Even hotter

Yes, by late afternoon here in Miles City the thermometers were claiming a range of 102 to 104. We do, however, appear to learn a bit from experience. We got off to a nice, early start and got here by about 2:00. The temperature was still in the low 90s.

The first stretch today was mostly open fields with an occasional glimpse of the Yellowstone River. After about 10 miles we began to see more rolling hills, more cliffs, more trees, and at the top of the longest climb (maybe a mile and not very steep - but it was one that kept twisting and turning and fooling you into thinking it was about done) a colony of prairie dogs. Ok, I know they are considered pests, but they are cute. They make me think of those wonderful Little House books that I must have read ten times when I was in grammar school. They help me realize I have really traveled someplace new.

We regrouped at the town of Rosebud. Rumor had it that the town actually had services. There was the Longhorn Bar and Steakhouse that claimed to have seafood too. It was about 10:30 in the morning so it won no votes. Otherwise, there was a post office that did not appear to be open, and the ruins of a brick building, and a tiny frame building that had a handwritten sign claiming it was a music hall. We rode on.

Stephanie found us a spot for lunch in the shade. Hurray! After lunch our route took us on the freeway pretty much all the way here. In the end only Stephanie and I felt it was worth the trouble of riding on the interstate. Actually, it was pretty nice. The shoulders are huge and the traffic is light. Almost every vehicle pulled into tbe left lane to pass us. There were stretches where I 94 was silent. We stopped briefly a couple of times to swalllow Gatorade. I know it is hot when I actually look forward to swallowing that stuff.

Then on to our lovely air conditioned room, the hotel pool, the guest laundry, the Made in Montana shop and a very good, very big dinner.

Tomorrow we lose Kitty and Stephanie and Ben. Something about rejoining the real world.

Everyone who has traveled with us has been great! We don't know how to thank Aline, Willie, and Kitty, Stephanie and Ben enough for all the help they have given and all the fun we have had together.

Now we are off on our own for a while. I have read lots of stories written by people who camp & carry everything coast to coast. This trip has been so easy by comparison. Now we will get a bit closer to that experience for a while.

It is only about a week until we fly to Vermont for the family wedding so we will ease into it gently.

Miles today: 46
Total so far: 1412