Damaris – July 15, First Day Back Cycling the #acaLewisClark Tour of Discovery. Goodbye #NatlParkService for now
Today was our first day back biking after taking a few days off to hike, visit museums and go to phenomenal National Parks. We only had a 75 mile day ride so I was pretty happy. It felt so great to finally get back on the bike again and even though I didn’t wear biking shorts I still had a blast.
Unfortunately, our ride had a few negative curves. When we were 14 miles away from our camping destination of Whitehall, MT we decided to bike 7 of it and wait out an approaching mean thunderstorm at a gas station. We arrived at the gas station and about 5 minutes later a man arrived saying that hew owns half the county, including the store, and that he doesn’t like “our kind” on his property. So, we had to leave or get the cops called on us. I was in awe to see people like that still existed and even more confused when I remembered we weren’t even in the south. We did have to leave, or chose to leave without putting up too much of a discussion and ended up biking the 8 miles in the storm.
Even though that little event occurred I kept my head up, biked the rest of the way and enjoyed an amazing dinner.
Spoke 'n Revolutions Youth Cycling 
Damaris , keep holding your head up and remember this world is full of people that hate and are fearful (not just in the south) there are those that still smile in your face that have those same prejudices , but are not vocal about it. Your job is to strengthen your self & develop you & not be blind to the haters in the world & know that there are just as many good people out there also. Enjoy your life’s journey road hog ! smile
July 17, 2012 at 12:56 AM
I live in Bozeman, and I am ashamed of these people near our comunity. I cannot even believe you were treated this way, and for that, I apologize! I hope you enjoyed the rest of your time in Montana.
July 29, 2012 at 11:19 PM
Thank you Jessica,
The problem happened in Cardwell, MT not Whitehall. Sorry for the confusion. Our treatment in Whitehall was fantastic. We stayed at the Whitetail RV park that had hot showers and a fabulous host in Justin. I recommend Whitetail for any cyclist going through that town.
August 2, 2012 at 11:44 AM
I am sorry to hear that. I am from whitehall, and its embarrasing to know that people can be so rediculous. Small town or not, there is no excuse for that kind of ignorance. IF he did end up calling the cops….he would have made an fool of himself, I wish you would have stayed to see that the cop would have told him off.
July 30, 2012 at 1:41 PM
Thank you Shaunice,
Our stay in Whitehall was great thanks to Justin at the Whitetail RV park. He took good care of us. The other guy was in Cardwell, 8 miles east of Whitehall. Whitehall is a good town.
August 2, 2012 at 11:38 AM
A friend posted this on FB and I live in this area, not too far away in Butte, Montana. I am so saddened that this happened to you and ashamed of the person who chose to treat you this way. Please know that not all Montanans share his opinion. I will reshare this on Facebook and hope that the owner of the store hears about it from others who are equally outraged by his behavior. Good luck on your trip!
July 30, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Thanks TM Prescott,
The small man was in Cardwell, 8 miles east of Whitehall. Whitehall seems to be a very good town from the comments of the good people there. Thanks for posting and spreading the word on a man out of tune with society.
August 2, 2012 at 11:30 AM
Damaris – as born and raised in Whitehall I am so sorry that this has happened. What a disgrace to our community. I will no longer support any business this family does. Please accept our apology from the community as this should have never happend.
July 30, 2012 at 2:56 PM
Hi Cortney,
That man was in Cardwell. Sorry for the confusion. Whitetail RV was great to us thanks to Justin. You have a good community of people there.
August 2, 2012 at 11:28 AM
Hey man, I’m from Whitehall… Everyone I’ve heard from in the community is sad and appalled by how that store owner treated your group. I won’t be supporting that business again! Hope the rest of your trip goes well. Take care and safe travels…
July 30, 2012 at 5:15 PM
Thank you. The RV park was in Cardwell we’ve found out. Whitetail RV park was a fabulous stay thanks to Justin.
August 2, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Being from Whitehall Mt. I deeply apoligize for the way you were treated. I truely hope this did not ruin your experance and never want to come here. we are not all like that and hope you will come and visit us again. keep you chi9n up.
July 30, 2012 at 9:51 PM
Im so sorry that happened. To me its ludicris. I will not ever go to that gas station ever again. I will not tolerate that type of behavior. Keep on keeping on damaris. glad you got to see some of the beautiful scenery of Montana.
July 30, 2012 at 11:24 PM
Let me just say- to me there is only one race….THE HUMAN RACE. end of story.
July 30, 2012 at 11:27 PM
Thank you, I posted a reply to everyone in Whitehall
August 2, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Hi, I’m from Whitehall, and I am so sorry you ran into someone like that. I think I know who the person in question is, and he doesn’t own half the county, he’s just a blowhard. We aren’t all like that.
July 31, 2012 at 3:59 PM
oh, hopefully karma will come around for that owner of the store
July 31, 2012 at 11:31 PM
I work at the Cardwell Store for almost 2 years and I am LIVID about your sad and awefull story. Word is going around here fast since it is a small town and I have to say that I am very sorry this happened and am extremely imbarrassed about it.
August 2, 2012 at 5:59 PM
Thank you. He doesn’t represent you or the majority of the citizens of Cardwell. From my impression it is a small and wonderful town. Full of very open minded people.
August 3, 2012 at 9:50 PM
I live in Oregon but I am from Montana and I have a sister that lives just up the road from that store and I am sure her house would of been open. That is ridiculous and ignorant for someone to treat people like that. I am so sorry you had to encounter this person and I hope it doesn’t keep you from visiting the onderful state of Montana again.
August 2, 2012 at 10:17 PM
It won’t. We loved traveling through Montana. It’s a beautiful state. We may have brought the rains because it was surprising that it rained so much. Thank you for your comments.
August 3, 2012 at 9:48 PM
My family is from Cardwell and i love Cardwell, but i am super sad to know this happend to you!! I would def like to say its a great place, sorry your experience wasn’t!!
August 2, 2012 at 10:21 PM
Thank you!
August 3, 2012 at 9:46 PM
I am from Cardwell and so sorry you had to run into that “jerk”. He does not represent the people of Cardwell!!! I am so ashamed that people like him still exist. I am going to make sure that this gets posted and people see his true nature, this was just wrong!!
August 2, 2012 at 10:22 PM
Thank you. We didn’t expect the people of Cardwell to be like him. One of the patrons followed us out to see if we needed anything. He and his mother-in-law also agree with you in their sentiment.
August 3, 2012 at 9:46 PM
Was this the gas station, rv park and casino? The owner is listed as Sonny Huckaba. I hope he loses a lot of business for this. We don’t need a POS person like this in the world!
August 3, 2012 at 8:24 AM
What did he mean by “your kind”. Because I know they do not like people to “hang out” at this destination, especially if you are not purchasing anything.
August 3, 2012 at 1:01 PM
It became obvious when asked for a specific definition of “your kind” to my wife when he looked at two of our African-American youth and said “you know what I mean”. He also said that he didn’t want us to buy anything in the store, either. It is what it is.
August 3, 2012 at 9:44 PM
the “JC” defending the owner is probably his sister, those are her initials. In fairness, they are also Jesus Christ’s initials, though I doubt it’s Him making excuses for the owner.
August 4, 2012 at 7:42 AM