After making a last minute decision to go to Glacier National Park and then head to Seattle, I called Allie and had her check on flights, then I hit the road.
I got out traditionally late, so I hit lunch on the way out of town, then kept pedaling. The ride out of Missoula was easy, but non-descript. Montana all looks the same to me. Most of my early ride followed the Blackfoot River, a wide, mostly calm waterway that made the afternoon pass quickly. Another good thing about following a river: it means the grade isn't very steep. In this case, I was pedaling upriver, but since the river was flat and calm, it almost felt like I was riding on flat ground.
I stopped at Clearwater Junction, which is little more than a truck stop and casino. Montana's casinos consist entirely of video poker and video keno machines. Racy.
The highlight of Clearwater Junction was the giant bull. I think that says a lot about that town, don't you?
I talked to Allie on a pay phone and found out that she would be coming out to Seattle on the 18th of August, and we'd fly back around the 26th. That's a hell of a lot of time. I basically have about 2 1/2 weeks of riding left, with 3 1/2 weeks to complete it. At least I'll get to set an easy pace -- or I'll have some free time once I hit the coast.
I decided to rattle off another 15 miles to reach either Salmon or Seeley Lake, where I could camp at one of several NFS campgrounds. Along the way I passed Salmon Lake, home of a camp for obnoxious teenagers. I could hear them from across the lake. I decided to go to Seeley Lake.
Salmon Lake -- great view, crappy neighbors
Sorry if this doesn't sound exciting. Montana isn't really the cutting edge of thrills and chills.