Report 2: MT to ND
Subj: JavaGeno's Dream Team96...Update
Date: 96-08-31 01:22:44 EDT
Greetings, online Wheelmen members -- JavaGeno's Dream Team rides again.
First things first, I'd like to extend a huge thank-you to all for the recommended saddle sore remedies. Wheelmen are nothing if not resourceful. From A&D Ointment, bag balm (for cow udders), Desiden (for diaper rash), and Dr. Scholl's foam doughnuts (for corns and calluses), to Orajel (from Ray "if it's good for your tooth, it must be OK for your butt" McAfee), you're putting a lot of weird stuff on your bottoms! The Team apparently worked out their problem on their own this time, but they have all your ideas for future reference, as they still have a long road ahead of them.
The riders continue to eat their way across the country. En route to Glacier National Park, they stayed one night at Bigfork, Montana, which they promptly renamed Bigfork/Bigspoon/Bigknife.....
In that general region, the group found what it called the Huckleberry Cartel. Apparently, all the huckleberry stands were operated by Hmongs who charged exactly the same prices for their berries. Obviously, this tells me that the Team stopped at ALL the huckleberry stands. Gene says, "Our days consist of eat, ride, eat, ride, eat, do laundry, and sleep - - and we're loving every minute of it."
Glacier and its sister park in Canada, Waterton, have been the highlight of the Team's trip thus far. The Going-to-the-Sun Road was as spectacular as expected. Upon reaching the summit after an exhilarating ride to 6000', the riders were met by a family of white mountain goats. The majestic mountains and deep blue lakes, a stunning sight on their own, were made even more sublime by lush carpets of wildflowers in rainbow colors.
And then, of course, there was the Waterton Pie Station .... meat pies! fruit pies!
Leaving the Rockies behind, the Gang of Six hit Big Sky Country with full force. Eastern Montana is flat and wide-open. For a v-e-r-y long way. Contrary to the prevailing wisdom that west-to-east is better because of the tailwinds, the riders have been subjected to cross- and headwinds ever since they left Glacier.
One of the few highlights in this stage of their trip was their encounter with the Hooterites*, a Germanic group interested in the latest technology of farm equipment. (*This is the spelling I was given....abridged from the original note)
Reaching North Dakota, the riders are transitioning from the Land of Pies to the Land of Pork Chops and Mashed Potatoes. They have found this state to be greener and more scenic than eastern Montana, a welcome change. The roads are good, there are acres of sunflowers, and the people are very friendly and honest.
One unnamed rider inadvertently left his/her credit card at a gas station at Devil's Lake. Upon realizing the loss some five miles later at a campground, he/she was trying to call the gas station when the local sheriff drove up and delivered the credit card! Seems the Team had asked the gas station attendant about campgrounds in the area; the attendant remembered and advised the sheriff.
Tonight, the Gang is in Fargo, North Dakota. They haven't yet met any characters like those in the offbeat movie by that name. Tomorrow, they'll visit a "threshing reunion" in Minnesota and eat Norwegian food. Thus far, the mile count is approximately 2,200. The weather throughout has been in the 70's-90's generally. There have been rain showers twice, but the Team was in a cafe both times. Of course, they spend a high proportion of their time in cafes.......
- - patti masuda