The rest of the Stupids have hit the road. I’m the designated support driver today and so they’ve left me alone here in our little home Thompson Falls. It’s suddenly very, very quiet. Thankfully, I’m not in the larger room that we used for eating breakfast, preparing last night’s cold chicken salad supper and the one with way too many empties. I think it smells a little fresher here in good ol’ Room 29.

The owner, Mark Campbell, here at the appropriately named Falls Motel, has been a star. He helped us unhitch the rather complicated mess of our U-Haul yesterday so we could drive into Missoula to have Karen’s bike repaired. He directed us to the gorgeous walk over the Clarks Fork River to look at the dam and fish ladder and the torrents of river that is pouring everywhere.

They’ve had a cold wet spring here too, and the sudden onset of summer with temperatures in the 90s, is unleashing every last drop of moisture in those hills. It’s a crazy looking river right now.

Mark, and his wife Katrina, have big plans for the future of Thompson Falls; a new saloon and creating more festive Fourth of July celebrations.

He wants more visitors; and you gotta love a motel that throws in free WiFi and fills your beer cooler with complimentary ice.

If you don’t feel like cycling, you can always get in your vehicle and take a drive down Hwy 200. I’m sure they’ll leave the light on for you. Go say hi to Chris at the Motherlode Restaurant too. She’ll recommend the cheddar munchers with your burger and tell you great stories.

Tell them The Stupids sent you. They’ll know who you’re talking about.