Montana and Beyond - August 5, 2007

 Montana and Beyond

(August 5, 2007)

Beth Mitchell, 12. I met her family at the Pizza Hut in Lander. She a type-1 diabetic but has good control. She was diagnosed three years ago. She is visiting the area with her brother Dan and grandparents, Judy and Ron Hartwigsen. 

I am sitting in a hotel in Butte, Montana, after a grueling eight-mile climb across the Continental Divide on I-90. That’s right: in Montana and other western states bicycles may use the Interstate.

I have loved the last few days for the scenery and the wonderful people I’ve met. One night I ate dinner in Dubois, Wyoming with Judy and Ron Hartwigsen and their grandchildren, Dan and Beth. Beth has been diabetic for three years, as mentioned when I posted her picture, but she’s a top student and her grandmother calls her “a warrior” because of her attitude in handling her disease. Dan is an avid reader and had interesting takes on many different issues.

Ron retires occasionally. Then he starts a new business and off to work he goes again. A fine family – and they paid for my dinner. Then they sent a present to my motel room. As always, any money I save goes to the JDRF fund.

BETH: THE WARRIOR.
DEALING WITH TYPE-1 DIABETES IS WAY HARDER
THAN PEDALING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

The next day I rode over Togwotee Pass and down into Grand Teton National Park. Just at the top of the pass was a beautiful lake and I spent an hour relaxing there. I also enjoyed a stretch of 17 miles down from the pass, requiring almost no pedaling.

The road was under construction; so I got a free ride for a few miles.

Lake at Togwotee Pass.

The intrepid cyclist. I attended Ohio U. 1967-1968 and 1970-1973.
That break in there was to join the Marines.

Grand Teton was beautiful; but in the afternoon it rained. I camped in the park and had the good fortune to share a bear box with the people in the next site. Bob Garcia invited me to share a steak and a meal with his family and it turned into two hours of absolute enjoyment. He was celebrating his 45th birthday and got spanked pretty good. Bob and wife Teresa have three children, Katie, 12, Jessica, 9, and Phillip, 6. They were accompanied by Teresa’s sister, Dr. Lydia Rose, and her daughter Sabrina, 10.

All were hysterical to talk to. Sabrina noted that it makes her mad to be shorter than her cousin, a year younger than her. Then she added, “I’m the second shortest fifth grader in my school. And the shortest kid has a genetic problem and can’t grow any bigger!” Jessica is kind, however, and doesn’t rub the size matter in. Phillip handles life with all the girls with aplomb and you could not find a nicer family.

The Garcia family gave me a steak and let me celebrate Bob's birthday (he's at left) with them.

Scene from the shore of Jenny Lake, in Grand Teton National Park.

Grand Teton Mountains, overlooking the Ox Bow Bend of the Snake River.