Lewis and Clark

Although we aren't exploring where no one has ever been before, we are our own Corps of Discovery so from here on this trip could be called the Bethel and Bethel Expedition.

Thanks so much to Louanne Danner and Gene Toner for this leg of the adventure. The route they provided had us jump on at Three Forks (the headwaters to the Missouri River) and take the scenic route to Helena (the capital city). From there we were on a gorgeous drive following the Missouri River to Great Falls. I have to admit that the Missouri is prettier here than home! We spent time at the Lewis and Clark Interpretation Center and once again learned so much I will bore my kids and friends with "did you knows". I also learned the correct pronunciation of Sacajawea. HATE it when we teach kids wrong info.



We picnicked beside the Giant Spring that Lewis thought was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen and it may be one of the coolest things in nature I have seen. It looked landscaped by professionals (or my friend Joe Garrett)!

The drive the rest of the way north took us within 15 miles of Canada and then east toward Glacier National Park. We passed ribbons of wheat fields and some were dotted with huge wind turbines.


Tomorrow we complete this mission by spending time in Glacier NP and enjoying a Moose Drool beer brewed in Missoula. What a great sampling of the best Montana has to offer from Lou and Gene.

For tonight, before we appreciate the hotel pool, bed, and TV, we got to meet my friend Cindi Schooley and her son Grant for dinner. They have spent the last 4 days touring Glacier before Grant starts school in Missoula and Cindi flies back to Virginia. They gave us a great overview of what is ahead for us and in the vein of full disclosure, even though Donnie and I are loving our couple time, it was so fun to have conversation with others :). And Cindi generously picked up the dinner check! Thanks girl.

Things to love about Montana: beautiful landscapes, no sales tax, casino/liquor stores or casino/burger joints in every little town, gas prices don't change town to town

Things not to love: temperature changes by 40+ degrees day to night, snow from September through May,

Stats:

308 miles
Gas $62.10
Hotel $ 82.76

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