Jordan to Circle

Sunday, June 29, 2003

Westbound: Winnett to Jordan Eastbound: Circle to Glendive

With a greater appreciation for both the virtue of a substantial breakfast and the open space between settlements on Montana’s Highway 200, I went back to the south side of Jordan to the Hilltop Café for breakfast. Except for its size—which seemed large for Jordan but modest compared to establishments in bigger markets—the Hilltop has all the amenities and style of any nice restaurant at a highway interchange. According to my research, Jordan to Circle would be about 66 miles with no stores along the way. In addition to my full breakfast, I asked them to pack me a roast beef sandwich and chips to go. That, together with some snacks from a mornig visit to the supermarket, covered lunch. I was also concerned about hydration.

Montana’s Travel Planner Brochure showed an ADA compliant rest area at the intersection of highway 24 about 37 miles east of Jordan. That was just over half the 66 miles I needed to do to reach Circle. If I could refill my water bottles there, then I could be sure of enough liquid for the day. Even so, I was going to carry Gatorade in the panniers. Just to be sure the rest stop existed on the ground as well as the map, I approached some of the local diners for advice. They concurred the rest stop was there with water. At about 10:30 in the morning, off I went.

The first 20 miles tends downhill, but the benefit of losing net altitude is lost in the continual up and down that Tom had reported. Around mile 22, there is a steeper hill that regains all that was lost in the prior 20 miles and a few feet more. Another couple of miles lead to a shorter uphill followed by a longer descent. At the bottom of that hill we find the rest area.

Reading is fundamental.

As advertised, it had a rest room and water. Unfortunately, the water was not potable. Nonetheless, I stopped, ate, and drank from my traveling supplies. As I sat there, I twice saw vehicles arrive, wait, and then be joined by another. After a few minutes, of conversation, the occupants would return to the trucks and depart in different directions. At the intersection of the only through highways in the neighborhood, the rest area seems to be an important crossroads.

The second part of the day had more net climbing and continued to have ups and downs. At the same time, the road continued to be clear, reasonably well-paved, and most pleasant riding.

Eventually, I crested the last substantial hill and had gentle descent for 8 or so miles into Circle.

Whereas Jordan includes a hill, Circle is flat. It has a convenience store downtown and a nice motel on the east side where I got a spacious room with a microwave. I didn’t see a supermarket. Having done only 66 miles or so, it wasn’t too late. The microwave tempted me to try to cook. Rather than walk next door to the adjacent restaurant, I went back to the convenience store and bought a can of sloppy joe stuff and a package of taco shells as well as my usual beverages. I had to borrow a can opener from the motel owner but that was ok. Then the joke: the sloppy joe stuff was only the sauce. If I wanted meat, I’d have to add it. Ok, go next door and get a hamburger to go, hold the bun please. Not quite what I planned but a nice change from what the road had offered.

The cell phone found a signal in Circle but it was a roaming area so I called home, gave the motel number, and let my wife’s cell phone call me on the landline tollfree.

About 66 miles.

Westbound: Winnett to Jordan Eastbound: Circle to Glendive