Montana Day 2

This part of my trip was the longest, and most enjoyable part of my trip thus far. I was met with challenges and blessings in surprise after surprise.

Saturday morning I woke up at my campsite to the sound of trains going by and got my things together to head to the station. It was cold, and the sun was just rising while I somewhat regretted having to put my sleeping bag in its stuff sack and take down my tent. With my black canvas shoes I climbed down to the grounds entrance to get my ride.

Once on the train I sipped some coffee and anticipated winding through the mountains. In the packed view car, where the seats face large windows that extend into the ceiling, I found a seat and let my heart be filled by the beautiful trees, streams and mountains before me. Orange casts from the sun made for an epic journey away from my day of solitude in Glacier National Park.

As the trees began to thin and the ground began to level, I disappointedly felt as though I was headed toward the central valley of California. Not long after it seemed that all foliage had disappeared our train was stopped. A freight had derailed some ways down the track and we were going to be at the station in Montana for a while. We were advised not to leave the station incase the tracks were cleaned faster than expected, so I meandered about looking into the tiny town of bars and casinos and a shut down JC Penny's. Sometimes I would walk a little ways from the station feeling rebellious, then become concerned about missing the train and would walk back. It was really funny, my small attempts at getting away.

Hours ended up going by, and those with closer stops were bused off. An attendant informed me that Chicago bound passengers would be at the station overnight. At first uncertain, having only vaguely talked to a couple people behind me and feeling quite alone I paced about. It was not long before I put off the uncertainty and embraced the time off the train.
There had been people around me with grocery bags, so I stopped a person walking by and found how to get to the grocery store in town. I walked the five or six blocks feeling no rebellion, knowing that I had about twelve hours to kill. The night ended up well with a veggie meal, a glass of wine, some harmonica playing, writing and drawing. After a picnic in the parking lot at sunset I got back on the train, and fell asleep.