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July 21, 2000 Hi Brenda & Bill, 77.77 miles, Darby to Jackson, Mont. What an odd ending to a normal day! It started out fine — cool weather, good hard climb to Lost Trail Pass and then on up to Chief Joseph Pass, over 7000 feet. We stopped in at Big Hole Battlefield — a national monument where the Nez Perce battled the US Army [in 1877]. Then into Wisdom for a much needed late lunch. The mountains are pretty but this Big Hole Valley (of "10,000 bales of hay") is made up of huge ranches. We got into Jackson about 6:00. It has a hot springs pool that is SO hot, it's hard to get in. We are at a lodge — kind of expensive and full of "interesting" people. We are at over 6000 feet. They have only about 8 days that are frost-free. The temperature dropped quickly when the sun set. We met some characters in the bar — a hyperactive stonemason, a Vietnam vet who was so glad and proud Duc was here, a Rainbow child, etc. Ngoc picked up the boys from Carrie's today but then we couldn't find them. Claire forgot to leave the key. It's OK now — they were headed back to the house about 10:00. Hope that's the only mixup. Love, Paula.