44.7 miles/+2240.4 ft/ Total miles 2869.2
Left Eureka about 7 AM — about 48 degrees and clear/ hazy from smoke. It was cool for at least the first hour.
Amazing ride along Koocanusa Lake. The lake is 90 miles long- behind Libby Dam, which was completed in 1972 as a cooperative project of US Army Corps of Engineers and Canada. The dam is about 6 miles below the resort, and unfortunately I will be passing by before the visitor center opens. Next time …
There was a lot of smoke in the air all day, due to forest fires in Canada. So my photos have a hazy look, rather than the clear blue Montana sky. The road was well above lake level, with the usual profile: downhill to the bridge over a creek, and then back up to go around or over the hill to the next drainage, repeat. The climbs were long (1-2 miles) but not steep, and since it was not hot, it was easy enough. I’m glad I did not plan to ride the whole way to Libby (70 miles) in one day. This is such a spectacular ride, it’s nice to ride it over two days, and in a manner that does not result in wearing me out.
Montana trees, guardrail, bike and me:
It will be uphill to get back to the road in the morning, and a few more creek crossings, as above, and then relatively flat below the dam for the remaining 15 miles to Libby (and second breakfast).
Sunset view from my campsite:
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Much prettier than eastern Montana – must be nice to be in the mountains! Take your time and enjoy the spectacular views. We are getting that smoke/haze in Minnesota too.
Wonderful pictures, and sounds like you are doing well riding. Nice you ran into other bikers the other day and rode together and shared an evening. It’s inspiring to me what you are doing.