Clean Up Time: Whitefish

Three nights, not two, in Whitefish - a perfect mountain town to take it easy, do laundry, clean the bike, and get to know people in town.

Slept for 12 hours last night.  I crashed after my long mountain ride in Glacier, and my two drinks and dinner at Tupelo Grille.  I woke up in my clothes and hotel room blinds open at about 11 pm, then got under the covers and slept all night.  From 7:00 pm to 7 am.

Took my bike to Buffalo Cafe for breakfast.  I sat next to Giles and Wynoma, people in their late 70s about their life.  They had lived here in Whitefish, but have since moved to the area from which they came: near St. Louis.  Giles had been a ski and mountain climbing instructor.  Very nice people.

I then went back to the hotel and sorted out what I no longer need on the trip (and items I should have never brought), and took them to the US Post Office to ship home.  Rule No.1 on a long trip: only take that what you absolutely need.  I was a minimalist back in Boca Raton, but time spent on the road taught me that I was still over packed.  I had crammed stuff into every last available fraction of an inch ... and it was tough to either get a new t-shirt, or anything for that matter, into my bags.  I no longer have to fight the bags every morning when on the move.  No lines at the post office and very friendly people worked there.

Got on my bike in t-shirt.  Put on helmet and decided to look around the town.  Went up to Big Mountain and took a chair lift to the top of the ski slopes.  I could view the entire valley with lakes and mountains hugging the town of Whitefish.  Had a vitamin drink at the restaurant at the top and took in the views.  Perfect mountain road up to the lift and temperature around 65 degrees.  This is my kind of riding day.  It is a great thing to have all your stuff in the hotel room and riding like I was at home; no luggage, minimally dressed, and nowhere planned.

I met Stephan Isley at the lunch counter.  He is a jeweler who has been here for 45 years.  I went to visit him at his jewelry shop and met his two doodles: Coco and Liza.  Large dogs who were super friendly.  Then headed to the local distillery, Spotted Bear Distillery.  Had a Mule made with their Vodka, and headed back to the motel.  Washed and cleaned my bike ... did laundry.

I am all set for tomorrow.  Decided to take Route 3 across the southern border of Canada.  This route will take me right into Vancouver - like I had hoped.

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