I left Plentywood headed west and I was pleasantly surprised by the weather. It was warm when I left and I was already thinking that it was going to be so hot that I was uncomfortable - but it was perfect…for a little while.
I had a bit of a headache, and stopped in Scobey (I really wish it had been Scooby) for gas and to take some Advil, and shortly afterward I was feeling like myself again. The hills were getting bigger and more green, and the scenery was getting much better. But it was starting to get hot.
I stopped just south of US 2 at a little fishing access spot and took some photos of the river, and cool off. It was still too flat for the river to be really running, but it was beautiful nonetheless. I found out later that it was the Missouri River, and I was startled that it was here, but then remembered that the headwaters are near Bozeman, so it makes some sense.
I stopped again at the town of Jordan and I ran into three guys headed down to Sturgis from somewhere in Manitoba. They said they had already ridden 500 miles today, and that they were planning on 200 more to get where they were going. It made me grateful that for most of the trip I have managed to make my days short and not have many places to be.
Coming out of Jordan I was suddenly in a canyonland like place. As I looked around I could have sworn that I was in Utah somewhere. The hills had turned into sharp edged mesas, and the rock was white and red. It was incredible. Then, just as fast as the mesas came - they went, and something wonderful happened… Trees!
It wasn't much, but it did make it feel like I was getting into the Montana that I know.
It was also about this time that I saw a storm moving in from the south. I was hopeful that I could beat it, but I wasn't convinced. I was mostly headed west at this point, and if the storm was as big as it looked it stretched at least to Lewistown, if not farther. After a little more riding I decided that it was time to don the rain gear because I was looking at riding into this:
Right as I was putting my jacket back on the wind was suddenly blowing about 50mph and I was chasing gloves around and struggling to get myself together. I got back on the bike and rode about 10 miles with the wind in my side and the bike at a 45 degree angle just to go straight, and then found the Kozy Korner Cafe in Winnett.
Lo and behold the Canadians from earlier had held up there as well, and we got a chance to swap stories and talk bikes while we let the storm pass. As things started to clear we all went outside and met Buck, the owner of the Kozy Korner. Buck was a true Montanan if I've ever met one. He was friendly and jovial, and also a wealth of knowledge about the weather and the roads. He had been watching the weather move through this area for at least 60 years, and that makes him more valuable than any meteorologist in my book. He warned the Canadians that they were gonna get wet, and warned me about the chipseal work on my way to Lewistown. He was right on my account, and I hope he wasn't for the other guys, but experience tells me they had a wet afternoon.
I made it to Lewistown and a meeting with the Lewistown Group. We read out of our monthly magazine, and the discussion that followed was about learning form the old-timers, and the grace we receive if we are open to it. It reminded me about how excited I am to get back to the Old-Guy meeting, and how grateful I am to be open to that grace today. Thanks, Lewistown!
After the meeting I went for a bite to eat with Hal and Dennis. We had a great little chat about all kinds of things pertaining to our program, and I was thrilled again to hear little parts of my story in theirs. I had a wonderful time, and Dennis even offered me a spare bed in his house! Dennis and I chatted later into the evening and it was a pleasure to spent time with him. Thanks, Dennis and Hal, I appreciate your time!
