Basin, MT to Highline trail After the grim day before, I slept really well, waking up in the Basin Community Hall. They offer it up to cyclists for $5 a night and it’s awesome. There’s a real bathroom and a kitchen with a hot water kettle and hot chocolate! Life is good. My spirits were restored and I was looking forward to the day. The ride planned for the day looked easy compared to the prior day, and the weather was perfect for cycling—partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 70s. There was one other cyclist in the community hall—Richard from the UK—and we had breakfast together in the little restaurant. The breakfast was very good, and it was fun to chat with another cyclist about our adventures so far. We both agreed the day before sucked, and laughed about who sucked more. Turns out Richard won, as he had a mechanical issue with his bike and was hitching a ride to Butte this morning. Another example of perspective, I guess—my bike was still working fine! I moved at my own usual (slow) pace getting ready to get on the road, and finally pushed off about 10:30 saying goodbye to Richard. Chances are good I’ll see him again down the trail. The morning really was perfect for a bike ride, and the roads—even the gravel ones—were smooth and firm. The day was the antithesis of the day prior—as if the cycling gods knew I needed a softball today! I soaked in the sun, took pictures and rolled along with a new appreciation for mostly dry roads. The landscape went from fairly open rolling hills to forest, then back to rolling hills upon my arrival in Butte. Butte appears to be a mine—or mines—with a town built around it. I explored the town a little, as I needed to resupply, check emails, etc. I enjoyed cycling from one place to the next, figuring out how to stuff more supplies in my bike bags. I knew tonight’s camp did not have water, so I packed an extra gallon. After a few hours in Butte, I began to get anxious to get out of town into the mountains again. Several miles of busy paved roads validated my desire to get to more quiet roads, and I was relieved to turn off onto another gravel forest road. The route was interesting, using trails, old railroad beds, some paved roads, and of course forest roads. The miles ticked by, and to my surprise and pleasure I arrived at my planned campsite to find it empty. I walked up a small hill behind the campsite to find I had a cell signal! I FaceTime’d my wife and reveled in the easy day I had. It was nice to check in and bolster my spirits again. After the call, I rushed to get my camp set up before dark, and figured out where to hang my food. Mission accomplished on both! I was able to have dinner and mostly finish my tea before a thunderstorm drove me into my cozy dry tent. I listened to the raindrops and reflected on my day. From waking up in a very small town, to resupplying in a busy large town, to the peace of a deserted campsite. In between great roads and views and miles rolling along. A reminder that in 2700 miles there are bound to be easy days and hard. It’s what makes the ride great.