It's 1:04am and I'm just now settling in to sleep after a long day exploring Missoula.
I'm enamored with this place.
First off, we are currently staying with a very nice couple. They are the parents of Kody's roommate in Boston. In addition to being generous hosts, Cindy and Barry (and dog, Gus) are fun to socialize with and have had good recommendations regarding what-to-do in Missoula.
So. Bryce and I (Who tf is Bryce?? [More on that later]) got up and out early, on a mission to get new bike chains, visit the REI, and maybe stumble across a cool thing or two.
We shot straight into downtown for four miles or so on a paved bike path that runs along the river weaving through various small neighborhoods and parks. Ended up finding three local bike shops all within a few blocks of each other including a community bike shop. Got our chains and talked with the shop guys (also window shopped all the ritzy bikes we would never justify buying).
Saw some murals. Saw lots of pretty women. Got smiles from a couple pretty women. Saw lots of people on bikes. Heard a dude playing electric guitar at a really huge city skate park. Passed too many tempting brew pubs and restaurants. Biked down semi-canopy roads. Every road, every bikeable surface pulling me as if with gravity to go faster, and see more things.
In many ways, it reminded me of all the times I'd bike around Tallahassee with my friends. My happy place at home. And that's exactly where I felt I was as I zipped through the streets, sidewalks, and paths of Missoula.
Right at 11:00am the Tamarak Brew Pub opened. Bryce and I ordered their stout and scotch ale, respectively, and shot the shit; getting to know each other a bit better. Then we noodled our way to the Adventure Cycling Association Headquarters via streets that were well signed for cyclists, often having a generous bike lane.
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| On the ACA wall |
The ACA HQ was awesome. For biketour nerdlords, it's a mecca of bicycle touring. Thousands of cyclists have come through Missoula to leave their contribution to the organization's archives. The office departments were small-scale, but were designed and decorated well with a fitting aesthetic. The employee bike parking area seemed to have more bikes than employees. They also offered us free stuff like soda and ice cream sandwiches.
Afterwards we went to an REI and again ogled at all the ritzy camping/biking shit we would never justify buying. Then biked home to escape the afternoon heat, clean our bikes and put on the new chains, and eat dinner. Before dinner, Barry took us out to the river to swim and play with Gus, their black lab who can swim super fast.
Supper was grilled chicken, salad with avocado and fresh mozzarella, red and white wine, blue corn chips and salsa, and sea salted homefries. Afterwards, Bryce and I rolled back out across town to the University where "The M" is: a 600 foot hike up to where a concrete "M" lies on a hill/mountain thing. We watched the sun set over the low lying smoke that blew in from the Washington wildfires a few days ago, turning the sun and surrounding sky many shades of red and orange. Bryce and I shot the shit some more.
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| At the top of The M |
Then we decided to get snacks and wander around the bike paths and any interesting streets we might have found. We did come across a couple neat strips of interesting places, but most were closed. I did note, however, that the bike paths were well-used even at the later hours of night. Also the town is mega dark at night! Lights definitely required.
So we dragged our feet back to the house, stopping at a couple park benches to watch the river and talk. And it was nice. It was a full day of bikes, exploration, and people. I'm very impressed with Missoula's bike infrastructure, and excited about future improvements such as the HWY 93 bike path addition. I'm stoked we get to stay here another day. Will probably do more riding around, except I'll take more pictures next time.
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| I swooned over her for a good while |
I'll never forget Missoula. It is the best city I've ever been to (except TLH, duh).
- Chris
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