Crawling out of the tent, I look around. Give thanks that no one else is here. It’s a legit place to camp, but we’re basically sleeping in a trailhead parking lot.
Baylor fed, I wander over to the large sign. Study the map. Check the key. Looks like mountain biking is the main attraction here.
Bike packed, I give Baylor the load up command. Situate his doggles and toss him a cookie. Early morning sun shining, we head down the dirt road. Slowly weave back and forth, jostle and bump across the washboard dirt road.
Nearing Lewiston, I slow at each passing junkyard. Stare at the abandoned treasures. An old VW, countless trucks, long forgotten cars. Dreaming of the next adventure mobile, I make a mental note. This could be just the place to find a hidden gem project.
Parking in front of the coffeeshop, I kill the engine. Unhook Baylor and take a walk around the block. A very slow, sniff filled walk. Spotting a grassy knoll, we run over. There’s little Baylor loves more than flopping over and flailing about in some good grass.
Rolling complete. He hops back up. Stares at me grinning.
Back at the coffee shop, we grab the table out front. Settle in for a quick work session and wifi enabled route planning. Scanning the map, I google Upper Missouri Breaks. There’s a ferry that crosses the river. It’ll take mean miles and miles of dirt roads and out of the way scenery. That sounds remote, weird and fun. Perfect.
Lewiston fading in the background, we cruise under bluebird skies. Enjoy empty highways and waving green pastures for as far as the eye can see.
Stopping in the last town before no man’s land, I fill the tank to the max just in case. Head in to the market for water and a dinner snack. Wandering the tiny space I’m struck with overly hungry indecision. That moment when everything sounds gross, but you desperately want something. Inefficient and annoying.
Water filled I head for the door in defeat. Notice a pile of small watermelons. Certainly not the most practical or space-saving option, but what-the-heck normal’s overrated anyways.
Sun setting, I check the map one last time. I don’t have a specific destination in mind, am just rolling on to see what’s out there. It’s not about the endpoint, but the discovery on the way.
389 days down. Many to come.
