Two weeks down - East of the Divide

My odometer says 784 miles and we are done with the big passes if the west.  The topography is changing from green forested mountains to the flatter, drier, and gradually more treeless terrain of the Great Plains.  The challenge now changes from long, high, climbs to wind and thunderstorms.

The weather forecast we saw this morning indicated a winter storm advisory for Glacier National Park.  We were staying at a private cabin near Columbia Falls arranged through a friend.  It was really nice to have a house to ourselves, dry out, and enjoy an evening and night indoors.  It was hard to get back on the bike and ride out into a day that was threatening rain, but with the weather advisory we felt it best to get over the continental divide now.

We rode through West Glacier over the Continental Divide at Maria's Pass  (5,236 feet), and on down to East Glacier.  We are staying at Brownies Bakery & hostel tonight.  A unique experience.  We are surrounded by young people from around the world.  It is a casual, college dorm like atmosphere.  Old, squeaky wooden floors and bunks.  Yet another new overnight experience.  Thank God for ear plugs!

The weather forecast over the next couple of days is for temps in the 40s, rain, and ENE wind 10 - 15mph.  Yuck!  Not at all favorable.  We will evaluate our situation again in the morning and make a decision on what to do.

* Photo 1 - My bunk at Brownies Hostel in East Glacier
* Photo 2 - Marias Pass 
* Photo 3 - Glacier Natl Park scene
* Photo 4 - Our friend's cabin near Columbia Falls
* Photo 5 - Making breakfast under the awning of the bar after a strange stay overnight next to Jerry's Saloon near Fortine, MT.  Another story for another time.
* Photo 6 - Jerry headed to the restroom accomodations at Jerry's Saloon.  A port-a-potty out on a golf green.
* Photo 7 - Our camp at the private "Hook-U-Up"  RV Park near Libby, MT
* Photo 8 - Some of the locals at Hook-U-Up RV.

* Photo 9 - Arriving in Montana (8/30)

* Photo 10 - Our last evening in Washington state.  A 60 mile day that turned into an 87 mile day when camping plans did not work out as expected. Yet another story for another time.  Photo was taken when we finally found a campground where we could stay right at dusk just 3 miles from the Idaho border.