Basin, MT

Basin, MT is an interesting place. It is just off I-15 and right next to the bike route. We stayed at the Merry Widow Campground. It is an RV campground right on the Boulder Creek. We were the only tent in the place. The campground has showers, laundry, and high speed commuter access in its community building. The community building has a book exchange, a piano, and lots of very friendly supportive people. The campground supports the Merry Widow Mine. which you have to see to believe! It was once a producing silver mine and is now a "radon" mine where peple come to be "cured". The town of Basin basically has no services except a bar and a pizza place called the Leaning Tower of Pizza, which has excellent deep dish pizza. Beth's arrival in Basin was the first time on the trip she might have quit if she'd been alone. She had a real rough day!
BETH wrote of today - OK, today was the ultimate test! Can Beth ride the divide without having a total break down of mind and body. After, the hardest 45 miles I have ever spent on a bike the answer is - darn it - YES!!! The day began with a wonderful escort to the start of the trail by Robert who owned the campground and had ridden the divide. He gave me a great history of Helena as we rode through it. Too bad the rest of the day did not stay that way. At mile 12 my legs ached from climbing, by mile 25 the thunderstorms started, between 25 and 32 I was ready to cry as I hike-a biked up very technical single track, through meadows during lightning and then the half mile over the fallen trees in two trips just about killed me. But I was going to make it to Basin!! Cold, soaked and hurting - I finally got to go down hill. My bike computer died at 32 miles. Fortunately, it was a straight shot to Basin and I have never been happier to see my mom and Ann and a shower. We had fantastic pizza at Leaning Tower of Pizza in this mining town of Basin and maybe four IBprofin tonight!!
JAN writes of today - I am typing inside a community building at a private campground in Basin, MT. as the thunder and rain clouds roll through the area. Ann and I left Helena late this morning after stocking our cooler and visiting the Saturday Farmer's Market. We also got goodies at a bakery we discovered when we were in Helena earlier in the week. Tonight's campsite is right next to the rushing Boulder Creek. Its really large and deep for what I'd call a creek! Above us in the hillside is the Merrywidow Radon Mine where people come from all over the world to supposedly get relief from what ails them. It used to be an operating Silver Mine. This area of Montana has granite bedrock, which is a different granite than in New Hampshire. Instead of Mica, it contains a mineral called hornblende. We hope Beth has been able to seek refuge out of the electrical storm.