Today's flat tire came early, about 10 miles out of Glasgow. You might think this was an unlucky thing since I used my last patch to get over the last 10 miles into Glasgow the night before, but here's the truth. I am a really lucky guy, maybe due to the three 4 leaf clovers that Rita gave me when I visited her on day 1. I had heard that the guy in Havre was the last bike shop on the Hi-Line, but it ain't so. There is a funky place in Glasgow run by a retired insurance salesman. He said he bought the property for tax purposes. This guy is about as out of date as the hundred or so bikes that he has jammed into this house and yard. He just posts his phone number at the shop and people call when they want something. Before leaving town that morning I took the time to call and ask if he could supply a patch kit. He said he'd be right over. He brought a tube and two kits. Now if he hadn't been there and willing to come to the shop with that stuff, THEN I would have been in trouble. Also I should note that the time off of the bike is actually a time of recovery for my butt and hands.
All my tire problems have been with the rear wheel where most of the weight is being carried. I think that may be part of the trouble. I will reload some weight to the trailer. I had no more trouble yesterday if you don't count eating jalapena ice cream.
A guy in the tiny town of Nashua says he's got over 300 flavors, but none of the 7 I tasted was as good as chocolate chip mint. The worst was the Jalapeno. This is ice cream for Tracy. The rest of you can just say no thank you.
And now for today's special, an annotated list of the road kill:. (Not for the squeamish)
We could start with homo sapiens, not actually still in place, but represented by their white crosses. Their numbers are impressive as noted earlier, but less on the Hi-Line than west of the divide.
Numbering even more than the homo sapiens are the ground hogs, whose furry little crushed bodies litter the road. I nearly got one myself two days ago.
The antelope get taken in season and out I suppose. You usually smell them before you see them. For some reason they are all well off of the roadway. Maybe they are moving fast when fatally struck and the momentum carries them 30 yards beyond the shoulder.
The reptilian world is also represented. Rattlers and garter snakes, I would say, though positive identification is often difficult.
One sad, sad amphibian had just not gone fast enough and lost his left hind quarter under a wheel. He was a good size turtle and I stopped to check him out. He had not yet expired, but the flies were all over his exposed wound. I tried to think of something to do for him, but had no ideas.
There have been a couple of middle sized furry mammals that I could not identify.
There have been birds aplenty, of varieties various. Most I don't recognize, but they have included red winged black birds, doves, and a hawk at least.
I believe every Montana gas station has a heavy duty windshield washing tool and bucket for each pump. They're so ubiquitous that I suspect they may be legally required in the hope that cleaner windshields would lead to fewer white crosses. Anyway I have 5 dead bugs on my windshield and I've swatted many more than that into eternity while they were enjoying their last supper on my arm. Not a bad way to go I've always thought.
Finally, just for completeness, I mention the many tire treads that have gone to their final rest, which is in fact on the road.
I think I am going to be off of the grid for a few days now so there will be a period without postings, but I'll be back. When I return I will try to remember to tell you of the amputee, walking to demonstrate her faith
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