Day 14 -- Ennis, MT to Twin Bridges, MT -- 45 Miles

First up today, a 2,000 foot vertical climb done in about 8 miles. It was a great workout and I was glad to have it done before the heat of the day was upon me, though I was soaked with sweat regardless.

The fast descent through the historic mining town of Virginia City, though a blur, was an exhilirating payoff. I had a nice second breakfast (just like a hobbit) at a roadhouse in the town of Alder.

My only complaint of the day was the shoulder on highway 287, as it was either non-existant or covered with gravel most of the day. I guess I have become spoiled by the great roads to the south. Having a shoulder between you and traffic makes the ride far less stressful.

When I arrived in the town of Twin Bridges, it was kind of like, to borrow another hobbit-inspired image, Frodo's arrival at Rivendell, the enchanted oasis of the elves. Why you ask? BECAUSE TWIN BRIDGES HAS BUILT A SHADY RIVERSIDE CAMPGROUND FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF TOURING CYCLISTS, COMPLETE WITH HOT SHOWERS, SCREENED-IN PORCH, AND A BIKE WORKSTAND TO BOOT!





So no you know how I feel about Twin Bridges. I apologize for shouting.

The ride from Twin Bridges to Dillon was a relatively flat, but very hot, 20 mile ride. The only notable tourist sight along the way was the Beaverhead Rock, where young Sacajawea recognized a familiar landmark in the distance, essentially saving the Lewis and Clark expedition from starving.

I could not help but get a kick out of the Lewis and Clark Trail signs that had been posted alongside the road. Here is the sign:


So let's take a minute to imagine what this sign is trying to communicate. To the far left we presumably have Lewis pointing to a distant spot, Clark staring at that distant point while fondling his musket, and then Sacajawea with baby standing behind them off to the side. The conversation of the folks in this picture might have gone something like this:

Lewis: "Ya see Clark, that is the big mountain I been telling ya we'd be seein' if we jus' akept awalkin' for a few weeks to and fro! Now if we just climb that yonder mountain all of our problems-a-be-done! I'm sure there mus' be Indian saloon on top of that there mountain where we can get a bite to eat!"

Clark: "You just keep thinking Lewis, that's what your good at."

Sacajawea (to self): "White men enjoy exercise. We walk for weeks in circles with no food. Maybe one day white men will ask me for directions to the Pacific Ocean. There we can eat fish and chill on the beach!"

Upon arriving in Dillon I inhaled 4 liters of sweet tea and a footlong sandwich at a local Subway I made my way to a campground on the outskirts of town. The campground was nice enough but it was definitely an RV place that had just set aside a small patch of grass for tents.