Ryegate, Montana

I have made it to Ryegate, Montana, which, unlike some of the other places I have visited recently is an actual town, although with a population of only 223 people. I searched the Internet for pictures of Ryegate and, finding nothing of particular interest, decided on this drawing. I would fall over backward if I stood like that, but the picture gives one a sense of forward motion, which works for me.

The drawing is by the cartoonist R. Crumb. I watched a documentary about him once. It has been a while, but I remember that he is a strange guy, has a big collection of records of old music and a disdain for most of modern life. Also, one of the females interviewed - his first wife? - says he has an unusually large penis. It is an odd documentary.

Here is my roadmap through the rest of Montana: I have already walked more than 950 miles, so I should hit 1,000 miles in eight or nine days. Billings is another 19 miles down the road, four more days, so should be there around mid-month. 175 miles after Billings is Broadus, the last decent-sized town in Montana. That should take just over 30 days, so maybe May 17-ish. Then it's 57 miles to Alzada, Montana and two more miles from there to the Wyoming border - 11 days. So Wyoming about the end of May.

When I crossed into Montana from Idaho, I was in the mountains, with elevations of nearby towns over 5,000 feet. Before I got to Helena, I crossed the continental divide, but Helena, Ryegate, Billings, and Broadus are all at elevations over 3,000 feet, and Alzada is 2,800 feet. My point is that all of Montana is mountains, which is I suppose why not many people live there.

At least I am going downhill now.