The First Hiccup

[Welcome to Montana!]

[The Swinging Bridge at Kootenai Falls]

[Who are those two handsome blokes? And so well dressed!]

[Guido's Livin' on the Edge]

After a bitterly cold morning where a thin layer of wispy frost could be seen clinging to the green blades of grass we continued our journey eastward. After around 15 miles of gradually warming weather we happened across the Big Sky Pantry where we purchased some freshly baked cinnamon rolls and various turnovers to augment our oatmeal breakfast. It was the most uplifting thing to happen this morning, except maybe crossing the border into the great (big) state of Montana and a brand new time zone. After second breakfast we made good time across highway 200 and then 56 until we arrived at Big Joe's Bar and Grill. The ride had been very scenic and deceptively hilly. At Big Joe's we were greated by a barking dog and a very friendly man (I can only assume Joe, although he wasn't exceptionally big). We decided to eat a quick sandwich for lunch and soon found ourselves enjoying the most delicious cup of white bean chicken chili while we waited. Soon after we left Joe's the day took a turn for the worse. Kevin broke a spoke, but luckily Ben and Kevin were able to true the wheel well enough for Kevin to continue. Once we reached highway 2 we quickly came across a rest stop with signs to Kootenai Falls and a swinging bridge. Obviously we felt the need to investigate. Leaving our bikes behind we hit the trail and after a very long quarter mile (closer to three quarters - the sign lies) we saw a roaring river and a very precarious swinging bridge. The sign recommmended no more than 5 people at one time on the bridge. Sounds safe, right? So we crossed the bridge, took some pictures and then beat it back up to the bikes to finish our ride. Somehow the wind had changed directions and we found ourselves with a rather stiff headwind to fight all the way to Libby, MT. We had planned on stopping about 13 miles past Libby, but when we arrived in this not so little town Kevin found a sport shop where he could properly repair his wheel. The bike mechanic was out of town for the week, but the owner of the shop said we could use his tools and the bike wheel was soon fixed. We soon found a spot to bed down for the night, went to the grocery store, and then Kevin enjoyed a grocery store deli dinner while Ben and I gorged ourselves on pizza and pasta at Pizza Hut. All in all today was a great day. I do have to say, either McDonald's sausage biscuits with egg and cheese have a considerable staying power, or Ben has some digestive issues he may want to have checked out. 71 miles and one more state under our belts. Rockets away!