So internet access has been limited throughout our recent travels so I've been writing and saving on my computer so here's from this past week...

I’m exhausted! Between mother nature’s “gift,” no sleep in large due to some EXTREME snorers, and climbing through the steep (yet gorgeous) Rockies in Montana, I’m ready for a good night sleep and a fresh start tomorrow! These last few days I have to say have had their challenges (for sure!), however, I can’t begin to explain how happy I am to be on this journey. The last three days have challenged us physically and mentally as we have climbed several thousand feet over only a few miles at a time. With each climb, however, comes a reward... multiple actually. #1-The feeling of accomplishment after a climb where in the beginning you start looking for places to take breaks and then when you reach that point you realize you can keep going and before you know it you’ve reached the top... and #2- see this amazing country that takes your breath away. Today, my three fellow riders and friends had a particularly difficult day together and really pushed and motivated one another after 59 miles of riding up our final hill... about 1200 feet in 3 miles under the hot sun. At the top of the hill we saw snow-capped mountains for miles and blue sky overhead. After reaching the top and congratulating one another, we took pictures and looked down at the town below... 11 miles downhill to the town of Ennis. Which brings me to reward #3- After the uphill is the downhill... sometimes a little scary, I’m not gonna lie, but I love it!

A little recap...

Tuesday, 6/28, we traveled 66 miles (which is now considered a short day) from Missoula to Darby, MT. If was really quite a pleasant drive. We stopped for lunch at a cute little cafe where we were met by another reporter looking to do a story on us. However, the reporter was not nearly as exciting as the Huckleberry rootbeer floats! When we arrived in Darby, a small, quaint town reminding me of an old country western movie, we were greeted at a church, where we’d be staying for the night, by some wonderful paritioners who made us spaghetti AND treated us to breakfast at the local diner the next morning...what a treat. So far we were off to a good start after our break day...

Wednesday, 6/29, it begins... with an unsettled stomach... for many reasons!... we headed out of Darby for Wisdom, MT. I volunteered to be “sweep” for the day, which means I’m the caboose, staying at the back of the pack. My friend, Mari, and I were both feeling a little sluggish and decided we’d stop at every historical marker or well, anything really... taking our time. Well, our pace, especially mine, up our hill of the day (4000 feet over 7ish miles) did not get any faster... quite a bit slower as you can imagine... and we got caught a mile from the top in a thunder storm (don’t worry, we didn’t get struck by lightning), but as we approached the top where our fellow riders were waiting and we were gathering for lunch, the downpour began! And you can believe, our pace all of a sudden, picked up faster than at any other point during the day. We ended up having to wait in the visitor center for over an hour for the thunder and now lightning to subside. Once back on our bikes, we headed UP again, to the top of the hill before our downhill:) And it was lovely! Along the way we met several other bikers including a gentleman, probably around our aged, biking by himself, completely self-supported from Virginia heading to Oregon averaging 100 miles a day... amazing. Once in Wisdom, we were greeted by a man who owned the “RV park” where we were camping out... lets just say there was a lot to be desired... but it was just fine by us... especially when Br. Ed decided to treat us all to pizza and beer. Now let me paint a picture of this town, Wisdom... 4 streets... 1 pizza place... 2 bars... 116 people... and as Br. Ed counted- 4 trillion mosquitoes... it was a night to remember... especially with the 45 mile an hour winds!

Thursday, 6/30, Wisdom to Dillon... 65 miles... 2 long, steep hills... no sleep...

Another beautiful day with scenery that a picture could never capture. The climbs were hard but doable... we all encouraged and supported one another... and thank goodness for our support van... at the top of the first hill with PB and J ready! In Dillon we were again hosted at a Catholic church where the Priest welcomed us and paritioners cooked for us... well... it was a joint effort... some of them cooked, Stacy and I made grilled cheese and father got subway sandwiches... dinner for Kings and Queens! Following dinner we had an open discussion about poverty and what our ride is all about and also heard about the wonderful work being done in their community. It really was one of my favorite nights thus far. Sharing experiences all within a shared mission. And when I say favorite nights, that was before the night actually started because when we all layed our heads down, some of us slept well, and the rest of us, who don’t snore, were up all night! Needless to say, I was not in a good mood this morning!

Today, Friday- First day of July- wow how time flies! My hardest day was today. My body hurt, I was exhausted, I was hot, the mosquitos had eaten me alive, and I just couldn’t put my game face on. Several times I debated with myself to get into the van and call it quits for the day. However, with the amazing support of my friends (and I suppose some stubbornness:)), I kept going and glad I did. We stopped through some very old, cute towns including an extended stop in Virginia City where we’d been hearing about this great old candy store and charged up the last hill which didn’t end up killing me as I thought it might. All said and done, I survived and believe that what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger. We are now in Ennis headed for West Yellowstone tomorrow and then on to Yellowstone with a rest day on the 4th! Looking forward to the holiday in one of the most spectacular places in the country.

This trip thus far has truly been an amazing experience and what I have enjoyed the most is the scenery, the small towns and most of all, the amazing people we’ve met along the way. From church hosts to other cyclists to random people who have stopped to hear about what we’re doing... there really are some great people in this world and I’m glad I’m getting to meet them:)