Powell, Idaho to Missoula, Montana -- 60 miles

  

 We woke up at 6 am and began biking at 7:45 am. It started drizzling as we were taking down the tent, and rained as we made our way up Lolo Pass. The route went uphill gradually, until the last 4 miles, where we climbed a 6% grade. At the top of the pass (5,235 feet), we crossed into Montana. It was cool but sunny for the downhill ride past mountains, fields and ranches.

We stopped at a National Park picnic area to eat lunch. We reached the town of Lolo by 1 pm, and the highway into Missoula became very busy with cars and trucks. We followed the route maps to the Adventure Cycling headquarters, where we signed their register, had our picture taken and enjoyed free ice cream and soda. We got some information about Missoula and checked into the Bel-Aire Motel. We were going to go to a steakhouse for dinner, but it was more expensive than we wanted, so we walked around the same blocks of town in circles, trying to pick a restaurant. We ate at the Iron Horse pub, where we had quesadillas, burgers and salad. We came back to the motel and watched TV - one of the best things about the “great indoors”!