August 14

Note: I will probably not have coverage for most or all of the next week or so. No need for concern. 

It was another quiet and cool morning. Traffic increased as the day warmed, but once again I had a bicycle trail to follow. 

The Bitterroot Mountains were the highlight of the scenery. There was a flock or two of bobwhite quail along the way as well as whitetail deer. 

I stopped for breakfast at a little bar/ casino, all-you-can-eat, a real feast. 

At Lolo I took the trail along Lolo Creek to see Travellers’ Rest, a rare site that archaeologists have verified with exact certainly. An expert happened to be out there and related a lot of intersting information. Among the items found were a trade bead, a button from the army uniforms of that period, some lead, and even their latrine. They were very interested in my trip at the Visitors Center. 

Lewis and Clark Campsite, Sept 9&10, 1805

Bruce Ford

It was still a very hot afternoon when I turned to walk west on Highway 12. My old smokejumper buddy Bruce Ford was driving out of Missoula to pick me up at 5. He was right on time. 

It was great to see him. We headed back to his place in Missoula, which had numerous completed and partially completed paintings. He is a very talented artist and all around “renaissance man.” He cooked dinner and we told many fire stories and discussed the current crazy presidential race. Colter

Clark: September 9th Monday 1805 a fair morning Set out early and proceeded on thro a plain as yesterday down the valley Crossed a large Scattering Creek on which Cotton trees grew at 11/ 2 miles, a Small one at 10 miles, both from the right, the main river at 15 miles & Encamped on a large Creek from the left which we call Travelers rest Creek. killed 4 deer & 4 Ducks & 3 prarie fowls. day fair Wind N. W…

Trip overview and route map with position updates: 

https://bucktrack.com/Lewis_and_Clark_Trail.html