Back on route in Whitefish

Well, after two weeks I'm at 865 miles and counting, but there'll be no counting today. I'm finding it refreshing to meander around Whitefish, MT on foot.

The adventure cycling maps I've been following are worthwhile for their information on campgrounds, libraries and so forth, but the best part about them is that they point out all the non-highway byways. I love the mostly quiet back roads, even with their rolling hills, unexpected gravel patches, and the occasional ferocious dog. The maps are great, but it seems the real adventure comes when deviating from them.

In the spirit of getting off the main route, the native Montanan I've been riding with for the past 10 days or so decided we should take a side trip up to 'the Yaak' in the extreme northwestern part of the state. We were surprised to find so many (any, really) folks up that way,but the 'highway' ended at the Dirty Shame Saloon in the 'settlement' of Yaak. (The 'Shame' as the locals call it, is by no means dirty any more and is currently run by an Episcopalian chaplain from Philadelphia - go figure.) Past Yaak, the road gradually narrows and heads up, up, and up pretty much forever. It was incredible to be in such a pretty spot so far from everywhere.

I'm off on my own to Glacier National Park tomorrow. Can't wait to explore.