One of the herd
We did have a lot of up and down but it never felt that difficult. We had time to take pictures and enjoy the views. The snow covered Cabinet Mountains reflecting in the Bull River were stunning. We saw more Osprey nests today. We were told where to look for bears, but didn't see any.
We are excited because our sag support is back with us today. Laura passed us on the road and took our bags into Libby. She has graciously offered to carry them for us tomorrow into Eureka. We are especially grateful because this is a 74 mile day with mostly uphills. Today was mostly downhills. We even had time for a short hike to Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge. Kootenai Falls is the biggest falls we have seen so far on this trip. The swinging bridge was suspended over the Kootenai River, down a ways from the falls.
Today was the first day the three of us were on our own pace and seem to have gotten separated. When I got close to Libby I realized I didn't know where to go. Luckily I got a signal on my cell and was able to call Pam. But, often we are out here with no cell service. We will need a new plan. Carol was not able to get a call to Pam, but Laura was able to catch her before riding too far down the road.
When I arrived in town I had a message for the owners of the local feed store in Libby from another merchant we had met in Sandpoint, ID. I stopped in the feed store, introduced myself and was immediately offered a place to stay. I am overwhelmed with people's generosity.
We are treated tonight by Gerri Fink. She has offered us her guest house on her ranch. We can look out and see the birds floating down the river. She had the dining table set for dinner and decorated with lilacs. The first thing she did was entertain us with her South Texas larger than life personality. Every time she opened her mouth we were in stitches. We were especially attentive when she said, "My house, my rules. You don't clean a dish or make a bed in my house. And if you need anything be sure and ask."
She prepared snacks for us, then a beautiful meal. She wouldn't tell us what it was, she called it a "sussy", a surprise from South Texas. It was King Ridge Casserole with chicken, cheese, tortillas, tomatoes and green chilis. She included all the trimmings and even a pecan pie. We are figuring out a way to carry it all down the road with us. Who says there is no food between Libby and Eureka?
Riders with Geri and "sussy"
We have also been interviewed by Susie Rice for the local paper. Susie and her husband are cyclists and active here with Habitat for Humanity. They organize a bicycle ride here every year called the Stoker. They raised over $38,000 for Habitat for Humanity with the ride this year. This accounts for most of the operating budget for Habitat for Humanity in Libby, MT and has enabled this affiliate to build seven houses. Susie has offered to escort us out of town tomorrow morning on her bicycle at whatever hour we choose.
Life is good.
Greg, Susie and Pam
1 comment:
See, I knew you'd be famous; and here I am, in-the-know, getting to hear all about it AS IT HAPPENS. Fun fun fun!
When you say you had a message to one place from another place you'd been, it cracked me up, like the old fashioned Pony Express before there were even telephones, much less cell phones. That's neat. And it's interesting that the one person in the original place actually gave you a message -- trusted you to deliver it. That's great.
So the Kootenai are the largest falls you've seen so far. Are they large like the falls in Yosemite? And the swinging bridge, is it old fashioned and rickety, like the one on Tom Sawyer's Island at Disneyland? Or is it a modern suspension bridge that's really safe?
Gerry Fink sounds like a real kick -- kind of like Pam :) And it seems, a great cook too. Btw, did you find a way to carry the food down? I'm sure if it were up to you (Barbara), you would NOT go to any trouble to carry food, because I know it just wouldn't be worth the extra weight in the panniers. Right? Am I right or am I right? Huh? Huh?
Anyway, thanks for making the effort to do the blog. I personally have been too busy to check it until this morning, so I'm catching up and having a most enjoyable time.
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