May 30, 2012

We left Star Valley and drove to Idaho Falls where we stopped and bought some parts for our fifth wheel. From there we headed up new road, for us anyway, along the wide open and deserted spaces on Interstate Fifteen.
You almost wouldn't believe its the same highway that's crowded with cars and trucks in Utah and Nevada. Here its one of the most deserted roads we have been on and I was reminded of the phrase that describes the Alaska Highway, miles and miles of miles and miles.
Regardless its a beautiful drive and Renita logged some wheel time which allowed me to actually sight see as we passed the Organ Pipes, near Dillon, Montana. We went for a walk, after setting up, and met a gold miner from Kalispel, who also travels to the Kenai salmon fishing. Small world but we are nearing the border. Tomorrow its Great Falls and our final prep for crossing the border. Clear skies

May 31, 2012

After spending the night south of Dillion, MT, we first filled up with diesel and then headed to Great Falls. It was an easy drive up and over the continental divide and the whole trip was filled with strange mountains and new sights.
We were both impressed with the statue to Mary poised on the skyline, high above Butte. Having already seen the open pit mine we were less then impressed as the coal mines around our home of Gillette have to be reclaimed but the feds declared that open pit mines can be left as an eyesore....

The Gateway of the Missouri was another impressive sight.    Renita took  over the driving and of course she had an unexpected pass to cross. As soon as she topped out the interstate was partially blocked with a huge wide load going slow and flashing it's emergency lights.
She did a great job driving the rig but that should be no surprise as she is a smooth operator and it helps so much having her giving me a break from the wheel time. I started a list of birds and today we saw two Ferrunginous hawks, along with the usual ravens. These were added to yesterday's golden eagle perched on a dead tree and the flash of what had to be a Bullocks Oriole,(formerly combined with Baltimore Orioles).

It was a beautiful drive and the Missouri was filled with drift boats as it meandered in its narrow valley. It looked very floatable for our canoe but Great Falls and  the  border calls to us. Later, upon reaching Great Falls we pulled into a campground where we will fill our larders and finish some wiring, before crossing into Canada. Clear skies