Day 19. Valier MT
70 miles 2,825 feet
I awoke in my tent well before the border crossing opened. I checked the weather and saw rain coming in 30 minutes so I struck my tent, packed, and made coffee which I sipped as the first drops fell. I then left my improvised campsite to the many birds that had sung since dawn, and took my pannier-loaded bike over to the Canadian border control area. Before long an officer arrived and invited me to bring my bike in out of the rain and sit in their office while waiting for the US border to open at 9. The 2 officers were extremely nice, asked me about my trip and told me of their current work and adventures in Waterton Lakes National Park. All in all, my encounters with Canadian Border Services have been friendly, generous ("Can I top off your water bottles?") and warm.
When the US border opened at 9 am I joined the line, which moved slowly and the rain became heavier. I had Goretex on and it was warm, and I didn't mind waiting. When my turn arrived the US Customs and Border Protection officers were also extremely nice, and asked me about my trip. No hassles, no confiscation of bear spray, only advice to be cautious on the roads.
The day's ride was mostly south and some east. It was raining and the wind was from the west, so part of the time I had side wind and sometimes when the road turned east, a tailwind. The balance was that I averaged about 10 miles per hour because the side wind included an element of headwind since it was slightly at an angle. I gained new respect for the power of the wind. At some points it was 30+ mph, which made staying upright difficult and staying in the narrow shoulder an effort requiring concentration since the shoulder included a rumble strip.
I had lunch in Cut Bank MT, at 1 pm—massive sandwich and brownie I largely consumed—and then continued south and east to Valiers. If there had been more tailwind I would have made excellent time but the side wind—most of the day—slowed me down. I called for a motel reservation from Cut Bank and snagged the last room at the motel.
I pulled in to Valier at 6:30 after 70 long miles, and went to Froggie's for dinner. I shared a table with a wonderful man who grew spring wheat, hops, and durham wheat and other crops I don't remember. I asked him about farming and he gave me insight into what it takes to earn a living when much of your crop depends on weather and heat, outside of your control. It was a great conversation and a reminder of the many lifestyles very different from my own that good people lead across the country.
Now, to sleep!
I awoke in my tent well before the border crossing opened. I checked the weather and saw rain coming in 30 minutes so I struck my tent, packed, and made coffee which I sipped as the first drops fell. I then left my improvised campsite to the many birds that had sung since dawn, and took my pannier-loaded bike over to the Canadian border control area. Before long an officer arrived and invited me to bring my bike in out of the rain and sit in their office while waiting for the US border to open at 9. The 2 officers were extremely nice, asked me about my trip and told me of their current work and adventures in Waterton Lakes National Park. All in all, my encounters with Canadian Border Services have been friendly, generous ("Can I top off your water bottles?") and warm.
When the US border opened at 9 am I joined the line, which moved slowly and the rain became heavier. I had Goretex on and it was warm, and I didn't mind waiting. When my turn arrived the US Customs and Border Protection officers were also extremely nice, and asked me about my trip. No hassles, no confiscation of bear spray, only advice to be cautious on the roads.
The day's ride was mostly south and some east. It was raining and the wind was from the west, so part of the time I had side wind and sometimes when the road turned east, a tailwind. The balance was that I averaged about 10 miles per hour because the side wind included an element of headwind since it was slightly at an angle. I gained new respect for the power of the wind. At some points it was 30+ mph, which made staying upright difficult and staying in the narrow shoulder an effort requiring concentration since the shoulder included a rumble strip.
I had lunch in Cut Bank MT, at 1 pm—massive sandwich and brownie I largely consumed—and then continued south and east to Valiers. If there had been more tailwind I would have made excellent time but the side wind—most of the day—slowed me down. I called for a motel reservation from Cut Bank and snagged the last room at the motel.
I pulled in to Valier at 6:30 after 70 long miles, and went to Froggie's for dinner. I shared a table with a wonderful man who grew spring wheat, hops, and durham wheat and other crops I don't remember. I asked him about farming and he gave me insight into what it takes to earn a living when much of your crop depends on weather and heat, outside of your control. It was a great conversation and a reminder of the many lifestyles very different from my own that good people lead across the country.
Now, to sleep!
Waiting at US border in the rain
Rain and wind on the high plains
Strong winds are part of life in Montana. You gain an appreciation for the them when on a bike. Seems to me wind power has more promise for our future than the rig in the foreground
A Montana dinner in the local (and only) bar and grill in Valier!
