Pierre, Miller, Huron & Mitchell, SD

So Thursday morning we awoke to the sweet aroma of French toast and bacon. After a delicious breakfast, packing the car, and saying our farewells to Charli (tear), we drove to the edge of town and Amanda and Brittany started biking East. Anna was able to return to Pierre and spend a few more precious hours with Charli before receiving a phone call from the bikers. They were in need of a bike tool to help Brittany change a flat she had gotten (dang construction!) Soon after Anna arrived with the tool the tube was changed and all was well, or so we thought. Anna drove ahead to Miller and Brittany and Amanda continued to bike. As we biked on the gradual uphill to Miller we noticed that somebody had cut the grass next to the road. Now this usually wouldn't be a problem but somebody obviously had a blower on the side of the mower that caused the grass to cover the shoulder. At first we thought "No big deal, this won't last very long. Honestly, how long of a stretch would somebody mow for?" And as we approached mile 10 of the grassy shoulder we realized this was one serious lawn mower. This was not normal cut grass, this was piles of long, wet grass covering the smooth perfect shoulder one would not expect to find in South Dakota. With ten miles left to go we decided to bike hard and make it to Miller quickly. And as Amanda sped on going 16-18 miles per hour, Brittany peddled as hard as she could and managed a mere 12 miles per hour. Yes, that's right, another flat. Obviously we failed to remove the rock that caused the first flat (although we did check and thought all was clear). Not letting it take the fight out of them, Amanda and Brittany started walking towards Miller as Anna drove the last 6 miles to come pick them up.

Once reunited, we drove towards Sunshine Bible Academy, where we stayed for the night. We were welcomed by the sticky, buggy air of the Midwest... and by some kind people who allowed us to clean up in their home. After a dinner of pop-tarts and cookies (lack of stove/fire and motivation equals dinners such as that) we headed for bed. It was great to be sleeping inside on a soft mattress when it was raining and windy and lightening outside. Thanks Amanda and Charli for setting us up with the school!

Yesterday morning, we were greeted once again with rain and wind. Eh. We took our time in the morning (not unusual, but the rain did slow us down even more) and soon it was 2pm...how did that happen? Oh yeah...we drove to Miller because we all decided to take the rain hour to call friends and family. We stopped by a restaurant and lounge to pick up service (Amanda found great success while Anna and Brittany struggled.) When the precipitation ceased, we could not determine the direction in which the storm clouds where going, so without discussion we traveled on by car to Huron in search of lunch. Soup and bread sticks would only do, so we stopped in a twice recommended place that had none. The kind waitress saw our dismay, and referred us to the Crossroads--a small diner in a hotel--where we got our fill.

Hmm...3pm...still haven't fixed Brittany's flat tire...we just went...all the way to Mitchell, SD. Anna confessed that she was done camping (I'm ashamed, I'll admit--but I'm sick of being WET!) and Amanda agreed. Everyone was up for a hotel room and by the time we were settled in our Holiday Inn Express room (that just opened the day before! Thanks Mama & Papa K!) we looked outside and witnessed the torrential wind and rain storm only a South Dakota plain can create. We were glad to have escaped that one!

Today, with a fixed tube in Brittany's bike, we head towards Canistota for our second to last day of biking. It's hard to believe we're nearing the end.

Storms and Badlands...

Sunday night in Deadwood, a storm put a damper on our sleeping. Although the tent is mostly waterproof, a puddle ended up forming inside. Brittany's entire back was wet and her pillow was dripping. Everybody was awake for a large majority of the night.

Despite the lack of sleep, Amanda and Brittany started biking from Caputa to Interior, SD. Anna drove ahead to Scenic and sat outside a thrift store reading for a good two hours waiting for the bikers to get there, where they ate lunch. After lunch Anna drove on to Interior and set up camp. She met a young boy named Donald who offered to help her set up the tent, and she let him but refused to take him along to get coals for fire. As Anna was dealing with a clingy 13-year-old, Amanda and Brittany made their way from Scenic to Interior... nothing too exciting happened minus the prairie dogs barking (they have PLAGUE! by the way).

That evening at the campsite was relaxing and peaceful. We ended up going to bed at 9pm to wake up at 6am... sourdough pancakes made from sourdough starter over 100 years old were for breakfast at the campsite cafe. We had a great day planned with all three of us biking twenty miles to Wall, hang out there, and then bike the easy twenty miles back. Turns out, however, that Wall is actually 32 miles from Interior and the ground turned from flat to extremely hilly with three spots labeled as "passes!" In the 96 degree heat we were not mentally prepared for this, but we all managed. When we got to Wall we ordered large chocolate shakes and French fries. After walking around Wall Drug and filling up on free ice water, we found a tree and layed in the rocks beneath its shade for a half hour nap.

We then headed back towards the Badlands National Park... a hard 8 miles uphill (mostly) against the wind. Luckily it was more downhill on the way back as we assended 800 feet on the way to Wall. Amanda was thinking about food for dinner as she biked and realized that if we made it back to camp in 23 minutes we could eat buffalo bugers! Brittany biked ahead at 19-23 mph in order save us a spot. When the biking was getting hard, a kind family drove up along side each biker and offered water. And the buffalo burgers were great!

With some concern about the forecast, we headed to bed as soon as possible. Not long after they had taken Melatonin and dozed off, the wind picked up. The wind was so strong it ended up pushing the tent in on all sides! The lighting was something else as well, flashing every second - literally. Although it was scary we were all holding up until it started to rain. It was misting in our tent onto our faces and Anna was in a large puddle within seconds. Game plan? Go to the bathroom. We grabbed our sleeping bags and blankets and headed that way. About 30 seconds after arriving there was a knock on the door. Amanda opened it to none other than Donald and his fast dog, Sammy. Amanda kindly asked him, "What are you doing?" He said his trailer was shaking. It was weird that he came to the ladies bathroom! After moving to the game room and talking we decided to call our friend Charli to see if we could come a little early to her house. Thankfully she answered her phone at 3:30am.

We packed up in the rain and drove the two hours to Pierre. We arrived at about 6am and headed right to bed. Thanks Charli! Today we took it easy (on little sleep) and spent some much needed catch-up time with our college friends Charli and Amanda. Charli showed us around town; took us to her work and the capitol building. We also enjoyed choice meats and fried olives and mushrooms from Cattleman's Steakhouse. Good day!

Deadwood

Directly after we left the coffee shop The Wild Side, we returned to out car, and who did we see there...? JONATHAN! He biked 28 miles on a Cruiser!!! and found us, amazing. We unfortunately left him for Devils Tower, and would have loved to give him a ride, but our car was packed. You have no idea how packed our car is, it is full of CRAP! but we can't get rid of anything because it is all necessary "crap".

Upon arriving at Devils tower we were warmly greeted by a forecast of hail and rain. So... of course as we approached the half-way point of our hike around this halo for aliens, it began to rain. We finished our hike and headed to trading post and found used pans on sale!!! yahoo! So that night as we found the PERFECT campsite at Devils Tower we enjoy an nice meal of mushroom rice (don't worry we didn't pick the mushrooms ourself). We were in desperate need for a relaxing night so we watched "In the Land of Women" and went to bed.

The next morning we took our sweet time, and had fluffy yellow eggs with tomatoes and the famous POTATOES (God Bless the IRISH). We all sat at the table kind of dreading the biking for the day, so finally Amanda claimed... "I DON'T WANT TO BIKE TODAY" Brittany agreed, and Anna was happy for the company. So we drove to Deadwood and stopped in may cute towns including; Aladdin, Spearfish, Sturgis (because we all know that Anna has a little bit of Sturgis in her), and finally Deadwood, home of Wild Bill Hickok, and Calamity Jane.

We decided to stay at the Whispering Gulches Campground and were pleased to see that it has a pool, free showers, and a fire-pit. Upon arriving Anna and Amanda biked into town and listened to some drunk singer make a fool of himself by saying completely inappropriate things to people walking by, while Amanda drew and Anna read. Brittany stayed back and cleaned up and set up camp. And for all of you who care... BRITTANY SHAVED HER LEGS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 7 MONTHS!!!

Last night we chose to go gourmet... so we made the most wonderful French Onion soup, wit bread and cheese on top. We ate the whole pot of soup... the whole baguette... a block of swiss cheese!!!!WHOOOOOHOOO! And since that wasn't enough we went to the store to buy peanut butter M&M's. They didn't have any so we settled for Reese's cups. After our walk to the store Anna had this brilliant idea to go see Wild Bill's grave. It was in a cemetery about a half mile up a very steep hill. We charged up it and searched in the dark... in a cemetery for it. It was pretty amazing and after searching for about 30 minutes we kind of gave up and sat on a bench overlooking the city of Deadwood. For those of you unfamiliar with Deadwood... It is a city build on scandal and illegal activity. So as we sat and admired the city from above we heard the constant rumble of the thousands of Motorcycles running around town, and a singer at a steak joint. It was loud and beautiful. As we began to walk down the road towards the exit of the cemetery, what did we come across...? Wild Bill's grave! It was too dark to see, but satisfying to find. We walked back our camp sit in good spirits and promptly fell asleep, dreaming to Wild Bill and the Wild West!

This morning we awoke to a hot tent, we were baking, and wearing all of our sweats! We decided to take a morning to ourselves. Amanda went to town and drew and old building and befriended a biker, while Anna (can you guess)...read, and Brittany read Harry Potter in Espanol. At around 10:30 we all met in town and looked around at the stores. We were pleasantly surprised to enter a store and see a wide variety of moccasins! And these little Indian girls all bought themselves a pair of moccasins; Amanda's are red (summer style), Brittany's are black (boot style), and Anna's are Fudge Brown (boot style). We left the store satisfied and ready for something cold to drink. The local coffee shop, Big Dipper, supplied us with cold coffee drinks, and 18 cookies!

We then decided to sit and watch the crazy tourists in town who feel the need to take pictures of everything including this weird looking wooded statue of a... farmer? We listened to a man sing about his ex-wives at the restaurant next door and cooled off.

At around 1:00 we left Deadwood to swim at the pool and enjoyed every moment of it. Now... clean and full of PB&J we have half a day to waste and intend of doing so.

From Emblem to Sheridan to Gillette to Moorcroft

Starting in Emblem, population: 10. This might have been one of the most beautiful stretches of road, but Amanda and Brittany only made it 30 miles. Then Amanda pulled over and said, "I need to mentally assess my physical capabilities." (Who says that?!) They rested and had lunch, and once they were ready to go, they noticed that Amanda's back tire was flat. The hand pump didn't work because it wasn't compatible with the new tube valve (a presta-valve--for those bike savvy readers). Amanda went to go find a phone because WY has no service, and the third door she knocked on there was a sweet lady who let them use the phone and a man who was willing to drive them to Dirty Annie's (a combination restaurant/store in Shell, WY, population: 50). At Dirty Annie's they toasted their Fat Tire's to their first flat tire. We must mention that they were only $1.75 each--so cheap!

Meanwhile, Anna finally found cell phone service at the top of the mountain pass and received their distress call just before her phone died. They were soon enough reunited and on their way to Sheridan to visit Chelsie, a Northwestern friend. It was a HUGE relief to be in such luxury for the evening. Wash cloths, ice and chicken curry--not to mention beds! and a shelter from the rain. Thanks Chelsie!

The next day we went to the Back Country Bike Shop and loaded up with supplies. Every now and then one of us would say, "This is what our bike shop would be like..." Bike tubes were eco-friendly patched and new converters were purchased. Amanda and Brittany started biking around 11am and the landscape was beautiful with cows and sheep conversing. The first 55 miles were awesome; the last 15...sucked. It was so windy. They ended up in Spotted Horse, population: 2. Anna hung out in Sheridan at the Java Moon and then watched one of the most amazing lightning storms from the car off hwy 14-16.

We headed to Gillette, WY to Green Tree's Crazy Woman Campground. There we made tortilla pizza's in the microwave (to Amanda's dismay), and met a young man named Jonathan who was getting his Master's in Neuro-Science. He was so excited about our biking adventure, he considered biking to Moorcroft with us the next day. So exhausted, we sat in the camp's lounge until after dark, then remembered that we hadn't set up the tent...whoops. Last night was one of the LOUDEST we've ever experienced. Trains, planes and automobiles, birds chirping, the rain, people talking...etc. etc. etc.

Without Jonathan, Amanda and Brittany headed to Moorcroft, a mere 28 miles from town. It was nice to have a short day. Not much exciting happened for anyone. Now we're on our way to Devil's Tower to see the first (so says the sign) national monument in the US.

Farewell from Amanda

This... I suppose is my farewell blog to all things I have learned to love... and hate in Montana.

First off I want to send out a farewell to Chrysalis, my home and existence for these past two years. I enjoyed my time there, and will always miss all of the girls and staff I have learned to Love.

Farewell to my 10:00 p.m. curfew, I will not miss you... and am fairly happy to be rid of you.

Farewell to my beloved Mona Lisa, I miss you... and every time I smell skunk I think of you and sigh.

Farewell Sue and Dennis, you have been my shelter from the storm these past two years. I miss you both a lot and want to congratulate you on your brand new baby grandson. Sue, you are forever a friend and I will call you about all of my home decor questions this summer (and let's be honest... for the rest of my life)

Farewell Bonnie you are forever a friend, and you have a place to stay in South Korea.

Farewell Jane, I will miss our late night talks and snowboarding adventures.

Farewell Big Mountain, I will miss your short lines, and powder days.

Farewell coaching soccer and teaching art, I will miss you both, but at the same time, am happy our days together are done.

Farewell Glenn and Vivian, I will forever miss the Queen of leftovers (not to be confused with the left over queen), and Glenn's stories of Flint and U2 concerts. I will forever pedal on.

Farewell Christian School in Eureka, it has fun and interesting, I will hold on to the memories of self portraits forever.

Farewell Kathy Beaumont, I will miss our Tuesday night talks and prayers.

Farewell Sophie Lake Run... never again will I have a more beautiful place to run.

Farewell Paula Cornell and wonderful Chrysalis food, I miss you already (as I eat a microwaved tortilla pizza at the Crazy Woman Campground).

Farewell all staff I haven't named, it is not because I don't love you, but rather because I biked 70 miles against the wind today and am fairly exhausted.

Farewell my spit schedule and hours, I will not miss having a two hour break in the middle of my day.

Farewell Montana Coffee Traders... You're seriously the best coffee in the world, and I will miss my Good Migrations, "Dusk till Dawn" mornings.

Farewell Eureka, "The Corner Video",and "The Front Porch" you are some of my favorite places in this world.

Farewell all things I have forgotten at this moment, I'm sure I will think of you and regret not writing something.

Farewell Montana, I will be back, hopefully to live, but first I must become debt-free and find myself... a new dog (I'll bet you didn't expect me to write that!)

With all my love,
Amanda

Yellowstone and beyond

And now to update you on the last few days. On Sunday we drove to Yellowstone and set up camp at the Norris campground. We spent our Sabbath relaxing and driving around Yellowstone to see the sights. After visiting geysers and mud pots we walked up to Old Faithful just in time to watch her explode (great timing!). By the time we got back to camp we were pretty hungry so Amanda started a smoky fire with one match and we made Ramen Noodles and our famous fries (this time we spiced them up with onion salt and chives). Anna takes the last bite of her Ramen and says, "I have a confession, I don't really love Ramen." Brittany responds, "I was just about to say those exact words!" Amanda agreed. But our potatoes were great. Right before bed we passed around the book "Dakota" by Kathleen Norris (notice all the Norris') and read aloud to each other until it got too dark to see the words. We all laid awake in the tent all night freezing on hard ground having pee. Well, everybody except Anna.

Amanda couldn't handle being in the cold tent any longer, so she got up at six and stoked the fire. She was able to start the fire without a match... whoo! For breakfast we made potatoes which we pealed in attempts to make hash browns the night before (mistake!). They looked a little bit like fish instead of hash browns. And, lesson learned, never put oregano in potatoes. We decided to go for a hike to some hot springs and learned that non-developed hot springs are not a pool. Amanda dared to put her feet in and discovered that it was hot where it bubbled and cooled off quickly elsewhere. We saw mama elk. And we picked some mushrooms Amanda was convinced were morrels. The lady at the information desk informed us they were not and advised us to not eat them. We didn't, but we wanted to. They were huge and wrinkly and heavy and juicy, etc. etc. etc. Upon returning to camp Amanda drew her backpack (of all things in Yellowstone), Anna and Brittany read for a bit.

For dinner we made apple buckwheat pancakes and homemade syrup. Amanda mastered the pancake flipping technique using her baking stone on an open fire. Some of the pancakes were a little overdone, but our caramel syrup made them edible. After dinner we decided to take another hike to Fairy Falls, a recommendation from Bonnie, and the one mile turned into 2.6 one way. But the falls were worth seeing! Anna read to us in bed, we took Melatonin, our minds turned off and we managed to fall asleep.

Yesterday we took our time in the morning. We all agreed that doing so makes for a better day. After breakfast, washing up some, and taking down camp, it took us a good two hours to drive out of Yellowstone - thanks to the bison. It wasn't until 1pm when Amanda and Brittany started biking from the East entrance. They biked 53 miles to Cody without hardly a break because it was a beautiful downhill ride with the wind at our backs. We award Cody with the most unbikefriendly drivers and walkers but the people treated Anna well. While the bikers were coasting, Anna drove the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway scouting out a place to charge the dead cell phones. She stopped in Wapiti at the post office and read for a good half hour while they were brought back to life. When she arrived in Cody, she went to Wal Mart 3 times (trying to remember everything we needed) and hung out at the Rawhide Coffee shop until Amanda and Brittany met up with her.

At 5:30pm we left the Rawhide to bike another 30 miles and to set up camp. Anna found the best place for the tent between two tipis and near a river after a stressful bout with a spot near the road and a Rodeo. The best part were free showers for all! After a while of biking Amanda and Brittany's feet and bum ached so they stopped in what might have been Emblem, WY. It's hard to say. Anna picked them up and they drove away into the beautiful sunset.

Ennis to West Yellowstone, MT

We'll start with the Hot Springs in Norris. From the outside, it looked kind of weird, but once you were inside it was kind of hip. We soaked for about an hour in the "water of the gods" and listened to fun bluegrass music and children almost drowning (not seriously.) We highly recommend stopping by this unique hole-in-the-wall hot spring. Check it out for yourself: www.norrishotsprings.com

Coming back to Ennis, we had the craving for hot dogs and veggie burgers. (This largely has something to do with 1. We have no grill top, and 2. Amanda loves hot dogs.) Upon entering the grocery store, we discovered: MEN. I guess that's what guys do at 7pm on a Friday night in Ennis. We might come back next week...after we've showered.

We came to camp at the edge of town in a fishing access camp ground off the Madison River. For most of the evening, it was quiet and peaceful. We got a fire going and had one of the most filling (and well deserved) dinners of the trip. Brittany found a good way to cook a burger in tin foil, and Anna and Amanda made french fries using the same technique. It was great. At around 9pm, we were joined by a bunch of high schoolers lookin' to party at the camp next door. Boo! But, even though they ruined our sleep, we got their fire wood this morning.

Today Amanda and Brittany biked for a little ways...71 miles...from Ennis to West Yellowstone. The bike ride was exactly what they had pictured in their minds when planning this trip. The scenery was beautiful, the hills were doable, and the wind wasn't horrible. Amanda met a bird friend--it flew beside her for 2 minutes--and both bikers witnessed the sheer terror cows experience when they step beyond the fence. The bikers were delighted as they biked up to the Holiday Inn (thanks Papa K!)

Anna spent the morning in Ennis at a park and started reading the book, Bel Canto (thanks Jane!) and then walked into town waiting for the girls to call to meet them for lunch. She stopped by a cooking store and met the owner, Sherry, who generously gave her a very expensive soap for free! Anna hopes that it was just a sign of generosity, not some stranger's polite way of hinting that she smelled bad.

Tonight we had a good dinner in town, bought a 3 layer chocolate cake, and now we're all fat and sassy. It's been a great day.

Lewis and Clark to Ennis, MT

The cabin we stayed in was cute and comfortable, and as we heard the wind blowing, and cows mooing, we were glad to be inside something besides a tent. The Lewis and Clark Caverns Campground is beautiful, and we highly recommend it. This morning I (Amanda) woke up and drew some of the scenery as Anna enjoyed basking in the sun, and Brittany enjoyed the beauty of sleeping in a bed.

We started off at about 10:00. The wind was against us and we started our day going uphill for a good 5 miles, to be honest... it kinda sucked. It was beautiful though. We got to experience in full the elements we were in, including the up and downhills. We didn't far bike today, which was probably good. With the wind and constant hills it made for a difficult day, that was non-the-less... awesome.

Our plans for the rest of the day include... the Norris Hot Springs, camping at a fishermen's campground, and hopefully making something hot for dinner. Today is our first full day of niceness, so we plan to bask in it, but don't worry mom... I'm wearing my sunscreen.

Helena to Three Forks, MT

First a special thanks to those who have hosted us along the way. To Dennis and Sue, to Jane (and Bonnie), to the Marlatt's. Each of our hosts have been a blessing to us and a safe refuge from the storms. Thanks for the amazing food, the hot showers and entertaining stories. It meant the world to us. (And Annie, hope you enjoyed the addition to your hair book.)

Yesterday we enjoyed our time in Seeley Lake. This morning we woke later than planned and thus our day continued. We reached Canyon Ferry Lake at 1pm and after Amanda chewed out her bike pump, we started biking up some pretty serious hills. Brittany and Amanda feared that the entire way would consist of such hills, however, after about five miles the terrain flattened out and a strong tail wind sent us on our way to Townsend. Our top speed was around 38 miles per hour down a major hill, but we averaged about 15-17 mph. Along the way we encountered elk crossing the road, white tail deer, a ferocious farm dog that nipped at our heels, and prancing mule deer (two crossed right in front of us and another pranced alongside us for a while first). The last two miles to Townsend the wind changed and we fought a strong headwind. We were thankful that it was only two miles, but the next leg of our journey did not prove to be much easier. After lunch we headed South towards Three Forks and struggled. At one point we laid our bikes down and laid in the ditch to enjoy being still in the sun. Needless to say, we averaged a whopping 9 mph. That's for you Steve and Emily... In fact, this whole day is for you. Congratulations on your marriage.

Anna set out from Canyon Ferry Lake and made her way towards Townsend. We all agreed before the trip began, that we would never drive over 55 mph to save on gas. So far, there haven't been too many angry drivers and the view of the road has been beautiful (like the Land Before Time.) In Townsend Anna set out to find cooking pots and a grill top. A guy named Ernie suggested that she dumpster dive at the end of town, and she did, but with no success. In the end, she spent a good while at a glass blowing store watching the artists make soap dishes and found one pot for $5. Later she drove on into Three Forks to find a place to stay. A kind lady in an orange caboose (Welcome Center) helped her find a cute cabin near the Lewis & Clark cabins.

Currently we are sitting in Wheat Montana drinking hot chocolate, eating cookies much deserved. We are tired and we think it is time for dinner.

Snowed In

The weather is against us! Yesterday after our coffee shop stop, we made the executive decision to buy our groceries and re-organize our car rather than ride in the 3 inches of snow accumulating on the road. (These things were essential since we were both hungry and buried in the car.) Note: pictures.

Our drive to Seeley Lake was beautiful, even in the snow, and it made us wish that we were able to ride the whole way. In order to connect with Amanda's friend Annie (by way of Annie's friend at the Little Bird Inn) we shopped at a yarn and book store to ask for directions. The lady there showed us the knitting needles (featured in Vogue Magazine) that her husband makes by hand.

Soon we were on our way to find Annie's house way up in the mountains. Seeley is a labyrinth. The many deer guides gleefully pranced in front of us to show us the way. Honestly, it was like going on safari--there were too many deer to count.

Once settled in the house, we began reading our first book, Dakota. Before finishing the first chapter, Annie, Jeffery and their son Connor--along with dogs Max and Pearl--came home and gave us a big welcome. We talked, ate tacos and decided that we should all join Amanda in moving to South Korea (kind of). Jeffery got out his detailed map of Montana to help us determine a better route towards Helena, and excited us for future days to come with his explanations of the Southwest Montana landscape.

Today we decided to stay in Seeley Lake, eat corn fritters and wait out the blizzard. No biking today, but as Annie wisely encouraged us, "Don't worry about not biking right now, you'll get a lot of biking in."

It's snowing

We were welcomed this morning by a more than exciting forecast of snow and rain, and as we drove out to our starting spot, Amanda pulled over and said... "we need to talk about today". Now we are sitting in a coffee shop drinking the coffee we somehow forgot to prepare and writing our blog.

Yesterday we enjoyed our last morning in Eureka, and packed, and ate, and drank coffee, and did every good thing us humans do in the morning slowly. We got out at noon. And we drove away in the rain Amanda reminisced in the beauty of the Tobacco Valley. Upon arriving in Whitefish to a downpour of COLD rain we tastefully chose a route in Glacier as opposed to our original plan of biking along a skinny two lane highway during rush hour (that's for you mom). It was amazing the rain stopped when we started and started again once we stopped. It beautiful and at the mere mileage of TWO Amanda approached a T-intersection and fell (foot stuck in the petal) in front of a LOT of people whom all laughed in her face. (Don't worry more falls to come) We biked past Lake McDonald as the clouds cleared away and we were able to see the majestic beauty of the West (Glacier that is). Anna, the hire photographer captured some rare moments in time. This picture was taken at Lake McDonald, and is probably the best of all of us for the day.

Below: Amanda shows off the tumor of a bump on her knee from her fall, and if you look closely you can see a little brownie surveying her leg (as in brownie... the little men in Willow)

We biked 18 miles to the gate leading to Avalanche Lake, and then turned around and came back. Brittany was biking ahead and stopped to ask for directions (from Amanda) when abruptly took a turn for the worst (again foot stuck in petal) and in slow-motion fell down. With a bloody knee to show for it, Brittany and Amanda have both had there first falls and are glad to have that over with.

36 miles in total, we finished our first day. It was fun, and probably the easiest day of biking we will have, but we are proud of our decision to bike in Glacier.

At this very moment it is accumulating snow, and people are wearing puffy winter coats and carrying umbrellas, nobody really knows what to do. We chose to stay inside and drink coffee.

arriving in montana

Yesterday, June 8th, Stacey graciously took Brittany and Anna from Lincoln, NE around 5 am to catch a plane out of Omaha. With not much time to spare, we juggled 5 suitcases and 2 bikes in boxes. Uncertain of whether our luggage would arrive with us, there was much rejoicing as we sat on the plane headed for Seattle and saw two oversized bike boxes on the conveyor belt below us.

From Omaha to Denver to Seattle to Kalispell, we were so excited to arrive in rainy Montana and be reunited after 2 years! Together again we loaded up Maggie the Waggie (aka Amanda's Passat Wagon) and headed over to Whitefish for a walk around and the best coffee in the world at Montana Coffee Traders. After checking out a bike store to get us excited, we headed to Eureka. Upon our arrival, we stopped by the Front Porch (a coffee/book/yarn/music/art studio shop) where Amanda's most recent art work is displayed. We were able to meet a couple of Amanda's friends from town.

On our ride down to Sue and Dennis', Amanda prepared us for a Better Homes and Gardens front page cottage. We walked around amazed by the beauty and creativity of Sue's garden and the house Dennis built. All of us agreed that we wanted to live in a place like this, but realized that we have many more adventures before we let vines grow on our houses.

Then we had to get to work. Amanda brought her stuff down from the house and organized food from clothes from camping gear. Anna and Brittany put together the bikes just before it started pouring. But in end we successfully loaded everything--saving room for all 3 of us to ride in the car--with room to spare. We win.

Coming back into the house we were greeted by amazing grange-raised chicken and dumpling soup and conversation about bear and buffalo safety. Amanda frantically went over the first aid kit, and Brittany verbally reminded us that we were exhausted and that we could finish this up in the morning. And that was the day.

Special Thanks to those who brought us this far (in chronological order):

Marlon for loaning us his wisdom, for freaking us out with your bike stories, and plethora of bike gear (tool kit, helmet, camelback, biking shirts, bike maintenance book, etc.)

Nathan “Tiny” for transporting Brittany and goods to Omaha, NE. Thanks especially for conversing and singing, the ice cream, and paying an extra 70 cents for gas.

Albrect’s Bike Shop in Sioux City, IA for boxing Brittany’s bike and allowing her to spend $52.91 at their shop. (Great bike shop. We highly recommend the place!)

Sarah for providing a few hours of lodging, comforting the stressed, and feeding us the best homemade pizza... ever. Yum.

Stacey for shoving a bike in a box the size of her car in her backseat, driving from Lincoln to Omaha and back, for scrounging up a van for all of our stuff on Sunday, and for providing a comfortable bed.

Will for breaking up Anna’s trip to Iowa by taking her out to Thai Spice for a good vegan dinner and showing her your mad fire breathing skills.

Valerie for promising to watch and feed Anna’s fish, Berlin, these next three weeks, and for the cookie dough and convo in the car on the way to Lincoln.

Re-Cycle Bike Shop in Lincoln, NE for donating a recycled a bike box for Anna’s bike.

Erin for coming back from her parent’s house early to let us in to her apartment after we locked ourselves out, for sharing her joy in her garage sale finds, letting Anna’s sister straighten her hair in the bathroom, hospitality and ice water.

And YOU for reading this blog. You make it worth it.

--anna and brittany