May 29,2024, Wednesday

May 29,2024

Left Sheridan, Wy around 8:15AM MT, arrived Missoula, MT 4PM MT.  Temps between mid-50’s to low 70’s.  492 miles (15 miles exploring Missoula), 31 mpg, $3.43 per gallon. To date: 2085 miles traveled with 30.8 mpg.  MT speed limit: 75-80 mph.

Note:  Forgot to mention the Marriott at Deadwood, SD, had female and male robots, Barbie and Benton, who hotel residents could contact and have anything brought to their room (which we did not use.)  Given it is a 24/7 party town we almost felt sorry for the robots.  LOL.  AND The invasive Pampas grass now found in Ohio disappeared after we left Illinois.  No where in the western states.

Day 5.  Breakfast at Best Western was very good quality with lots of choices.  Left in cooler and less wind weather with big storms moving in later.  As we drive, we are aware of the native American presence throughout the western states and their reservations.  We transition out of WY into MT and the terrain changes with less weird rock shapes.  Much of our viewing is from an Interstate, we are sure there is much more to see off the main highway.  We see a porcupine carcass on the road, another local critter.  MT is more rolling hills and not as much rock outcroppings, although the top soil is extremely thin. There is a lot of sage brush in its gray green colors and many prairie dog towns.   Seeing more cattle with newborn calves and less crop farming, just harvesting the spring grass into hay.  There are many significant fossils finds of large dinosaurs in MT.  The first T Rex was found here.  We have been following the Lewis and Clark Trail and we crossed over the headwaters of the Missouri River.  There are snow covered peaks all around.  When the heavy clouds cover them, we believe it is adding more snow.

We are ever increasing our elevation and we cross through many passes and descend into large river valleys.  We follow the Yellowstone River westward for several miles until it sharply turns south and flows into Yellowstone National Park.  There is heavy snow still on the higher peaks and less on the lesser ones.  The snow melt is increasing river flows.  On the way home we will follow the river into the Park from the north entrance.  The north entrance had severe flooding a few years ago and destroyed many homes.

We see lots of strip mining and coal on the trains.  The town of Butte is surrounded in a semi-circle of a strip-mined mountain.  While not a good thing in the long run, the colors of the exposed rock looks like a multi colored quilt.  Must be gorgeous when the sun shines on it. Fossil fuel and refineries are prevalent.  The eastern 2/3 of the state is a high plain formed by an ancient sea while the western third is formed by the mountains and long-gone glaciers.

We rise to about 7000 feet and reach the continental divide, now the east side flows to the Mississippi and the Gulf while the western side goes to the Pacific Ocean.  The area is surreal with continuous large upright boulders knifing out of the ground.  We have moved in and out of rain and sunshine and driving is fine.

We arrive at Missoula in wind and 60 degrees.  It is a pretty city surrounded by a ring of low mountains and the Clark River runs through. A branch of the state uni is here and the campus is beautiful and huge.  The city has multiple strip malls and large shopping malls and every big box and franchise we can imagine.  There is cannabis outlets multiplied and most restaurants and gas stations have some form of casino.  We are staying at Marriott Townhall Suites on outside border of the city.  It’s fairly new hotel with nice amenities, including outdoor pool, jacuzzi and patio with fountain.  Out of the blue they have upgraded us to a suite with kitchenette, living room and bedroom.  And it has an elevator, thankfully.  We find a Blue Canyon restaurant near the hotel.  We have a BC in Twinsburg and this one if very much like it.  Pat tries the bison short ribs.  The meal is delicious.  The bison is tender but a bit stringy, lean and mild tasting.  No beef taste at all.  But very good.  The kids are still in school here.

One more night on these daily road trips.  Soon to have a few days on the ferry, no driving and same room.  It’s always an adventure but a bit tiring with new digs every day.  Grateful for safe travels and kindness of strangers and mostly considerate drivers.