Dear Montana, and some random thoughts

I am currently in Whitefish, Montana. I've ridden just about 670 miles thus far. The people continue to be awesome. I stayed with a retired radiologist, turned professional violin maker and his RN wife in Sandpoint, ID. QZ and Mark were just simply wonderful. Mark worked a full career as a radiologist and then pursued his passion to be a violin maker with a four year degree from a college in salt lake city. His violins are simply beautiful and for someone like me who wants to work with wood it was awesome to share a passion. QZ had book club that night so I didn't get to spend as much time with her but what I did made it clear she is awesome too. Mark's 92 year old mom was visiting as well. Magnificent all!

Random thoughts from the road:
Metal guard rails are noisy. They are constantly pinging, singing, popping, and clanking as they warm up in the sun. They have become my constant companions so we spend a lot of time admiring each other. They overlap the rails so the overlap is always aligned to the direction of travel. This way if you hit them they don't impale the vehicle when they peel off. I wonder how long it took to figure this out. I don't however recommend you try to pay them as much attention as I do. I am already very close and personal, you do not wish to be.

The most common empty beer can, by far thrown on the side of highways is Bud Light. I have literally tracked a six pack as the occupants consumed it through some very hilly country here in Montana.

Rumble strips vary by state. WA and ID like them in the center. Montana only puts them on the shoulders (more about this in my letter too Montana). So now when I hear a rumble strip behind me I pucker up, really hard.

Montana has a non profit group who puts little metal crosses at every fatal traffic accident location, one per person killed. As a cyclist I do not enjoy seeing these. The roads are challenging enough without the constant reminder not everyone makes it home. Which brings me back to rumble strips. They need to be in the middle. I think this would help a lot to let drivers know they are crossing into oncoming traffic. Many of the fatalities are either head on, or deer related. Alcohol is a huge factor as I learned from the teacher/ EMT and his PA girlfriend I stayed with last night in Eureka, MT.

So, if you are tracking this, by luck I have only stayed with people in medical related fields of work. Not some master plan, just how it worked out. I've asked others to stay with them but thus far only the medical warmshowers people have replied. We'll see if it is a fact.

Dear Montana,
I have very much enjoyed your wonderful people, eye dropping scenery, and rolling, somewhat hilly terrain. You truly are Big Sky Country. But, you are small shoulder country too. I can only surmise that you despised 80's fashion and made it a part of your state ethic to oppose them in any way, including your roads. White painted stripes do not constitute what the rest of the country would consider a proper shoulder. Especially if the white stripe was once painted on the loose gravel residue of a shoulder. I propose we let bygones be bygones and recognize there is a place for shoulders in this world: ON THE SIDE OF HIGHWAYS!!

Tomorrow I will cross the Continental Divide at Marias Pass, and then it is mostly all down hill. I have averaged just about 55 miles per day, every day. I figure it will jump up to 70-80 when I am not going up hills at 3.5 mph. My beard is coming in nicely, and YES, I am enjoying myself a lot.