Update #26 - June 17, 2003
Missoula, MT - 4,498.8 miles (7,198.1 kms.)

The week off the road with friends was okay. I didn't venture outside much because I wanted to get the sunburn on the right arm healed some. I did go out in the evening to visit with some friends. I did some extensive work on the website.

I headed out Thursday morning, (June 12th) with a new front tire and some new handlebar grips. From Spokane, I rode along the Centennial Bike Trail to Couer d'Alene, ID. At Couer d'Alene, I headed north to Sandpoint so that I could get on ID 200 heading SE towards Missoula. I stopped a little before dusk outside of Garwood to pitch my tent in some woods.

I woke up early to the sound of rain. I was able to get the tent packed up before the rain started to come down harder. It cleared up about halfway to Sandpoint. I got into Sandpoint around 4 p.m. I had hoped to maybe stop for the night in Sandpoint but I was unable to connect with a minister. I decided to head out to Hope, ID where I knew the minister of the church there.

Between, Sandpoint and Hope the rain started again and there was some hail mixed in with it. I was pretty well soaked when I got to Hope but I was disappointed when I found out that my minister friend wasn't home. I headed out to Clark Fork. About a mile down the road, my front tire went flat from a puncture. Just as I was finishing up the repair, a guy stopped and offered to take me to Clark Fork. Clark Fork was small enough that there were no ministers living in the town. The only alternative that I had to get out of the wet clothes was to see if I could get a big discount at the motel. I was happy that I was able to and I only had to chip in $15 for the room.

The sun was out the next morning early so I headed out towards MT around 7:30 a.m. I crossed into Montana around 10 a.m. (M.S.T.). The state line was the time zone change. I had a good ride to Thompson Falls. I had three deer cross the highway in front of me along with a bear. I got into Thompson Falls around 6 p.m. and stopped at the sheriff station to see if I could be able to connect with a local minister. The Assembly of G-d minister came by and offered me the Evangelist room in the church for a few nights. The room was pretty good and the church also has a food pantry along with providing other social ministries. I had a good birthday (my 47th) at the church. They made sure that I ate right and I was able to take some extra food with me from the food pantry. Another thing that was neat at the church was that the minister's family had a pet duck. It really attached itself to me and it followed me everywhere. It also liked to be petted.

I got an early start around 6:30 a.m. from Thompson Falls. The ride went really well. Along the way, I saw quite a few deer and some baby skunks. I got into Arlee around 8:00 p.m. after riding 75 miles. I got passed off by the minister at the Alliance Church. I headed out around 8:30 p.m. and was able to find a place to camp out at a bed and breakfast a few miles north of Evard.

I had a short ride to Missoula. I stopped to see some friends at the headquarters of Adventure Cycling. From Missoula, I'll be getting on the shoulder of I-90 for the ride to Billings.

I'll try to post an update as often as I can if there are any changes in my plans.