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- - - - DAY 21 - SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2008 - - - -

  Today's Distance: 34 Miles
  Today's Route: Missoula to Lolo Hot Springs, MT
  Today's Weather: 90 degrees, sunny and windy
  Current Elevation: 4,131 Feet (975' More Than Yesterday)
  Total Distance Traveled: 613 Miles
  Total Distance Remaining: 7 Miles

Paul's Thoughts For Today:

I was hoping for an easy 34 mile day to Lolo Hot Springs... but as I've learned during this run you can't take any day for granted! Today's trek started out with a nice sunny morning and I enjoyed the first 9 miles, which brought me to Highway 12 heading out of Lolo, Montana. At that point the shoulder of the road disappears and the traffic was very heavy (likely due to it being a nice weekend and people wanting to head into the mountains to recreate). I was about 4 miles down Highway 12 when several fire trucks and police officers started flying past me. When I saw an ambulance go by I just knew that there had to have been an accident up ahead. I continued on, dodging cars as I went, and after a few miles I came upon a line of cars backed up for quite a long ways. I walked past the cars, eventually arriving at the point of the problem. You see, the winds coming out of the west today were absolutely fierce, and the gusts were some of the strongest yet on this trip. One of those strong gusts of wind blew down a tree... which in turned knocked down a power pole and when the power lines fell across the highway they sparked a fire along the roadside. So, traffic was stopped for 1 ½ hours while the situation was handled. Fortunately, nobody got hurt. However, it truly slowed my progress for the day.

Once everyone was allowed to proceed, I looked at my watch and knew that it was going to be quite difficult to reach Lolo Hot Springs by 5:00pm - which was the time I had told the motel's front desk that I would likely arrive. The front desk closes at 5:00pm and I knew that I had to get there by then in order to assure that I would have a room for the evening. I was pushing incredibly hard through the wind trying to make up time. I was about 4 miles from Lolo Hot Springs and I knew that I wasn't going to get there on time. At that moment, a car stopped. It was a teacher from Cold Springs Elementary in Missoula. Casey chatted with me awhile and I asked him to please drive to the motel ahead and get my room key so that I would be assured of a place to sleep. I gave him my driver's license so that he would be able to verify that he was getting the key for me. The Lolo Trail Center, owned by Ken and Nancy Hansen, was donating the room for the evening. Casey agreed, and he and a wonderful woman named Kelly drove ahead and got my motel key - bringing it back to me on the highway. I say that Kelly was wonderful because she gave me some almonds and some beef jerkey that she had. I had expressed my concern about the little restaurant possibly being closed when I would arrive at Lolo Hot Springs and I truly needed something to eat besides what was remaining on "Bob". So, Kelly gave me some food that she had. Thanks Kelly! As it turns out, I got to the motel at 5:15pm and they were just putting out the "Closed" sign. Ken and Nancy Hansen were actually there and I got to say hello to them. I got into my room, showered, and then enjoyed a great dinner at the restaurant (which was actually open until 9:00pm). I then took some pictures in the area, did my nightly ice routine, and went to bed earlier than usual.

So, it was a rather difficult final full day on the road. However, perseverance pays off and I made it. Only 7 miles remain in front of me and as I look up the road leading to the top of Lolo Pass I know that tomorrow morning I will reach my goal of crossing Montana solo.

Today's Montana "Did You Know?"...
The first luge run in North America was built at Lolo Hot Springs on Lolo Pass in 1965. However, Lolo Hot Springs is best known for its seven separate hot springs, which result from cracks in the granite rock face. Today, water from the springs is collected into a holding tank and is then piped into the swimming and soaking pools at Lolo Hot Springs Resort. Every 24 hours about 75,000 gallons of water flow from the springs through the pools.

Today's Native Americans "Did You Know?"...
There are more than three million Native American people in the United States and Canada combined - including more than a million children. Also, there are about 150 Native American languages in the U.S.A. and Canada. "American Indians," "Native Americans," and "First Nations people" are synonyms. They all refer to the same people. "Indigenous people" is a broader term that refers to any culture that lived in a place first. So Native Americans are all indigenous people, but not all indigenous people are Native Americans.

Today's Fitness "Did You Know?"...
Before beginning an exercise program, check with your child's doctor to see if there are certain instructions he or she may want your child to follow, and for medical clearance. Monitoring a child's intensity during exercise is important, and should be done by measuring their perceived rate of exertion. Children should make sure they rest and drink plenty of water when necessary during an exercise session, especially if exercising in the heat since they are not able to regulate body temperature as well as adults. If it is too difficult to sustain moderate exercise for 20 to 30 minutes, break the time up into two to three 10 minute sessions. Anyone starting an exercise program should begin slowly and not expect too much of themselves too fast. Finally, have fun! Make sure your child is enjoying the fitness activity so he or she will be more likely to continue good fitness habits for life!

Your Turn! Share Your Thoughts With Paul...
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Thanks for stopping by this milepost update. Run back here tomorrow!

Keeping on PACE,

Along The Way...

Today I traveled a historic path. I ran in the steps of the Lewis & Clark expedition as I went passed TRAVELER'S REST STATE PARK. The Park marks the location of a centuries-old Native American campsite which Lewis and Clark used in 1805 and 1806. They called the nearby creek "Travellers Rest." In Summer 2002, archeologists found evidence of the Corps of Discovery's latrine and central fire, positioning the Park as one of the the few sites in the nation with physical confirmation of the group's visit - a truly unique designation. Since its creation in 2001, the Park is managed by Travelers' Rest Preservation and Heritage Association, a nonprofit organization. On September 9, 1805, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and the Corps of Discovery followed their Shoshone guide, who they called Old Toby, along the course of today's Bitterroot River to near the confluence of a stream that tumbled down from the snowy western mountains. At this place, a crossroads of travel routes that had been a center of commerce and culture for centuries, Old Toby instructed them to rest themselves and their horses and to make preparations for the difficult mountain crossing ahead. Their campsite was well-used by the different Native American tribes that crossed the mountains and traveled up and down the Bitterroot Valley, and for good reason. There was plenty of grasses for the horses, plenty of firewood, and a cool mountain stream. The Corps of Discovery stopped along the stream, which they named Travelers' Rest Creek, and set up camp. For two days, they hunted and rested before departing on September 11, 2005. They followed the creek along an ancient trail the Salish people call Naptnisa (the road through the Nez Perce). Nearly a year later, the party returned to Travelers' Rest and camped at the same spot. From June 30 to July 3, 1806, the group rested and celebrated after their final crossing of the tremendous Bitterroot Mountains. It was also at this camp that Lewis and Clark finalized their separation plans, splitting the group into two to allow expanded explorations of the Marias and Yellowstone Rivers.

Paul's Current Position In Montana