September 15, 2024 – The 200 Hibbie Jibbies

    At Simms, I went to the local C-Store. I bought some refreshments and goodies, and then I went outside to enjoy them while sitting beside my bicycle. A couple about my age came out of the store and greeted me. They overheard me talking about my cycling trip to the cashier. They introduced themselves and gave me advice about the road ahead (Highway 200) that leads into the mountains (Rogers Pass). They were taking off to Seely Lake which is to the Northwest of Ovando. We chatted for a while and away they went into the Montana big sky sunset. 

    The next morning I woke up and reluctantly got on my bicycle to pedal on Highway 200. Honestly, I wanted to throw in the towel. From the get-go, out of the gate, cars were flying by like cheetahs, roaring and howling as they passed just a few feet beside me. Then, I got into some big hills before the mountain pass. My drive train had a mechanical failure. My lower climbing gears were skipping really bad. So, I had to push the bike up all the hills and the mountain pass. It was absolutely miserable. I promise, I would say that just about every Montanan in the state passed by me on Highway 200. I felt like I was either at a Nascar race or in New York City. It was nuts, so I opted to push the bike for most of the day. I finally made it to the top of the pass, and I really wanted to throw in the towel, but I pedaled down the mountain a little ways and found a clearing in a mountain glen, where I set up camp for the night. I slept pretty uncomfortably (when I did actually sleep) all night long. The weather turned chilly, but it wasn't too bad. I got some good rest and had some interesting dreams, but I won't go into them. I usually try to forget all my dreams. Most the time they give me the hibbie jibbies; just like Highway 200.

    During the night there was some loud guttural, squealing moans. It must have been an elk or something. This thing kept screeching for most of the night. I didn't catch a glimpse of him though. I woke up in the morning, not refreshed in the slightest, packed up camp, and had no other choice than to hop on Highway 200 once again. It was all downhill all the way to Lincoln, Montana. I got breakfast at the Cenex, charged my phone, and hopped back onto Highway 200 to Ovando, MT. Eight years ago I pedaled the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The route went through Ovando (an old western town here in Montana). This is where the Lewis and Clark Trail intersects the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. Pretty cool to check out the same little town again eight years later. I pedaled right up to a restaurant and bar called Trixie's right off Highway 200. I saw a couple sitting outside at a table. I didn't think anything of it, and I just glanced at them without even registering their faces. I parked my bike by a tree in front of the establishment and sure enough, Dallas, whom I briefly met in Simms, MT, came up to me and greeted me once again. He asked me to eat with him and his wife, Melissa (Dallas and Melissa Wulf). Also, he generously asked if he could buy me lunch! I was so overjoyed, and thanked him from the bottom of my heart. Him and Melissa really made my day! And for some reason they thought my name was Timothy. I told them my name was Mark, but my dad's name is Timothy. What an unusual highly intriguing coincidence. Anyways, we talked for a couple hours while enjoying our lunch at Trixie's. They told the story of how they met from internet dating on Bumble. A very romantic story, indeed, and they went about it the right way...putting God first in their relationship. Melissa is a principal at a Christian school in Great Falls. Dallas owns his own business called Dent Kings where he repairs dents on automobiles. Melissa talked me into pursuing a relationship with Johanna, again. So, when I return from this bicycle tour, the first thing I will do is start talking with Johanna more, if she wants to, of course. Who knows, if things go right, perhaps I'll go ahead and fly over to the Philippines before I get another job. If this all does not work out, then I think I will go ahead and join the Navy. Perhaps I still will attempt to join the Navy if it does work out. Me and Johanna have such an awesome fairytale story; now, we just need out happy ending as Melissa said.

    I greatly enjoyed my time and lunch with Dallas and Melissa. After we said our goodbyes, I traveled to a rest stop at Clear Water Crossing 15 miles down the road from Ovando. It's getting chilly out and the sun has set. Also, it looks like it may rain tonight, but I'm under some shelter. Thanks for reading, good night folks, and God be with you. I'm putting a jacket on.