Winnett to Lewistown
Hello winds!! No, we didn't take an easy day, we got knocked around by 20 to 25mph head winds. You go from being able to bike around 15mph on the flats to 8mph. Without the wind, today would have been like doing a 100 mile day. The strength of it really makes you feel small in comparison to the power of mother nature. I'm always in awe when natural disasters occur. We think we have it made watching 200 plus cable channels and eating meals zapped in the microwave. Than mother nature come along and tosses a tornado in your path and you realize just how much we don't have control of this mighty earth. Today with the winds and the looming Mountains we see in the distance, you feel like a tiny grain of sand.
We have officially entered those mountains as well. A small range called Judith Mountains. Judith must have been quite the women to get a mountain range named after her. Really close to where we are staying tonight is Ross Fork. I'm thinking that tomorrow to pass the time I will make up a story about how the "Ross" who lived at the fork in the road was in love with Judith. He won some contest in the late 1800's and was awarded the right to name the Mountains he lived in, therefore chossing Judith his one true love. Of course he was crazy and made up funny stories about Judith so she married the best fur trapper in town, Andrew Gist. Love's rough for boys named Ross.
The wind is supposed to be strong again tomorrow, so we might not make it to Great Falls in one day. We will keep plodding along though. It will slow us, but not stop us. For those of you worried, Armin made it to a bike shop this evening and will roll on to see another day. He is thinking about changing his bike setup to better distribute the weight, but that will have to wait until Great Falls probably.
Tonight we are staying at a Kiwanis rest area that allows camping. Thanks Kiwanis'! I tried to smile real nice to the couple in the luxury home on wheels, but they didn't invite us in. (After I wrote this Linda did come talk to us and ended up giving us cake, ice cream, fruit, veggies, cheese, and some meat in a can. Montanan's rock!)
On a side note: Thank you Pastor Carlson for the comments and picture. I'm glad you are able to follow our adventure. If you ever come out to Portland please let me know, so I can return the favor.
And: We ran into Ami's parents of the Ami & Dom honeymoon couple mentioned two days ago. They came out to ride with them for a few weeks, but also have a car so they drive ahead. Pretty sweet that there able to come out from Jersey and get a taste of bicycle touring.
