Day 13: Whitefish MT to Ferndale MT

Cricket dropped me off in town for the last time & it was sad to say goodbye. I leave her free of most redundant/unnecessary belongings & cured of my fetish for small, meaningless bags. I feel liberated & organised. For the first time since Banff, I knew where everything was & packed in order of need!

So, for now: bike good, packing good, rider – work in progress.

Today, I met a Divide rider looking for company but I needed to enjoy the ride alone – to go at my own pace. Temperature was pleasantly warm, the route was gently undulating & scenery was fabulous, big, open Montana.

By early evening I was at the outskirts of Bigfork, nr Ferndale, when Brian Leskyinski called from his garden to ask if I was riding the Divide plus offers of help. Telling him I’d heard of a nearby bar & camping he offered me his caravan, beer & a hot shower. Unbelievable! That evening & following morning I got to know him, his wife, Alisha, & adorable kids – Raelynn (6), Brixan(4) & Marin(2).

Photographer – Raelynn – aged 6

Next day, before leaving, Raelynn handed me a paper heart – I just may take this one home!

A delightful, very hardworking family. Brian is a chef in Whitefish & Alisha a waitress but have managed self-build / renovate two large properties & are looking to exploit their location as a cycle hostel. I am pretty sure they will succeed.