Day 52 / Day 2 of 4th leg
start mileage (our truck) 95022 / end 95429
(rental truck) 74889 / 75306
Woke up several times, then had squeaky floor above @ 5:00am-5:30 so we got up...
Departed @ 7:15am Clear and cold
McDonald’s B’fast at 8:00 C’oeur d’Alene
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| image from pioneermonuments.org |
9:50am Nearing “Lookout Pass” Have been traveling @ 20mph for the last 20 minutes
Entered Montana 9:52am [95124] right at the summit; now we’re careening downhill! I better stop *writing
10:20 (85 mi west of Missoula) Just left a rest stop. Beautiful scenery—all morning but especially here, with the yellowed deciduous pines, and the sun glinting off streams and river bends. It’s like an oil painting come to life.
I’m not sad to drive through & leave it behind, though, because I don’t have to live here to appreciate the natural wonders. Also, there’s natural beauty in every state—in a variety of forms, and it would be a shame to get fixated on one style. David doesn’t seem sad to leave, either; I think he’s looking forward to the central Ohio scenery.
Well, now it’s 9:21pm (MT) and we’re in a Motel 6 between Bozeman & Livingston, Montana. The afternoon & early evening were steady driving (15-20mph up various inclines—no kidding!), with the main excitement being that one of the straps holding the mattress on top of our truck disappeared. The other strap held, though, and we made it to a truck stop so David could rig something up. (Rope & bungee cords) We’ll buy another strap tomorrow.
In searching for a rope, we found we are unable to open the back of the U-Haul as there’s something jamming it. We’ll just cross our fingers that the bumpy road will re-settle things, and it will magically open when we need it to…All part of the adventure!
Weather forecasts (and my Dad) are calling for unseasonal cold temps and possible-to-probable snow Tuesday & Wednesday right along our route. David spent an hour (as I work on this journal) pouring over the map & checking the Weather Channel, and we’re 90% decided to turn South and head to I-80. From experience our first leg back east, this is a bumpier, hillier route, but it’s south of the forecast problems, and slow going beats sliding in the snow with towed trailers.
I’m watching Game 2 of the World Series and it’s tied 9 to 9 in the 8th. Vince, Tessa & Tig are all being great little troopers! V & T don’t bark or make trouble in the motel room.
*writing: Yes, I admit I was writing while driving a stick-shift truck, with a cat in the front seat.
I told you we were driving slow!
I told you we were driving slow!
Fuel: West of Missoula
Ours: 95170 / 200mi / $21.01 / 13.5 gal
Rental: 75039 / / $39.00 / 25.5 gal
End of Entry
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