AK Trip - Day Five - Wednesday, June 20th,

Did I tell you Montana is a beautiful place? If I didn’t I sure should. It’s called “The Big Sky Country” and it could not be better named!

Today was another picture perfect day with bright blue skies, little puffy white clouds and no wind. The temps started chilly but rose to the mid-seventies quickly. Another perfect day to ride!

Our goal today was to ride up thru Montana from the south to the north, via Helena, picking up Grant Khors National Historic Ranch along the way. Pictures were kinda scarce today but will improve tomorrow.

The lesson learned today was “NEVER – EVER” force Miss Garmin to do something she does not want to do. About a month or so ago, while I was adding way points for the National Parks, I changed the route suggested by Miss Garmin to what “appeared to be” a quicker route to Grant Khors. Against her better judgment she drew the route where I wanted it. Today we paid the price for that lack of judgment when she led us up over a five mile long, dirt pig path, over a mountain to take us in the back way. I’m pretty sure by now Ted thinks I’m conspiring against his Wing.

Kevin P., you may be right, he might be better off with TKC Knobbies before we’re done… (When we get back, don't mention Beck Hill Road to Ted... LOL)

Grant Khors Ranch Long Horns

Salmon Lake - LoLo National Forest

Ted bringing up the rear.
We've taken turns each day leading the ride.

Got Bugs?
They've sure got em in Montana!

Swan River National Forest

One more interesting tidbit:

A BMW GS passed us today clipping right along at a good pace. A few miles up the road we stopped to take a break and there was the GS pulled over. It turns out he was from Santa Barbara, CA and was on his way to Kalispell, MT. While we talking to him he made the comment that he was getting way too old to be making long trips at age 58. After he left we both looked at each other and burst out laughing. I guess we need to quit and fly home …. LOL

Today was our first relaxed pace day. We drove about 350 miles and the total for the trip is about 2300 miles. We both would like to thank Mike Jennings for his expertise and hard work planning this trip. Mike knew we would need some easier days and he was sure right.

We are spending the night eleven miles outside the west entrance to Glacier National Park doing laundry. We are told The Going to the Sun Road is snow blocked 29 miles in, but open to that point. We plan to ride the part that’s open tomorrow. We will make the return trip back out and head up the west side of Glacier NP to enter Canada.

Thanks again to all who have commented. It sure makes posting to this blog seem worthwhile.

There are two cardinal sins from which all others spring:

Impatience and Laziness.

~Franz Kafka ~