"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." ~ Heinz Stucke Bicycle touring for 49 years and still going!

Monday, June 18, 2012  (Day 12)
Sula Country Store Campground, Hwy 93, Sula, MT

Beautiful Stevensville Hotel

Miles:  58  MPH:  11  Max:  22  Total:  704

Wow!  Woke to coffee brewing at 5am -- I love you Stevensville Hotel!  Wonderful night sleep --pillow top mattress, 4 fluffy pillows, soft cozy sheets, ceiling fan and my own bathroom!!  I let Jack sleep in.  We wanted to stop in at the Hamelton Bike store, about 25 miles away, and they didn't open till 9am so no rush.

Today we headed south on US 93 through the Bitterroot Vally.  A paved bike trail ran parallel to the highway for the first 25 miles.  We spotted a few baby deer near the trail, but no other wild life yet -- can't wait to see a moose or a bear :-)

Again the bike shop was most helpful.  Got new recommendations for the next day's lodging.  Last evening, Rob who we have now met up with at several stops also stayed at the Stevensville Hotel.  We knew he was having bike problems and would probably also stop at the bike store, so we left a message for him with our new plan.  It's like the pony express here -- leaving messages from town to town!!

The landscape is dramatically different since entering Montana.  No longer are we riding through the mountains, rather they are seen, snow covered, at a distance to our right and in front of us.

All day storm clouds hung over the mountains and behind us.  We had hoped to outrun the coming rain.

As we rode the towns became smaller and smaller.  We began  in Stevensville, population 1,500, then reached Victor, population 900, then Darby- where we stocked up on groceries- population700 and finally our destination Sula, population 50!  Thunder and rain arrived just as we did.

We're dry and happy in an adorable log cabin at the Sula Country Store and Campground.  Next door are two very cute female (in their 20's or so) BFF's having the time of their lives also biking cross country! 

Our Castle for the evening!

Tomorrow we have 2 big mountain passes to cross -- Lost Trail Pass at 7,014 feet high and Chief Joseph Pass at 7,241 feet.  Can't wait to see what the day brings!!

Gotta go -- the Hot Tub is calling me!!

xo