The last few days have been pretty full on, to say the least. Here’s a quick post on how things are looking today, until I get a chance to write up a full account of our snowy adventures.
A few hours ago. About to set off for Lima, just down the road, and still smiling.
Here's where we slept last night. I was all set to camp, but the others 'strong-armed' me into joining them in this gorgeous log hut. It was probably a good idea, judging by the amount it snowed last night...
The cabin was built by an Amish community last year. It felt like it could withstand the fiercest Montanan storm, and was beautifully finished.
The upstairs quarters Chris and I shared. Best night sleep in a while.
Chilly outside though...
The bikes didn't have the luxury of a warm room. We had to pour hot water over them to free up gears and brakes which had congealed overnight.
Contemplating what to do. The forecast for the next week isn't good at all. As Robert and Chris only have a limited amount of time left, they're thinking of calling it quits for Montana, and hopping in a car to go mountain biking in sunny Arizona...
The Dell Mercantile, which sold particularly delicious and generously proportioned cinnamon rolls for $3.
The metropolis of Dell...
... which is dwarfed by Lima, population 214, 9 miles down the road.
Before setting off, we breakfasted on a feast of hash browns, scrambled eggs, bacon, French toast, donuts and coffee in the atmospheric Calf-A diner, housed in a former school built in 1903.
My morning view. This quiet road parallel to the interstate was all but empty, so I layared up, switched on the ipod, pedalled, and smiled.
No one seems to be up and about, yet...
I’ll be staying in Lima (pronounced Lie-ma) tonight where there’s wifi, so I can re-evaluate plans of what is feasible to ride along the Great Divide Route. The next section of trails are currently deep under snow, with a 7000ft pass to consider…
Maybe I’ll need to hit blacktop and pedal south…
I suppose Prairie Dog fishing season is over now.. a missed opportunity to be self sufficient 🙂
Hey Cass!
Rosee from MBUK here…
I’ve been following your adventures with interest since someone mentioned this blog to me, and now I see you’re in Montana!
I lived in Montana when I was a little girl, in Missoula, and it’s still very close to my heart. The snow, well, you’ve got another five months of it at least if you stay there, but after a while you get used to it!
Say hello to the Rockies and the log cabin diners for me. You’ve made me really homesick.
Happy riding
Rosee
Cass,
Thanks for leaving reply at my blog. Otherwise, I wouldn’t find this one. I was wondering a few weeks ago, if you were blogging about your North-South American trip. Subscribed!!!
Amazing pictures. That is some snow dude. Seriously crazy. I don’t even know how you bike in that. Jeez… I guess you just need to wait it out, should be gone in a few days. I hope;)
OTOH, I saw in one of your older posts that you had to retire one Schwalbe tire. I have still one left, lightly used (26×2.0). I’m sure it still has 3-4,000 miles left in it and I won’t use it as all my bikes are now 29-ers. If you let me know where to mail it, I’ll send it to you, any time. Any Post Office on your route should do it. If you don’t need it now, just let me know later…
Again, Cass, your pictures rock!!! Keep them posting and tailwinds all the way to Tierra del Fuego. Will be checking your updates;)
Rich
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