It really is hard to believe that there can be one incredible day after another. The scenery changes constantly. Everyone we meet is interesting and helpful. There are surprises around every bend in the road.
Of course it doesn't hurt that the weather continues to be almost perfect. 70s again today, with a bit of a headwind - never enough to be very annoying. Today also gave us company. Four of us - Bruce, Stephanie, Ben and I, headed out of Billings together. Kitty was in the car. She joined us with a wonderful assortment of lunch treats 40 miles out, then Bruce & Stephanie hopped in the car and Kitty rode the next 40. At around 65 miles, Bruce & Stephanie came by to check & Bruce got back on the bike. At about 70, Ben hopped in the car. So we had companions and a day-long game of musical chairs, not to mention an endless supply of treats. Ben, by the way, told me that before today, his longest bike ride had been 25 miles. That was the warm up ride they took yesterday. Wow.
The terrain was lovely. We are definitely back in western movie scenery. Plenty of buttes and weird rock formations, endless pastures, cows and horses everywhere, and the occasional pronghorn antelope. We took Highway 87 to Hardin. I strongly recommend that route if you ever plan to ride in the area. It is very smooth and alrhough there is no shoulder there is also very little traffic. You pretty much have a scenic road to yourself.
What am I saying??? Have I really forgotten so fast? What about the planes that were using it to take off and land? I guess we didn't have it entirely to ourselves. Kitty actually thought she must have imagined the plane. She was not on her bike at the time. If she had been, she would have known they were real. Just how close to your helmet have you ever had a plane fly? I almost stopped to see if it left any scratches!
I think they were crop dusters. Fortunately they were nice enough not to spray anything near us.
And I guess the fact that they use the road as their runway just shows how traffic-free that road is.
After Hardin, we turned onto Route 384, another huge success. It is hilly but never steep and it just goes deeper and deeper into that western scenery.
We ended up at the Horse Creek B&B, where our host, Jim, was kind enough to let us use his barbecue so we could have dinner. We are quite a distance (in bike miles) from any dinner places. He sat with us and gave us a lot of history of the area. The place is quite remote and in a beautiful setting. He had built a couple of teepees; Ben is occupying one tonight.
Every night is so different. This trip is reminding me over and over how strong my habits had become, and how good it is to break out of them now and then.
Miles today 86
Total so far 1315
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