Big Timber, Montana

I was on the road this morning at 8:00 am, headed for Jackson, WY and the VC for the Grand Teton National Park. I felt like I had already done half a day's work by the time I made umpteen trips to the truck with all the stuff. After driving about 70 miles I was turned back - road closed!

After looking at the maps I decided to detour myself around and maybe try to enter at West Yellowstone, possibly getting a view of Old Faithful if nothing else. It wasn't to be. I enjoyed the day doing what I like best - meandering along the scenic byways. In some places there was no traffic at all, and lots of traffic as I went through the little towns. The constant winding and twisting of mountainous roads finally gets to you, and tonight I'm plumb wore out!

When I arrived at the road I would take to the W. Yellowstone entrance, the GPS kept directing me otherwise, no matter what end point I entered. I though maybe the system knew that the roads were closed, but it's not that smart if it let me get as far as I did earlier only to find the gates down.

I eventually took a road that led me through Bozeman, MT and onto I-90. Bozeman is a nice looking little town, but this afternoon the traffic was heavy and I had to stop every block for a red light. It became annoying by the time I finally got to the interstate. I realized that I was routed over the business district of I-90, and there were several points where I could have cut over to the interstate. But how was I to know - better safe than sorry.

I noticed folks walking on the sidewalks of Bozeman and they had difficulty making headway against the wind. I wonder if the wind blows so hard year round, or is it a seasonal thing. I believe Wyoming has it 365 days a year, so probably Montana and Idaho do as well.

I would no doubt have had a little better weather had I waited a couple more weeks, but I have a 5-year old grandson's birthday party to attend on June 4, and I'm not going to miss it. I'm thinking I may take a similar route back to California and try to do Yellowstone & the Tetons in reverse. I have always loved traveling in the off season, and hate to be caught up with the tourists. I know from living in an area of Ireland that relied on tourism, the locals are so busy taking care of the "guests" that they have no time for anything else. I have always liked the slower pace of the off-season, be it anywhere in the US, in Germany, Ireland, etc.

So knowing I wouldn't be able to set up a tent in the wind, I opted for a motel again - this time a Super 8. It's a little upscale from Motel 6 in that it has an ironing board and hair dryer! I carry my own hair dryer and I surely don't need an ironing board. I doubt that I've used an iron more than once in all the business trips I used to take, and what's so difficult about pressing something on the bed. One nice addition is a small coffee maker, although Motel 6 has coffee available in the office. This motel also serves breakfast, for whatever that consists of. I'll try it out - so far all I've spent is the cost of fuel, lodging and a 6-pack of beer. I can see out my window and across the parking lot to a casino that really looks inviting. Good thing I'm not a gambler! If I had someone to walk over with I would probably lose a roll of quarters, but I'm not walking into a cowboy casino all by myself. On second thought, maybe that would be the best way to walk into it.

I am so sorry I didn't stop to take pictures on the way to the Tetons as there were some beautiful views. The scenery nearly took my breath away but I knew it would only get better as I got into the park, so I didn't try to take photos. I love Idaho and so far, Montana. But I don't think I could live in the relentless wind.

Tomorrow morning I will take the highway (I think it's US 191) up to US 12, and drive across that way until it meets the interstate. I may stay on US 12 through North and South Dakota, and see something other than ramp exit signs.

Well the day sure didn't go as I had planned, but maybe it was fine after all. I got a really nice up-close look at a part of Idaho that many people might miss. And for another update on my fuel mileage, it's still holding at 16! I did drive the few miles on I-90 at 70 mph because I was getting tired and wanted to get to where I could stop before long, but I doubt if that will make much of an impact on the average. I almost always hold it at 65 no matter how much higher the limit is.

I'm heading towards Milwaukee and will stop and visit my brother and sister-in-law, and hopefully we can drive down to Chicago to see a cousin who has blood cancer. I had planned to go through the UP of Michigan, but maybe I'll have a better chance of decent weather if I wait till my return trip. Things have a way of working out and I really believe that.

If I have wifi tomorrow evening I'll be back, or maybe I'll have to dig into the bags and boxes in the truck bed to find my Mifi.