PAC Tour 2011 Days 1 through 3 (short summary)

Sorry folks, but updating the blog with daily postings hasn't been a top priority.  Seemingly we have been busy riding especially long the first 2 days and haven't gotten into the routine of writing blog reports.  I (Tom) have been able to download my Garmin data daily which should keep some people mildly amused and entertained:)
The riding from Kalispel to Missoula was 148 miles and the next days ride to Butte (on the very same route taken on last year's cross country ride) was 134 miles.  Both ride took a little over 7 hours of bike time and 9 tp 10 hours of elapsed time.  Conditions to Missoula were warm/hot with some favorable winds and mixed roads.  While the section to Butte was fine until reaching Anaconda (about 90 minutes from Butte) turned ugly with heavy thunderstorms and pea-sized hail at times.  Fortunately we were under cover at our final rest stop when the hails came...others were not and suffered stinging hits of hail.
Today's ride to Ennis (along the Madison River...world famous fly fishing) started later than usual due to a severe weather warning involving more thunderstorms.  It was  a "short" day with only 86 miles and 4,000 feet of climbing so there wasn't any hurry.  We departed around 8:30 into threatening skies and sure enough it started raining enough to get drenched for our climb across the Continental Divide.  Over the other side we found dry roads and a cold descent of about 10 miles and 2,000 feet into spectacular valleys.  Lunch at 73 miles in meant we had 13 or so miles to our motel, but first to climb 1,000 into heavy rains and another fast long descent in Ennis.
For those foodies out there, we've eaten well with a couple of fine meals in Kalispel at the North Bay Cafe, in Missoula at Mike's friend's home for barbeque, in Butte at Fred's Mesquite Barbeque in the old part of town (taxi ride to and from there driven by "Bongo"....a truly memorable charactor who enlightened us with stories of him and Butte), and a remarkably good Chinese place in Ennis.
As for pictures of our travels....I have to say I am extremely disappointed that my camera has chosen this inopportune time to crap out on me.  If you look at my pictures (I still haven't figured out how to upload my pics easily, quickly, etc......give me time) there's a dark spot on each of them....right about in the middle.  The spot is not on the lense but rather inside the camera lense;  probably some dust that I can't get out. 
Another way to follow our cycle tour via pictures is to click on http://www.pactour.com/   under the Ridge of the Rockies tab and look for photos.  You may even see us on some of the pics there taken by PAC Tour crew members and others who have uploaded there pictures to the site.
That's it for now.....it's late and bed is calling me.