Butts & Prairie Dogs, Butts & Prairie Dogs!

Augusta, MT to Great Falls, MT
54 miles
522 feet ascent
1,184 feet descent
1,883 calories

Mountain View from Augusta, MT

The mountains slowly faded from view on the road from Augusta, MT to Great Falls, MT and were replaced with butts and prairie dogs. Everywhere.  All along the road prairie dogs stood up and checked me out, then squeaked their high pitch cries to warn their buddies ahead of my approach. Unfortunately, I could never get close enough to one for a good photo.  Further away from the road the landscape was filled with butts: rocky butts, smooth butts, high butts, and low butts.

Scenic Butts

Oh, wait a minute, stupid spellchecker, that's "buttes", not "butts"!

Actually, there was wildlife everywhere as I saw deer, around thirty, a fox, prairie dogs, of course, and even some llamas.

Thanks to the locals' knowledge in Augusta, the road closure did not affect bicycles, and I was able to easily portage around the broken bridge.  I probably could have ridden on it for a thrill.

MT Rte. 21 Road Closure

MT Rte. 21 Bridge Collapse

Although the route was supposed to be all downhill today, there were some minor hills to contend with, but more troublesome was the wind.  Although it constantly changed direction,  for the most part it was a headwind.  By the time I neared Great Falls, the weather threatened and some raindrops fell, but nothing of any consequence where I was.  However, a severe thunderstorm warning was issued just after I arrived.

Threatening Storm

While walking down the street for dinner, I noticed it was all barricaded off for some reason.  I asked the folks in the restaurant what was going on, and they said it was the annual Pet & Doll Parade, which occurs the night before the fair opens.  Naturally, I had to check it out.

Losin' His Britches in the Pet Parade

Little Buckaroo

Parade Watcher (yes, dogs can drive in Montana)

Near the end of today's ride I finally reached the Missouri River in Great Falls.

Missouri River in Great Falls, MT

Lewis & Clark followed the Mjssouri all the way up here, and beyond, from St. Louis.  Their great portage took place here, so I'm going to take some time off and visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, check out the falls, and try to nurse my back to health.  It has not improved from yesterday, and riding today was probably not a good idea.