Day 11. You don't get to be bored.

We have moved far enough that the landscape has changed. A lot. The soil has changed. The flowers have changed. The trees have changed. Still, somehow, these geographical milestones are sometimes not enough. Passing through an invisible line that has been conceived of by man remains somehow significant.

I can see the enthusiasm fading slightly from the boys. I know part of it is that we've just had two slightly longer days of riding. But, also, I see that the boys are feeling that Montana is taking forever. I remember having that same feeling last year.

A good friend of mine recently sent me a quote from my favourite comedian, Louis CK. It was handy to keep this in mind at the slightest hint of a thought like 'I'm bored of Montana'.

"I'm bored" is a useless thing to say. You live in a great, big, vast world that you've seen none percent of. And even the inside of your own mind is endless. It goes on forever inwardly. Do you understand? Being the fact that you're alive is amazing, you don't get to be bored." - Louis CK

I couldn't agree more. I didn't even need to go inwardly to enjoy today's ride over Medicine Lodge - Sheep Creek Divide. The descent from this pass, down into Lima, is one of my favourite stretches along the route. It begins through an enormous, desolate bowl, with seemingly no exit in sight. It is like you are stuck in a crucible waiting for mother nature to smite you with a big storm for having the nerve to think that you are worthy to try and pass through this sacred ground. Eventually, the road takes you through a canyon, with a river running along side the road. It is quiet and remote and absolutely one of natures most beautiful accomplishments. It is almost enough to make you forget how much your ass hurts. Almost.

Tomorrow we will cross into Idaho. I'm hoping that this restores some of our earlier group enthusiasm. At the very least, I'm looking forward to the road through Lakeview. Last year I got caught on this stretch in the cold and rain. This year I'm hoping for something different.
Sent using a Blackberry that I'd better not lose.