Day 7 - entering Montana

Funny how the weather can change. I sent them off this morning under cloudy skies - but dry. Loaded up the car and headed east, waving as I passed by. The rain started and then poured. I waited in Bonners Ferry, quite dry - not knowing that all the rain gear was also safe and dry in the car with me. Good thing the restaurant I was waiting in front of had the largest home made cinnamon rolls - and a spot to put on rain gear. That's my story!
I had a great 'short' hike to Kootenai Falls. Impressive

Notes from Tom:  It may sound odd but at 95 miles, today was probably the easiest day yet--no big climbs and pretty good roads.  Except for the downpour we were caught in, without full rain gear, it was a nice route to ride.  We left Idaho, and entered Montana.  In Troy, MT we found that SC is not the only team of Trojans.  We also had a great lunch in Troy. 

I'm still amazed at the prominence of water in this part of the world.  In the last two days I've seen two huge rivers that I've never heard of--the Pend Oreille and the Kootenai.  The vegetation and landscape really haven't changed much since we left Anacortes--mountains, coniferous forests, and water every where. Through the net and the news, we are following the fires in Colorado, and although we don't want that kind of heat here, we'd like to trade for some of their warmth, and be able to send of the rain from here to Colorado.

Notes from Jerry:  I thought riding all day in the rain on the second day was a bit rough - that was nothing compared to todays surprise soaking.  Good grief, we totally blew it on carrying our "scuba gear" with us as Tom likes to say.  That meant no helmet cover, no booties to go over our shoes which were totally soaked, and no rain pants.  (See the dorky wetsuit like booties in the picute above after we changed into them).  Luckily Patty saved the day and showed up at a roadside diner and we put on a few warm clothes and ate the biggest cinnamon roll I have ever seen (it took up a whole plate).  All in all a great day with spectacular scenery - snow capped peaks above forrested hills and meadows.