The next day (7-25), I rode along I-90
from Livingston to Three Forks, MT. This was not one of my more exciting days. It kind of
shows what Interstate auto travelers get versus those who go on the back roads. The first
14 miles were all uphill (I climbed 1300’ to Bozeman Pass which was pretty –
photo 112 previous submittal), the next ten miles were all downhill (into Bozeman), then
the final 35 miles were practically level. Somewhere along this level stretch, my sleeping
bag jumped ship (bike). I heard and/or felt it go, however, so I was able to stop right
away and retrieve it before it rolled onto the Interstate or over the bank and down to the
fence. I replaced it under the stretch cord and rode off smugly, knowing that my paranoia
was at last justified. I did give it "a good talkin’ to" later in the day
about staying where I put it.
Three Forks is so named
because it is the place where the Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson Rivers all come together
to form the Missouri River. Since these are all pretty good size rivers in their own
right, the Missouri starts out as a large river – no walking across this one at the
headwaters! Interestingly, I read that Lewis & Clark arrived here at the headwaters
(this being one of the major objectives of their expedition) on July 25, 1805, while Gary
& B.O.B. arrived here on July 25, 1999.
(Great
Adventures to Scenic Places)
