Missoula

 June 18 Missoula

Scott is staying an extra day at a friend's home in Red Lodge, because it is supposed to rain today. So it is our opportunity to catch up with him. Scott was going to ride over Bear Tooth Pass, but it is closed for the next couple days. He will probably head south to Cody and then into Yellowstone from there, a much safer alternative to Bear Tooth Pass.  It was bad enough just driving a vehicle up it. We pick up Scott at his friends around 9:00am and head to breakfast at Marli’s in the historic Pollard Hotel on main street.

We have a wonderful breakfast and conversation. Discover all the places we have in common from our younger years. Scott was my GP for years and I thought he was 20 years younger than me and would be my GP for many more years. It was always easy to see if the Doctor was in, looking down the hallway to see his latest touring bike, outside his office. He rode his bike to work everyday, summer and winter, unless the weather was real bad.  I always felt a little guilty driving a car to my yearly physical, which was about ⅓ the distance he biked every day.

After a leisurely breakfast we bring Scott back and get to check out his super custom touring bike. This bike is an 18 speed without a chain, chain wheel or derailleur.  It is belt drive with internal gearing.  It disassembles to fit into a suitcase as checked luggage on airplanes. I can remember 40 years ago I could take the pedals off, turn the handle bars and put it into an airline supplied plastic bag. At arrival I would pick the bike up off the luggage carrousel and be pedaling off 10 minutes later.

We don’t hit the road until noontime and stop at the visitors center to get road information.

Super bike

Scott’s friend home

Sign on main street in Red Lodge

Finally on the road, showers on and off all afternoon.

Since we left late we drive until 7:00 PM and park at Cracker Barrel for the night. CB has  designated RV parking spots out back of most their restaurants. We split a dinner, and still don’t quite eat it all.