Thinking today about Summer: How this one has been so vastly different from any other I've had. Most notably, lacking that feeling of laziness, of unconcerned idling, letting days pass without hastle. I really haven't had that. Everyday counts when you're trying to cross a continent. That said, I never have to worry about finding ways to spend my days. Just ride until I caint... rinse and repeat.
Had vivid dreams last night. Probably the change of bed (I slept in the trailer). For the first time that I ever remember I dreamt about talking to someone about the dream that I had just had within the same dream... utterly confusing.
Split from Cut Bank at sun rise. Said goodbye to Rob and Katie. They're going up through Canada and then Glacier, but I decided I'm gonna make a B-line for the park and spend a day or two actually hiking in the mountains- see some stuff you can't from a bike.
Had to ride up out of the valley and back onto the last stretch of plains before the mountains. There's looking back on Cut Bank.
Ironically, it would be the straightest and flatest stretch of road in a while.
Saw this train that looked like it was riding right up out of the depths of the earth.
This is the Blackfoot Indian Reservation. Some very depressed looking homes on my way into Browning.
The mountains were obscured at first by the smoke, still clouding the horizon, but as I neared the town of Blackfoot, I began to see their faint outlines emerge. Soon, they presented themselves in thier full glory.
A sign on the outskirts of Browning praised the Blackfeet for thier bravery in battle and thier stubborn resitence to encroachment upon their hunting grounds. Meanwhile, down the hill in town, natives wore gas station uniforms and sold cheap trinkets and junk food to white tourists on thier way to the park.
From Browning I made my own route and took a smaller highway to the town of Babb. It was a 30 mile stretch without any services, but had tremendous views of the peaks. They hovered agelessly, watching over the endless plains.
Mama took my stuff, and at first Breezey and I felt as light as a bird, but 66 miles is still 66 miles no matter how you look at it. Did 1900 feet of elevation gain just in that 30 mile stretch. Probably more than I've done in the last week combined.
On the way into the foothills I finally saw some trees spotted on the landscape and was immediately comforted. The mountains loomed even larger as I appeoach. Hard to comprehend such clout after the unassuming plains.
The park is crazy this time of year, even during the week. Not worth trying to camp in there, so mom and I found an RV park just outside, near Babb, and set up shop. In the afternoon I looked over the maps to find a hike to go tromp around tomorrow. Had another splendid meal and at sunset, we went up to the hill I rode in on, to watch the show.
Simply majestic.
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