Cooke City to Dillon

Now that we’re following the route from Adventure Cycling, a progressive bicycle map provider in Missoula, Brian feels less uncertainty about the conditions that await him each day. For most of the ride thus far, he would labor over several maps, ask locals for input and at times just plain guess which route would be best. He’s still encountering some unpredicted road-work, like the 5 mile stretch of dirt and gravel roads that greeted him today, but for the most part, the hills are now graded which helps for mental preparation.

Today, as we drove toward Dillon, we stumbled upon a town festival in TwinBridges. While we missed the decorated boat floats, we did see some rousing rounds of tug of war, situated over the small river running through town. The losing team would plunge into the water, providing extra excitement.  What fun! Score one more point for small town living….we are more convinced with every mile to seek this simple lifestyle for ourselves.

At the campsite, we met a couple, currently residing in Naples, Florida and Santa Fe, New Mexico on a whirlwind tour of Montana and Idaho to find a less populated home. When Brian and I later contemplated our dream-locales….I voted for part time living in Tybee Island, Georgia and Seward, Alaska. He likes the idea, but wonders how we will make a living. Somehow I ignored that part.

We called to Aunt Barbara’s home in New York City, in the midst of a mini-family gathering of Cousin Laura, her father Uncle Michael, my oldest brother Ken, my great Aunt Jean (a fireball at 89), our Israeli cousins Aron and his father Simcha (equally vibrant at 81). Through Cousin Laura’s interpretation, Simcha apologized for not bringing his bicycle but suggested we could join him in Israel next year….hmm..what a great idea. Aunt Barbara, Laura and I sought ways to implement this marvelous thought!