Elkhorn Hot Springs to WOS camp I really enjoyed my time at Elkhorn Hot Springs. I slept pretty well and got up reasonably early. Believe it or not I was packed and ready to go at 8:00(a.m.). I wanted to get breakfast at the lodge, and they opened at eight. I popped in to discover they had a coffee bar and everything! I settled right in and also was able to connect to the WiFi there. I updated my ride with GPS days, checked the weather, etc. until my breakfast arrived. Biscuits and gravy with eggs!!! Not oatmeal. I was so happy. I lingered with more coffee and internet things, and got on the road about 10. I had planned to go to Bannack—an impressive ghost town that is a Montana state park now. Jill and I had been there on a bike trip we did together a few years ago, and I have fond memories of the Pioneer mountains and Bannack. The road to Bannack is paved the entire way—and it’s mostly downhill—so I made pretty short work of it, even with stopping for pictures often. I spent about a half hour walking through Bannack, and it’s just as impressive as I remember. I filled up with water and hit the road once more. I had been on paved roads for about 60 miles, and while I did enjoy the smooth ride and increased speed, I welcomed the crunch of gravel under my tires once more. I suppose I mostly enjoy the lack of cars—I saw about 6 cars in 40 miles of gravel today. With so little traffic, I can pick the smoothest line, and it’s really pretty smooth. After Bannack, the road steadily tipped upward, and the scenery ever so slowly turned from dry rolling sagebrush covered hills to a more alpine valley with conifers and aspens. After I crested the last very steep hill, the landscape returned to rolling sage with the higher ridges frosted with pines. I felt pretty good today until about 15 miles to go. For some reason, my legs felt heavy, and it was a bit of a slog. I decided to push through and arrived at my planned campsite with a sense of relief and accomplishment. Once I got some food and saw the beautiful views my spirits were lifted once again. As I mentioned above, Jill and I have spent a little time in the Pioneer mountains and the general area here. Being in the area causes me to miss her and long for home. Still, the thought of another adventure tomorrow has me hooked. Onward!