Townsend - Three Forks
Food Eaten: coffee w/sugar, super oatmeal (8th power), dates, trail mix, veggie sandwich on honey whole wheat bread, mocha, raspberry turnover, black beans, veggie dinner w/onions, zucchini, potatoes, olive oil
We finally get relief from the wind and rain to get some sunshine and tailwinds. This ride started off very strong for me, but Joe was a bit more sore. About halfway there, we came across a "chemical free" farm with produce for sale. It was was at the home of a very sweet couple whom we stayed and talked to for a few minutes.
The husband answered all our questions about his farm and what kind of fertilizers he uses (plant based phosphorous) and his wife told us about her daughter who was currently away in the army. She wanted to drive down to Mexico in her car and visit her on the way. She kept telling us how great we looked and that she'd pray for us as we were leaving and we thanked her for it. A few minutes later as we were heading down the highway, we saw their truck pass and the wife raised a victorious fist out of her window for us.
The whole way from Townsend to Three Forks is nothing but wide open farmlands, so we were glad the winds were finally pushing us from behind. Still, as usual, we were getting tired and sore about two thirds of the way in.
Joe told me what kept him going was the teasing signs boasting of a deli and bakery up ahead. Apparently this place is "Montana's Favorite Road Stop". We could see why when we got there. A strip club and adult shop was on one side of the road and a bakery, gas station and motel was on the other.
Our interests only lied within the doors of the bakery and when I got inside, I felt over-stimulated by all the options. I wasn't used to seeing such a colorful and vast array of pastries, bottles of jam and bread after all those miles riding through arid farmland.
We ate and gratefully pulled into the nearby Three Forks Camp, which looked to be a KOA bought out by someone with a name change. Later that night, we used half of our farm fresh produce (which was $1 a pound-we paid $4 total), and made a delicious dinner. Purple potatoes are amazing!
After a much relished shower and some laundry, we sat around our tiny campfire and I played my guitar and sang. When the coals were white, we put it out and retreated into the tent. For some unknown reason, I had a hard time falling asleep, even with earplugs in.
