Day 16 Seeley Lake MT

The luxury of a warm, dry bed & my very own bathroom – very nice.

Raining today so to the Chicken Coup Cafe and waited in vain for it to stop. Helpful Darlene Allen advised me on breakfast – must try the gizzards – at a grand old age, she had had them since knee high -though was not fully sure what they are! We got chatting.

More Montana area burnt last year since 1910 she tells me – & the record is set to be beaten this year – all 56 counties in MT are now on fire alert. That’s like the whole of UK! She bought up her family in the town of Pony, MT at the foot of Ollie Mountain, Pony being named after a miner Tecumsa Smith, who was very tall but rode on a tiny horse – so he became known as Pony Smith. At its peak, the town was 10,000 at max but sat at the end wagon trail road. Though the town is now classed as ghost town, there is a resurgence – the folks who left, missed the community so much that they meet each year through the Pony Homecoming Club.

Mark & Nicholas joined me in the waiting. As the day passed I was introduced to Instagram, ideas for new rides & biking kit. Plus Lots of coffee.

5 pm and deciding to remain here, made to room share at the motel. With health conscious friends & microwave in room, we ate well & plenty, had a few beers & planned for an early start.