Day 17 Browning, MT to Cut Bank MT

Stats: mileage: 36; total climb: 636 feet; Total mileage:902

After visiting the Museum of the Plains Indian, we left Browning and began our trek east on Rte 2. We will traveling all the way across the rest of Montana on Rte 2. It will be long and relatively flat. All pedaling which means no coasting. The railroad also travels this same way and is called the High Line. As we traveled, we were passed by many trains coming and going and as you may notice, the vista behind us includes the ever present Rocky Mountains. They are quite intimidating as we view them in our rearview mirror. The scenery has changed remarkably and now it is relatively flat as you can see. The grain elevator attests to the agri-business in this area. We understand why Montana is called
Big Sky Country. As we pedaled along a herd of cattle joined us on our march eastward.


























After a day's pedal. we reached Cut Bank. Once we crossed the creek, we were no longer on the Blackfeet Reservation. After a day of flatness, this dip in the landscape was a welcomed change. Cut Bank is an old railroad town and has evolved to keep pace with the world. Oil and gas are it's claim today.














And for the final adventure of the day, my quilting story........Before leaving Browning, I called the Coulee Quilt Shop only to learn that they would be closed before we would arrive. Since that seems to be the theme of my quilt shops, I was disappointed though not surprised. As we pedaled along, I had an idea. I called the shop back, explained what I was looking for and asked for a leap of faith and trust between quilters. Teresa agreed to put out a dark blue and red and I would leave payment. When we arrived, my "stash" was behind the sign as arranged. She had picked western themed fabrics which will enhance the memory of my crossing the country quilt. Thank you Teresa!