Idaho to Montana: Lewis & Clark Country

The Northwest Passage runs on Highway 12 through Idaho's stove pipe into Montana.

For a motorcyclist, it was 77 miles of heaven. Big sweeping curves with mountains to the left and the Lochesa River to the right.

Nary a billboard, stop light or McDonald's in sight. Bliss.

At Lolo Summit I caught my first glimpse of what I mistook for prairie dogs but later learned are marmets and encountered helicopter-sized mosquitoes.

I met Clark on a big BMW GS with his saddlebag rider -- a Yorkshire Terrier named Henry.  I sometimes fantasize about a pillion animal but that's more responsibility (and precious square inches) than I'm willing to take on right now!

Glacier National: A Spiritual Experience

I was fortunate to land at Glacier National the night before they opened Logan's Pass for the 2011 season. Yes, it took the crews until mid July to clear the pass of snow. 

I was about the tenth person to cross the next day, headed from St Mary's (east) to West Glacier.

The east-to-west path is less crowded than west-to-east. I was advised to take that route because it hugs the mountain instead of the ledge, but I'm not afraid of heights and I found myself able to get over to the ledge often, as the construction project so often cut traffic to one lane anyway. 

I saw deer and mountain goats aplenty but missed out on Bighorn Sheep, bear and Elk. The Flathead River is the color of sea glass and I luxuriated in the park's quiet beauty. The loss of glacier area and the global implications of that loss haunt me still.

I splurged on lunch at the Izaac Walton Inn & Resort which reminded me in style and amenities of the Grove Park Inn in my home state. I'd love to travel with my non-biking family via Amtrak there -- the resort is right on the train line.

Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming

Dinosaurs roamed this region and scientists are still digging up fossils. The diversity of geological formations is both breathtaking and informative. I wish I'd paid more attention during my Earth Science classes because I would have appreciated what I saw at a deeper level.

Photographer Christina Shook accompanied me to take photos of the Conga rally, held just outside the Bighorn National Forest in Shelly, WY. This portrait is her handiwork. 

I'll write more about the rally and the cancer survivors I met my blog and upcoming book, which will feature more of Christina's photos. 

Week Five: Into Canada

I'll be home by the time I write about Canada. Hope to see you Thursday 7/28 for Kickstands DOWN.