Friday 19 June, 2009
Lake Koocanusa to Dickey Lake, MT
Today the steep climbs continued along the eastern shore of Lake Koocanusa. I managed most in my middle ring or even my big ring if the climb was short enough and close to a downhill. My lower gears are becoming difficult to shift into with any reliability. After firming up the day’s plans with the others (we were not going to be caught out twice), Diane and I headed for North Dickey Lake CG. We soon caught up to Bill Upton who said his muscles were shot and that he was very tired. We all need the rest day coming up day-after-tomorrow. It will be the first of our ride after nearly two weeks on the road!
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Rock climbers near the exit from our campgrounds on Lake Koocanusa
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Beetle blighted trees in the mountain forest; sadly, there were a lots of dying areas like this
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What's a day without rain?
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I loved this metal eagle cutout at the entrance to a ranch and stopped to photograph it, just missing the rain that is falling in the left part of this photo
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Eureka, I think I've found it!
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I was riding strong, so soon I lost Diane and Bill and was riding solo. The road to Eureka narrowed, lost its shoulder, and contained some steep, short hills, which I ground my way up, holding up traffic in the process. When I finally climbed into Eureka, I found a wet Rick and Tim who had just finished lunch in a Subway/CS that I was headed for. They were debating getting a hotel room next door instead of pedaling another 16 miles to our camping destination. I told them that Kevin texted that he and Bill H. were in town having lunch at Café Jax.
Tim reports on his blog: “We joined them [Kevin & Bill] and found that no one else had gotten rained on. After trying with only moderate success to find some supplies in town, Rick and I headed out toward the campgrounds into a headwind and dropping temperatures and me wearing wet shoes and socks. Kevin and Tulsa Bill stayed behind to do laundry. I figured it would just rain more, so I would do laundry at camp.”
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Cafe Jax
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Because everyone stopped to eat, “do laundry,” or, in Bill U’s case, take a roadside nap, I got to the campground first. I chose and paid for three campsites, set up my tent, and talked to Gordy, the campground host. He told me that two nights earlier a black bear had gotten ahold of a cyclist’s BOB trailer and pulled it around trying to get the food in it. Gordy offered to let us put our food and toiletries in his truck overnight, and told us we could charge our electronics at his trailer. He also showed me where the kindling was.
Tim and Rick arrived just when I was beginning to have doubts that I had set up at the correct campgrounds (there are two Dickey Lake campgrounds). Tim was in a foul mood because the campground had only pit toilets and no showers or laundry. He was wet, cold, and tired--as were we all. To help him keep warm, I loaned him my rain pants to cover his legs. Tim and Rick set up their tents at the site across the road from mine, and then Tim climbed into his tent and got into his sleeping bag as his blog says "to warm up and work on my mood.”
About an hour later, a red Expedition pulled up and I was approached by Pam Kennedy and her husband, Sean. Was I part of Diane Robertson’s group? They had read about Diane on her website, and Pam wanted to ride to Whitefish with Diane the next day. Pam was an overweight woman and had been inspired by Diane--who also had been overweight before she turned her life around. Pam had begun riding just 20 days previously.
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Pam Kennedy, Bill Upton,& Gordy, our campground host; Bill Hickman and Kevin in background just arriving at the CG
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Kevin and Bill U talk to Gordy as Pam & Sean unload the food from their car
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The two had traveled 6 hours from eastern Montana and brought all sorts of food and drink: a large summer sausage, a cheese tray, a veggie tray and dip, crackers, chips, and a planked salmon for dinner. They also had comped a room for themselves and Diane, and an extra room for two lucky riders, at the Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish. Because Tim had been so down and uncomfortable since arriving, I went to his tent, woke him up, and announced food and a dry bed for the night. He broke camp and perked up after this.
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| Planked salmon, veggie and cheese platters; my stove and mug of coffee in the foreground |
The rest of the group had arrived by this time, most, like Tim, in an irritable mood as it had been a cold, wet ride, but moods improved as all enjoyed the meal and the break from camp cooking. After eating, Sean & Pam, Tim & Rick, Diane, and Kevin—who was going to stay at his uncle’s house—drove to Whitefish. We remaining three riders did not want to tear down our tents for a night in a motel. The next morning Sean was going to return Pam and those he took in. Then he was going to SAG our gear and his wife the 35 miles to Whitefish. We were in high cotton again because of the kindness and generosity of others. I was out the payment for three campsites since we needed only two, but what the hey.
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| Sean and Rick digging in |
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Bill Hickman and Kevin enjoying the unexpected, free, and delicious meal
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The food was set up on the table at my campsite. During dinner, I kept on everyone about not leaving salmon around to attract the bear, since I would be camping there that evening. In retaliation, and as a joke, Bill Hickman placed the whole salmon skeleton obviously and carefully under my tent flap. We all had a good laugh.
Tomorrow we ride to Whitefish where we will spend two nights at Kevin's Aunt and Uncle's house and finally get in a true rest day.
