Day 25 Pettengill Campground MT to Grant MT

Bloody cold night – need to toughen up!

Even 2hrs after sunrise it remained just above freezing & the sun was behind the mountains. Need to hurry further south, I had set Grant MT, as my target – 60 miles on – including a climb well above 8000ft. What I didn’t take account of is a strong headwind & the additional effort required to cycle at high altitude. At one point I was 4 hrs into the ride & only managed 20 miles. Thank God for downhill.

There is an enjoyable pastimes to be had in studying Ranch signs.

Journeyed alone today. Hardly anyone about, those I met were heading north. Early on, I had a pleasant chat with a lady hiker walking the Divide, 5 months in. She had quit her job for this adventure & was hoping her employers would take her back. My view is they would be a fool not to. These adventures take enormous effort & require massive character. Those who complete such ventures deserve praise & be highly prized!!

It was mid afternoon when I met an inspirational lady, Betty Barns at the Polaris Grasshopper Valley.

At a good age, she owns & is sole worker of Ma Baker’s County Market. With no thought of retiring, this is the only trading post for 40 miles & has a sense of duty to serve this remote community. Before I left, as a reminder of our encounter she gifted me a small touch & a book ‘Our Daily Bread’. In return, she is in my blog.

Another north bound Divider, Matt, just before Grant

Matt has walked the Appellation Trail & many others & now likes the idea of cycling

I finally arrived at Grant at dusk & headed for the cycle only shelter-marked on the Adventure Cycling Map. Owner, Margaret, came out to meet me then promptly disappeared for the night. The next morning her husband, Mick, came out to watch the sunrise & inform me of the house rules – I can pee in the garden but definitely no pooping!

A reminder of how recent history is in Montana & how tough – In late 1883, an immigrant,Joe Maurice, arrived from Belgium to set up a homestead 15 miles up valley from Wise River. Totally isolated, he married young & scratch a living raising cattle & panning for gold. A horse kicked the sight out of one eye but he continued. During a harsh winter of 1905, his wife died of diphtheria, the following spring, his children died of typhoid.

He buried them in the grave yard (above) Despite the hardship, he remained close to his family until 1963 when his friends persuaded him to move to a nearby rest home. He died in 1967 in his 90’s.