Up at 6 am this morning. Had a hard time falling to sleep last night…don’t know why…I was exhausted. Hope I’m not dragging today. Supposed to be a nice day with a high of 89.
Stopped at 9 miles in Twin Bridges for breakfast. You always know where the cafe is in these small towns by looking for where the trucks are parked. The cafe in this town is in a grocery store…a couple tables in front with some pre-made breakfast burritos. Sat with some locals talking about big game hunting and politics—no doubt this is Trump country.
About 18 miles in stopped to take some pics and this guy was in a field on his 4 wheeler spraying weeds. He came over to the fence and said good morning and ask where I was headed. His name was Ross. We talked for about 30 min….he owned a couple hundred archers there, was a retired saddle maker and leather worker. His second wife was a western hat maker—his first passed away and a couple years later he met his current wife in her hat shop—said he didn’t expect Cupid to be in a hat shop 🙂 She retired and their daughter is still running the hat shop. He lived in Montana all his life and didn’t want to live anywhere else. He had a few cattle grazing on his land and he was spraying weeds before the county came by and sprayed them for him and sent him the bill—weed free hay and fields seems to be a big thing here—see signs all over about inspecting hay that is brought in from another county. Ross struck me as the definition of a true cowboy gentleman.
Made it to Dillon at 10:45 about 38 miles in. Stopped at a subway for an early lunch….I like their turkey sandwiches and the fact that I can drink unlimited Diet Coke 🙂
Stopped at 48 miles in as I was starting the first climb of the day to dig out my super lightweight, sleeveless crash test dummy jersey. The one I was wearing (and have been wearing since Pueblo) was itching….not sure why, but it’s a heavier material for the cold and today seemed to have a bit of humidity that I haven’t experienced for a while now. Anyway, my crash test dummy jersey made it all better 🙂
Saw a Golden Eagle sitting on a fence post (pic below) and was able to get one pic of him before he took off. He flew about 1/4 mile down the road and landed on top of one of these huge field watering contraptions that I’ve been seeing since Kansas, that was right beside the road. I pulled up beside him and was able to get several good shots — when I rode off he was still sitting there.
Topped Badger Pass, 6,760 feet, at 2:30 pm…tough climb, but not as tough as the next one to come later today.
Stopped at road construction light for the longest time on record…had to have been held at a red light for 30 minutes while trucks went In and out of the work site delivering blacktop to the crew a couple miles ahead. Stood on new black top surface burning up in the sun….not fun. The only saving grace is there was a nice cool breeze.
Topped Big Hole Pass at 5:15 pm….man that was a workout and a half—I underestimated that sucker….brought back memories of the Appalachians. Rolling down the other side wasn’t as great as it should have been for all the work required climbing it due to a stiff headwind, but it was still a good break and recovery from the climbing. It was mostly downhill all the way to Jackson where I’m staying tonight.
On the way down the other side of Big Hole Pass I looked off to the right and saw a Bald Eagle perched on top of a huge rock in a field with mountains as a backdrop. I was able to get a pic before he saw me and took off—it’s below.
I rolled into Jackson after a hard 83 miles today mainly due to the two tough climbs and the road work. When I got to town which is composed of a few buildings within about a 200 yard stretch of road, I checked into the “Hotel” in town which is really a hostel with 5 beds—I got the last bed available….good thing because the next place is 18 miles away and I’m exhausted.
There are a couple of hikers and one other cyclists here tonight. Had a steak at the restaurant/bar next door—it was pretty full because there is a rodeo in a nearby town—when I say nearby, I think it’s about 40 miles—didn’t ask which town since I don’t think I’ll be riding my bike there to see it 🙂
Another good day of riding….except for the headwind near the end of the day and the roadwork, almost another perfect day. The climbing was tough but I’m getting to the point that I really don’t mind that—just get in the zone and crank.
Supposed to be another nice day tomorrow with a high of 79…got to love that 🙂
