Ringling, Montana

Originally Posted July 15, 2004 by Mags

I just remembered this morning that I forgot to tell you about Chad’s bout of sickness last week. In Sandpoint, Idaho Chad bought a package of 24 chocolate chip cookies from Yoke’s grocery store bakery. The cookies were about 3 inches in diameter. The following day Chad bought another 36 peanut butter chocolate chip cookies at Rosauer’s in Libby, Montana. All 60 cookies were consumed within a period of ~48 hours by his truly (minus 3 cookies consumed by yours truly). After traversing some 200 miles over the two days and settling in for the night at a Forest Service campground, Captain Cookie, as he will hereafter be referred to began to experience curious stomach cramps and nausea at around 2 a.m. The captain awakened me with “I’m sick, do we have any peppermint tea?” Unfortunately we did not. However, I’m happy to report that the captain, after several hours of discomfort did recover and has not purchased packaged cookies since.

Yesterday we found refuge from the prairie heat of eastern Montana at the only public edifice between Townsend and Wilsall—the Ringling Bar and Steakhouse in the town of Ringling, population 15. It’s a red brick building with Brumford’s Garage painted on the side, (apparently the transition from garage to bar is a recent one). A branding iron was heating in a black cauldron at the front door- so we had to edge around it to get inside. The bar owner, a Harley dude wearing jeans and a “Rebel Choppers” T- shirt said, “You two are on the bicycle- I passed you in a suburban and you” he looks at me, “looked like you were slacking off!” He laughs and I protest- (To be continued- I’m getting kicked off the computer!” 

Posted by Mags at 11:35 AM

Comments: Ringling, Montana

Hi guys!!

Am hoping to be your 1st international poster...just so you can feel special and know your trip is being tracked from across the globe! sounds like you are having an amazing experience, I love reading your stories.

Really looking forward to meeting you Mags and catching up - are you guys gonna let us take that beast for a spin?!!

Enjoy the journey and save up some good stories for the hot springs....

eM & miCk & iVy x0x
Posted by eM at July 15, 2004 11:10 PM

 

Confessions

Originally Posted July 14, 2004 by Chad

Today we’re in Livingston, Montana and will enter Yellowstone National Park tomorrow. I have a couple of confessions to make. 

First, we rode on an interstate highway. Interstates are noisy, dangerous and boring, but the alternative for us to get to Helena was a detour that would force us to cross the continental divide twice. It was something like 80 more miles out of our way. I was surprised to find that the traffic wasn’t as bad as I had thought, with most vehicles passing us in the left lane. The shoulder was wide, but a bit sandy in places, and the rumble strip was in a very inconvenient place for bikes. But overall, it wasn’t nearly as terrifying as I had imagined, but I wouldn’t do it again. John Steinbeck said it best when he said that interstates “are wonderful for moving goods but not for inspection of a countryside. When we get these thruways across the whole country, it will be possible to drive from New York to California without seeing a single thing.” 

Second, I went to Wal-Mart in Helena. It was on the way out of town and we needed several various and sundry items. While inside, I noticed something that says a lot about our society, the store had bicycles in the toy section but the Nascar paraphernalia was with sporting goods. I shuddered at that sad commentary, found what I needed and then got stuck in line behind a family of fat people stocking up for a camping trip. Their cart was full of Lay’s potato chips, Sam’s American Choice soda pop and disposable plates, lawn chairs and silverware. I pretended to read a People magazine while I listened to how excited they were to be getting outside again this year. All their talk about camping reminded me that it was getting late in the day, so when I got to the front of the line I asked the clerk if we could camp on some grass in the parking lot. I figured if they let folks in their RVs do it all the time, then they should let us do it too; I mean, we’re kind of like a motorhome, except that we’re the motor. The clerk had to radio an assistant manager to ask if it was OK. The assistant manager gave a one-word answer: “No”. I couldn’t believe that we had been turned down by Wal-Mart, the single most homogenizing factor in American society. Talk about being outcasts. We pedaled on down the road a few miles and found a nice, quiet, more peaceful place to camp. I hate Wal-Mart.


Posted by Chad at 11:21 AM

Comments: Confessions

Hey Chump - I've enjoyed the drama of this site, although I must confess to only briefly checking it out a few times. However, this Wal-Mart entry helped me see the light, and I've been converted to an avid fan. In fact, it inspired me to emerge from my recliner (during a recent NASCAR event) just long enough to retrieve a delicious and refreshing "Sunbelt" granola bar, purchased from my local SUPER Wal-Mart. You know as well as I do, that the only place you can find such calorie packed enjoyment is your local Wal-Mart. Therefore, I feel somewhat compelled to let your other readers know the part you left out of that story: the fact that you were stuffing your pockets full of all the high quality Sunbelt granola bars you possibly could, while muttering "screw Wal-Mart" under your breath. Admit it chump.
Posted by mark at July 18, 2004 10:26 PM

 

Brother Harris,
We're so glad to have tracked you down. Many long hours of painful and intense prayer have finally directed us to this website. A very faithful and dedicated home teacher in Seattle (who wishes to remain anonymous because he seeks not the glory of men, but only to lobby for more spacious mansions in Heaven) has gone the extra spiritual mile so to speak, in your behalf. He informed us that not only was he unable to hometeach you last month, but that you had completely abandoned your former domicile, with no note or hint of where to find you. The emotional and spiritual stress this poor man has undergone, after not having achieved 100% home teaching during the month of June, is almost unspeakable. In fact, since your whereabouts were still unknown, this good brother has not been released as your home teacher, and is in serious danger of getting less than 100% hometeaching marks until he locates you and provides a proper home teaching lesson. That's where we come in. Fortunately we've been able to negotiate with your former ward clerk, and have received the go ahead to dispatch a companionship of UTAH IS ZION mobile home teachers to intercept you. They will be monitoring your future correspondence and will contact you at the appropriate time (most likely on the last day of the month). You're in our prayers, and don't worry, this crack team of mobile home teachers will come prepared with all the recent LDS magazines, books on tape, spiritual pin-up adds AND an uplifting message. May you be comforted in your trials until that happy meeting. 


Brother Muir
Posted by brother muir at July 18, 2004 11:07 PM

 

I was just smiling on the bike. It was like a dream.

Originally Posted July 13, 2004 by Chad

I was just smiling on the bike. It was like a dream.

Lance Armstrong said that a couple of days ago when he took the yellow jersey. We think we know how he feels. We pedaled our thousandth mile going up the hill from Simms, MT a couple days ago. Our bike has run remarkably well, I’ve only had to make a few minor adjustments, and we haven’t had a single flat tire…yet. Today we’re taking a rest day in Helena. We met Valerie and Eric who let us camp in their yard. From here we’re heading southeast to Livingston, then south to Yellowstone. We’ll try to get more pictures posted soon. 

Posted by Chad at 01:17 PM |

Comments: I was just smiling on the bike. It was like a dream.

Hi Chad and Margaret,

This web site is brilliant! We really look forward to the new entries. It was so great to hear that all is going well and see the fantastic progress you continue to make. Of course it not just about getting over the ground but the interesting experiences along the way especially the people you're meeting.
I'm still hoping to ride with you a little. As you see your probable locations after Yellowstone then maybe we can select a meeting place. It would be neat to ride but also to bring the big camera and film you on the road.

Continue to enjoy and thanks Margaret for the great card. Love, Dad
Posted by Carl Harris at July 14, 2004 05:27 AM

The Front Range

Originally Posted July 12, 2004 by Chad

I remember three things about riding south along the Rocky Mountain Front Range in Montana; wind, desolation and good people. 


We saw a celebration of the Plains Indians in Browning, on the Blackfeet reservation. 


Lawrence was sitting in his truck in Fairfield when we pulled up and asked him if he knew where we could find some ice cream. We ended up talking for over an hour. He introduced us to his wife, Diane, who is painting Beau, the bison. When Beau is finished he will be displayed at the airport in Great Falls, and then later sold to the highest bidder next year. We finally did get our ice cream at The Store (that’s really all it’s called), right up the road from the camel farm. 


Posted by Chad at 07:50 PM

Glacier National Park

Originally Posted July 7, 2004 by Chad

Thanks to everyone who has been sending us comments. We don't have time to reply to each one, but we do read every one and are happy to know people are reading our site. 



 
We saw lots of wildlife in the park: bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mosquitoes.
Here are some pictures from Glacier National Park




Going to the Sun Road:
Looking back west toward Logan Pass on Going to the Sun Road

We had dinner and camped with Mark. He was riding from Coeur d'Alene to visit his father who lives in Alberta.




Posted by Chad at 01:03 PM

Comments: Glacier National Park

So glad to know where you are and that the bears didn't get you. Is that the same bear I saw in the Libby News? Grief! Yellowstone bears are next!

After our recent plane ride for Carl's filming work, I ALMOST wished I was on a tandem bike instead of a plane.

Love, Melanie
Posted by Melanie Harris at July 13, 2004 03:24 PM

Libby, MT

Originally Posted July 6, 2004 by Chad

Today we're in Libby, Montana. We hope to make it to Glacier National Park tomorrow, where we'll ride up Going to the Sun Road on Thursday. Here's some pictures.

Posted by Chad at 09:50 AM | 

Comments: Libby, MT

Chad & Mags
Hey there guys, how are things?
Had lunch with family for Aunt Joyce's birthday and Shirley had to tell us all about you. So I thought I would read up and then just had to drop a line. So interesting and only for the young, I will add. I have driven over some of those mountains etc. Definitely not for the aged! Did I say that?
You know I was raised in Kalispell? So I got a little nostalgic just reading the name from your ball game. Do you really think you will make Maine? If you want to then I hope so.

Congratulations on both of your graduations, what a feat and one to be proud of. You also have fun in Alaska when you go. We have been there,done that also.

Shirley said you are coming through here and she may have some people and family over to see you when you arrive, if she does we will try and see the mighty bikers!!

I need to get out of here and take a trippie so bad, I am getting cabin fever. Eldon would like to go the Northern route, Montana area, he loves it there. I have family in Canada and maybe we better head that way get out of the heat and go to the cool. I have a cousin in Vernon, up the moutain into Canada from Spokane. That might be fun to head up there. Got to make some kind of plans it is getting late and summer is passing.

You two take care and I will check you out every so often. Don't let the bugs get you! Love you Aunt Monta and Uncle Eldon

I don't kjnow how much space I have here so I am kind of lumping everything together, sorry.
 

Posted by Monta Rae &Eldon at July 6, 2004 05:53 PM

 

This is very cool, you guys!! I have been reading along but haven't jumped on the bandwagon to comment until today. First thought is - what a loaded bike. How do you get it going? Second thought - when I mention to people that my sister and her husband are biking from Seattle to Utah they can hardly believe it. I guess at first I wondered what, why and how, but now just because you are actually doing the deed it seems so possible and not at all strange. I think there is a message in there somewhere. Love you!!

P.S .M&C - get in touch with me if you want to get directions to see Tanya.

Posted by Heidi at July 6, 2004 09:19 PM

 

When I read this today in USA Today, I too had to smile thinking of Margaret and Chad on their own "Tour de America." 

"I was just smiling on the bike. It was like a dream." --Armstrong, after his team won the stage.
Learned some interesting facts about bikes in an accompanying article. Armstong gets his bikes from Trek Bicycle Corp of Waterloo, Wis. They create a custom bike for Armstrong that they make into a stock bike for consumers later which they "buy off-the-rack." Last year's bike cost $5,000. They sold 3,800 of them.

Melanie

Posted by Melanie Harris at July 8, 2004 12:31 PM

 

Just checked on the Libby Website and they have a warning about bears and mountain lions in the area. Not to take up space on your webspace, I sent you an email. You know, concerned Mom, etc.

Posted by Melanie Harris at July 8, 2004 05:01 PM

 

Hey you two! Hope you enjoyed Glacier. I'm glad to see you've already found so much kindness and hospitality along the way. I'm sure it must make the trip easier. Despite all the flash floods and steep climbs.
Take it easy
Michael

Posted by Michael Dossett at July 10, 2004 11:47 PM

 

Independence Day in Sand Point

Originally Posted July 5, 2004 by Chad

I had a wonderful Fourth of July. We were in Sand Point, Idaho. The local Lions Club put on a fireworks show over Lake Pend Oreille the night before, because “Mormons aren’t allowed to be patriotic on Sundays” said our waitress at Griff and Wiley’s downtown. I guess there's a lot of Mormons in Sand Point. We wanted to get a hotel on Saturday night so we could clean ourselves up for church the next day. But there was a Babe Ruth Firecracker baseball tournament in town that filled up every hotel room, even the campgrounds were full. The owner of the Meandering Moose Motel let us set up our tent on his lawn. 

The next morning, the Fourth, we looked for showers but didn’t find any in time for church. Instead we went to Harold’s Super Foods, home of the Dainty Maid Bakery. The dainty maid working there that morning had the sleeves on his grubby flannel shirt rolled up to his elbows so we could see his naked lady tattoos. His handlebar mustache was in need of grooming and he had an unlit cigarette hanging from his mouth. I bought some brownies from him that Mags didn’t dare eat. I had to eat them all myself. 

When I had finished my brownies we went back to the Meandering Moose, where there was a room ready for us. I finally got my shower and napped while watching the Mariners drop another close one.
Later in the afternoon we walked downtown and beyond to City Beach. Most of the shops were closed but we did find an Italian restaurant to rip us off. For a night cap I left Mags at the Meandering Moose and went to Memorial Field to take in some Firecracker baseball. Panhandle, the hometown team, scored 2 runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat Kalispell 3 to 2. 

We’ve been passing through a lot of little communities lately. Some seem to have it going for them, some don’t. Kettle Falls, WA was a community without a plan, while Winthrop, WA (aka Win-Throw-Up) was a community with the wrong plan. Sand Point; however, seems to have benefited from some thoughtful city planners. It’s just the right size, compact, and has a lively downtown right on the lake. It’s close enough to Spokane to keep you from feeling isolated. 

Unfortunately, all that is about to change. The Idaho Department of Transportation wants to reroute US 95. As it is now, the highway goes right through the downtown, feeding the area with travelers’ money. IDOT wants to bypass the downtown with a limited access freeway right along the waterfront. Some local businesses were protesting the project, saying that it will suck the life out of the city and ruin the beach and waterfront. But it may be too late, one hotel on the beach advertised “Only 62 more days to stay at beach before US 95 comes through.”

The whole thing reminds me of a situation in my home town. The land occupied by the out-of business Geneva Steel is certainly too contaminated with lead and other heavy metals to build subdivisions on, although some money-grubbing developers already are proposing just that. Like Sand Point, the mill is right on the lake. Perhaps urban planners in Utah Valley will have the foresight to build a waterfront park for the entire community to enjoy. Granted, Utah Lake will never be as beautiful as Lake Pend Oreille, but with the steel mill gone, and better control of fertilizers and other contaminants the lake can be cleaned up. It may be too late for Sand Point, but Utah Valley still has a chance to make the city beautiful again. 


Posted by Chad at 09:24 AM

Comments: Independence Day in Sand Point

I'm jealous. The land from Spokane to Darby, Montana is to die for (or to ride a tandem bike through, which must be a bit like dying). I haven't been on Going to the Sun highway since 1977. My memory of it suggests that you will need to allow plenty of time to do the deed. My mother grew up in Kalispell and the family still has a cabin on Flathead Lake. Beautiful country. I look forward to reading more of your escapades and enjoying your prose. The pictures are nice too.
Posted by Doc at July 6, 2004 04:43 PM