Helena MT

I was ready to go early this morning and left Miles City at 7:30 am. It's a good thing because I ran into 3 different road works where the line of vehicles had to wait for a pilot vehicle to escort the lane of traffic. It took me at least an hour over what I and the GPS estimated to get here, and I unlocked the motel door at 3:15. I had booked the room last night online - my first experience with doing that. I always preferred to call the number and talk to a human, although I usually just dispensed with reservations because I always like to stop by 3 pm, and it normally isn't a problem getting a room, except, as I found out, in the city of Williston, ND.

Montana is BEAUTIFUL! I apologize for the lack of clarity in the photos but I was taking them through the car windows, and the windshield was nearly covered with bugs. Mostly I drove through pretty open country, but the scenery changed often enough to keep me awake.





I stopped several times at gas stations to use the restroom, but I figured Lady needed to stretch her legs, so we pulled over in an area for installing chains during the winter. There were a lot of cows over the fence, and one by one they turned their heads to stare at either Lady or me. Then they started walking towards us, and I'm chatting away with them and took their pictures before saying goodbye.




I needed to "go" so bad and there was good visibility in both directions, virtually no traffic. I thought about it but just knew that if I saw a vehicle in the far-off difference I would wet on my jeans! Later on through the Helena National Forest there were many pull-offs, but usually close to the creek which runs along the road, and the road was very curvy so I couldn't see far. I don't know why I worry because backpacking and hiking has taught me how to be comfortable in the woods along hiking trails.

I'm meeting up with Sandie and Jim in a little while and we will have dinner. I'll post the pictures tomorrow.