Slept in to a ripe 7:30, and my neighbors for the night had already packed up. Dennis and Marie were their names. Retired from the EPA several years ago and lived in Sacramento. I was in a much better mood this morning than last night and got to know them better. As we were packing another couple rolled up, young folks. They must have really started early. They were looking for some place for breakfast, but we told them the truth, there was nothing to be had in this town. The bakery opened at 10, but we weren't going to stick around that long.
Everyone was going to Havre that night. (Pronounced HAVE-er, not however the french might say it). It's a big town, almost 10,000.
The day was cooler, and hazy from smoke. I hadn't heard of any fires, but I wasn't surprised with all the lightening the other night and wind yesterday. Still a Westerly wind, but much gentler.
Harlem was quiet in the morning (not that it wasn't quiet the night before...) and I got back out on the highway 2 and started moving. Before long I was in Chinook. I found the public library and sat in the shade. I filled my water there and used the internet. I wanted to take it easy today, thought it would do my body good. Chinook was only 20 miles from Harlem, and it was only 25 miles more to Havre, so I took my time there.
On my way out of town I had to stop at Finley's Food Farm... how can I pass that up?
From Chinook to Havre it wasn't easy going, but much more pleasant than yesterday. Followed the Milk River once more, and the railroad tracks followed it. Lots of trains, lots of trucks.
Just before Havre, Saddle Butte came into view.
In town I stopped at a Veterans Memorial to have a carrot and hummus. Not one but two folks stopped by to talk. The second one told me vehemently how much he hated New York City. "So many people! And all living in concrete! They got to be crazy. That's why I moved back here." He told me the state of Montana had just reached 1 million people in the last cencus. A lot of them from California, he said. Why are they coming here, I asked. "You'll be in the mountain soon, you'll see," he said.
I found a cute little city park called Pepin Park, set up camp, and stopped by the police station just down the street to tell them I wasn't a vagrant, and just stopping for the night. The lady said okay and took my name. Asked me where I was from, and she says, "Seattle? I hate that place!" She laughed. "Way too many people." I seem to be picking up on a theme here...
The young couple from this morning pulled in as I was setting up my stove. Rob and Katie. Engineers from Boston, on their way to Seattle. They were intending on moving there, "maybe somewhere on Green Lake?" Rob wondered aloud. "I just wanna be close to a skate park." They'll fit right in.
We had dinner together on the picnic bench, and afterwards Rob and I walked to go get milkshakes downtown. I've been craving one of those suckers for a couple weeks, so it was time. We shared stories on the way there and back; of being on the road, people we met, close calls, lucky breaks, and things we'll never forget.
Back in the park an old fella came around to make sure we knew they were sprinklers in the park. I figured there were, the grass being so green, but none of us knew where they were. Just hoping they don't come on in the morning when I'm packing. He stayed to talk about this and that. He was jolly, and proud of his area. He left after telling us that copper piping was superior to plastic because of its antibacterial qualities. Oh, how some people can go on...
Good to be in bed early, and to have a nose that works again. Looks like I might have the wind with me again tomorrow. The mountains draw nearer.
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