hello everyone! we've finally made it to montana. it's getting cold here (last night coming out of the tent found that our water bottles were just beginning to freeze) and we've been fighting headwinds, but we are still in good spirits and are taking the challenges that come to us mostly with a smile. we hear that there might be snow in these parts in a few days and today is a nice day out, so that means that i won't be typing long--we've got to get back on the road.
things have still been working out wonderfully well for us. each day something good happens. maybe it's someone who takes us in for the night, or a good wind, or a beautiful park to camp in. Glen and I have talked some on this trip about whether there is something bigger than us (i.e. God) that is planning the way for us, or whether it's just chance that takes us to the places we go. well, there were two nights in North Dakota that tipped us off to something bigger than ourselves guiding this trip--for two nights in a row complete strangers took us in, cooked us food, and gave us a place to sleep in their house for the night. another heaven-sent stop was a place that we stayed with the parents of a friend of a friend. things just keep working out this way (and North Dakotans win the "friendliest" award so far).
life hasn't always been that good, especially the last few days that we've been fighting headwinds. but today the sun is smiling and the winds are good and we pedal on. tomorrow who knows--but we will pedal on.
well i guess i won't get to the diary part at all this trip to the computer. our next known destination is Helena. we will be following Rte 200 much of the way. expect that it will take us 5-10 days to get there yet, depending on what the wind and weather are like. there's not a whole lot between here and there, as you can tell if you look on a map, so who knows if i'll get to a computer before Helena. but we'll be staying there for several days so I'll catch you all up from there, if not before. and if you've emailed me, thanks for your patience, i will reply when i get the chance!
peace, joe lapp.
Keep in touch - Joe (lappjoe@yahoo.com) and Glen (glapp@juno.com)!