Wibaux to Circle, MT

6 miles east of Glendive, MT

Glendive was truly beautiful and I wish that I could have spent more time there. With it being the Fourth of July Holiday it did not seem prudent to stick around...too many people and too many vehicles.

After a short rest it was off to Circle, Montana. Encountering mostly rolling hills and with the wind predominately at my back, I managed to bicycle just under 80 miles today. The biggest obstacle was the heat and unrelenting sun.  There was not a particle of shade to be had from Glendive to Circle...a span of close to 50 miles. I carried a ton of water which I used mostly to pour over my head and body to get the evaporative effect. Upon arriving in Circle I found a cheapie hotel at $50 a night...it certainly has seen better days but at least it offered shade. I had intended to camp, but all the sites were exposed to the sun. Being burnt to a crisp, I need to be out of the sun for a couple days. Nothing will be open on the Fourth of July so I'm going to hold over for a rest day. The next town of any consequence is in excess of 50 miles away and there are no services in between. On July 5 I will leave at the crack of dawn and will have no alternative but to make it to Wolf Point. All-in-all, it was a good day of bicycling; I am completely exhausted and quite satisfied with my progress.

A big hello to everyone back home on this Fourth of July. Be careful during the celebrations and enjoy time with your family.

Makoshika State Park

Capt. Clark with six men, Sacajawea and her papoose, Pompey, camped near Glendive Creek on August 1, 1806.  In the 1870s the U.S. Army was busy protecting the road surveyors and crews from the native tribes in the area. Glendive also affords access to Makoshika State Park (Sioux for "bad earth") with its scenic bluffs and gorgeous hiking trails.