Monday, July 05, 2004
Exit Right, Down to Lunch
07/05/04
We heard later in town that it rained more last night that it normally does in the whole month of July.
I slept through most of it. The ONLY good part of packing up in the morning was knowing that, unless things went terribly wrong, we'd be getting into town, Lincoln, Montana.
This town stop means new shoes. We are going to take a zero so that Spur and I can get new shoes. We are not sure how we are going to do it. At best, Lincoln will have shoes that work. I'm dreading the thought of a day trip to Helena on my zero day. There's just too much to do without the added trip. I can not leave town without new shoes. The New Balance 1100s, which have just over 200 miles on them, have completely failed. As of today, I can not tighten the laces to the top because the plastic cinching panel has ripped off of the shoe. Ugh.
The miles came quickly and soon I was at Roger's Pass. Spur and Apple Pie soon joined me, and we began hitching.
A guy with a distinctive meerschaum and woman passed us in a red pickup. Soon he was back and offered us a ride in back.
I've never been in the back of a pickup going 80MPH. I'm glad I had a hood on my wind shirt, and my head screwed on correctly. Both helped keep my head attached in the buffeting wind. I kept my head low, so my memory of the landscape as we descended to Lincoln is fuzzy.
We arrived in Lincoln in time for lunch. PondeRose's was mediocre; the Blue Sky Hotel friendly and central, but uninspiring; and the town itself quiet. We've got a room with more beds than we can fill. I have a whole queen-sized bed to lay out my stuff, and it doesn't have to come off for me to sleep. Spur and Apple Pie fought for the top bunk. I can't imagine on a thru-hike, fighting for the top bunk. Apple Pie won. My feet would object, especially in the morning.
We went to the main hotel in town to have a fancy dinner and the Otter joined us. I almost ordered elk, but I think if I am going to have elk for the first time that it should be fresh. Maybe elk is like squid and should be frozen before eating. Maybe next time. Rob of Loxley joined us at an adjoining table at some point.
It's fun rooming (and hiking) with Apple Pie and Spur. We get along well.
Apple Pie and I have lots of fun with words and language.
