June 17, 2023

So Verne and I are have arrived at an understanding, I will continue to trust him and he will continue to hold me up. Charge anxiety be dammed!

Typical way I start my travel day – First a look at Google Maps to chart the course and give me an estimate of the mileage. Then onto the PlugShare app unless I am in the RIVIAN, then I just go to the navigation system and plug in my desired destination. There’s an element to the system that also identifies charge points and gives an estimated time of arrival as well as glimpse into the possible number of miles that will be left in the “tank” upon arrival. 

Staying at a campground that offers 50amp “full electrical hookup” is by far my preferred overnight experience. It out scores staying at a fancy hotel which has a less guaranteed power source even with an “overnight” charge port available. Which translates to 5kw – UGH. Now if anyone had said to me at the beginning of this journey that I would become accustomed to “kilowatt speak”, I would have joined them in a friendly chuckle!

As I ride ahead of Rob on his way to the Continental Divide through the Marias Pass, I stopped to do a little bit of road maintenance. Probably not necessary, but this minor chore did ease my mind. Also got a quick introduction to the force created by cars driving by at speeds up to 70 miles an hour! DANG! There’s a bit of air that pushes by a person on the side of the road.

I arrived in Great Falls just before 6pm and enjoyed a short evening ride along the bike path behind the hotel. The mighty Missouri river flows through this area, and it is quite a presence.

The railway also winds through these parts thanks to the engineering of John F. Stevens who discovered the Marias Pass in 1889 and was instrumental in designing the Great Northern Railroad route that linked the headwaters of the Mississippi River and the Pacific Coast. 

In 1893, if you wanted to drive across the country in this area, it meant transporting your car via train through the Marias Pass. By 1930, the Theodore Roosevelt International Highway was completed and linked a roadway from Portland,ME to Portland, OR.

Leaving late morning around 10:30 from Essex on his final approach to the Continental Divide. Rob’s parting words to me, “What better way to spend Father’s Day, Right?” I could not agree more!

Imagine the tremendous task of building this vital railroad line, notice how the railway tracks enter a tunnel along the Flathead River, and I am in awe of the planning and fortitude of our predecessors.

Set a goal and then go for it! Rob at the summit of the Marias Pass on Father’s Day!

Discovered “Slippery Bill” and learned of his generosity at the historic marker after the summit at Marias Pass. 

Rob’s route split off going west toward Cut Bank along Rt 2 as I headed south on Rt 89 toward Great Falls. He had a stop by the point where Lewis and Clark parted ways in their expedition to survey the Louisiana Purchase in 1806.

Missouri River and a fields of wildflowers along Rt 89.

I made it to Great Falls after a short stop outside of Browning on the Blackfoot Reservation where there is a RIVIAN destination charger. 

After over 1,000 solo miles with Verne – the RIVIAN – I look forward to our next adventure. Sue Thayer arrives on Monday, so my next blog will include my adventures with her. We will rendezvous with Rob on Wednesday somewhere east of Great Falls, Montana.

Until next time, keeping the rubber side down, Julie and Rob