decided to aim for International Falls for my border crossing just cuz I liked the name and thought there might be some cool falls to see. Nope.
Not to mention it smelled from the giant sawmill there and they charge a toll to go over a bridge about the size of the one near the CNC barn.
Even though it rained all day (the skies looked clearer if I had gone to Duluth and then up to Thunder Bay) it was worth it. Unfortunately my waterproof pants didn't perform quite as well as they did at the beginning of this trip. Luckily it wasn't all that cold.
Tomorrow, a little closer to home on more roads I've never been on before.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
North Dakota and wind
started the day at the gas station worrying that the wind might knock over my bike if I let it go. Everybody assured me that it's always like that around there so I knew I was in for a rough day ahead. Once I got on the bike I was pretty sure I could see Minnesota, 360 miles away.
Apparently the people on the east side of the state were a little smarter than the people on the west a couple generations ago. Either that or the guy that was planting all trees started in the east and died before he got to the west.
It's kinda cool to see that all the trees were intentionally planted as wind breaks for houses, crops, airports, roads.... In the east the trees are least 50 years old. In the west they're very small or not there at all.
The ride across the state was pretty nice other than the wind. Only saw one windmill though. Maybe there are only 300 people living in the north half of the state.
Grand Forks looked nice but I was there a little early to stop so I pressed on.
No buffalo sightings.
Apparently the people on the east side of the state were a little smarter than the people on the west a couple generations ago. Either that or the guy that was planting all trees started in the east and died before he got to the west.
It's kinda cool to see that all the trees were intentionally planted as wind breaks for houses, crops, airports, roads.... In the east the trees are least 50 years old. In the west they're very small or not there at all.
The ride across the state was pretty nice other than the wind. Only saw one windmill though. Maybe there are only 300 people living in the north half of the state.
Grand Forks looked nice but I was there a little early to stop so I pressed on.
No buffalo sightings.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
nother wind farm Judith Gap
This one was huge. Couldn't count em all. Musta been 200 of them with room for at least ten thousand more.
The cattle din't seem to mind them and the 17 people that live in this part of the state could probably be paid off pretty easily.
The blades are 126 ft long and the tower itself is 262 ft tall. Each turbine can power 300 homes.
They are privately and stae owned.
OK, Montana is growing on me. At least some parts
And I don't think it's because there seems to be a fair number of hotties, at least in certain areas. Not that I pay attention to that kind of thing seeing that I'm quite happy with my 'better than a wife'. I'm just sayin.
Dang this state is big. Something like 680 miles across. I jumped off the highway again after only about 50 miles to head north, then east, then north, then east....I think their compasses only worked in quadrants out here when they were building the roads.
There are white crosses staked in the ground every 100 yds or so it seems, to honor those killed in car accidents. Do you think it has anything to do with the 70mph speed limits on 2 lane roads? Nah, me neither.
Speaking of which, I squeezed out a quick 535 today, with only 50 of it on the highway. Rode through some really pretty stuff and some really ugly stuff. Temperature went up and down with the elevation. You can go from 5000 feet here to 3000 feet without really noticing except for the temp.
Decided to go through the old hometown of Glasgow. We lived there for a couple of years in the early 60's when my father was stationed there for the Air Force. I considered staying there, or at least taking a picture but I was on the other side of town before I even realized it and figured it was hardly worth turning around. No evidence of the air force base. I wonder why. I'm guessing they looked around one day and said 'what the hell are we doing here?" My father helped build a 6 hole golf course there that had to have greens made out of wetted down sand if that gives you any picture of what the place looks like (and how much my father likes golf)
Saw some deer today
Saw some antelope too.
They weren't playing.
Didn't hear any discouraging words but then again I hardly talked to anyone.
Sky had plenty of clouds all day, but they were the nice fluffy kind.
I'm just sayin.
Dang this state is big. Something like 680 miles across. I jumped off the highway again after only about 50 miles to head north, then east, then north, then east....I think their compasses only worked in quadrants out here when they were building the roads.
There are white crosses staked in the ground every 100 yds or so it seems, to honor those killed in car accidents. Do you think it has anything to do with the 70mph speed limits on 2 lane roads? Nah, me neither.
Speaking of which, I squeezed out a quick 535 today, with only 50 of it on the highway. Rode through some really pretty stuff and some really ugly stuff. Temperature went up and down with the elevation. You can go from 5000 feet here to 3000 feet without really noticing except for the temp.
Decided to go through the old hometown of Glasgow. We lived there for a couple of years in the early 60's when my father was stationed there for the Air Force. I considered staying there, or at least taking a picture but I was on the other side of town before I even realized it and figured it was hardly worth turning around. No evidence of the air force base. I wonder why. I'm guessing they looked around one day and said 'what the hell are we doing here?" My father helped build a 6 hole golf course there that had to have greens made out of wetted down sand if that gives you any picture of what the place looks like (and how much my father likes golf)
Saw some deer today
Saw some antelope too.
They weren't playing.
Didn't hear any discouraging words but then again I hardly talked to anyone.
Sky had plenty of clouds all day, but they were the nice fluffy kind.
I'm just sayin.
Missoula to Bozeman
A quick 215 miles on the Interstate to Bozeman after getting my bike back at 3:30. The miles go quickly when the speed limit is 75.
Went over something something pass at 6480 ft on a nice twisty highway. Truck speed limit on the way down was 25mph. Didn't see a sign for 'others' so I blasted down at a daring 30. Not really but it was pretty steep and twisty.
After a month away Bozeman is still a cool little college town with lots of groovy eating spots. Good location near the mtns and rivers too.
Went over something something pass at 6480 ft on a nice twisty highway. Truck speed limit on the way down was 25mph. Didn't see a sign for 'others' so I blasted down at a daring 30. Not really but it was pretty steep and twisty.
After a month away Bozeman is still a cool little college town with lots of groovy eating spots. Good location near the mtns and rivers too.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
plenty a nub left there
Actually coulda made it to Winnipeg after all. It was amazing, in the Yukon we could watch the tread go down daily but the roads got so much smoother as we got souther that I might've even been able to get all the way home but the bike'll be in the shop in the morning to get road tires back on it plus get the 24k mile servicing, albeit a couple k late. Probly a little safer this way too.
Almost sold it right there in the shop when I stopped by this afternoon. Some guy was looking at a 'sold' version of my bike sitting there on the floor. Tempting but that wouldn't complete my mission, plus I'm looking forward to those desolate miles thru Montana and North Dakota. Hasn't rained more than a half hour in the last month either. Couldn't possibly be lucky enough to finish the trip on good weather now could I?
Here, no telephone pole to obstruct your view
of the Rocky Mountains near Missoula.
You'll know what I'm talking about with the next entry.
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