Virginia City, MT
The Pilgrimage: Day 31
I woke up early and did some of the boring house keeping stuff that piles up while you’re on the road. Laundry, emails, all the good stuff.
By the time I finished that it was about one and I headed into town to have lunch at the Star Bakery in Nevada City, and hopefully ride the train.
The Star Bakery, Nevada City
The Star Bakery, Nevada City has been on my list of places to go for quite a while, and I was delighted that they serve the old fashioned malts there.
When I finished lunch, I discovered the train was down. So, instead I bought a ticket for the Nevada City Living History Museum Montana Heritage Commission. I thought I might doodle around and then go see about one of the other bus tours in Virginia City.
Instead I ended up talking to a couple of the reenactors for twenty minutes then explored a couple more buildings they suggested, before I walked into the Boots and Shoes shop and found Curt (or Fritz as he’s called on site.)
We talked for a little while then he offered me a chair and I sat and talked to him, for about four hours, until they closed at six.
I didn’t even know that much time had passed. We were just sitting there sharing stories and it was the best thing ever. I had dinner with Curt and the other reenactors at the Star Bakery. They invited me to have coffee with them the next morning at seven, and we split off for the night.
I headed off to find something to do for the night, and found the Ghost Tours and signed up. There was a large group of small children who also joined the tour that left at 9pm. It was interesting, but it was funnier than hell because I had learned at leat ¾ of the information our tour guide gave us from Curt that afternoon.
(Which is probably a good thing, because I couldn’t hear most of the poor guy’s speeches because the small children kept interrupting him.)
Virginia City, Ghost Tour, MT
I headed back to camp after the tour and packed up as much as I could, so I could get up early enough to meet everyone at the Star Bakery early the next morning.
I freaking love this town and the people in it and I haven’t even gotten to explore a quarter of it.
The Pilgrimage: Day 32
I set my alarm and woke up about two hours earlier than I normally would, specifically so I could pack up the bike and get to the Star Bakery, Nevada City, at 7am so I could have coffee and breakfast with my newly made friends from the Nevada City Living History Museum Montana Heritage Commission
(That’s right. I got up at 6am. I know. I’m blowing the mind of people who know my usual sleeping pattern. But that’s how much I love these people.)
Curt invited me to come hang out with them until I had to leave, and I jumped on it. After a little interviewing, I was essentially adopted by these incredible people, and it was amazing, and easily one of my favorite things that has happened to me on this trip. They dressed me up in period clothing, gave me an apprentice pin, and I got to follow everybody like a puppy while learning lots of 1860’s goodness.
For the few of you who lived through thesis with me, you know my “little” obsession with the 19th century. This place was heaven. I need to go back.
I’m already trying to figure out how I can work spending my weekends in Nevada City next summer.
I had to leave around 1pm to head to Dillon and I didn’t want to leave. I tried to keep it together while I said goodbye to everyone, but I just started crying like a baby by the time I hugged everyone and was walking back to my bike.
*Warning: deep thoughts*
The most amazing thing about travelling is also a two edged sword. On one hand you get to meet people that you just connect with on another level, who leave a lasting impression on you, and just make life amazing for the small time you get to spend together. On the other hand, your time together is so short and when you have to leave it’s freaking heart breaking.
I have been lucky enough on this trip to meet so many people like this. From Cut Bank, Lewistown, Circle, Billings, and Nevada City. I went into this trip only knowing one or two people who lived in other parts of this state. Now, I have friends all over the place, and all I can think about is how the hell I’m going to get back to those places so I can see them again
There’s just a few days left of this trip. It’s only really been a few weeks on the road in Montana, but it feels like I’ve been traveling for months. It is very surreal, to think it’s all coming to an end.