So I get to the border and hand the guy my passport. He says "Where you going" I said Palm Springs. He said "How long you going to be down?" I said two weeks. He said "Have fun". I have crossed the border so many times this year I get none of the other standard questions. So I ask him "that computer tell you everything about my travels?" He said " It even tells me the colour of your underwear ". And he wasn't smiling.....

The drive down to Missoula was uneventful. A smattering of rain here and there but pretty uneventful. I am at the Bel Air Motel downtown which is where I almost always stay. Clean, cheap and I can park right out the door. I cleaned Darla up tonight and set the air suspension at 45 lbs. .... But, to the Picts .....

 

Flathead Lake south of Kalispell



This is a must stop!! Just North of Missoula.



The murals are breathtaking.



It is the quietest and most serene place I have ever been



Just stunning.



I was most pleased I got access the threadhold without bursting into flames....

 

A stop just south of St Ignatious.....



.....yup, I went for a very short walk, and STAYED on the path.

 

Tomorrow I head south to Lolo, then West over the Lolo pass. 99 miles of curves. Then into Lewiston and south over RatleSnake pass, up and down, and up again over some of the best Twisties there are. I will stay in Enterprise, unless I can round up a room in Joseph. Day one was a nice ride. Tomorrow the real adventure begins.

"Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage"

 

It was cold this morning up on the Lolo Pass. Right around freezing. So I had my electrics plugged in and turned on. A beautiful sunny day for the most part until I got South of Lewiston on my way to Enterprise. Words won't do the roads justice, so here are the pictures.....

 

Heading west after turning onto 12



Lots of fun sweepers



Shack at the top with great info and stuff to buy



Lots and lots of history



99 miles of curves. I found running at 50 mph was ideal to enjoy the road and the scenery



This is just a bit down the west side. I stayed here last year in a cabin for a night. Great food, super quiet and a wonderful atmosphere. And so dark make sure you have a flashlight







At the bottom is a nice rest stop. This is where it warmed up and I peeled a couple of layers off

 

On the way to Lewiston



South of Lewiston on the way to Enterprise



I did not look to see if the pass got its name by rumour or legitimately



Down the hill heading South. This is a bucket list road. I have been up and down it several times





Up the hill and out of the valley



Viewpoint on the way to Enterprise

 

Tomorrow, well it is into The Wild..... Hells Canyon. I have been through once and that was last year about this time. First I will stop in Joseph and pay my respects to Chief Joseph of the Nez Pierce. I have two heros. He is one of them. ..... it is into, and through these distant mountains....

 

"Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit"

 

Good time of year for riding, hope you catch some good fall colors.