Days 15 - 16 - Billings Rest Day and Billings, MT, to Hardin, MT

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Days 15 and 16: July 34, 2000, Update

Billings Rest Day and Billings, MT, to Hardin, MT

Today's Miles: 54.3

Miles since Seattle: 1002.2

Taking It Easy

We had a wonderful but brief day off yesterday in Billings: a slow morning of visiting with fellow riders while eating a leisurely breakfast atop a sandstone rock formation with a single tree growing out the side. It was such a great example of the layers of experience to come along this journey across the nation.

We were somewhat secluded, but just a short distance through the backfield behind the middle school where we were camped, was the most delightful Laundromat/cafi. It had more than enough washers and dryers to accommodate everyone who ventured in that direction. Connected to the facility was an oasis of delicacies for the rider to feast on while socializing or writing the latest postcards to loved ones and sponsors.

Local volunteer-run shuttles ran all day to bring riders into the town library, bike shops, and a variety of eateries. While in town we happened upon the annual"Wing Ding," a gathering of 30,000 Gold Wing motorcycle riders from all over the nation. The custom paint jobs, dangling tokens, and sidecars were more the makings of a creative museum than vehicles of travel. The most exciting moment was when "Elvis" was spotted in town! We enjoyed listening to his renditions and watching him work the crowd.

On the Road Again

Big Riders in their 4th of July attire

Today began with a short, abrupt, thunder and lightning storm right at 5:30 a.m. when riders were in the process of waking up and breaking down camp. It drizzled just enough to make those who slept in regret it; they ended up having to pack wet tents.

Despite the rain, riders dressed for the holiday by wearing red, white, and blue jerseys, decorating their helmets and bikes with flags, and singing patriotic songs along the path.

Katie had the most welcome rest stop of the day, decorated as it was with flowers. She passed out mints, welcomed us with bubbles, and updated her board of statistics.

Katie's water stop, voted

most informative and homey

The whole day was blissfully short, a welcome 55-mile ride into Hardin. The riders' high spirits endured all the way to an early finish, through showers, and still left them with time and energy to spare on partying away the day, our INDENDENCE DAY!

Karen Cunningham (bottom left) and Big Riders at the 7th Cavalry Memorial at Little Bighorn Battlefield

Karen Cunningham (bottom left) and Big Riders at Little Bighorn

A Little Big History

For those interested in some history, a bus was arranged to shuttle riders to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Rangers explain about the Battle of Little Bighorn, showing traditional warrior attire that would have been worn.

Big Riders listened intently even while volunteer Karen Cunningham, who has been working full-time at the Monument since March, eagerly answered questions and smiled for photos with the crowds.

Gratitude Moment

Today, I had the pleasure of riding for a while with an inspiration of mine, Marianne Farrin, 62 years old, from New York City. We had some wonderful conversations and Marianne shared some most moving thoughts, along with part of the history, which brought her to this moment. While riding from Spokane to Missoula last week, she had what she describes as a"gratitude moment" during which she realized that all of her life's challenges have led up to this moment. Marianne is not doing the Big Ride to rock any boats; she is doing this to become more fully herself.

What led Marianne to accept the personal challenge posed by the Big Ride was the following quote: "You have to try something so difficult you can not do it unaided."

Marianne at the 7th Cavalry Memorial

For 40 years Marianne has been in the grandstands as a loyal supporter of her husband and 5 children. Now it was her desire to get out of the stands and into the arena, scoring the touchdowns and competing for the trophies. The Big Ride came along at the perfect time.

So when I asked her,"What does independence mean to you on this Independence Day?" her response was, "As I'm riding each day, I feel more strongly independent as an individual with a deep sense of inter-connectedness to All — God, nature, and humankind!"

Lia Pugliese contributed this report.

For more information about today's ride, check out the Riding Reporter.

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