to struggle and slow down near Stemple Pass but make it in good shape. I turn right on FR 485 which deteriorates as I go. I am still climbing slightly for another mile or so.
I see Craig several times as he passes me then I pass him as he waits for Joyce. I descend about 200' and hit a large rocky dry gully hard to make it up the other side. I noticed on the descent that my rear was unstable indicating low tire pressure. Sure enough my rear tire was low so I stopped to pump it up. Since I had not checked my tires this entire trip I wasn't sure if it was low when I started this morning. Craig stopped and helped me to pump it up. I continued to the turn around point at 19.9 miles and great view.
I returned to the gully which was really FR 4134 our route back down the mountain. It is extremely steep, rocky, rutted and narrow. My rear tire is getting spungy again so I go slow working my way down the 4.4 miles on this road. I stop twice to pump my tire up. I successfully cross two streams but the third is wide and about 8" deep. Because I am going slow I stall in the middle of the stream and have to dismount.
I finally make it to the same rest stop I stopped at on the way up. I'm debating with myself and other riders about whether to change my nearly flat tire or to pump it up again with the good floor pump and try to make it in. Lisa manning the rest stop is bored and offers to change my tire. I agree. We can't find anything in the tire so we put a new tube in the tire. I returned to Lincoln the way I came out and the tire was nearly flat when I got back 11.5 miles later at 12:15. I biked 37.1 miles in 5 hours climbing and descending 3053' in 1 climb.
I left my bike by the luggage truck to be loaded for transport back to Whitefish. I ate lunch, took down my tent and showered. It is very hot again at 98°. Paul, Andy and I walked across a field to a restaurant for ice tea and one last huckleberry milkshake. Our bus arrived so we loaded our gear underneath and headed for Whitefish at 2:30.
We arrived at 6:00. We retrieved our luggage and bikes. We said goodbye to some people and I packed my car starting with our bikes. The Super 8 was full so we checked into a motel across the street. It turned out to be a real dingy flop house. The air conditioning was working so we went to dinner at Wendy's for a taco salad and a Frostie. When we returned to our motel the AC which wasn't working well shut down and our room was hot and stuffy. We decided to check out. We stopped at 20-30 motels in Whitefish and Kalispell but all were full. We returned to Whitefish High School about 10:00 and set up our tents. We had bathrooms. Andy had to repack his stuff for his John Muir Trail backpack in California in the dark.
July 28, 2007 Saturday Drive Whitefish, MT to Rapid City, SD
We were up at 4:00 and at 4:23 I drove Andy to the Kalispell Airport. I stopped for 8.8 gallons of gas in Kalispell. I headed south on MT-93 along the west shore of Flathead Lake. I was startled by a deer in the dark road but fortunately I missed it. I turned east on I-90 near Missoula. The speed limit is 75 mph and the traffic light so I put on the cruise control and made time. I passed through Butte stopping at a Subway $4.34, Bozman and Billings where I got 12.8 gallons of gas for $38.50. Also passsed Ft Custer and the Little Bighorn Battlefield.
I crossed into Wyoming north of Sheridan. I passed through Buffalo and then Gillette in 95° evoking memories of my family trip in 1980. We arrived late in Gillette with about 20 motels but couldn't get a room because of a local oil boom. I gased the car and drove in the dark, through a desolate landscape not seeing one other car in over an hour to Buffalo. We got a room in the one motel there. This experience has affected my daughter ever since.
I crossed into South Dakota near Spearfish. After about 45 miles I stopped in Rapid City, SD at 5:20 where we stayed in 1980. I drove 868.9 miles in 12 hours 57 mintes averaging 67.1 mph. I checked into the Super 8 room 358 for $100.28. I drove about a mile to Applebees for a 16 ounce draught Sam Adams, southwest pasta and an apple pie with ice cream for $26.45 including tip. I slept well.
July 29, 2007 Sunday Drive Rapid City, SD to E. Moline, IL
I'm up at 5:30 and had orange juice, milk and a bagel with cream cheese and jam for breakfast at 6:00. I put 11.9 gallons of gas in the car for $35.25 and headed east on I-90 at 6:20 MDST. Passed Mt Rushmore, the Badlands and then the Missouri River at Chamberlain, SD.
I crossed into Iowa at Souix City and gased up with 14.0 gallons for $41.00. I turned south on I-29 stopping for lunch at a McDonalds for $5.22 and then east on I-80 across Iowa. I passed Des Moines where I visited my uncle as a kid and his family still lives there.
I crossed into Illinois at the tri-cities of Davenport, Rock Island and Moline. I checked into the E Moline Super 8 room 111 for $59.93 at 7:20 CDST. I drove 821.9 miles in 12 hours averaging 68.5 mph including stops. I walked to the Deerfield restaurant for halibut, mashed potatoes,salad, ice tea and vanilla ice cream for $14.11 including tip. I filled my car with 11.8 gallons of gas for $35.26. I relaxed with a chilled bottle of English Bitter homebrew I brought from home and a shower before passing out.
July 30, 2007 Monday Drive E Moline, IL to Columbia, MD
I'm up at 5:30 for breakfast at 6:00 of orange juice, milk and a bagel with cream cheese and jam.
I drive from the motel at 6:15 headed south and then southeast on I-74 past Peoria, Bloomington and Champaign, IL. I cross into Indiana angling down to Indianapolis where I pick up I-70 east.
I cross into Ohio and pass through Columbus. I stop for 12.0 gallons of gas for $31.75 in Eaton, OH. I eat at the Subway for $7.67.
I pass through Wheeling, West Virginia and into Pennsylvania. I pick up the Pennsylvania Turnpike at New Stanton and exit almost two hours later at Breezewood. Here I gas up with 10.5 gallons for $30.00 and stop at Wendy's for a taco salad and Frostie at $5.81.
I cross into Maryland following I-70 to US-29 south to Columbia, MD and home at 8:46 CDST or 9:46 local time. Today I drove 904.8 miles in 14 hours 30 minutes averaging 62.33 mph. Driving home in three days I covered 2595.5 miles in 39 hours 30 minutes averaging 65.77 mph including stops. I'm tired.
TRIP DATA
| Road | Bike | Avg | Feet | Feet | ||||||||||
| 2007 | From | To | Miles | Time | Time | MPH | Up | Down | Ups | Lodging | Cost | |||
| Jul 17 | Tue | Drive | Columbia, MD | Gaylord, MI | 773.8 | 11:24 | 67.98 | Royal Crest #67 | $63.72 | |||||
| Jul 18 | Wed | Drive | Gaylord, MI | Bemidji, MN | 652.1 | 12:18 | 52.94 | Super 8 #214 | $78.57 | |||||
| Jul 19 | Thu | Drive | Bemidji, MN | Havre, MT | 761.6 | 12:12 | 62.60 | Super 8 #105 | $67.29 | |||||
| Jul 20 | Fri | Drive | Havre, MT | St Mary, MT | 180.8 | 4:30 | Camp Sprague Creek | $20.00 | ||||||
| Hike | Highline Trail | Loop Trail | 11.6 | 4:54 | 2.39 | Camp Whitefish,MT H.S. | ||||||||
| Jul 21 | Sat | Hike | Piegan Pass Trail | Siyeh Pass Trail | 10.4 | 5:12 | 2.01 | 2000+ | 3000+ | 2 | Camp Bigfork,MT H.S. | |||
| Jul 22 | Sun | Bike | Whitefish, MT | Bigfork, MT | 46.81 | 4:54 | 3:58:19 | 11.8 | 1382 | 1982 | 2 | Camp Condon,MT | ||
| Jul 23 | Mon | Bike | Bigfork, MT | Condon, MT | 61.49 | 11:24 | 7:07:40 | 8.7 | 6558 | 5758 | 4 | Camp Seeley Lake Motor Lodge | ||
| Jul 24 | Tue | Bike | Condon, MT | Seeley Lake, MT | 47.56 | 7:45 | 5:46:05 | 8.2 | 3709 | 3584 | 2 | Seeley Lake Motor Lodge | ||
| Jul 25 | Wed | Hike | Seeley Lake, MT | Morrell Falls | 5.0 | 4:00 | 1.25 | 1 | Camp Lincoln,MT H.S. | |||||
| Jul 26 | Thu | Bike | Seeley Lake, MT | Lincoln, MT | 68.49 | 9:42 | 7:07:06 | 9.6 | 4040 | 3500 | 4 | Camp Lincoln,MT H.S. | ||
| Jul 27 | Fri | Bike | Lincoln, MT | Continental Divide | 37.10 | 5:00 | 4:00 | 9.3 | 3053 | 3053 | 1 | Camp Whitefish,MT H.S. | ||
| Bus | Lincoln, MT | Whitefish, MT | Super 8 #358 | $100.28 | ||||||||||
| Jul 28 | Sat | Drive | Whitefish,MT | Rapid City,SD | 868.9 | 13:00 | 67.10 | Super 8 #111 | $59.93 | |||||
| Jul 29 | Sun | Drive | Rapid City,SD | E.Moline,IL | 821.9 | 12:00 | 68.49 | |||||||
| Jul 30 | Mon | Drive | E.Moline,IL | Columbia,MD | 904.8 | 14:30 | 62.33 | |||||||
| Drive Totals | 4963.9 | 79:48 | 62.36 | |||||||||||
| Daily Averages | 787.0 | 12:33 | 62.36 | |||||||||||
| Bike Totals | 261.45 | 38:45 | 27:59 | 9.34 | 20,274 | 19,374 | 13 | |||||||
| Daily Averages | 52.29 | 7:45 | 5:36 | 9.34 | 4,055 | 3,875 | 2.8 | |||||||
| Hike Totals | 27.0 | 14:00 | 1.92 | 3,000+ | 6,000+ | |||||||||
| Daily Averages | 9.0 | 4:40 | 1.92 | 1,000+ | 2,000+ | |||||||||
ROSTER
| Holly Armstrong | Garth Barfoot | Judy Barfoot | Linda Bunk | ||
| Ron Bunk | Andrew Buttles | Kathlyn Carriker | Dwayne Cornelius | ||
| Tim Freilich | Frank Gilbert | Rich Hairston | Ted Hammond | ||
| Sandy Houck | James J Kelley | Carol Kalpin | Carol Levow | ||
| Doug Leviska | Michael Loviska | Eddy Mantaring | Savannah Matyas | ||
| Dan McQueen | William McWhorter | Paul W Millar | Ed O'Connell | ||
| Laura Paterson | Craig Ringgenberg | Joyce Riggenberg | Steve Runholt | ||
| John Sieber | Kim Sieber | Todd Soliday | Hans Van Naerssen | ||
| C. J. Wang | Tom J Weis | Anna Widor | Jean Stiller | ||
| Jennifer Winslow | Matt Winslow | Alice Wong | |||
COSTS
| Trip cost | $849.00 | ||||
| Cash | $120.00 | ||||
| Food | $177.49 | ||||
| Lodging | $291.20 | ||||
| Camping | $20.00 | ||||
| Total | $1,702.27 | ||||
PACKING LIST
| WEAR | CLOTHES | ||||
| Sandals | Clothes | Miscellaneous | |||
| Burmudas | Rain jacket | Bible | |||
| Underwear | Golf shirts (3) | Money card | |||
| T-shirt | T-shirts (8) | Mastercard & Visa Cards | |||
| Altimeter watch | Pants/shorts (4) | Medicare & Health Insurance cards | |||
| Underwear (9) | Vouchers, tickets | ||||
| Maps, cue sheets, info | |||||
| Camping | Log & pens | ||||
| Pillow | Clothes line & pins | ||||
| BIKE | Tent | Laundry soap | |||
| Giant Yukon | Sleeping bag | Money | |||
| Cyclometer | Liner | Leatherman tool | |||
| Tire Pump | Air mattress | Water bottle | |||
| Water bottles (2) | Biking Clothes | Plastic bags | |||
| Pedal wrench | Shirts (5) | AA batteries | |||
| Penniers (2) | Pants (5) | Headlamp | |||
| Seat pack | Socks (5) | Passport | |||
| Spare tubes (2) | Shoes | GPS | |||
| Spare brake cable | Helmet | Binoculars | |||
| Spare Shifter cable | Gloves | Camera | |||
| Bike tool | Glasses & mirror | Cyclometer battery | |||
| Leatherman tool | Calculator | ||||
| Tire tools | Hiking Clothes | ||||
| Patch kit | Boots | Shaving Kit | |||
| Socks (2) | Battery razor | ||||
| Chain lube | Sock liners (2) | Comb | |||
| Sun lotion | Hip pack | Toothbrush & paste | |||
| Electric straps | Shirt | Soap & shampoo | |||
| Duck tape | |||||
Accesses since August 21, 2007.
Last updated August 21, 2007