Almost there!!!

Tomorrow July 27th I will be able to visit Roosville port and then I will head to Polebridge and then Columbia falls. Its hard to believe I am this close to being done and turning around to head home.
I finally broke down and bought a night in a hotel in Kalispell. One of the first things I learned is that no matter how much planning you do, something will change.

I met a couple of guys doing the whole ride north to south. One was on a Honda XL650 and the other was on a Lime Green 06 KLR. It looked really familiar. LOL
They had stopped to fix a flat on the KLR and were just finishing when I rode up. They told me about a really bad section and advised that I avoid it. Not one to scoff at fate, I took their advise and later that night I worked out a different route.
I was going to spend my first night at the Canvas Cafe / Jeff Davis lodge. When I got there after riding all day and doing 260 miles I found that they had closed up. Hmmmm, Now what. I decided to ride to Banock state park and camp there. It was actually really nice.
276 miles for the day.

Day 2
WOW, It sure takes a while to pack up. Especially when I was tired and moving slow. I was up early, made oatmeal for breakfast and leisurely packed up. I was shocked when it took almost 2 hours. I need to get better at this.
I routed around the bad section but was able to ride some really awesome roads. Mostly paved but really great non the less.
I made my way to a Good Sam campground in Helena. Having a covered tent site and showers and a flushing terrlet was really nice. It even had a power outlet so I was able to charge the laptop, GPS, phone and iPod. I know, its a lot of stuff but I could not have done this without the GPS, family wouldn't let me go without a phone and having tunes is a must for me. The laptop, could have done without but times like this its really nice. I am able to pull my track log for each day and save it as well as use mapsource and streets and trips to figure routes. Its working really well so far.
208 miles for the day.

Day 3
I was up at about 7:30 and packed up in good time (1hr 30 min) including another morning shower. I gassed up the night before so all I had to do was hit the road. I routed around the bad section and picked up the route on Stemple Pass rd. I took it to Seeley lake. What a great road. All dirt but it was graded and in really good condition. I also got to ride some really nice slab out of Seeley lake. I landed in a motel in Kalispell. Having a real bed, internet, AC, and a TV. WOW I feel like im in heaven. I even splurged and grabbed Pizza Hut for dinner. No boiling water and having freeze dried tonight!!!
I called ahead to Columbia Falls and found a campground that has nice tent sites with showers and such. My plan is tomorrow I will go from Kalispell to Roosville Port. From Roosville, after taking a trophy photo, I will take the trail route to Polebridge for one of the famous sweet rolls. From there I will push on to columbia falls to the campground. Spend the night and then do going to the sun highway in Glacier and back to Columbia falls for another night. Then I will truly begin the trip home.
Im excited to get there. Im so close I can almost feel it. But I also cant wait to get back home. I miss my family and there truly is no place like home.
I would have uploaded photos but I forgot a card reader and the camera has a plug all its own. (how lame is that?) Oh well, it will give you something to look forward to.
I plan on doing a full trip report when I get home.
210 miles for the day

Things I've learned so far, I brought way to much stuff!!!! If I really tried I could lighten my load quite a bit.
The bike is running great and handling the load but I sure can tell its loaded. The first part, the rail road trail from Warm River realy beat me and the bike up. Long, straight and large whoops. What a pain in the whole body!
I found a small hole that got worn into the edge of my saddle bags. It hasnt gotten any worse so I think its going to be fine. Im not doing that damed part again.

Good dress rehearsal for more trips!!!