One day, 21 miles left to go

(I tried to post this on Saturday night from Glacier National Park. I saw on Sunday that it had not posted. So here it is.)

We have ridden 500 miles on this trip and will do the final 21 miles tomorrow, riding from Lake MacDonald Lodge to Logan Pass in Glacier National Park. Despite riding 30 of our 81 miles today in the rain, it was a wonderful last full day of riding -- made even more exhilarating perhaps by the rain.

Fireplace in the Lake MacDonald Lodge.

Certainly it has made sitting in front of the fireplace here at the lodge more fulfilling. I wonder if they would let me curl up and sleep in front of it tonight.

We came in wet and cold from the ride, but now we have settled into our cabin and John Barrett has gone off to the RV park with Millie and Nancy. He returns tomorrow with two other riders he met at the RV park who are also planning to ride to Logan Pass in the morning.

Bikes in front of our cabin.

Bicycles have to be off the Going-to-the-Sun Road by 11 a.m. so we are planning as early a start as we can. Given the climb from 3,300 feet to 6,600, I know that I will need all the time I can get.

We started this morning from MacGregor Lake, west of Kalispell. The thermometer on Mary Jo’s bike showed the temperature was 51 degrees. Mostly downhill ride on the 30 miles into Kalispell with the last 10 miles on the Great Northern Historical Trail.

We stopped at Moose’s Saloon, highly recommended by a couple of Seattle Times reporters, but it was too early for lunch. Instead, we rode on.

Our route confusion in Kalispell was dispelled by a helpful employee at the Federal Express office who pointed us to Columbia Falls Stage Road. Little traffic, no hills and through very productive and picturesque farmland.

The rain came after Columbia Falls and stayed with us until we arrived here at the lodge. But no thunder and lightning. Temperatures had warmed up enough that just the light Gortex windbreaker was enough to keep me from freezing.

But this fire is sure feeling good.

Kathy on the cabin porch.

Mary Jo heading for dinner at the lodge.