Find yourself a sapphire

A popular tourist attraction on the Skalhona Pass road, near philipsburg. A claim for silver mining turned up a byproduct of raw sapphires and garnets, and a C21st attraction was born. At the end of the paved road and a spectacular side trip off the Cycle Montans route.

Big Sky big fun

Gosh it's windy out here! I'm also getting roasted by the altitude 6000+ feet and sunshine. Time to cover up in classic western plaid shirt and long pants. Did I mention the mosquitoes around here yet? Ye gods!

Wisdom, MT

Yesterday I had the chance to chat with touring cyclist Julie, from Montreal, who told about the chance of a decent espresso inside. Julie was heading west, up and over Chief Joseph Pass, complete with her black lab in a trailer. She'd started in St. Louis and is traveling solo, like I do. Wow. Way to go, adventure cyclist! I'm driving the weeklong Cycle Montana route armed with an aerosol of spray chalk, marking the road to give the 60+ riders behind me the security of a tried and tested route. Not for these sensible folks my apparently "preferred" method of bike touring, which involves a bunch of initial planning, which goes off the rails about my second day out. From then I rely on serendipity and the kindness of strangers. It's worked amazingly well so far. But it's fun to get the chance to do it this way too.

On the Pioneer Mtns Scenic Byway

A very superior example of roadside art here in Big Sky country

In Montana on 93 from Missoula

Trapper Peak outside Darby MT

Today's Adventure Cycling Event ride goes through the Bitterroot Valley with Bitterroot range on the left.
I am tasked with spray chalking to route one day ahead of the group, which is rather a fun job, though lots more driving at Montana speed limit of 70mph, a novelty.
It's nice to see a new place this way.

Day 1 enroute to Montana via the Palouse

Just love the views out here in Eastern Washington's wheat belt.