Day 131 - Missoula to Clinton Loop - Two Far 2023 - Oranges to Apples

August 24, 2023

Day 131 - Missoula to Clinton Loop

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Today, we took an out and back ride southeast from Missoula to the town of Clinton. Nearly all the way we were alongside I-90, but the views were so beautiful we weren't really very aware of the interstate.

Kerry loves trains and we saw a lot of them today. These tankers were being unloaded at a Phillips 66 facility in town. Montana Rail Link, soon to be part of BNSF, has a large classification yard in Missoula.

This yard shack was near the eastern end of the classification yard.

We rode by the Missoula County Courthouse.

The University of Montana has a large campus here. We didn't take a ride through the campus, but it is supposed to be very attractive. For those astute enough to notice the 'Missoula College' sign, Missoula College is the 2-year unit of UM that offers occupational and technical education.

After about six miles through town and the "suburbs", we were out riding through a valley. We tried hard to get a route with minimal climbing. We had fewer than 1000 feet today.

A "suspension pipe" crossing the Clark Fork River. We don't know what was in the pipe, but it had an interesting suspension system.

It's a little hard to see, but this is the path of a slide down the mountainside. We saw many places like this.

They were quarrying rock on this mountainside.

This woman passed us and pulled over. We stopped and she said she just wanted to thank us for having such bright and visible taillights. We love hearing that!

At Milltown, the Blackfoot River flows into the Clark Fork. This bridge over the Blackfoot is part of a 1 mile long trail that gives cyclists and pedestrians a safe way across the the river.

The Blackfoot River just before it reaches the Clark Fork

The busy auto bridge which is the other way across the river at Milltown

Today's ride: 46 miles (74 km)
Total: 5,608 miles (9,025 km)

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