Missoula to Harlowton

From Kathy - There are quite a few blogs being kept by riders young and older - see http://www.cleanairadventures.org/big_ride_across_america on the left side of the page - scroll down - for links. There are some gorgeous pictures and funny stories. Missoula to Avon was almost 100 miles and we spent the Fourth of July there. Slept through any fireworks there may have been. Then yesterday, we had only 61 miles, but it was in temps over 100. The first climb took the group up over the Great Divide at over 6300 feet. Last night we slept in the gym on the floor, and Bill slept on the actual floor rather than the air mattress. Up at 4:45, breakfast at 5:15, on the road at 5:45 to beat the heat...NOT!! TODAY - 101 miles in temps up to 105. Really difficult day for the riders today. They're not all into camp yet, but I'm taking this opportunity in the public library in Harlowton, Montana to send a quick note. Right now, the word is hot, hot, hot. We have met lots of wonderful people - a nice farm couple bailed me out today. I was at water stop number four, and Bill left his camelback there (intentionally) and his water bottle (not!) Debatable whether I distracted him. He had about 20 ounces of Gatorade, but that's not enough for the 20 miles he had left. He was given water and iced tea by a wonderful couple. We have been sleeping in the tent, college dorms, and in a high school gymnasium. The weather is too hot for camping outside right now. We expect to be in the youth center tonight. We'll have time to put up more photos, write more from Billings on Sunday, a well-deserved rest day.