Up at 6:30 & worked till 11:00. Ethel sorted me with coffee & breakfast before setting of to meet her son.
First stop of the day was Adventure Cycling offices – a small but impressive place. Historic bikes, photos & rides decorate the walls. Although only 40 people work here, it covers all of America’s main cycle routes, plus maps, research, marketing, lobbies & provides advice to government, organises guided tours, and more. As a member, I had a great welcome, got my own guided tour, an ice cream, a very smart looking scarf, and my picture in the wall of travellers.
Today in Downtown is the start of the Missoula international chloral festival – takes place every three years. The “Out To Lunch” event, next to Clark Fork river, provided a taster of what was on offer – including local, as well as choirs from all over the world. Unusual as it may seem, although the event was on a grand scale, it was organised by community groups & Missoula radio. Also, most all the visiting artists were being hosted by the town residents.
Europeans in Missoula is very recent indeed. In 1803, President Jefferson sent Meriwether Lewis out to find the Northwest Passage. He returned declaring the best route to be through the Missoula valley. Much later on, 1859, Mullen created a more manageable route connecting the Missouri Columbia Rivers – much of which exists today.
In the evening, fellow cyclist, John, Ethel & I chilled over a few glasses of wine, talking bikes, past adventures & new places. One thing we had in common – we travelled alone.
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 