May 28, Day 22, Reflections and numbers

Both Idaho and Montana are states that definitely define themselves by their lifestyles, faith and principles. If you do not live and work in these two states, then you simply have no input or coercive power to impose your particular political or ideological beliefs upon them. Every conversation with the day to day residents in every small town and hamlet I have had all carry the same unspoken, tacit acknowledgement of what their lives are about up here. They work; whether it is tending bar or running a cattle ranch. They communicate; both verbally and with tremendous sensitivity to body language. When I saddle up to a bar to get a beer and start a casual conversation with someone next to me, without fail they turn towards me and look at me. They are gracious; when the winds of Idaho turned ugly on me a week or so ago, every fifth or sixth car on the roadway slowed to offer help or a ride to my destination. Cattle hauling trucks and big rigs honk and wave as they pass. People sitting on their porches or doing yard work wave and wish me luck as I go by. There is a strong human connection up here.

Salmon River Idaho

The last 10 days have been marked by several mountain passes that connect the adjoining water way and valleys. My route almost always synched up with these creeks and rivers and provided me with nearly continual picture perfect views. The Lochsa  and Powder Rivers in Idaho may have been my favorite, but it's hard not to love every one of them. Lolo Pass In Idaho leading to the Montana border and more recently, Chief Joseph Pass were the two more difficult climbs of the last 10 days, but I found that the amazing views of the snow covered peaks to be an effective anesthetic for the discomfort from the efforts. Simply stated, this is beautiful country.

Bitterroot Valley Montana

Its also very popular with the RVers, campers, hunters, white water rafters, fisherman, hikers and bikers(the wussy kind with the engines between their legs) and cyclists. Everybody up here is towing something and off road vehicles look like required equipment.

Standard Bar decor

The cattle industry is huge up here and the roads I traveled these last few days all had one thing in common. They were all plastered with flattened cow pies. Zillions of them. I discovered that cattle ranchers actually herd their cattle at times right down the same roads as the truckers, bikers, cars and cyclists and everyone is expected to accommodate them.

Numbers; I covered 600 miles during this last ten day segment for a trip total of 1,175 miles. During those miles I climbed 25,375 feet in total elevation gain for a trip total of 52,667 feet. 
I burned roughly 43,984 calories for a trip total of 87,048 calories. My daily diet is filled with every single food item Dr. Oz says will kill you and I'm getting into great physical condition and still losing some weight.

I was delighted when Mark Boggeman screamed me down on St. Joseph Pass a couple days ago. Having some company was a great experience after so many days of solitude. Mark has logged over 100,000 miles in bike touring over a forty year period and shared some priceless tidbits of advice that only someone of his experience could share. I took in every word he spoke and burned them into my memory. Who knew coffee filters were great for cleaning bike chains? They are absorbent, tough and light!

Mark at Chief Joseph Pass

My next 10 days will be a mixed bag of spontaneous decision making and some camping. I will be entering Yellowstone National Park on about May 30th and will spend an extra day or two there seeing the sights. Weather and cold temps are a concern but I will play it day to day and have some fun! Same goes for the Grand Teton National Park.

A special shout out goes to Hope Pick. Hope convinced me to use Aquaphor Advanced Therapy healing ointment and provided me with plenty! During the course of my trip thus far, I can tell you that this ointment has found its way into and onto nearly every crevice and surface of my body and it has been a life saver! Aquaphor is now the official skin treatment ointment for the 2014 Trip across America! Thank you Hope!

I would like to finish by thanking everyone who has been so supportive during this adventure. Everyday I receive emails, texts, blog comments and trackmytour App comments that are filled with words of encouragement and motivation. They are refreshing to read and good for my ego!

Ciao