June 20- Lolo Hot Springs to Missoula

Still cloudy and dripping rain when we started down the mountain from Lolo Hot Springs, with the temperature at 44. The first couple of miles were cold, but we pedaled to keep warm despite the slight downgrade, and as we dropped elevation and the day warmed, it was easy riding for the 26 miles to the town of Lolo. Then it was a level 14 miles to the center of Missoula, with heavy traffic along the highway, but a wide shoulder to ride on.

At Missoula we stopped at the headquarters of Adventure Cycling Association. We've been members for many years, and after a couple of weeks of living intimately with the maps they produced, we feel a special kinship with that organization. They treated us very hospitably, taking our picture, giving us a tour of their newly expanded building, and even giving us free ice cream- another benefit from our dues! While there, we again ran into the young trio we met about a week ago, two sisters and a young man carrying a gun, on their way to the east coast.

From here, our route for several days will be one we rode on a group tour about 12 years ago. We know it will be beautiful and full of challenging mountain climbs.