Starting from the end, we arrived in the beautiful city of Butte, Montana right in time to catch dinner provided by our generous hosts, the good people of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church! A big thank you to them! In addition to dinner, Butte is also home to the Folk Music Festival, which many members of the team attended. The ride into Butte was marked by a sensational downhill, complete with sharp curves and a magnificent view of the Montana landscape. Such a downhill was not a free ride though; it was literally an uphill battle for some six miles before that. Long before this undertaking, the team visited a sweets shop by the name of Papa’s Candy Factory, one of the best chocolate stores we’ve encountered on the trip. Last but not least, the team completed a Portrait, marking number fifty four of the trip.  As of today, we are two ride days away from Missoula, Montana, with the town of Philipsburg awaiting our arrival. Montana, you are one beautiful state!Much love,The Illini 4000