Lewis & Clark and Beyond

September 8, Day 21

There was coffee with the LOW group this morning. Wow, and I thought I made strong coffee!! After breakfast, we headed to Livingston so I could get to my appointment for an oil change. I dropped Will off at the library so she could check email and update her blog. Afterward, I joined her at the library and did the same thing. We looked for a place to grab a bite to eat and ended up at a thrift shop. Will forgot to bring a warm coat and found a nice one for $5. I picked up some towels to use as rags and a kitchen knife. On the way back, we decided to go to the Chico Spa again. By Montana standards, it is only ‘down the road a piece’. It was actually 12 miles one way. This time I brought my shampoo and took full advantage of the shower after soaking in the pool for a hour or so. I tried the ’hot’ pool, but could only stay in it for a few minutes. We have been up and down this Yellowstone river valley a number of times now and it seems to be more beautiful with each trip. There are a lot of small ‘gentlemen ranches’ hugging the river and dotting the foothills. Some are old, but most are recent with very nice log houses and out-buildings. Many have either horses, a few head of cattle, or sheep. The other campers report that the real estate here is very expensive and most of the ‘mini-ranches’ would go for over $1M. The campground is right on the river and just before sundown this evening we saw a small herd of mule deer across the river. Even at the distance of 100 yards they were of aware of my presence and the older does kept a close eye on me. The longer I am here, the more I like the place.

September 9, Day 22

After coffee and saying goodbye to the Big Sky LOW group, we headed back to Livingston to do laundry. On the way, we spotted a single yearling deer ‘bounding’ through the field to put distance between herself and the vehicles. Near Three Forks, MT, we stopped at the Missouri Headwaters State Park. This is the point where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers converge to form the Missouri. From here, it is 2500+ river miles to where the Missouri meets the Mississippi. Cutie took a swim in the head waters of the Missouri at a boat launch where we met some locals who were loading their inflatable rafts after having done a five hour float down the Gallatin. They had two dogs with them. They report that the younger swam most of the way. Tonight we are again at a Wal-Mart parking lot in Butte, MT, along with about 15 other rigs.

September 10, Day 23

Well, we went from deep Fall to full Summer in one day’s drive. This morning when we got up in Butte and it was 29° . When we got to Lewiston, ID, it was 88° . We took I90 from Butte to Missoula, MT, where we picked up US12 over the Lolo pass and through the Bitterroot Mountains. This has to be one of the most beautiful routes in the country. The first 30 miles is an inclining grade until you get to the Lolo Pass on the Continental Divide at an elevation of 5235’. The next 100 miles is a steep down hill grade of winding and twisting highway through National Forrest. The highway follows the fast running Lochsa River which has high pine covered mountains jutting up on both sides. Spectacular!! At Lowell, ID, the highway leaves the National Forest, enters and Indian Reservation, and begins to follow the less fast running Clearwater River for the last 100 miles of less dramatic scenery into Lewiston which has an elevation of only 738’. I am anxious to see what kind of fuel consumption I experienced for this leg of the trip! We are staying two nights in Hells Gate State Park outside Lewiston. This is the first time we have stayed in a full service park with electricity, city water, and showers for twelve days. It is a bit pricey, but we are ready for a little luxury.