Mountain Man & Hipsters: Billings to Missoula, MT

I broke my rule: I traveled from Billings to Missoula, MT on I-90.  The reason: it was cold and rainy - all day.  Starting out at 51 degrees, heading west, going over the Continental Divide at 6700 ft elevation, rain, now 48 degrees.  My head, torso, hands and butt are warm; my legs are freezing.   I had on two t-shirts, my thermal over-shirt, motorcycle jacket, and rain gear.  My helmet visor was fogging up going on a steep decline toward Butte, MT.  Stressful.  Stopped for a horrible lunch, dried out a bit, and headed the last leg to Missoula.

Outside of Boseman, MT I stopped for gas and met Paul and Julie.  They were on a Harley Trike towing a huge trailer with gas cans on top.  They were retired, not in the best of shape, and headed to Alaska.  Julie said that she was cold, cold, cold riding on the back of the trike.  I expressed concern about the possibility of snow in the passes toward Alaska. 

Checked in at the City Center Motel and was advised by a co-owner (with Keavin her husband) to have dinner and a drink at Tamarack Brewing Co.  As I walked over I got side-tracked by the Montgomery Distillery.  Distilleries are popping up like craft beer breweries did just a short time ago.  Had a Manhattan made with their rye whiskey.  Pat, the mixologist, told me to forget Tamarack and go to Charley B's for the locals and cajan food.  On the way to Charley B's, I saw a wine bar that was also an up-scale restaurant.  Had a house salad and cab wine - I did not want to commit to an entree since saving my appetite for Charley B's.  Talked with Ben, the bartender, about motorcycles - he was more into them than I am.  Turned me on to Butler Motorcycle maps and a route to Whitefish, MT for my ride tomorrow.  He is going on a ride on his BMW 1200 GS to Oregon this coming weekend.

I walked to the door that had a dull marked CB on it.  Looked dead.  Opened up the door, and wham - tons of people.  Went up to the kitchen window and ordered the special French Dip with slaw.  Got a local IPA and talked with Alexi and Maria about Missoula.  They were from Eastern Montana now living in Missoula.  They were well traveled.  Discussed various places in the US that we have been.  A pool table, locals of all ages wearing caps and cowboy hats.  These were the mountain men of ole lore.  Salt of the earth folks that stand for now BS.  The clientele was so much different from the Montana brand of college naturalist hipsters I met at Montgomery Distillery and Plonk Wine.  I liked both sides of the equation. 

Went to sleep at 8 pm Mountain Time - woke up at 6:30 am.  I am rested and ready for my short ride to Whitefish, MT - only 2.5 hours away.


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