Across the Great Divide

Steep climbs, breathtaking views, stiff winds and heart-stopping descents have been the marks of this last leg of the Tour, from the toney resort of Whitefish, through Blackfeet Nation reservation lands, and finally to the wind-swept rugged town of Cut Bank, Montana.  It is difficult to select a single image that captures the beauty of this leg of the tour, but the view (above) of McDonald Lake in West Glacier comes close.

While we thought that the climb to Marias Pass (5,216 fit) and the Continental Divide would be the most challenging day, it turned out that what we expected to be the long, lazy descent into Cut Bank turned out to be a bone-chilling, 11-hour struggle into a 35-40 mph headwind, topped off with a 'back door' thunderstorm.  We arrived, soaked, frozen and shaking from fatique to find the last room and a warm welcome at the Cut Bank Super 8 Motel. Here we were treated to a steaming hot shower and a plate of spaghetti bolognese straight from heaven.