Set off by 6am heading north on 41. Very much in Lewis and Clark's Corp of Discovery route just now and stopped to have a look at Beaverhead Rock a well known landmark. Parked up at Twin Bridges for breakfast served by Krista with the lovely smile.
Also called in to look at the cyclist's hut. Change of direction after beakfast, in that I'm now heading southeast on 287. Great flat roads so far today with mountain views on either side. The twin towns of Nevada City and Virginia City came as a surprise.
First started as a private undertaking and now in the control of Montana state, these two towns are almost exclusively old wooden structures of the 1800 and early 1900s and collected from all over the state and possibly further afield. Almost like looking in at a western move set. Immediately after Virginia City was the first and only climb of the day. Maps don't give the Pass a name but the view eastwards from the top is over the Madison Valley to the rugged Madison Mountains, which were unfortunately shrouded in dark clouds. Bit like home. There's a huge drop into the Madison Valley and then the roads heads for Ennis where I bought some provisions and sat in the local park for tea. While there, the skies cleared along the whole of the valley with just the Madison tops covered in cotton wool clouds. The evening cycle south on 287 was just a dream with the rugged Madison Mountains to the left and the Madison River to the right. Had been told about the Driftwaters RV resort being at Cameron but it's much further south, so I took the chance and camped by the side of the Madison River at a picnic/camping/fishing site. Decided to have my little bottle of wine (courtesy of BA) as
I'd travelled over the 1000 miles from the Pacific and the views to the Madison's in the evening light just made it appropriate. Whilst sitting there I saw a mink and skunk, hunting on the opposite bank and a bald eagle soaring overhead. What a super day.
Updated: Signal Mountain Resort (Grand Teton National Park).
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