Whitefish, Montana

Yesterday had to be one of the best riding days we've done. We woke up in Nelson, BC to sunshine!! Off we went and took the ferry from Balfour to Crawford Bay and drove down the South Arm of Kootenay Lake. We found out from another biker that it's rated the #1 motorbike road in BC... it was pretty awesome! We at a great picnic lunch (thanks mom!) by the river in Creston and then crossed into Idaho. From there, we headed south to connect with the #2 and went East into Montana. We made it all the way to Whitefish, Montana (thanks to the recommendation of my sister Victoria) and true to her word, it's an AWESOME little town. A lot like Nelson, actually. Very quaint. We had a GREAT dinner in the Sky Bar at Coopers on the main drag - a roof top, open air restaurant with a spectacular view. We had a nice campsite at the Whitefish Lake State Park and woke up this morning to RAIN!!  We're heading up to do the "Going To The Sun" highway so we're hoping the clouds lift. They only opened the road last week so we're expecting some snow etc. at the summit (not on the road) so we'll pull out our electric gear. Apparently, it's about 9000 ft.
Montana Tidbits:
#1 - They drive FAST down here! Secondary, single-lane highways are 120kms! Crazy! We drove under the limit most of the way... :) They must be so frustrated when they come to BC! ha ha ha...
#2 - They have little white crosses on the road where there were fatalities. A little sad to see them - sometimes there are several so obviously some bad accidents. Hmmm... maybe because of the driving speed?
#3 - No motorcycle helmets required! It's so weird to see people riding in ball caps... I just couldn't do it. It would freak me out.
#4 - No state tax! Boy that sure makes a difference on bills!
#5 - Absolutely GORGEOUS countryside - we're very impressed and definitely will come back to Montana!
We hope to make Malta tonight and then on to Saskatchewan tomorrow...