Those we've met along the way

We never knew what to expect when we first began planning our trip. We knew from the beginning it was going to be an adventure, a ride of a lifetime! We never knew what great and giving people we would encounter along the way. Beginning back home with our friends who shared a few of their forms of energy with us (thanks Cliff for the five hour energy-Nick used that right away and has even bought more), thanks Barbera and Jeff for the calling card and Walmart cards too. In Bellingham with our grammie Carol, into Winthrop meeting Alaina (a 12 year old) who shared her time playing with whistler. He took a liking to her the moment he saw her on the playground equipment. He was all about taking photos with her, but as soon as I asked to take a picture he said no mom. Her grandparents told her if she did good in school she could travel with them cross country while her grandpa (turning 70) rides bike from Washington to Maine. Her mother began training and decided she was going to bike alongside her father to Maine too. Alaina and her grandma followed by RV and spent time at different campgrounds along the way. It was hard for her and whistler to say goodbye. Traveling through to Waconda we were stopped by a couple driving in their Subaru; they pulled us over to share information about the upcoming roads and things they have experienced through their own riding. What could have been taken as trying to be a know it all, turned into a couple we grew very fond of.They offered us a great place to stop once we got into Waconda (Waconda Café-great location, food, conversation). We had the opportunity of running onto them one last time before leaving Washington (Nick and I both were happy for that opportunity, had they not been heading into Spokane we would not have seen them) if you are in the area look for Skip and Sharon.. Not to mention all the camp hosts and people we met staying at the site too. The generosity of our host in Wallace and giving us a cabin, chatting, and providing a great restaurant/brewery we still talk about). The few couples we met at the rest area yesterday as we were making our way to Missoula. Those of them who were sincerely interested, the grams who wanted our picture, and the couple who offered us water or food from their supply. And what now brings us to all the gals at Comfort inn for asking their questions, showing pure excitement about what we are doing, for finding whistler's toy four Wheeler, and wanting to ask more questions and offer their help each time we pass the front desk. Thank you to the gentleman at the carousel who gave us free tokens for the ride (we tried to take whistler on the carousel but he only wanted to sit on a horse and get off), good thing because as soon as that carousel starting moving it went so fast, the lady working said it was the second fastest carousel in the u.s. at 11 mph. We know there were others and there will be more we continue to meet and we may even come across another like Bill (he who helped us up Sherman's pass-now that Nick is fired up we may not need to hitch a ride)!!