Miraculously, an oasis of internet!

Here I am in Missoula, Montana. It must have been a week and a half or two weeks ago that I last wrote. Luckily, there is a very nice public library here in town with enough computers for us and the citizens.

Since I last wrote, we have accomplished some pretty amazing things, if I do say so myself. I can't even remember it all, but in about 5 days we climbed Togwotee Pass (and the continental divide), Teton Pass, the continental divide again (back east) into Montana, and Flesher Pass, crossing back to the west side of the divide. Here we are in Missoula at an elevation of about 3200 ft. I think, in a tea-sup shaped valley unfortunately filled with smoke from the wildfires burning just 50 miles away. According to the locals, this never used to be, but is becoming, a common summertime occurrence.

I've just taken a brief look at all the photos I've taken since I last posted, and I have no idea how to sum it all up nor the time to explain it all in detail. I visited the headquarters of Adventure Cycling here in Missoula and saw a topographical map of the U.S. on the wall. I am amazed at what we've biked through already, and fortunately feel ready for what still lies ahead.

Two interesting tidbits: in Bozeman, I was able to locate and visit the house where my grandparents used to live with my Dad's older siblings. It was literally 5 or 6 blocks from the student center where we stayed. My dad had called my grandmother previously to let her know I was out looking for her old house and, as if it were scripted, my phone rang just as I pulled up out in front. It was my grandmother and she was happy to tears with my being there. I sat in front for a long while trying to imagine life there 60 years ago when they inhabited it. Tried to imagine my uncle Carl riding his tricycle down the street, my grandfather leaving for work in the morning. It was a really neat experience.

Sadly, my internet session is about to expire in 5 minutes, so I'm going to try to put up some photos and trust I'll fill in the gaps of these stories later.