Day Nine

It has been a long and interesting day.  Started out finding out we slept through the 5.8 earthquake that happened in Montana.  We had been tired and fell asleep before it happened.  Then heard about it on the news and at breakfast when other hotel guests were talking about it.  We are fine.

We got on the road right after we ate.  Finished crossing Montana.  Saw some more bison and elk!  Lots of beautiful countryside, too.  We had lunch at a rest stop.  We had company!  I was sitting there having my yogurt and a little creature was almost on my foot.  I stood up and he moved and soon there were a bunch of them waiting for a hand-out!  They especially liked the apple cores I cut up.   I thought at first from a distance they were squirrels, but that was wrong.  And they aren't chipmunks.  If I find out what they are I'll let you know.

Then into Idaho!  We had no idea we were up so high until the road started going down and down and down, and winding all the way.  We were heading to Priest River, where Golfer's Dad had been in the CCC.  We found the town, but didn't make it to the museum.  We just kept going and going.  Along the way we saw a fire.  It was in a field and was moving toward the trees.  There were several fire trucks and lots of people working to put it out.

And we also got a bonus state in the search!  We had been in Idaho driving along and all of a sudden there was a "Welcome to Idaho" sign!  We weren't sure where we had been.  Decided it was either Washington or Canada.  :) (we had been driving a long time)  On the way back we saw a "Welcome to Washington" sign so that answered that.

So, anyway, we plugged in the info for Coeur d'Alene and headed to the resort.  The GPS people might be getting a letter.  It took us to a lovely place called The Lodge, which was an assisted living home.  It didn't way that out front and Golfer was getting more annoyed with the GPS so I said I was going in and ask.  Two very nice attendants asked if they could help us.  We told them the problem and we all laughed and then one of them drew us a map.  They said it was the most excitement they had had today. 

It was a good map and we got here!  Tired, hot, and a little frustrated, but here.  We are all settled into our room.  It is beautiful!  Pictures tomorrow.  We have had dinner.  Les has turned in his golf clubs so they will be ready for the 7:30 boat ride to the golf course in the morning.  I will be exploring.  :)

Stay safe and God Bless America!

P.S.

When we look out our hotel room window, this is what we see.  Lovely!

However, I did not take this picture from the window.  It has a screen over it and there were some huge a** flying bugs hanging on it!  I don't know what they are, but they are big enough to cast shadows.  And there are some dead ones stuck in Kirk's grill along with a bazillion other bugs.  It was windy when we walked to supper and the huge bugs were on the ground walking instead of flying.

Geez.

Day Eight

We were in Yellowstone Park by 7:30 this morning.  First off we stopped at the Yellowstone Post Office to mail postcards.  And we saw this handsome fellow along with perhaps some of his family that were sitting in the shadows.

They were just hanging around.  Didn't seem a pit concerned about me taking their pictures.  :)

We took a different route through the park today.  Our main focus was seeing Old Faithful.  When we got to that area it was about a 35 to 40 minute wait.  The geologists, scientists, or maybe geyser specialists post an approximate time for the next eruption.  We wanted to be able to see and it was nice out so we went and got a front row seat and waited.

This is how it looks "resting".

And here is when it erupted.

 

Before it got to it's full force, it did a couple smaller little spurts and bubbles.  Everyone sort of went "awwwwww" and wondered if that was it, but I don't think anyone left.  It was definitely worth the wait.

 

As we drove along we saw steam coming up out of the ground in many places.  We stopped at one of the larger spots called Beryl Spring.  The water was actually boiling as it came up out of the ground.

 

 

We also saw the Yellowstone Lake.  Huge and lovely!

 

 

We saw more bison today, too!  Here is an especially handsome fellow.

 

 

We are having a great time.  Tomorrow morning we head for Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

 

 

 

Day Seven

We had a quick breakfast at the hotel.  Like I said before, "rustic".  But we've stayed in worse.

There was a beautiful sunrise.

Then off we went!  Through Montana and back into Wyoming to Yellowstone.  We are actually staying in Gardiner, Montana, at the Best Western.  The only bad thing I've found so far is that our room is on the second floor and there is no elevator.  We will manage.  Breakfast is at the other end of the lot in a restaurant. 

 



The Yellowstone River ran along the road for most of the way and it is lovely.  We chose one of the circular routes in the park for today and stopped several places to look and take pictures.  The Mammoth Hot Springs is beautiful.

The roads can get a little scary - two lanes, very winding, no guardrails.  I think in a couple areas we clenched every muscle we have. :)  Tomorrow morning when we go back we are taking another route and going to Old Faithful.

We saw some elk, a bear, deer, chipmunks, birds, and a bison!  This guy was right up next to the road!

When you check into the park the first thing they give you is a list of warnings and tell you how dangerous it is.   Don't bother the animals, don't get close to the animals, don't feed the animals, etc.  At one visitor center they were renting bear spray.  I understand its usefulness, but I don't want to get close enough to spray a bear.  :)   But all those hardy souls out there doing the camping and hiking need it.  The bear we saw was way off in a field away from the road.

Stay safe, God Bless America, and Happy July 4th!

Day Six

We both woke up early before the alarm went off.  We toyed with eating at the hotel but that involved just hanging around until time and we were anxious.  So we stopped and had some breakfast at a Starbucks that we saw last evening on the way back from dinner.

BTW, dinner was good.  Firehouse Brewing Company.  Was very busy but we didn't have to wait long.  Golfer had some kind of sausage and pulled pork sandwich that made his head sweat.  :) I went with a brisket sandwich and a beer.

So anyway,  we got on the road and finished crossing South Dakota.  Then across a little corner of Wyoming.  It's interesting to see how the land changes from really flat to hilly and on.



Wyoming 

Still Wyoming.  We call this the little Devil's Tower.  There are lots of these.

Montana

Of course, there was some more road construction.  Did not see anyone working at any of the areas though.

We toured the Little Bighorn Battlefield this afternoon.  The park is very impressive.  We heard a great talk by one of the Rangers and we saw a good video before doing the driving tour.  As you look out over the fields and the prairie, you see small white stone markers and small brown ones here and there.  Most of those killed were just buried where they were and markers put up.  The brown ones designate Native Americans.  There is also a small National Cemetery on the site with many veterans buried.

We are now checked in to the Rodeway Inn, in Hardin, Montana.  I will leave my comments at "this is rustic".  I ventured out to the IGA and went from one end of the town to the other.  Saw a couple gas stations.  I stopped at one and filled up Kirk and scrubbed the bugs off the windshield again.  I also saw at least half a dozen small casinos and bars.  And narrowed down our dinner choices to McDonald's, Pizza Hut, or Dairy Queen.  :)

Stay safe, people.  God Bless America!

Day Five

We've had another great day! 

Breakfast at the hotel.  We made waffles this morning.  Then we headed out.  We did Mount Rushmore first.  We had been there in 1994.  A LOT has changed in the area since then.  But the Presidents still look great!

We were going to have some ice cream even though it was only a little after 8:00 a.m.  Who can pass up Memorial Ice Cream!  But the shop wasn't open yet.  Did you know that President Thomas Jefferson created the first ice cream recipe?

Then we were off to the Chief Crazy Horse monument.  We were there in 1994, too.  Even though work has continued on the actual monument, it isn't really evident.  The area has changed a LOT though and now has a museum and other exhibits.  And a college and medical school for Native Americans is being developed.  The original family members of the sculptor are continuing the work.

Here is the planned image.

And here is how he looks right now.

Life is good.  The scenery is amazing.  Enjoy the journey.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Day Four

We had some cereal and a fresh cinnamon roll at the hotel.  Then found a Starbucks right down the street and got coffee.  Then we were on the road.

First stop was The Corn Palace.  Our friends all said we should see this.  :)  It is interesting!  They have concerts, sports, concerts, etc. there.  All the artwork on the outside of the building is made of corn cobs and other corn parts. From what I understand this artwork changes every year.  Inside you can get corn on the cob, pop corn, caramel corn, etc. at the refreshment stand.  And in the gift shop you can buy just about anything in the world with a corn theme!

Then we were off to the Minuteman Missile Site.  Very interesting.  There are tours available of the actual silo, but we had opted to not even attempt that when we read that it was necessary to climb down and back up a thirty foot ladder.  We are not stupid.  And we accept what is.  Neither one of us was going to be doing that.

And then we were off to the Badlands.  First we had to stop and clean the windshield.  There was a lot of insect activity and insect suicides on the road today!  :)   The Badlands are beautiful and awe inspiring.  We saw some goats and some prairie dogs on the drive.

We made our way to Rapid City, SD to the Sleep Inn & Suites.  Nice hotel, nice room.  Tomorrow we will head to Mount Rushmore, The Chief Crazy Horse monument and to Little Big Horn Battlefield.

Stay safe!  And God Bless this beautiful America!