Wednesday August 17
West Glacier Montana
Robin's front yard
I was reunited with Blaze this evening. And with my phone. The week break from both was good but it feels good to be all back together. Glacier has got to be one of the most beautiful places on this earth! Every day it just got better and better culminating with today's hike down from Siyeh Pass. Not to be missed!
It's late and I need sleep. I'm camped on Robin's front lawn. I met her when I was setting up my tent behind the Post Office and she was walking her dog. She warned me there was a bear in the area. After chatting a while she also told me there were SPRINKLERS! And invited me to use her front yard. Ok! She also offered the shower but I'm not too dirty yet:). A wonderful evening of conversation. A kindred spirit.
Off to sleep now. Off towards Missoula tomorrow.
Sleepy BagLady
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Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Almost There
Tuesday August 9th
Whitefish Montana
Toodling along busy Rte 93 yesterday, I spotted a restaurant in the middle if nowhere. Ah Root Beer. My new drink of choice. I wonder what a rum and root beer would taste like. Hmmm! Gotta try it. The bartender mentions a place to camp and swim about 13 miles further up the road. Sounds like a place to stop. And maybe stay the night. When I find it, the water looks so inviting. Ah a swim. Now ya have to understand. To minimize what I carry, things have to have double function. So my bathing suit is actually dark purple sports bra and panties from EMS. Stretchy and quick drying. And double purpose. And
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Whitefish Montana
Toodling along busy Rte 93 yesterday, I spotted a restaurant in the middle if nowhere. Ah Root Beer. My new drink of choice. I wonder what a rum and root beer would taste like. Hmmm! Gotta try it. The bartender mentions a place to camp and swim about 13 miles further up the road. Sounds like a place to stop. And maybe stay the night. When I find it, the water looks so inviting. Ah a swim. Now ya have to understand. To minimize what I carry, things have to have double function. So my bathing suit is actually dark purple sports bra and panties from EMS. Stretchy and quick drying. And double purpose. And
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Ah! Wilderness!!!
Saturday August 6th
Lake Koocanusa
33 long miles:)
Last night I camped 10 miles beyond (east of) Libby MT at Osprey Landing...a boat launch. I know! I know! That's on my list of poor camping spots. But it was so idyllic and some locals promised the boaters wouldn't be there before 6 am. It's a point built out into the Kootenai River. And I had stopped there for a swim...which turned into a dip because the water was soooo cold. Doesn't look like swimming is a big sport in Montana. Water's too cold!
And then I met Alex, a guy from NYC who was bumming around the west scouting out rainbow trout. A fly fisherman that translates old English fishing books into modern English. It's a slow process. If I remember right, it took him a year to do 14 pages! Fascinating guy originally from Korea. He's tracing the lineage of rainbow trout that are now in Korea trying to determine where in the US the original eggs came from. He certainly kept me intrigued:)
Today was a long lonely road down the west side of this very long lake. Reminds me a bit I'd Chelan Lake where I went backpacking. There were so few cars on it that I'd forget to look out for them and then one would surprise me.
I found this dog trotting along the road. (There are no residents along it that I could see.). I thought maybe he was lost. After offering him some of my precious water, which he refused, I read his tags to see if he was local. One tag listed his owner in Jackson Creek "at the end if the small road". And the other tag said "leave him alone!". Ok. Guess he's not lost. It was a couple of miles before o got to the Jackson Road turnoff. He's a ways from home.
The road is a forest service road if sorts, but it's paved. It runs along the water but way high up. That's why I said "precious water" 'cause I didn't know when or if I was going to be able to get more some time today. Finally I came to a boat launch and scooped up some lake water. I have no purification system with me. I had a new (replacement after Nepal) Steripen but I could not get it to operate even once. Arrgghh! So I shipped it with other stuff back to my car. It's pretty remote out here. I'm not worried about the water.
So on I pedaled today I'm the 90* heat. Oh look at that water! I want a cold drink. And I want to swim! Torture to see it and not be able to get to it!
"Fishing Access". I'll take it. To the water! Yippee!! Be careful what you wish for. Down, down, down this dirt and loose stone road. For nearly a mile. Oh how will I ever get Blaze up it in the morning? Who cares! I want water. To drink. And to swim. Down. Down. Oh look at this delight spot to swim and camp. Best spot I think I've had this whole trip. What? What is that I see? Blaze has another flat on the back? How long has that been there? At least I have all evening to fix it.
Delightful evening: swim (water not too cold...yippeee), bath, hair washed, and cold drinks.
Now to hang a bear bag and go read. Yup. Delightful evening. Don't think about that hill until morning. Ok!
Pedal on,
Swimming BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Lake Koocanusa
33 long miles:)
Last night I camped 10 miles beyond (east of) Libby MT at Osprey Landing...a boat launch. I know! I know! That's on my list of poor camping spots. But it was so idyllic and some locals promised the boaters wouldn't be there before 6 am. It's a point built out into the Kootenai River. And I had stopped there for a swim...which turned into a dip because the water was soooo cold. Doesn't look like swimming is a big sport in Montana. Water's too cold!
And then I met Alex, a guy from NYC who was bumming around the west scouting out rainbow trout. A fly fisherman that translates old English fishing books into modern English. It's a slow process. If I remember right, it took him a year to do 14 pages! Fascinating guy originally from Korea. He's tracing the lineage of rainbow trout that are now in Korea trying to determine where in the US the original eggs came from. He certainly kept me intrigued:)
Today was a long lonely road down the west side of this very long lake. Reminds me a bit I'd Chelan Lake where I went backpacking. There were so few cars on it that I'd forget to look out for them and then one would surprise me.
I found this dog trotting along the road. (There are no residents along it that I could see.). I thought maybe he was lost. After offering him some of my precious water, which he refused, I read his tags to see if he was local. One tag listed his owner in Jackson Creek "at the end if the small road". And the other tag said "leave him alone!". Ok. Guess he's not lost. It was a couple of miles before o got to the Jackson Road turnoff. He's a ways from home.
The road is a forest service road if sorts, but it's paved. It runs along the water but way high up. That's why I said "precious water" 'cause I didn't know when or if I was going to be able to get more some time today. Finally I came to a boat launch and scooped up some lake water. I have no purification system with me. I had a new (replacement after Nepal) Steripen but I could not get it to operate even once. Arrgghh! So I shipped it with other stuff back to my car. It's pretty remote out here. I'm not worried about the water.
So on I pedaled today I'm the 90* heat. Oh look at that water! I want a cold drink. And I want to swim! Torture to see it and not be able to get to it!
"Fishing Access". I'll take it. To the water! Yippee!! Be careful what you wish for. Down, down, down this dirt and loose stone road. For nearly a mile. Oh how will I ever get Blaze up it in the morning? Who cares! I want water. To drink. And to swim. Down. Down. Oh look at this delight spot to swim and camp. Best spot I think I've had this whole trip. What? What is that I see? Blaze has another flat on the back? How long has that been there? At least I have all evening to fix it.
Delightful evening: swim (water not too cold...yippeee), bath, hair washed, and cold drinks.
Now to hang a bear bag and go read. Yup. Delightful evening. Don't think about that hill until morning. Ok!
Pedal on,
Swimming BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Serendipity in Eureka
Sunday August 7th
Eureka Montana
42ish
The hill. Remember the hill. I was able to bike it. It took me 17 minutes to get to the top. What a way to start the day. Blaze was amazing!
I really didn't want that empty road to come to an end. Best road I've bikes this whole trip. Nearly a bike path there were so few cars. And the views were amazing! Barb and Bob, thanks for making it possible and suggesting it!!
Hot day! Thank goodness for the umbrella. Could not deal with the sun without it.
Tonight a serendipitous series of events happened. After my usual root beer float break and a 6" sub from Subway and a grocery stop, I finally managed to leave Eureka...about 6 pm. And I wanted to get about 8 miles in before stopping. So about 7:30 I started looking. This is later than my usual quitting time. And since the road is quite busy, I was having to explore side roads. Very residential out here. One spot I started to set up just had too much traffic. And no flat spot. So I packed Blaze up again and continued on. Have faith. Something will turn up. Looking. Thinking. Wondering. Side roads seemed to be mostly driveways. Down another road. Wasting time. Getting later. There's a spot. Not too flat. Too close to highway. Start to move on. Meet Paster Curtis and wife Stephanie out for a walk. "is this your property I ask" explaining that I'm looking for a place to camp. No but you can camp in the church yard...and use the shower...and do a load of wash if you wish. Yippee! The jackpot! Talk about things having to align so that I'm sitting at the end of their road just as they are coming home from an evening stroll! Ya can't make his stuff up!!!
Pedal on,
Serendipitous BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Eureka Montana
42ish
The hill. Remember the hill. I was able to bike it. It took me 17 minutes to get to the top. What a way to start the day. Blaze was amazing!
I really didn't want that empty road to come to an end. Best road I've bikes this whole trip. Nearly a bike path there were so few cars. And the views were amazing! Barb and Bob, thanks for making it possible and suggesting it!!
Hot day! Thank goodness for the umbrella. Could not deal with the sun without it.
Tonight a serendipitous series of events happened. After my usual root beer float break and a 6" sub from Subway and a grocery stop, I finally managed to leave Eureka...about 6 pm. And I wanted to get about 8 miles in before stopping. So about 7:30 I started looking. This is later than my usual quitting time. And since the road is quite busy, I was having to explore side roads. Very residential out here. One spot I started to set up just had too much traffic. And no flat spot. So I packed Blaze up again and continued on. Have faith. Something will turn up. Looking. Thinking. Wondering. Side roads seemed to be mostly driveways. Down another road. Wasting time. Getting later. There's a spot. Not too flat. Too close to highway. Start to move on. Meet Paster Curtis and wife Stephanie out for a walk. "is this your property I ask" explaining that I'm looking for a place to camp. No but you can camp in the church yard...and use the shower...and do a load of wash if you wish. Yippee! The jackpot! Talk about things having to align so that I'm sitting at the end of their road just as they are coming home from an evening stroll! Ya can't make his stuff up!!!
Pedal on,
Serendipitous BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Friday, August 5, 2011
Montana!
Friday August 5th
Libby MT
35 and more to come when it cools down this evening
Trail angels. That's what they are: Bob, Barb, Kellyann, and Erin. This family responded to my plea of a lift when I found out Amtrak wasn't going to take Blaze.
So Wednesday went like this: Skyward shuttled me to Coulee Dam (couple hours drive) where Kellyann and her nana picked me up and shuttled me back to Spokane. But their generosity didn't end there. These guys are Warmshowers hosts (people who give cyclists a place to stay) and the fed and bed me. AND threw me a birthday party, complete with the tastiest, gooiest brownies ever! AND then when it didn't look like I still was going to be able to get to Glacier on time, Bob and Erin drive me nearly another 100 miles into Idaho! So, with about 215 miles to do in 6 days I was in great shape to make the meetup 4pm on next Wed in West Glacier.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! Best Warmshowers Hosts EVER!!!!!!!!!
And now I'm in Libby sitting out the heat of the afternoon at an ice cream shop. Where else?
Pedal on,
Scorched BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Libby MT
35 and more to come when it cools down this evening
Trail angels. That's what they are: Bob, Barb, Kellyann, and Erin. This family responded to my plea of a lift when I found out Amtrak wasn't going to take Blaze.
So Wednesday went like this: Skyward shuttled me to Coulee Dam (couple hours drive) where Kellyann and her nana picked me up and shuttled me back to Spokane. But their generosity didn't end there. These guys are Warmshowers hosts (people who give cyclists a place to stay) and the fed and bed me. AND threw me a birthday party, complete with the tastiest, gooiest brownies ever! AND then when it didn't look like I still was going to be able to get to Glacier on time, Bob and Erin drive me nearly another 100 miles into Idaho! So, with about 215 miles to do in 6 days I was in great shape to make the meetup 4pm on next Wed in West Glacier.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! Best Warmshowers Hosts EVER!!!!!!!!!
And now I'm in Libby sitting out the heat of the afternoon at an ice cream shop. Where else?
Pedal on,
Scorched BagLady
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
The Universe Provides
I think I have the blog issues ironed out, but I don't know where my blog posts from the backpacking trip went. LaLa Land. I'm hoping the developer can help me find them.
Yesterday was a pretty stressful day. I called Amtrak in the morning to make my reservation from Spokane to West Glacier with my trike...and they dont take bikes in boxes wider than 8 inches. Screwed! Now how do I get from Winthrop to West Glacer, 470+ miles, in a week? Panic for a moment. Then trusting. If it doesn't work out, then the Universe has something else planned for me. Ah yes...trust.
But also do my part to resolve the issue. So I wrote an email to as many Warmshowers hosts (a site of folks that will host bicycling travelers) in Winthrop and Spokane as I found listed asking if they could help me close this mileage gap by giving me a lift for any part of my journey. I got emails and phone calls offering a variety of help. What support! Problem has been resolved and the trip is going to be better than originally planned! I'm getting 2 rides today to get to Spokane by tonight and I will be staying at a Warmshowers' host house, Barb Stuebing's! Her mom and daughter are meeting me in Coulee Dam this afternoon. Skyward has generously offered to drive me there...after all she's already done hosting me this last week and a half:)) Then tomorrow I'll bike out of Spokane with about 270 miles to cover in 6 days. I'll huff and I'll puff, but I'll make it! And I get to bike the mountains of Idaho and Montana instead of the desert of Washington. Yippeee!!!
The Universe provides...for sure!
Pedal on, pedal on,
Amazed BagLady
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
More Torments
So, the blog isn't loading from my phone...and now I find out I can't take my bike on the train. It won't box up as small as they require. So now I have to hitch to get to West Glacier in a week. I'll have to start hitchig right away because I don't know when the rides will come. And I may not make it in time to meet up with the group.
Skyward taught me a great saying. "An adventure isn't an adventure until something goes wrong." So I guess the adventure is just beginning!
I just talked with Sylvia, my inspiring trike traveler from Portland...thanks for the words of support. I'll just go with the flow and see where the universe takes me:)
As to my lost posts, I've written to the developer to see if he can find them. For now let's just say Chelan Lake and Stehekin village with the snow capped mountains and azure blue rushing rivers was paradise. Best hike in America! and no crowds!!!
And I don't seem to be able to post a blog now from my phone at all. I'm reinstalling the BlogPress software, so I will try some tests to see if I can get that to work. If not, you'll all have to go to Facebook to see what I'm up to...I'll post to that.
Stay tuned...
BagLady
Monday, August 1, 2011
Blog is all screwed up!
I don't know what's going on. I got an email from a follower today when I got out of a week in the woods and she said my blog had been removed. Skyward tried to go to it on her iPhone and got the same message. When I got back to her house and used a normal computer, I could get to the blog page. Whew! That was a premature "whew!" I tried to publish my 3 blogs written while I was in the woods. They are written in BlogPress on my iPhone. At first they would not post, but then all 3 gave me a "Success" message. But when I tried to view the post...nothing, nada, zero, zip! No new posts are showing up. And I don't know if it's a BlogPress or Blogger issue. So right now I'm trying to post a blog update from computer. Gee, I sure hope those posts are not lost. Maybe I can find them in my mailbox somewhere.
Speaking of mailboxes, one of my email accounts was sending out spam last night Dana said. And today I had trouble logging in and had to change my password. What's happening. Arrrghhh Technology!!! I'm ready to bag it entirely. It's more trouble than it's worth.
So sit tight while I try to figure all this out. I am in Winthrop another day before pedaling on to Spokane and getting the train to Glacier.
BagLady
Monday, July 25, 2011
Lazy Day and New Friends
Sunday July 24
Winthrop WA
Just like on the AT, it feels like I never have a day off. So today I'm going slowly. Really slowly. And enjoying the heck out of it.
I've met so many folks today and it's only 1pm. First there was the couple camped next to me who offered me hot water and cherries this morning. He's in sales but loves to write poetry. They have 2 gifted kids: a son who wants to be a physicist and a daughter who also loves to write. The live north of Seattle and are Scottish decent. He is anyways. She's French Canadian. Boatee. Little Boat.
Then in the bathroom I met Vonnie and she invited me to have coffee. "I'd love to!" says I. She and her husband, Dan, have one son, Eric. His girlfriend is Gwen. And the dog, Luna. They've hosted lots of foreign kids over the years with some of them dating for as long as 7 years whole the finished high school and went to college. I can see why they stayed. Their warmth and love of life was so evident! Vonnie even got brave and flew to Japan alone to he the honored guest at one girl's wedding. Brave girlfriend! But I had to pedal off, alas!
Them there was the guy biking around like I am from Colorado, the couple from Georgia on their way home from Alaska in their motorbike, the Asian couple heading home from a wedding, and the young mom and 2 daughters off to the cousins! Loneliness is not a problem.
And by writing their stories, I tested myself to see if I was listening and learning as much as I was sharing my journey with them. Whew! Love the connections. And their brevity and the goodbyes don't hurt as much. I carry their warmth and energy with me. Thank you to all these new friends. If even just for a short time:)
And just met a young man who's just getting outdoors for the weekend. And on it goes.
I packed up my bike from my lunch and journaling break and was just about ready to take off when Skyward and Dave pulled in to my wide spot in the road. What a surprise. They were quite early:). Yes I want a ride! Loaded Blaze up on top. She only tried to bolt away once. Slid right down the windshield and bounced when she hit the pavement. I still have to check her out when I unload her tomorrow but I think she's uninjured from her little escapade.
Oh what views that ride would have been. I'm a little sad to have not biked it. But it's been hot here now so glad to not have baked in the sun up over that pass. Absolutely gorgeous mountains much like what I saw in Nepal! This country of ours is so goddam gorgeous! Parents should spend every summer just seeing a different part if it. Lingering there awhile!
This little slice of heaven Skyward and Dave have is spectacular. I'll try again to post a photo of the view from their front windows.
Oops too cloudy today to get a good photo. Will have to wait.
Just made plans for a week long backpacking trip up Chelan Lake (the deepest gorge in the country - half again as deep as the Grand Canyon) then up into the Cascades near Cascades Pass. Should be a fun hike part of which will be on the PCT.
No postings until I return next week.
Over and out from the Cascade Mountains of Washington.
Step Lightly,
BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Winthrop WA
Just like on the AT, it feels like I never have a day off. So today I'm going slowly. Really slowly. And enjoying the heck out of it.
I've met so many folks today and it's only 1pm. First there was the couple camped next to me who offered me hot water and cherries this morning. He's in sales but loves to write poetry. They have 2 gifted kids: a son who wants to be a physicist and a daughter who also loves to write. The live north of Seattle and are Scottish decent. He is anyways. She's French Canadian. Boatee. Little Boat.
Then in the bathroom I met Vonnie and she invited me to have coffee. "I'd love to!" says I. She and her husband, Dan, have one son, Eric. His girlfriend is Gwen. And the dog, Luna. They've hosted lots of foreign kids over the years with some of them dating for as long as 7 years whole the finished high school and went to college. I can see why they stayed. Their warmth and love of life was so evident! Vonnie even got brave and flew to Japan alone to he the honored guest at one girl's wedding. Brave girlfriend! But I had to pedal off, alas!
Them there was the guy biking around like I am from Colorado, the couple from Georgia on their way home from Alaska in their motorbike, the Asian couple heading home from a wedding, and the young mom and 2 daughters off to the cousins! Loneliness is not a problem.
And by writing their stories, I tested myself to see if I was listening and learning as much as I was sharing my journey with them. Whew! Love the connections. And their brevity and the goodbyes don't hurt as much. I carry their warmth and energy with me. Thank you to all these new friends. If even just for a short time:)
And just met a young man who's just getting outdoors for the weekend. And on it goes.
I packed up my bike from my lunch and journaling break and was just about ready to take off when Skyward and Dave pulled in to my wide spot in the road. What a surprise. They were quite early:). Yes I want a ride! Loaded Blaze up on top. She only tried to bolt away once. Slid right down the windshield and bounced when she hit the pavement. I still have to check her out when I unload her tomorrow but I think she's uninjured from her little escapade.
Oh what views that ride would have been. I'm a little sad to have not biked it. But it's been hot here now so glad to not have baked in the sun up over that pass. Absolutely gorgeous mountains much like what I saw in Nepal! This country of ours is so goddam gorgeous! Parents should spend every summer just seeing a different part if it. Lingering there awhile!
This little slice of heaven Skyward and Dave have is spectacular. I'll try again to post a photo of the view from their front windows.
Oops too cloudy today to get a good photo. Will have to wait.
Just made plans for a week long backpacking trip up Chelan Lake (the deepest gorge in the country - half again as deep as the Grand Canyon) then up into the Cascades near Cascades Pass. Should be a fun hike part of which will be on the PCT.
No postings until I return next week.
Over and out from the Cascade Mountains of Washington.
Step Lightly,
BagLady
-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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