So today I’ve seen mule deer (huge ears), mum and baby long tailed deer (don’t think they walk – pretty sure they just bounce everywhere), a very tame chipmunk who nearly walked over me (then he smelt my cycling gear),  Columbian ground squirrels and other squirrels and I’m pretty sure I saw the rear of a grizzly bear disappearing into the woods – it was a distance a way but don’t think it could have been anything else – exciting stuff.

Big pull up Gibbons Pass this morning – but a good climb – hard work but you knew you were getting there (not like Lolo Pass a few days ago).

Stopped at Big Hole National Battlefield information centre – this is a great place for learning about the Indians and the destruction and devastation caused by the white settlers in their quests for lands and gold.   Really good film and by pure chance there were 3 men drumming and singing some of their traditional songs – I have to admit the music didn’t do a lot for me but was interesting to hear and also the stories behind the different songs.

I carried onto Wisdom,  where I dined on amazing pizza for late lunch – the remainder is about to be eaten for dinner and I suspect there will be enough left for breakfast.

A further 16 miles has taken me to Jackson – I am currently in the hotel reception typing this but am camped outside – $20 dollars to camp but I have access to the hotel showers which are great – legs have finally been shaved – yippee.   No one else in the campsite and no one staying in the hotel – Carly who has opened up for me has left the hotel door unlocked so that I can come and go and use the bathroom – half tempted to jump in one of the beds as they look very comfy but that would be rude.

Met Brian and Leah in Jackson,  with their very friendly dog who seems very content in her wee trailer and at being towed across America – they are going West to East – again great to catch up and chat with some more mad cyclists.

Good place to pitch tent tonight.   But I have now figured out the scene in “A Walk In The Woods” – if you haven’t you will need to watch it – good film and the soundtrack is good too – anyway the scene when in the middle of the night they manage to chase a bear away while walking with the tents over their heads!   Didn’t make sense – where are the tent pegs??   Transpires that most folks seems to use freestanding tents because it is so hard to get the pegs in the ground,  as I’ve discovered!!