Let's Get This Party Started

I arrived at the Whitefish Train Station around 7:11, ahead of the published 7:26 arrival time.  I talked for a few minutes to a young fellow who is meeting a friend to do some touring.  The excitement is contagious!  I put the bike back together and discarded the box.  Steve O'Rourke was right on time and we pedaled downtown to a place called Loula's for some breakfast.  I was ready to order a short stack, but the waitress sized me up and gave me a look that said, "Ain't no way that's gonna happen, sweetheart."  I ordered one pancake and it was so big, I couldn't finish it.



I turned on my Garmin even though the route is very straightforward.  We simply needed to get to, and then follow Highway 2.  We took some quiet back roads and that was nice because in Columbia Falls and Hungry Horse, we lost the shoulder and traffic was heavy.  In both places the sidewalk is double its normal width, creating a semblance of a bike path, and we rode that.  Steve wanted to ride
a bit farther today, getting to a campground called Avalanche Creek.  It will make tomorrow's ride a little shorter, though he will still have most of the climbing to do.  We passed a maze made of wood east of Hungry Horse.  Do you remember this Jeremy, Erin, Jeff, and Katy?  Great fun!

I am at Apgar campground, waiting for Patty's maroon CRV.  The wind has picked up and dark clouds have rolled in.  It would be unfortunate if it started raining...I made the mistake of jamming a water bottle in my clothing pannier just before I got off the train, and it leaked.  My clothes are now spread all over the picnic table in various stages of dry.

There are no showers at Apgar...which is fine because I didn't work hard enough today to sweat anyway...but there are flush toilets, running water and electrical outlets.

Great day.  The smell of warm pine trees and pitch, the blue skies, the butterfly that kept me company while I waited for Patty, the freedom...all make me smile and remind me why I tour by bike.