The Rascal Diaries: 7/3/14 Another Dam Good Day

A different direction will always change the view! Today we took a known road north instead of south and it was all "déjà-new".

Snuggled in on a rainy morning, we built a fire and relaxed into the day. Homemade eggs and bacon kicked it up a notch. Then two bucks gave us a show as they flaunted their antlers by our window. And to trump that, the sun came out! We were ready to ride.

We have ridden the Kootenai River and Koocanoosa Reservoir before, but today we reversed our route. After riding to Libby, the town built to house the workers constructing the dam, we searched for the road to take us up the west side of the river. After several false starts, none of them roads we wouldn't want to ride in the future, we found our way. Our flight pattern took us up to the dam and beyond. Both the Kootenai River and the reservoir created by the Libby Dam are some of the most beautiful waters we have ever encountered. Soaring up along the edge of the Koocanusa Lake, we looked down on the turquoise glacial waters below. A solitary picnic by the river was punctuated by trains across the way.

Owning the road, we passed few cars all day. Pure wilderness, our path carried no signs of civilization. For over 100 miles not a single wire, pole or tower descecrated the beauty of this day. A western turn took us away from the water and deep into the forest. Riding into the sun, gearing up and down moutains and switchbacks, we wriggled our way to Yaak, the first settlement to appear. Dinner at "The Dirty Shame" gave us a taste of the locals in this speck of a town. Consisting of 2 bars and a general store, it is the hub and gathering place for folks living in the surrounding mountains.

With about 70 miles left in our day, we rode with the setting sun along the Yaak River, another Montana masterpiece. Tumbling falls rushed the pure mountain water down to join the Kootenai as we raced along with it. At Troy, we turned onto route 56, our home stretch. Welcomed by deer watching as we rode up to our lovely temporary hearth, we regretted not booking for another night.

Tomorrow we leave Montana. We have grown to love this state and it's many gifts. It will be a difficult separation. While here, Jules and I composed a list of our favorite things about Montana.

14. Red Beer

13. You can drink the water out of the tap

12. Nobody cares if you ride your dog around on the back of your flatbed

11. You can see wild animals outside of the parks (and very often hanging on walls)

10. The characters you meet

9. Quiet

8. The Big Sky

7. The sunsets

6. Lakes and Rivers

5. Pure air

4. THESE Rockies

3. People appreciate and respect others and their environment

2. Roads that climb mountains and follow rivers

1. FREEDOM

As the mountains resound with the echoes of celebratory fireworks tonight, we thank Montana for letting us fully appreciate the meaning of "The Land of the Free..."