June 30 - The lifestyle to which we have become accustomed

[Adele]

Ok, so I lied about the canned chili thing.

We haven't exactly been eating it every night of our travels through this rugged Montana terrain, as I'd predicted we would a week ago. Despite the fact that 2 cans of chili lurk in Brock's bag, waiting to be consumed, we haven't gotten the chance.

We've become accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle over the past 3 days replete with meals spanning all the levels of the food pyramid, as well as real beds and showers.

"It's going to be really hard to leave," Brock commented as we began packing in Missoula this morning. I too could have happily spent more time rambling round the town, but the inertia of the journey pulled us back onto our loaded bicycles.

After saying goodbye to the Flores family, Brock and I wound our leisurely way out of town via the farmers' market where we purchased fresh, crisp bunches of radishes and carrots.

Our route travelled through the vast, nearly level valley of the Bitterroot River; snow-capped and craggy peaks rose up to our left. Finally, these mountains look like them Rockies! We must be getting somewhere.

As we studied the map trying to decide where to camp for the night, we noticed something singular: the name and phone number of a woman in Hamilton, a town about 50 miles from Missoula. She apparently hosts cycle tourists. When I called to inquire, she apologized, saying that she was hosting family, but that she had friends nearby who would be happy to let us pitch our tent in their yard.

A few hours later, Brock and I show up at the stream-side property of the friends of this kind-hearted stranger. They turn out to be a quasi-retired couple recently transplanted from Portland. How can we refuse the offer of their guestroom and homemade chili?

"No thanks, I prefer to sleep in a smelly tent and munch my Nalley."

Ron, one of our hosts, believes that every bite of a good chili should contain at least one piece of steak, and after devouring a large bowl of it, I support his theory.

Root beer floats and a screening of the pivotal battle scenes in "Saving Private Ryan" (Ron wanted to exhibit the full capabilities of his sound system) completed the evening.