Day 57 – Honoring the Humble Hand Dryer

Aug 16
Wisdom, MT to Hamilton, MT
76 miles

36, 43, 38 degrees… motorists couldn’t agree on the exact temperature, but we’re here to testify it was COLD and RAINING. As we climbed over Chief Joseph pass out of the Big Hole Valley coming from Wisdom, rain turned to sleet. We were already heavyhearted after stopping at the Big Hole Battlefield and watching a documentary on the devastating battle between the Nez Perce and the military. We were both wearing full rain gear and every stitch of clothing possible underneath, but getting wet nonetheless and colder with every mile. Finally, we crested the summit and began to descend, but this made us only colder as we no longer had the exertion of riding to warm us. About a mile down, we saw the magic words: “Rest Area”. We were heartened by the thought of potential shelter ahead. As we pulled in, we saw two motorcyclists huddled by the restrooms under the overhang. We commiserated with them briefly about the lousy riding weather and headed directly for the women’s restroom. Inside a young, equally cold cyclist leaped with joy from under the two running hand dryers when she saw us stumble in. Devon had “moved in” with her bicycle, wet clothes strung about the bathroom, and had kept the hand dryers continuously working for the last half hour. We all laughed and huddled under the dryers to warm up and dry out - moving aside when need be to let others use the facilities too. About 45 minutes later we all reluctantly braved the weather and headed on again. We especially felt sorry for Devon, who was riding directly into more inclement weather and higher elevation. Dry and feted, we turned down hill and enjoyed a rainless descent through the stunning Bitterroot Valley into Hamilton.