Day 18 - Three Mountains And A Hundred Miles (June 19th, 2024)
City To City: Sula - Dillon
Miles: 101
Miles Total: 1,183
We woke up early with ice on the table, and not wanting to sit on ice, decided to stand in the sunlight. We packed up fairly quickly and with a hundred miles to go, and three mountains to climb, we didn't want to squander the time. We climbed the first mountain in the beginning and at the top, it was cold. Luckily with seven miles to the top, we weren't to cold. At the top, the roads branched into a T, and instead of going back down into Idaho, we went up another mile to stay into Montana before heading down. We stopped at a campsite for bikers only and ate lunch, and charged our phones there. All during the lunch, my dad was on the phone trying to get a sewage problem fixed at one of his properties. He and an employee of his, were going back and forth trying to fix the problem, and the tenant wasn't happy about how long it was taking to fix the difficult problem.
The employee, Judah, an eighteen-year-old guy, agreed to be the main manager of my dad's business for the summer, along with the help of two other guys similar to his age. Judah has so far, been able to keep up with the business's demanding problems, and customers. After getting things back at home somewhat straightened out, we set off. All during the morning in the Big Hole Valley, we saw cattle grazing, and watching us pass.
With about fifty more miles to go, and no towns in between, we needed more water, to make it. So, I went to a hotel to ask to fill up water bottles. The man at the desk kindly refused me saying that because cyclists have come through so often, the water bill has doubled. So, I ended up buying bottled water, and we set off again with two more mountains to climb.
After the second climb, it was mostly downhill, before the last climb. And after that last climb, We only had a little to get us to Dillon. Since it was along day with three climbs, we got to a biker's camp around 7 and talked with our host, Larry. Larry told us to do whatever we needed to, and left all the buildings unlocked so we could get whatever we needed out. Larry even offered to let us use his personal tools if we needed to tweak things on the bike. Larry showered us with his generosity, and kindness.
We had found Larry through the warm showers host, but it wasn't someone's host, and multiple people could stay in the small area. There were two building you could sleep in, but on the floor. Another couple stayed there too, but sleep in their camper.
When we told Larry, that we had started in Sula, and gotten to Dillon in one day, Larry said, "Well, that's usually not how it's done, but okay." Larry was impressed that we were able climb three mountains with a hundred miles.
When we asked Larry what we should do and see in Yellowstone, he gave us the whole load down with his wealth of knowledge and experience. He told us the best way to get somewhere with the least amount of traffic. And which routes to take to see the most wildlife. After a late dinner, and free ice cream bars, we turned off the lights and slept.
Oooooo. I can hardly wait to hear about Yellowstone! One of my all time favorite places. God made some cool stuff there. $
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