At 7:30 a.m. it was overcast, biting and a damp 55° as we left the warmth of our hotel room.  First order of business was to stock up for lunch as there would be nothing between here and there and our continental breakfast was not going to take us very far.  From our doorstep we began our climb through the Castle Mountains, aptly named for the rock outcroppings that look like castle walls on the mountainside.  Once again we had the road to ourselves.  It was supremely quite except for the chirping of the ground squirrels as they scurried for cover or the screech of the eagle hunting in the sky.  The clouds made for striking contrast against the fields painted in soft hues.  We pedaled past Lake Sutherlin and the Bair Reservoir (note the rain on the horizon).  After miles and miles of almost treeless hills and fields, we turned a corner into a beautiful green enclave that lasted for a few miles; then we were once again in the treeless high plainssurrounded by the Castle, Belt and Crazy Mountains on the horizon.  At mile 40, we stopped for our stale peanut butter and jelly picnic, but with the entire sky getting darker by the minute, we did not linger.  Ten miles out, the wind decided to challenge our trek into town.  Though it was not a strong wind, it was enough to slow us down and make us earn every mile.  On the edge of town, we met Connor and Amala on their way to the town we’d left 60 miles ago; final destination Portland, Oregon.

On the other side of town we found our “accommodations” for the night, a tiny bit better than a tent; but became immensely better than a tent when it poured an hour later.  Pretty sure the farmers don’t want us to leave, but that the Montana tourist department may escort us out.

Thankfully, the rain stopped in time for us to bike the mile back into town for a ‘Jail House Pizza’ dinner.  Just about as fancy as our room (note the bars on the windows), but much more appealing.  “We” left just enough pizza for lunch, as well as, room for real homemade banana cream pie.Unlike the fries from a few days ago, there was no guilt after our 63 tough miles.  See you tomorrow!