Finally the sprinklers stopped, allowing me to get out of tent & to the bathroom. My morning was spent working through work emails whilst my kit dried out.
The restaurant opened at 11 am. Over coffee, the manager, Misty, was horrified & very apologetic of sprinklers ordeal. By then I was over it
It made for a good story & had used the forced delay well. Also I had only planned to bike about 5 hrs. Nevertheless she insisted on recompensing me with an American hamburger & coffee.
Misty is a lovely lady. As a child, she was in a fire accident, receiving serious burns & lung damage. Today she runs, plays golf & has a fuller life than most. Spirit of Montana I guess. The chef sold me his i-phone cable so another problem solved.
Misty allowed me to take her picture, she gave me a big hug, told me to be safe, & I was off!!
Rexford makes out to be a “town” but is a big & very popular campground on the edge of an enormous lake. Lake Koocanusa, A reservoir that straggles Canada & USA. The name comes from a competition winner – made up of local Indian tribe, USA & Canada.
First 20 miles follow the river.
This is serious bear county
After the bridge I came across this magnificent memorial to old Bob Tom Jim. On Eagles Wings 27 April 97. Decorated with Beer bottles cartridges bait, plastic flowers & angelic pigs?!
8 miles on, I came across an enormous black bear (twice the size of any seen on the Divide last year). I rang my bell, shouted ‘Yo Bear’ as you do, but he did not budge. Only option was to wait him out. As it happens, a pickup truck came by and off he strolled.
Today was a tough ride – 60 miles with a couple of long climbs. I hit Rout567 around 7:30pm. My choice, if there was one, was to cross onto the next dirt road, back into grizzly bear country & wild camp or follow the metalled valley road down into Libby – 20 miles south.
Today, I met fellow rider, Aaron. Riding north. He was riding Segment 1 S > N & had come access only one rider heading south. I could be in for a lonely ride???
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 