POLSON — Like many summer vacationers, the Lighthiser family spent the week leading up to Labor Day enjoying the sights of the Flathead along the road from Whitefish to Missoula.

But the Lighthisers are not your ordinary travelers. The family of five (six if you include their black lab, Hayduke), just completed a three-month odyssey by bike that led them on a zig-zag path through the Rocky Mountains, from Durango, Colo. up to Whitefish and back down to their ride’s terminus in Missoula. Spouses Mark and Erica have decided to have the family settle into Bozeman for the winter for hard-earned respite from the road.

Barreling into the home stretch of their journey, last Thursday the well-traveled bunch rolled through Polson and made an afternoon pit stop at Lake City Bakery for a bite to eat.

After months of fielding questions from curious strangers, Mark and Erica were still happy to share their story with fellow diners.

Although they have impressively streamlined their load of cargo, the family’s five-person caravan is hard to miss.

Erica’s bike is given a boost by daughters Eva, 7, and Clara, 5, who split time pedaling in the rear and sitting alongside their two-year-old brother, Emmett. Meanwhile, Hayduke, the dog, rides in a small carriage pulled behind Mark’s bike.

Of course, the journey hasn’t been easy.

“It’s been pretty much hills,” said Clara.

Besides the challenging topography, Mark added that they had weathered about a dozen flat tires in the last week, alone.

Despite the hardships of life on the road, the family’s spirits have not flagged in the slightest. To they contrary, they have emerged from the experience with a renewed attitude of positivity.

“For me, [the highlight] has been meeting all the great people,” said Erica, who left behind a disheartening and stressful career situation in Durango.

“The trip has completely restored our faith in humanity.”

In the Mission Valley, the Lighthisers enjoyed the same kindness from strangers that has been a constant amidst the ever-changing scenery of the past three months. At the Lake City Bakery, a good Samaritan bought their meal for them, and area resident Ken Newgard helped them with directions as they continued on their way.

Not far down the backroads of Lake County, the Lighthisers again received help when Ted Madden, the principal of Ronan’s K. William Harvey Elementary School, welcomed them into the building for shelter from a violent thunderstorm that had closed in on the area.

“The staff were really great to us,” said Erica. “The kids got to read some books while the storm passed.”

The family camped in Ronan that night before completing their voyage in Missoula the next day, where they met up with a friend who drove them to Bozeman.

Erica says the family is happy to settle down for now, but they won’t be content to rest on their laurels for long.

“A couple months from now we’ll be itchy to get back on the road,” she says, already entertaining ideas of touring again next year.