My dad was in and out of cell zones, so we didn't get a chance to talk for a while. I caught up with him on his rest day in Rawlins, Wyoming, as he was staying in a motel and taking a rest day.
After the last update, Bill headed to Hamilton, Montana, where he pitched a tent in Carl's yard, after a 52 mile day. Carl's son rode from Virginia to Hamilton and learned that it is hard to find affordable places to stay along the trail. Adventure Cycling added Carl to their map and now he offers cyclists a free night's stay. He also made a yummy breakfast that my dad really appreciated.
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| This is Carl. |
Another interesting person my dad met on his way to Hamilton was a doctor who was celebrating his 77th birthday with his son by completing a 2-day, 30-mile hiking trip with a 3,000-foot elevation gain and 30-pound pack. Inspiring!
On July 23rd, my dad rode 39 miles to the small town of Sula, Montana (pop. 10), where he experienced his worst night of camping so far. The restaurant where he was planning to eat dinner was only open for breakfast and lunch, so he broke open his emergency rations; the ground was hard, and there were a lot of mosquitoes. But, the facilities were decent, and it was at the base of a long climb, so it was a good place to end the day.
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| High Moutain Beacons |
On his way to Jackson Hot Springs Resort, Montana, Bill climbed 3,000 feet over Chief Joseph Pass and Lost Trail Pass. He stopped at Big Hole Battlefield Information Center, where he watched movies about the battle and rested. He took a late lunch at 2 p.m. in Wisdom, Montana and enjoyed a good soak in the hot spring at the end of his 58-miles day, where he stayed in a cabin.
At breakfast, my dad met two cyclists and road with them the rest of the day to Dillon. They climbed Big Hole Pass (Elev. 7,350 feet) and Badger Pass (Elev. 6,730 feet). That night, they met a weird guy who was carrying everything he owned in a plastic crate on the back of his bike. The two cyclists who my dad met, talked to him and were a little worried about his presence. Fortunately, they left Dillon with no incident, but they all were creeped out about camping there.
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| Fred and Tony at Badger Pass. |
On July 26th, Bill enjoyed riding 59 miles to Virginia City, a neat, old gold rush town. Along the way, he stopped at an old gold rush ghost town called Nevada City, where he took a tour. The historic structures there were authentic, but were brought in from other parts of the state to recreate the town. He met one cyclist who completed the Northern Tier in 1990 (the one my dad completed 10 years ago). My dad ended his day by sleeping at a cute apartment after not being able to get into the B&B he wanted to stay at, but was happy as the landlady volunteered to do my his laundry.
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| A cyclist-only camp site in Twin Bridges, before Nevada City. Note the blue sign on the left. |
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| Inside a dance hall in Nevada City. |
On the 27th, my dad rode 65 miles to Beaver Creek Campground. There was a tough 1000-foot climb over just 3 or 4 miles. It was cool all morning, so he wore his windbreaker, but took it off just after a mile because he was generating so much heat. His glasses even kept steaming up and then a breeze would come and blow it off. When he got to the top, Bill was expecting a long, glorious downhill ride, but got strong crosswinds instead, so it was harder to get down than he expected. He is now also starting to experience daily afternoon thunder showers. Another factor to deal with when going cross-country.
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This is a view from the downhill ride.
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Quake Lake: Created after a massive earthquake in 1959.
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Bever Creek Camp
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It was another 25 miles to West Yellowstone National Park, a busy, touristy town. Bill stayed on the second floor of Madison Hotel, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It was charming; the floors creeked, there was a big tub in his small room, but not enough running water, and no to.v.
On the 29th, my dad took the day off from riding and toured the Northern Loop of Yellowstone Park. He saw a swan, an eagle, bison, 2 cranes, pronghorm deer, elk, a black bear, and grizzly bear with two cubs.
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| Tower Falls in Yellowstone NP |
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| Firehole Falls in Yellowstone NP |
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| Elk grazing at a fort in Yellowstone. My parents had a meal there together 30 years ago. |
On the 30th, my dad got back on his bike and rode 15 miles to Madison River Campground, where he spent another day lounging around and floating in the refreshing river.
My daughter just woke up. To be continued...
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