Lost Llamas and Farewell to Montana

 

We are still on the GDMBR and going strong. Mike is feeling better but still feels a bit off. (Thankfully, he contends he is still extremely good looking and, really, what else matters?) 

There are a lot of reasons why we did not post anything for the last 10 days, some good, others poor excuses. In short, we have been riding most of each day, then trying to plan for the next few days.  Internet access as well as the ability to charging our devices has been a challenge at times. Any how, here’s what we’ve bee up to:  As far as way points, as of our last post, we headed out of Whitefish, MT to Swan Lake, where we camped, then to Seeley Lake, where we stayed at a terrific lodge called the Double Arrow.  From there, we rode through Ovando and on to Lincoln, where we camped in a very nice municipal campground.  

We had a big decision to make when leaving Lincoln.  A little more than 20 miles away is the Llama Ranch, an iconic stop on the GDMBR, mainly because of the generosity of the owners and the comradery of the many riders who stop there.  Bill was agreeable to stopping in but reluctant to end with such a short mileage day. Mike, on the other hand, had been there before and was insistent that we stop there knowing how fond Bill is of llamas. (Really?) Furthermore, he offered his expertise as a guide to get us there.  We had a long climb up Stemple Pass and then an even longer downhill plunge, only to wind up in parts unknown way beyond the turnoff to the Llama Ranch. Mike’s guiding services had lived up to its reputation. Bill will have to find another time to visit the Llama Ranch.  As a consolation, however, we enjoyed a ride on a beautifully scenic road eventually making our way to Helena. From Helena, we rode to Basin, then Butte, then Wise River, enjoying the route and crossing paths with 10 or so riders and sharing a snack or meal with them along the way.

A trip highlight was camping at the ghost town of a Bannack, MT.  Then on to Lima (like the bean), then to Red Rocks Lake where we stumbled upon the Red Hawk Lodge - more like a family home with some rooms for guests and a bunkhouse. Our stay there, especially the family style breakfast, also earned highlight status.  We had a blast.

That puts us in Island Park, Idaho, or thereabouts, where we are now.  We’ve ridden in blinding sunlight, in and around thunderstorms, in heat and, surprisingly, in the cold (mornings in the 40’s).  The roads and trail surfaces are generally rutted, potholed, washboarded, a mix of gravel, rock and sand, and made for pretty rough going. And we seem to attract headwind which, to us, are indescribable (otherwise we would describe them). We camped, stayed in sketchy cabins as well as a few terrific lodges and hotels. 

We’re still not quite sure how this will end, but it’s been fun so far (except for Mike’s snoring, which is also indescribable.)