Departed Bozeman on Sunday feeling refreshed and loving the 49 degree launch temp. My new tires were rolling nicely, averaging close to 16 mph en route to Whitehall. Along the way, I stopped in Three Forks, a cute, little western town that happens to be significant to Sacagawea’s legacy. This area is considered her “home”, prior to being abducted as child by another tribe and eventually being “freed” in North Dakota by being sold to her future husband, a French-Canadian fur trapper. The town appropriately promotes her as one of the most admired American women. Turns out, much of what she did was not of her free will and we certainly like to romanticize these historical tales. Bottom line is Sacagawea must have been tough as nails, with or without caffeine, the other crime committed as far as I’m concerned.
The local Three Forks breakfast spot had a beautiful patio that I enjoyed alongside visiting Bozeman residents, Jan and her partner Dan (pictured in Strava). They loved hearing about my CRI fundraiser ride and our conversations were so engaging because these folks are do-ers. In the category of “strong women”, Jan was a force of her own. Originally from Connecticut, she came west to the Colorado “before it was discovered”. She moved to northern Minnesota with her then-husband to farm and found her way back (solo) to Bozeman. She’s ridden horses all her life, picked up motorcycles about 20 years ago, and according to Dan, likes to drive fast. Bottom line, she’s a racer, hence my Danica Patrick title reference. Having lived on a farm, she’s also self-sufficient in every way. I’m pretty certain she could lead the next Lewis & Clark expedition. She met her match in Dan, who grew up in the west as the son of a U.S. forest serviceman. Dan served as a Naval Aviator in the 70’s, doing his training under the tutelage of veteran Vietnam War pilots and. He rides motorcycles…this all sound familiar? He also sports a world-class, Tom Selleck-style mustache. I didn’t have to ask him if he does his own stunts, because he does.
