Sunday July 15, 2012

We woke up this morning to some light sprinkles. I went out to move the bike undercover to dry it off and pack up. There were 9 other riders who stayed at the hotel and a few of them were drying off their bikes also. As riders do, we talked about bikes, rides and weather. I eventually made it back into the hotel to get Myrna so we could have breakfast. You know, one of the best things about this retirement ride for me has been meeting people from all over the country and Canada. In fact Myrna has asked me several times "who are you and what have you done with Steve". You see Myrna is usually the social one! I guess the road, fresh air and retirement has changed me! Well, we put on our rain gear and finally got back on highway 2 under cloudy skies, 68 degree temperature and light sprinkles that lasted only a few minutes. After the sprinkles we ran into some pretty heavy fog that lasted a few miles. Our goal today was to ride through Glacier National Park and stay the night in Bonners Ferry Idaho. As we entered the Glacier Park the scent of pine was so amazing that it was almost intoxicating! I have been through countless forests and have never experienced the pine fragrance so intensely. It lasted for miles as we drove through the east park. Once we entered the west park we noticed the skies turning dark gray-almost black. Within the blink of an eye the skies opened up and we were hit with a thunderstorm and the craziest downpour of rain. The rain was so heavy it was puddling in my lap and knocked out the intercom system between Myrna and me. It was very difficult to see the road but we were eventually able to find shelter at a helicopter tour business. Poor Myrna was so terrified, but didn't want to scream out, for fear of startling me. Once we stopped she was able to relax a bit. She is such a trooper! I know many of you reading this had your doubts on whether or not Myrna would be able to do this ride. I think she has earned her co-rider badge. Once the thunderstorm moved on, we got back on the bike under rainy skies as we made our way through the Park. We continued to have off and on rain until we reached Idaho. We arrived in Bonners Ferry and checked into a bed & breakfast motel that I found on-line. After the kind of ride we had today, the room was a perfect reprieve for Myrna, cute and comfy! Since we did not stop in the mountains for lunch, after checking into the B&B we rode downtown to eat at a brew pub that the desk clerk at the B&B recommended. We were glad we went there the food was great and the service was awesome! Bonners Ferry is a quaint little town, since it was Sunday most businesses were closed. We hope to visit a few of the shops tomorrow before getting on the road. We travelled 317 miles today for a total of 8,972. Myrna has rode 3,617 miles so far!

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Saturday July 14, 2012

We woke today to cloudy skies and word of rain to the west, the exact towns we were going to drive through. So we had breakfast in the hotels restaurant, packed the bike and put on our rain gear. After our daily prayer for safety and thanksgiving we were on the road at 8:30 under cloudy skies. We had a few sprinkles but no rain! After about 50 miles we made a stop and I took off my rain gear (Myrna kept hers on for a while longer). We never had any rain but the skies threatened. Temperatures were 20 degrees cooler today, It was a nice change from yesterday! We passed many farms and the recent rains made the air so fresh and clean. Highway 2 was wide open and the road just seemed to roll on over the hills and "the big sky country". We passed several trains along the way who blew their whistle when they saw us waving at them. It was a very delightful ride today enjoying the tranquility of God's creation and the freedom we enjoy living in this great country of ours! One of the challenges in Montana is finding lodging. That is why we rode over 400 miles in 99 degree temps yesterday and only 268 miles in 75 degree temps today. Inhabitable lodging is hard to find so when you find it you stop and call it a day! Only in Montana! Tonight we are staying in Shelby MT. Total miles rode for the journey 8,655.

1 Peter 2:16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover up for evil

Friday July 13, 2012

Last night in the hospitality room of our hotel we were talking to several guys from the Army Corps of Engineers who were on assignment to shore up the levy around Devils Lake. They mentioned how the water level has risen over 13 feet and how many farms are now under water. They also mentioned as we head west on highway 2 we will be able to see the farms and fields that are under water. Myrna took several pictures of the underwater farms. It was really sad to see the barns, farm houses and prime farmland sitting several feet underwater. It reminded me of my visit several weeks ago of the Ernst farm in Roscoe, South Dakota (see June 14, 2012 post) and the acres of prime pasture land that is underwater due to the heavy snows from a couple years ago. We were on the road at 8:30am and 77 degree temperatures. We passed many of the underwater farms and also many other farms that are flourishing with beautiful yellow fields of Canola and purple fields of Flax. North Dakota has beautiful farmlands and we were really enjoying the scenery and smells. But just as tranquil the countryside was it gradually changed dramatically after we reached the small town of Stanley (where we lunched). I had heard of the new oil boom in North Dakota but I was not sure where it was. Well we came upon the oil rigs and trucks and altered farmscape. The further west we went the more the oil drilling was apparent. But things got ugly when we reached Williston. The place stunk of refining oil and there was a haze so thick it almost looked like fog, the place was oppressive. My initial thought was it reminded me of Bakersfield, but Bakersfield isn't this bad! We left North Dakota and entered Montana. We encountered some major road work being done on highway 2 and had to ride on a gravel and dirt road for over 6 miles. The temperature was 95 degrees and I was taking it easy on the gravel riding two-up and pulling a trailer. Unfortunately the bike temperature started to rise so I had to pick up the pace in order to cool down the engine. Myrna was nervous about riding faster on the gravel but she was great about it and understood the reason and trusted my riding abilities. We obviously made it out unscathed and arrived in Glasgow Montana for the night. We traveled 419 miles today and a total of 8387 miles.

2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.