Bob on BAC Canadian Rockies 2007

I left Leavenworth very early. My route was US 2 to Spokane, then I90 to St Regis, Montana, Hwy 135 to Quinns, Hwy 200 to Plains, Hwy 28 to Flathead Lake and US 93 into Kalispell. I followed the Wenatchee River out of Leavenworth and the Columbia River northeast out of Wenatchee. At Orando, WA, US 2 goes east through rolling wheat fields until it nears Spokane when it joins I90. I90 leaves US 2 in Spokane and continues into Idaho. The scenery changes dramatically to mountainous, forested terrain. The speed limit also picks up to 75 mph. It was difficult to keep this speed because of turns and construction. I stopped outside of Spokane for gas, coffee and a pastry. I was getting hungry and sleepy.

I continued on to Montana and turned off of I90 onto Hwy 135 at St Regis. I stopped at a roadside cafe for lunch here. As I drove on, the scenery changed to farm land. This continued until Flathead Lake. Lots of summer homes and resorts along the lake. The rest of the drive was through ranching country.

I reached Kalispell in mid-afternoon and got settled into the Red Lion Hotel. When I got to my room, my roommate, Dick Caron, was there. Dick drove up from San Jose with Bill Keckler and Jim Woo who were rooming together. Dick is a very experienced cyclist and has been on several tours, loaded and unloaded. He is polite, has a good sense of humor and doesn't snore - major traits for a perfect roommate!

Our room was a typical motel room with two queen-sized beds, a TV, a coffee maker and an air conditioner which was vital because of the heat in Kalispell - over 90. We used the motel's facilities for our first Happy Hour which is a tradition on BAC rides. We introduced ourselves and Dave Struthers gave us a rundown of the ride and the BAC rules. Almost all of the riders had been on other BAC rides. There was only one rookie. I knew four of the riders from Grizzly Peak Cyclists Wednesday rides - Pat Greene, Chris Witt, Maryann Graulich and Felix Braendel. The others I got to know during the ride.

Dinner this evening was at the motel and was part of the tour price. The food was mediocre, but the dinner gave us a chance to chat and get to know each other a little better.