Where's Vickie 2010, Volume 5

Any idea what these flowers are>

Big field of those flowers, just east of the rockies

Foggy, Rainy Logan Pass

Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park

Looking down at where we came from, from Going TO The Sun Rd.

Going To The Sun Rd, Glacier National Park

I can't resist wildflowers. No idea what they are. Not lupine

Day 14 - July 3rd - Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park, MT
40 miles, 1000 ft cumulative elevation gain
55 and cloudy with a little rain - perfect biking weather!

Today’s ride was nearly flat and very easy. Our late start made it even easier. Bikes aren’t allowed on the road in Glacier between 11am and 4pm, so we didn’t leave Whitefish until just after noon. I availed myself of the latte stand next to the hotel this morning, and then walked back into town for a late breakfast. And still we were at the gates of Glacier just after 3, with an hour to dawdle in the gift shops and visitor center. Then just a 9 mile ride to the lodge, so there was plenty of time for a nap before dinner.

WomanTours is, for some reason, not allowed to cook out of the van here, so we all got dinner vouchers for the nice restaurant in the lodge. There was about an hour wait to get into it, but we spent it pleasantly in the adjoining bar.

After dinner I sat about by the lake for close to an hour, listening to the Swainson’s Thrush echoing through the trees, and enjoying the mirror-like lake and surrounding mountains. Unfortunately it’s still pretty cloudy so we’re not getting the full impact of the mountains, but they’re sill impressive.

Day 15 - July 4th - Lake McDonald Lodge, Glacier National Park, MT
Rest Day
60 and mostly cloudy - perfect biking weather!

Christine and I took the free park shuttle some miles up the road intending to hike to Avalanche Lake, but by the time we got there it was threatening to rain, so we just got back on the bus and came back. There’s not a lot do to here other than sit by the lake, and the weather is just not cooperating for that.

After dinner tonight I sat down at the piano in the lobby and played for an hour or more, most of the way through a “songs from the movies” songbook. I am certainly not the greatest piano player in the world, but I got a little applause and no boo’s, and a nice man bought me a glass of wine. It was great fun!

We’re all a bit worried about the weather tomorrow, which is predicted to be worse. Climbing over a 6500 foot mountain pass, where there is still 4 feet of snow on the ground, does not sound all that appealing in the rain. I’m about to dig out all my cold weather gear.

Day 16 - July 5th - St. Mary’s Lodge, just outside the east gate of Glacier National Park, MT
40 miles, 3000 ft cumulative elevation gain
37 to 65, rain, clouds, sun, wind - perfect biking weather!

Well, Logan Pass was a piece of cake; most of us thought it was the easiest of the 7 passes we’ve been over. Maybe it’s just because we’re in better shape…?
Because park rules require us to be done with the climb before 11am, we were on the road just after 6 this morning It was a lovely ride through quiet woods and a bit of that liquid “Seattle sunshine”, surrounded by early morning birdsong, After about 10 miles, the climb started. But it’s “only” a 6% grade, and “only” for about 10 miles. Even with the clouds, the views were superb… I imagine on a sunny day it would take a lot longer because I’d be stopping a lot more to gawk.

Near the top we got into thick fog, and then more rain and cold. Stopped at the top just long enough to take a picture of the sign, and then a very chilly descent until we hit the blessed warm sunshine below.

I am quite happy to be done with our major mountain ranges! We have climbed close to 7 miles so far!

We were at our hotel just after noon, but they wouldn’t let anyone check in until 4pm Luckily, they have a very comfortable lounge with a big fireplace, nice bartender … and lattes!

The rooms here are just beautiful, and my room has a deck overlooking the St. Mary’s river. Wish we were here for more than one night.

Day 17 - July 6th - Cut Bank, MT
63 miles, 2400 ft cumulative elevation gain
45 to 70, mostly sunny - perfect biking weather!

We had a hard 8 miles of climbing out of St. Mary this morning, gaining 1000 feet in the first 3 miles. By the top of the climb my altimeter claimed we were back above 6000 feet. It was damp and chilly, really chilly on a long, fast descent from there. Then, at long last, we were truly OUT of the mountains and into rolling prairie. As the Rockies receded into the distance, we coasted down long hills with a (mostly) tailwind into Cut Bank. The mountains are now where I prefer them, just a pleasant backdrop in the distance.

Last night after dinner I performed a little song I worked up, in honor of our rest days. It went over very well, and everyone was singing along at the end. Here are the lyrics, to the tune of “What a Difference a Day Makes“:

What a difference a day makes
24 little hours
Brought my legs back to power
Where there used to be pain

I’ve been pumpin’ up those steep hills
I’ve been poppin’ lots of pain pills
I’ve been riding on sheer will
But I’ve survived to say

What a difference a day makes
When you ride in the van
Once again I’m a fan
Of the Northern Tier

It’s heaven when you
Find lattes on your menu
What a difference a day makes
And the difference is you and you and you and you and you and you and…

What a difference a day makes
You can sleep in for hours
You can take a long shower
And rest your butt all day

Or you can get your muddy bike clean
You can blog about all you’ve seen
You can wash your clothes in a machine
If you’ve got quarters to pay

What a difference a day makes
Now I’m ready to jump on
My bicycle and pump on
Towards our Fargo goal

I feel a great bliss
With such great women to ride with
What a difference a day makes
And the difference is you and you and you and you and you and you and YOU!