68 miles
Last night Ken and Nancy learned that the short cut to Route 200 had some major construction and we would have to go on a detour if we didn't get through by 8 a.m. mountain time. Ken encouraged all of us to leave the Diamond T Ranch by 6:30 a.m.
I first rode with Nancy to the construction area. When a large construction truck passed us I thought we weren't going to make it through the regular route. I then sped ahead and met up with Susan, Ziva, Dick, and Tom. It was 7:00 a.m when we got to the construction area. We saw the detour signs and debated whether to go through anyway. The others decided to go on the detour and I followed. I did not see Nancy yet.
The detour required us to ride on dirt roads for about 4 miles. When we saw a lady in a pickup on the road she told us that we were near the bridge to Rt. 200.
Morning at Diamond T Ranch
At the construction zone deciding what to do
Clark River just after the detour about 2 miles into Montana
We took Rt 200 east and stopped at a real estate office with a Montana sign as there were no "Welcome to Montana" signs on the dirt road.
Had to settle for this sign welcoming us to Montana
After about 8 miles we headed north on Hwy 56. This road had far less traffic and near perfect conditions. Our lunch stop was near Bull Lake. Tim had a hard time finding a decent spot to stop the support vehicle.
Early morning on MT Hwy 56 with Ziva, Tom, Dick, and Susan
Riding next to Bull Lake
Panorama of Bull Lake
After lunch I headed out first toward Route 2. I got to Kootenai Falls around 1:00 p.m. and was the first one to check out the falls.
Then I headed another 10 miles to Libby. We are staying at the United Lutheran Church tonight and are going to another church for dinner.
The tour organized that we take showers in various citizens homes. Tim and I went to Eileen's house. She was very sweet and told us about her family. Her husband recently died of lung cancer and you could tell she was very lonely. She wanted to bend our ears. Libby is a supperfund sight. R.J. Grace mined asbestos a number of years ago and Libby was contaminated. Many of its residents contracted different forms of lung problems.
Kootenai Falls- Where the movie "The River Wild" was filmed
Panorama of Kootenai Falls
Coming into Libby, Mt
Home for the night in Libby
Dinner provided by the folks of Libby
Sleeping quartes
So much is slipping from my memory. These photos bring the river, rapids, and fall back.
ReplyDelete