July 7 - Thunder and Rain and a Special Treat

What a day! I find that every kind of weather condition brings its own sense of joy on the bike. Today was punctuated by thunder and rain and ended with an amazing treat. I rode southeast from St. Ignatius Montana to Pray Montana in anticipation of riding Chief Joseph’s highway tomorrow.

I woke up this morning to the sight of dark clouds and was quickly greeted by loud thunder and rain. Thankful to be warm and dry inside my nice Bunk A Biker bunkhouse, I packed my gear and ate breakfast until the worst of the first storm passed. From St. Ignatius I headed south on highway 93 and then east on Interstate 90. From there I took backroads to Butte through the countryside surrounding Phillipsburg and Anaconda. I very much enjoyed the winding country roads and picturesque farmland as well as a beautiful view of Georgetown Lake near Anaconda before the next storm cell hit.

After I got back on the interstate, I encountered rain and strong crosswinds much of the way to Pray. I found the weather to be strangely comforting as it encouraged me to just focus on my driving rather than looking for great places to stop or pictures to take.

The stormy weather lifted once I turned off on highway 89 south towards Yellowstone and my spirits soared as well since I knew I was nearing Chico Hot Springs Resort. I have stayed at Chico for each of the previous six years since it is so ideally situated near the northern entrance to Yellowstone, has remarkably affordable rooms, an excellent dining room, great lounging areas, and a natural hot springs swimming pool.

It was much harder than usual to get a reservation there this year, but I was determined not to give up. After calling them six times a day for three weeks straight they finally had a cancellation on the day I wanted to stay. I am so glad I persevered because the evening was absolutely delightful. After checking in I relaxed on the flower covered porch with a snack, swam in the hot springs swimming pool, and enjoyed my best dinner yet on this trip – an iceberg wedge salad with tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, and fried onions; a gorgonzola filet mignon with port wine reduction; a gratin of potatoes with gruyere cheese; and a fruit cobbler with blackberries and vanilla ice cream. Yum!