MONTANA

Shorty loves Walmart! He gets to sleep here for FREE. Tell me, who doesn’t love free?!☺

Anyway before we hit the road we always fill up first. Yes, I’m one of those people who are ready to fill the tank when it’s half full. I get anxious if it gets below a half tank.😳 I can tell you one thing I have NEVER run out of gas.😁 I probably never will either.

So, the service station was our first stop and the post office our second. Fortunately for me a postman was there at the station. He was happy to take my mail. “DJ” said he moved from Orange County in the early 90’s to Spokane. It’s really surprising how many California transplants we have met on this journey. 😳At least 80% of the people we have engaged are from somewhere in California… Hum, 🤔 maybe they’re on to something!🤔🤔

Actually, this journey is to explore the states to see where we may want to plant our feet. Yes, we will be transplants somewhere else too.🤫🤭 As beautiful as Oregon, Washington and Montana are, we agree they are not for us. The snow, rain and cold are not on our desirable list. The more and more we talk and think about it, Arizona remains at the top of our list. 👍 I have always favored dry heat AND Sunshine makes me happy. I am so over California. Although Northern Cali is nice…🤔🤗

Oh, I forgot to mention that I drove yesterday on the open highway for about an hour. However, I much prefer to be the passenger so I could take pix and make my notes.Ok, back to our journey…we left Spokane, Washington about 9:30 a.m.

IDAHO

In no time at all we were in Idaho, which was a blur. We zipped through the Northern tip via Interstate 90.We saw lakeside homes in Idaho looked that looked so peaceful and serene. We saw similar sights Oregon and Washington. Quaint and really cute.

Another Idaho sight; simply beautiful landscape. The photos don’t do the scene justice. We saw many more Cows grazing in lush green pastures.We stopped at the Idaho/Montana border at Lookout Pass.

As soon as we exited Lookout Pass there was the sign welcoming us to Montana.Montana was a surprising 81 degrees🥵 when we entered and it remained very warm for the duration as we drove throught the many small towns and enjoyed the views.

BIG SKY COUNTRY is right! Montana is absolutely STUNNING! You know that airline commercial? “Wanna get away?” Well, Montana is the place! I now understand why it’s called big sky country.

Absolutely.

Stunning.

Landscape.

By the way, did you know that Highway 90 in Montana is actually built on a fault line according to the Visitor Center in Missoula?! You can tell by the different colors and rock formations on the side of the highway. They vary in shades of tans, browns, and reds.

Shorty was tired so we took a little walk and let him rest. A “beast” parked next to him. Awww, look at our little guy!😂 He almost looks like a toy!We stopped in Missoula for some fuel…you guessed it, we were down to about a half tank!🤗😁 (I know you are laughing at me Carle)😂 This place “Mentzer’s used cow lot” was across the street from the service station. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a used COW lot. 😂😁The drive thru Montana has been absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The following pix just don’t do it justice.I just LOVE riding down the highway next to a river. It is so peaceful and quite zen.🧘‍♀️LOOK AT THAT SKY! “BIG SKY COUNTRY” without a doubt!Well, Shorty needs his rest and Craig is tired of driving. Here we are in the Helena Walmart parking lot with many other weary travellers.Again, thanks Mr. Walton!🤗 On to Yellowstone in the morning.☺