Map of the Montana Road Trip

Here is the final map of the path traveled on my Montana Road Trip.



I wanted to do a point by point, but it's kinda hard to do that easily within Google Maps, at least in a way that can be narrated. But I suppose it isn't really necessary. Including the portions of the trip done with Linda and Wood, we're talking roughly 3,600 miles of road. What the hell was I thinking?

I'm working on some trip tidbits, but this requires close review of maps, pictures and personal reflections.

All that really matters, though, is the Jay-Walking Mountain Goat!

Yum, it's 10:15 pm now and, well, I guess I won't be doing any classwork tonight... doh!!! I'm such a slacker!

Where am I now?

HOME!!!! With my kitties!!!!

And in dire need of a really, really long nap...

I still have a few days before having to go back to work... I will do somethings, but hopefully they won't involve driving.

Once I've rested, I'll post details on miles and maps and whatnot...

In the meantime, to the couch I go with some kitty snuggling on the agenda....

Eureka

Just passing thru Eureka. Filled up for the last time this trip.

Almost home

Just crossed the border into California! Now a leisurely drive south on 101...

California Here I Come

Well, I've updated my blog with some of my other stuff and now I'm posting today's current info.

I left Portland around 11:00 a.m. after a relaxing morning at The Edgefield and a tasty breakfast. I decided I didn't want to drive the whole Oregon coast so I drove first to Eugene and then cut across on Rt. 126 to Rt. 101.

I had planned to stop at the Dunes, but I realized I was kinda tired and really didn't want to stop, so I just continued south.

Overall it wasn't a very exciting drive. I am either too tired or have seen too many beautiful sites on this trip... but the Pacific remains beautiful.

I'm now at yet another Best Western, this one in one of the beach towns in Oregon, right before the California border. Can't remember the name of the town, but it starts with a B. The room is a bit pricey and smells funny, but I've got a little porch, I am looking out at the Pacific, and I can hear the waves hitting the beach... which is what is most important for me right now. Hopefully the people next store won't go out on their balcony every time they want to smoke, cause I want to keep the window open...

Some random pics from the drive today...









Tomorrow morning I head home. My hope is to make it back to the kitties by the end of the day... I look forward to seeing my girls again... miss them...

Traveling Catch-up

Portland, Or, Monday, 9/22, 2008

I'm going to try and catch up a bit on the blog, even if I won't be able to post it for a day or two... the place I'm at tonight, The Edgefield, has no internet connection, and I'm not sure what I'll end up with on the coast. So, I will blog the old-fashioned way -- like a travel journal -- and post later... :-) (yay, it's later...)

So, some catch-up. I think I blogged Friday night, when I arrived in Polson, Mt. That was the day I visited Glacier Park. Since then, I have driven from Polson, Mt., through Missolula, then down on Rt. 12 through Clearwater National Forest to Lewiston, Id. You cross over into Idaho while going through the Clearwater National Forest.

The drive to Missuloa was pretty uneventful, but once I hit Rt. 12, that all changed. Clearwater National Forest was beautiful. It is like the Pacific Northwest or even like Vermont and New Hampshire. You just drive for miles along a road that winds alongside a river through the mountains. I actually drove rather slowly. I pulled over once or twice to let someone pass me, but overall, I had the road to myself. I stopped a lot and got out of the car, walked around a bit, peaked up some trails, that sort of thing. It was just plain relaxing. Here are some pics...



(It was, indeed, a windy road... as river roads tend to be...)









Once out of Clearwater, I drove through the northern part of Idaho to the Washington border at Lewiston/Clarkson. This is a pretty industrial area. Linda warned me that it might be a bit noisome, and it was... but only for a little bit of time, thankfully...



I continued on Rt. 12 in Washington... this is big wide open farm country and the weather started to change for the worse. It was overcast and drizzly. I drove through Walla Walla Washington -- a cute little college town. It was just outside of Walla Wall that I actually got pulled over for speeding. I was going 70 in a 60. The State Trooper was sufficiently intemidating what with his fancy State Trooper hat and all... so I did the most appopriate thing and "Yes, Sir'd" him a lot. When he saw I was from SF, he blamed me for the weather -- isn't that just so typical? But in the end, he gave me a break and told me to slow it down, which I did for the rest of the way to Portland....

Here are some random pics from the drive...











As I mentioned in an earlier blog, it was a long drive. I was pretty tired when I hit I-84, but I was bound and determined to make it to Maryhill for the night. It was dark by the time I hit I-84 (see the two pics below of the Columbia River when I hit it at the junction of Rt. 12 and Rt. 730), so it seemed a pretty tedious drive at this point, plus the weather was crappy. But I drove and drove and drove and finally hit Maryhill -- but the one place I checked was booked and the other two looked creepy, so I decided to go on to the next place. This turned out to be The Dalles. Everything booked -- I checked like 4 places. Continued on to the Hood River exit. Booked! So, I gave up and drove all the way to Portland... finally found a Best Western off of exit 16. Sigh. The life of a road traveller.

Sunday, as noted, I went to Powell's and met up with Barbara. Spent the day chillin with her, and later, James. I had a good day.

Today, Barbara took be back up the Columbia River so I would get to see at least some of the Columbia River Gorge in daylight. We took what I think was the old highway, Rt. 30, east along the Oregon side of the river, to Kultnomah Falls. Okay, beautiful.







On our way back to town, Barbara stopped to show me The Edgefield, a former poor house that was turned into a hotel and restaurant by a pair of enterprising brothers. I loved the place and decided I needed to spend the night here... (which is where I am now). The place is full of all sorts of interesting artwork and has a really surprisingly great vibe about it... In my room is a painting of a clown with a cigar. He reminds me a bit of Bob Hope. We had lunch here and I booked a room for the night...

Then we went back to Portland and drove into Washington Park then over to the Pittock Mansion. Sadly, we arrive too late to tour it, but it was still pretty and just means it will be something I need to do next time I'm here.

I ended up back at The Edgefield and then joined Barbara and James for drinks in the wine bar. We listened to a truly atroicous band play (or shrill as the case may be) what they considered to be folk rock, but which was really badly expressed bluegrass. But we had fun despite that. They make their own wine here so I may bring back a few bottles... :-)

Here are some random pics of the art that is all throughout the hotel... oh, and Kim and Bill... apparently they have some wonky Par 3 course here...







My one regret... not buying the beautiful vase I saw in the glass blowing shop... sigh...

Tomorrow, Tuesday, I head west for the coast, though I will do so by going south to Eugene first. Then is it 101 all the way home, baby. I'll stop at least once on the way... perhaps even twice... maybe in Sea Ranch :-)

Nigh night...

I-5 South

Just left Portland and heading for Eugene before heading west to the coast.

They drive too slow here!

Edgefield Art

Meow la la la dee da la pftttt meow.

What does Santana got that I don't? That's right! Nothin!

Multnomah Falls

A quick pic of Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. Barbara and I walked up the path to the bridge, which was very pretty.

Playing Travel Catchup

Since I haven't posted any pictures in the last few days, here are some catchups...

Linda, Wood and KoKo the Friday morning just before I hit the road.



My view from my bedroom at Linda's place. Each morning I'd lie in bed looking out at the golden grass and the big blue sky while all toasty under a big fluffy comforter and snuggling with my moose. It was very relaxing.



Pictures from downtown Bozeman.





Pictures from the Missouri Headwaters Park, where the Gallitan, Madison and Jefferson Rivers merge together to form the great Missouri.





View of Flathead Lake from my hotel room.



When I get a chance, I'll post about the drive from Polson, MT to Portland, OR. Mostly a beautiful drive, especially along Rt. 12.

Chillin in Portland

Woke up this a.m. tired from the long drive but ready to get moving. Drove into Portland to go to Powell's Books as I didn't quite know when I should try to hook up with Barbara. It turned out Portland was doing a Race for the Cure so there was all sorts of downtown chaos. By this time it was already 9:30, so I just went ahead and called Barbara and we agreed to meet at the bookstore cafe. Despite being there for 3 hours -- much of it just catching up with Barbara -- I managed to keep my book purchases to a minimum, though I wouldn't be adverse to stopping in again before I go. I didn't really do much else other than hang out with Barbara just chatting away on all sorts of great topics.

Her husband, James, cooked a great stew for dinner and we spent the rest of the night chatting and enjoying a fire. It was especially nice to talk politics again with folks who have similar viewpoints So, all in all a chill day. Tomorrow we shall do some sight seeing.

Portland, Or

Well, I'm just about to leave the hotel and head to downtown Portland. I'm going to go to Powell's first... not sure how early I can call Barbara, so I figured Powell's could be a good meeting place.

It is dreary outside. It pretty much started to get dreary once I got about halfway through Clearwater National Park -- which was beautiful by the way. I'll have to post pictures later... I fear I will get behind in the blog now because I couldn't really post anything last night since I ended up driving so much longer than I intended...

But some highlights until then...

Clearwater National Park was beautiful. I took my time driving through it.
Northern Idaho, pretty. After you are out of the trees beautiful big open fields and rolling hills.
Southeast Washington along Rt. 12. Windy. Really, really windy.
Columbia River, big.
Rt. 84 West in Northern Oregon. It was dark by the time I got there, so I didn't see much... in fact, I'm totally bummed because I essentially missed everything along the Columbia River, including the damns and the Columbia River Gorge area... well, I'll just have to save it for another time.

Pictures will follow later...

In bed finally!

After many unsuccessful attempts to find a bed -- starting in Maryhill, Or, I finally found one just east of Portland in the Burbs. Time driving: 12.5 hours.

That's what I get for taking my time going through Clearwater National Park! :-)

Pillow calls... Night night...

Walla What?

Just took a quick tour of Walla Walla Washington. Pretty town. Windy evening. On the road again till I need to stop for the night.

Where am I now?

Just crossed over into Washington State. Still a long way to Potland. Most likely I will stop along the way.

Where am I?

Just at the junction of ID 13 and 95 on my way to Lewiston.

Polson, Mt

This was the view from my hotel balcony. Flathead Lake is lovely. On my way to Missola then over Rt 12 to Idaho and, possibly, all the way to Portland.



Thank goodness for the marriage between Safeway and Starbucks.

Glacier Park on my mind...

Miles check-in...
Last time I updated my miles I was in Idaho Falls at 847 miles. Since then...

• From Idaho Falls to Linda's, including my wrong turn: 252 mi (total to Linda's: 1,099 mi)
  
• Gates of the Mountain (Wood driving): 167.8 mi
  
• Day trip to Butte and Helena: 190.8 mil
  
• Yellowstone Park (Wood driving): 318.3 mi
  
• Bozeman Errands (Linda driving): 62.2 mi
  

Grand total: 991.1 mi
If I only count my own miles: 442.8 mi
But I'm going to count all the miles cause it distance travelled!
So, as of last night, I have covered: 1,838.1 mi

TODAY
Three Forks to the East entrance of Glacier Park (St. Mary's), in 20 miles, back out the East entrance, south to Rt. 20, west and south to Polson, Mt.
Grand total in miles: 486 mi

Overall miles: 2,324.1 mi (oh my god)

The drive to Glacier Park took longer than I had hoped... but it was a beautiful drive. I took Rt. 287 from Three Forks through Helena and then to Coteau, at which point I headed north on Rt. 89. This eventually lead me into the Blackfeet Reservation. At St. Mary's I entered the park via the East Entrance. Sadly, it was there that I learned the road that goes through Glacier Park was not open all the way through... from the east I could only go in 20 miles. The Ranger asked: "Do you still want to go in?" Like I was going to turn around after driving 250+ miles? Uh, Yeah, I'm going in!

Wow. Beautiful. The pictures can't do justice... here are all of today's pictures.

Some random on the road pictures...





Next two are from the Blackfeet Reservation...





And now into Glacier Park...



















And now, the highlight of my day!!! MOUNTAIN GOAT JAYWALKING!!!! With the exception of maybe a jaywalking bear, this goat truly made my day... in fact, I think I giggled most of the way out of the park.

First, I spy him sauntering along the side of the road. I roll down my window and say, "hey, want a ride?"



He looks at me with his piercing eyes, shrugs, and replies, "Nah, I'm good, thanks..." Then, without even asking, he just totally walks right in front of me...



And totally taking his time about it... as if I had all day...



And then he just hops the fence and shows me his butt... such fluffy goat tocks...

Bozeman and Errands

Today I have no real pictures... First there was Linda's eye dr. appointment. The we went into Bozeman to do errands. We had lunch at a place called the Cat's Eye Cafe. I had the most yummy banana bread french toast. We then walked a few blocks through downtown Bozeman, which is a pretty little place, and went to the Gift Corral where I bought many Montana items for nostalgia and gift-giving...

Then more errands... the bookstore so I could have an iced latte and Linda could take yet another business call... the airport, so I could see the big bear statue and get a special Bozeman penny... the supermarket for groceries... and then a stop at the Missouri head waters before coming back home for a relaxing evening together.

Tomorrow I head off to Glacier Park... my vacation has been extended by a week!!! At some point I'll end up in Portland, Or. Then who knows... the world is my oyster...

Yellowstone Yonder!

Today Linda and Wood took me to Yellowstone! This was a big day trip. It takes roughly 2 hours just to get to West Yellowstone. We drove to Ennis the way I should have come on Sunday (instead of forking off the wrong way on Rt. 287). We made a quick stop at a small homestead that is preserved as a small park. It reiterated for me that living out here in the 1800's would not have been my thing -- not in the 1900's either, for that matter. Big skies aside, when I say I would love a house of my own I don't mean something like this:



From Ennis south we were driving over the same road I took coming over from Idaho on Sunday, Rt. 287, which meaders alongside the Madison River. We cut over to West Yellowstone. I got to see the damage caused by the 1959 earthquake, which killed about 60 people. Hard to believe after all this time there has been little correction by mother earth. At this point we were still riding alongside Madison river, which is rushing along very quickly right now because the damn at Hebgen Lake was damaged and water was pouring through. When we saw the lake, Wood noted that the water line appeared to have dropped by about 6 feet. In a lake the size of Hadmer, that is a LOT of water.



West Yellowstone was a small, but big, tourist town. We didn't stop, just continued on into the park... Yellowstone, here I am!



We hadn't been in the park long before Wood spotted our first Bison! I was excited. Okay, I was more than excited... I was in awe. Most of you probably know the warm spot I have for our Golden Gate Bison. So, I'm sure it is easy for you to imagine how I reacted when I got to see Bison in the wild. Just over there in the trees. I could barely contain myself. Then, as we drove further down the road, MORE BISON! One sitting right by the side of the road, for heaven's sake!!!! Look at him... he was, like, just outside the door of the truck!





I could have watched him for hours. But I would have stayed in the truck... I'm no dummy... distance between me and the Bison... good... me being flung through the air by agitated Bison... bad.

I also so Elk... lots of them...
And a coyote off in a field...
And for pity's sake, I saw a freakin' MOUNTAIN GOAT up on a rocky mountain side!!!!!!! A beautiful, big, fluffy white mountain goat just chomping away on the side of the mountain!!!!

Given how excited this spattering of wild life made me, I'm not sure I'd be able to handle a safari... I'd explode with joy and happiness...

Then there was Old Faithful. I'm not into the whole rock thing and science behind all this volcano hot-springs hydrothermal stuff... so I wasn't sure how much I was going to like the geyser. But, being that I'm in Yellowstone and right there it seems pretty silly not to sit it out. Well worth it... There is something so primal about watching that water burst into the air amid all the steam that's hard to explain. Just imagine all the heat building up under the surface as the time passes until finally it just goes up like that... I mean, look at these pics...







(Make sure to ask Linda what she though of Old Faithful on this visit -- I'm sure she'll try to avoid mentioning that she was on the phone with some lame work-related conference call the whole time!!!! Poor Linda.)

After Old Faithful we headed north through the park up to the Madison Hot Springs. It was on this leg of the drive we saw the coyote and mountain goat. We also stopped so KoKo could take a walk and I got this beautiful shot... the only thing that would have made this picture more perfect would have been if there was a moose in it... but I did get to see another Bison here... and he was all cute and chill in a copse of trees across the creek. I'll be happy with what I get!

And wow to Yellowstone. This is a beautiful park... even though a large portion of the park had burned about 20 years ago, it's still an amazingly gorgeous piece of nature... just look at some of these pictures... and they don't even begin to do justice...











By the time we left the part via the North Entrance, we'd had a big day. We drove through Paradise Valley back to I-90. Paradise Valley is big and beautiful. Apparently it is an area much sought after by movie stars. The word is that Russell Crowe has a house there and plays with his band at a local bar. I can understand why they'd floak here... look how pretty...



We ended the night with pizza and beer before finally getting back to Three Forks. A long and rewarding day, topped off by some star gazing from Linda's front porch. The big dipper never looked so big before... even when up in Tahoe...