Richele's big bike adventure

After talking to someone we met in Montana......I got a bee in my bonnet (uh oh!) to bike the Ride the Hiawatha Scenic Rail to Trail on our way to Idaho. 

  • This required some special logistics:  We had to drive to the rest stop by the  Montana/Idaho border and unhook the car. Bob and Sam left for our campground in Idaho (without me, so I wasn't quite sure they would be there when arrived this evening), and I took off in the car to the trail.
  • This trail is the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, Pacific (Milwaukee Road) Railroad line. 
    • Train service to the Pacific began in 1909.  The last passenger train traveled in 1961, and the last freight train was in 1980 before the railroad was abandoned.  
    • The Hiawathas were the name of the fancy passenger cars that ran on the rail.
  • The bike trail opened in 1998
    • 15 miles long, gradually downhill (yippee....but you still have to pedal!)
    • There are 10 train tunnels and 7 cool trestles.
      • The first tunnel is 1.6 miles long. OK, you really have to have a good bike light because it is pitch black!!!!!!!!  I had 2 lights that weren't bright enough.  Thank goodness my Dad gave me the (free) Harbor Freight light - It was the best one I had.  With the water dripping in the tunnel and all the kids howling and making animal noises.  I was pretty freaked out. 
    • The  pine trees were beautiful, and they smelled amazing.
    • The trail was rocky/bumpy (why didn't I wear my bike shorts????)
    • Once you finish the 15 miles, a school bus (VERY OLD school bus!) transports you and your bike back to the parking lot.

Before we left Montana, we visited the Kerr Dam on the Flathead River.  So beautiful.  The vertical drop is higher than Niagara Falls. 

AND Sam's got a beef....

He was barking out the car window like crazy at this huge steer.  Many of you know he is allergic to chicken.  My dad says all he sees is burgers and beef bones to eat!  Not sure the steer sees it that way.

On to Idaho!