Last night’s cool weather provided ideal sleeping conditions. We headed east at about 6:30 am on Hwy 200 along the Clark Fork, then quickly past the Cabinet Gorge Dam and into Montana. We cycled 8 miles along the lake, created by the dam, to the junction with Hwy 56. We got coffee, granola, and a piece of home-made pecan pie at a small store.
After Breakfast, we turned north on Hwy 56 and rode along Bull River. It’s size (30 ft. wide) was typical of those in much drier Colorado. We gained elevation, slowly, without long climbs. In flatter spots we passed by large ponds and wetlands often flanked by tall cottonwoods. The peaks in the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness provided an impressive backdrop!
After 35 miles on Hwy 56, we stopped at a bar for a cold drink and topped off our water bottles. In 10 more miles with a tail wind, we reached US Hwy 2 and a rest stop where we ate lunch. We traveled east on Hwy 2 for 6 wind-driven miles to the Kootenai Falls parking area. We took turns walking a quarter mile to the wide, foaming waterfall with greenish tinted water (see photo). The sight was well worth the walk! The last 9 miles of the day rolled easily with a strong tail wind. In Libby, MT, we checked into the Two Bit RV Park. Alas, our new tent pole hasn’t arrived, but we can pick it at the post office tomorrow morning. Betsy and I, along with our fellow biker Larry, from Seattle, dined at Pizza Hut. Larry carried the leftover pieces back to the RV Park on his handlebars without dropping them. Today was a scenic and pleasant day with 63 miles in the books.
