Bozeman to Lewis and Clark Caverns

64.88 Miles

2356' Climbing

4:40 Moving Time

13.9 MPH Average Speed

Because there was limited internet access, this post is two days late.

This was not an exceptionally hard route except for the winds. Simply unrelenting. Close to punishing. But that may just have been my trepidation over camping after a long ride and not knowing how it would go. However, the 8 of us drove on and over the course of the nearly 65 miles gathered at an early SAG stop for fuel and had lunch at a State park where 3 rivers converge to make the Missouri river. Our lunch food has been healthy and tasty. Hummus, greens, pita, wraps, vegetables, cold cuts, pickles, chips...you could eat as healthy (or otherwise) as you wish. Even the quick stops had unique snack foods such as dates, stuffed olives, strawberries, blueberries, mozzarella sticks, cheese and crackers...

At our last SAG, the guides previewed our activities of when we get to camp. Selecting tent site, tent assembly demo, tent assembly, followed by a two hour tour of the Lewis and Clark Caverns. Once we return to camp the guides will prepare dinner while we take showers at the coin-operated shower house and prepare our gear for tomorrow's two rides to Missoula.

The Cavern Tour was an unexpected treat. I was too tired to remember to take my phone but it wouldn't have captured the sights down there. 

Dinner was another unexpected treat of Roasted Rosemary Pork Loin, roasted potatoes, garden vegetables with vegan platter for those riders who don't prefer meat. There was plenty of food and it was really good. After we pitched in with dishes and packing up stoves and coolers for tomorrow's trip. Once we plugged in our lights and phones for charging, we made our way to our tents to put in some shut eye.

Around midnight, I awoke to what sounded like rain. The tent was being buffeted by gusts of wind and I honestly thought it was going to be blown away. The "rain" was merely the sound of the leaves rustling in the wind above my tent. I then got up to go to the outhouse and when I unzipped my tent door and stepped out I was totally shocked by how bright and how many stars I saw. Because there aren't the trees we have in New England to obstruct the view of the horizon, I almost stumbled because I lost my sense of balance. It's the moment I'll remember as a big highlight of this trip. I actually saw the ribbon of the Milky Way. I always knew it was up there but until that night I had never really seen it so distinctly.

Returning from the outhouse, I just couldn't get back to sleep because of the noise of the rustling leaves and wind pushing the sides of the tent around. I got up two more times just to gawk at the sky. Just beautiful.

Great farmland vista early in ride

Mostly Black Angus but some Red Angus, too

Plenty of headwinds today. 

Pictures are a good excuse to stop and take a breather 

Red Angus

The Little Apple

One of many horses across the landscape

At the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers

On the way to out first of three camping nights:

Still the winds blow

At the last SAG before camp set-up

No Trespassing posted

Pretty clean group campsite.

Pick an island and set up your tent.

10 minute demo

45 minute execution

45 minutes later...

Tour operator gave us nice touches for furnishing the tent

Asro-turf mat for shoes

Rug for walking and inflatable pad for sleeping bag