Kalispell to Missoula

More driving in the rain today, although it was neither a bad nor a terribly long drive. I didn't follow the more sensible Route 93 straight between Kalispell and Missoula but instead went by way of Bigfork, following Route 82 a bit east and then 83 straight south and 200 a bit west into the city. I discovered the county courthouse in Kalispell, which is really pretty (see the photo), on my way out of town.

The GPS couldn't find Bigfork when I typed in Bigfoot (Freudian) this morning, but when I corrected myself it still couldn't. Some parts of some states are just not on the map evidently.

Bigfork was the site of a big whitewater festival last week on the Swan River, which is just beautiful and which paralleled much of my route today. As I left Bigfork, which looked like it might be a fun place to troll through on a day other than Sunday, I passed a spot where 15 or 20 kayaks were resting upside down beside the river. About 10 miles further I began seeing serious cyclists wearing numbers (and riding in steady, but not hard, rain). I wonder if they were in an adventure event that included biking and kayaking. (Ned knows something about adventure races; Laura will soon.)

I drove through the very small towns of Swan Lake and Seeley Lake, whose decorations for Memorial Day, which you can see in the photo, went on for at least a mile in a small town with a population of just 2,000. Between the heartfelt patriotism seen on every one of their light posts and the NPR weekend series on the 182nd Airborne that I've been listening to on the radio, I'm feeling the holiday.

Several miles south of Seeley Lake was Liquid Louie's where I am told you can ride your horse right into the saloon. I didn't have a horse so I didn't find out, but from the size of the front door it would have to be a pretty small horse.

I am ready to meet Missoula tomorrow and oh-so-ready for no rain, although the forecast is for (you guessed it) rain.