I left Yakima this morning and headed east. Traveling through Spokane and into Idaho through Coeur d' Alene. Not much to report on this part of the trip, I drove straight through, was suprised by how big Spokane is and how much it reminded me of Bend, OR (the geography of it, not the size). Also found it interesting that the forest I traveled through in Idaho is the Pan Handle National Forest, however the Coeur d'Alene National Forest isn't until you get into Montana.
I stopped fo
r lunch just outside Coeur d'Alene at the Old Mission State Park. I didn't actually tour the site, just had lunch at a little picnic table alongside a litte lake.
I got back on the road and continued driving east on I-90. Crossed into Montana, drove passed Missoula and made my way to Butte, where I pulled off the road and got a cozy little room in the Historic Finlen Hotel.
Upon checking in I asked the clerk if she could recommend a cafe/diner for dinner. She said, "yes, the M&M, just go 1 block down and 1/2 block over....it's like the old style." "Great", I replied. I settled into my room, showered up and headed to the diner. Butte is a cute little mining town, with much of the old town charm...granted I was in the Historic district. Thank God for AAA, I got a discount. Anyway, I strolled down the block and turned the corner, there I saw the large sign for "M&M"...from the outside it appeared to be an irish pub, though I was expecting an old fashion diner, I continued onward anyway. The minute I walked through the doorway, I knew the hotel lady's idea of an old fashion cafe and mine, were totally different. It was more like an old fashion saloon. There were no tables, just a long alcohol bar along the left side and a long food bar along the right. I considered retreating, but at the very moment I walked through that door, everyone that was in there (which wasn't many) turned their heads to look, so I kind of felt committed. I took a seat on the bar stool to the left and checked out the menu after asking the bartender if I could order food from his side. After a few minutes the guy from the food side came over to take my order. Then I ordered a beer and watched the Yankees and Rangers game on tv. My tuna melt arrived and it was messy....delicious and messy. After I finished, the food dude brought me my check, it only had my food on it, so I figured I would pay him for my food and then pay the bartender for my beer. After I completed my transaction with the food dude I handed the bartender my card and said, "your turn", to which he replied, "don't worry about, it's on the house". "Really?" I said, "thank you!" He said, "no problem, have a good night". I walked out of there processing my theory on Butte hospitality and then realized, "crap, I didn't tip him....do I walk back and tip him? or do i just continue walking?" I continued walking, but felt bad.
r lunch just outside Coeur d'Alene at the Old Mission State Park. I didn't actually tour the site, just had lunch at a little picnic table alongside a litte lake.I got back on the road and continued driving east on I-90. Crossed into Montana, drove passed Missoula and made my way to Butte, where I pulled off the road and got a cozy little room in the Historic Finlen Hotel.
Upon checking in I asked the clerk if she could recommend a cafe/diner for dinner. She said, "yes, the M&M, just go 1 block down and 1/2 block over....it's like the old style." "Great", I replied. I settled into my room, showered up and headed to the diner. Butte is a cute little mining town, with much of the old town charm...granted I was in the Historic district. Thank God for AAA, I got a discount. Anyway, I strolled down the block and turned the corner, there I saw the large sign for "M&M"...from the outside it appeared to be an irish pub, though I was expecting an old fashion diner, I continued onward anyway. The minute I walked through the doorway, I knew the hotel lady's idea of an old fashion cafe and mine, were totally different. It was more like an old fashion saloon. There were no tables, just a long alcohol bar along the left side and a long food bar along the right. I considered retreating, but at the very moment I walked through that door, everyone that was in there (which wasn't many) turned their heads to look, so I kind of felt committed. I took a seat on the bar stool to the left and checked out the menu after asking the bartender if I could order food from his side. After a few minutes the guy from the food side came over to take my order. Then I ordered a beer and watched the Yankees and Rangers game on tv. My tuna melt arrived and it was messy....delicious and messy. After I finished, the food dude brought me my check, it only had my food on it, so I figured I would pay him for my food and then pay the bartender for my beer. After I completed my transaction with the food dude I handed the bartender my card and said, "your turn", to which he replied, "don't worry about, it's on the house". "Really?" I said, "thank you!" He said, "no problem, have a good night". I walked out of there processing my theory on Butte hospitality and then realized, "crap, I didn't tip him....do I walk back and tip him? or do i just continue walking?" I continued walking, but felt bad. I got back to the hotel just in time to watch my favorite summer show..."so you think you can dance". All in all wasn't a bad day.
Thursday, August 7th
okay, so this morning I pulled out of Butte about 8:30am and headed through the valley of rolling hills. My soundtrack for this leg of the trip was Van Morrison's Astral Weeks album...and the reality of what I am doing became an overwhelming sensation of joy and thanksgiving and I couldn't help but cry for about 7 miles (not to mention Astral Weeks is one of my top 5 albums). That's when I just had to stop and take some photos ....more for my memory of this moment, but this is my experience so will include it here.....
It obviously doesn't capture the vastness of the valley and what I saw, but that's ok. I stopped for a stretch and restroom break at a rest area in Bozeman and met Kevin. Kevin is an older gentleman from New York, but lives in Las Vegas from Fall to Spring and spends the summer in Bozeman. Why? Because its dog friendly, not too populated ("though that is changing") and the temperature is mild (compared to Vegas). Kevin proceeded to share his political views with me, expressing how the assasination of JFK really opened his eyes to how the world is and that it was pivotal in shaping his perspective on life. He was raised Catholic, but is now agnostic and he loves music. He told me his favorite Elvis movie (Viva Las Vegas) and suggested that if I love music then I should definitely take time to check out the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. So, after I finish my ramblings, I will plan my route for tomorrow and see what needs to be done to swing into Cleveland. I visited with Kevin for about 45 minutes...it was time well spent.
I continued on through the Rocky Mountains, passed the sign to Yellowstone National Park, the Tetons and the battle sight of Little Bighorn...didn't stop. Was pretty much remembering all the westerns I've seen, not that I have seen many, but they all involve cowboys and/or indians hiding out in the overhead cliffs taking aim on the enemy in the valley below....and I was traveling through that valley below, so was picturing the Plains Indians hiding out in the crevices of the rocky cliff hillsides. I was glad to cross the border into Wyoming, I don't much care for westerns. Not that crossing the border significantly changed the scenery, but I felt closer to being further away. Although the road did changed, it became red. This was the home stretch of my day, so I spent the last 100 miles screaming Ninch Inch Nails, Live, Evanescence and James at the top of my lungs to alleviate the awareness of how stiff my neck and back were and how annoyed I was getting with the landscape.....literally. It was all land, I don't think I have ever seen that much unpopulated land, it goes for miles. I realize the Midwest takes the blue in this category, which is why I chose a more northern route, but was suprised to see so much unpopulated land...oh, I guess I already said that...it bares repeating.
Anyway, I am now hunkered down in my motel in New Castle, Wyoming and plan on visiting Mt. Rushmore in the morning...my first real act of toursim.
I will leave you with some scenic pics of Montana...I guess I missed the lush vegetation and beautiful rivers.....
to be continued....
4 comments:
Sounds great. I'm so excited for you and proud of you. My favorite part of your post was "I felt closer to being further away."
Leslie, how exciting!! I told my hubby what your "plan" is and we are both deliciously jealous. I hope you are enjoying every minute of your journey . . . and what a journey it is. You are missed A LOT here, but Terry and I are very excited for you.
Really glad you are having a great experience, keeping tabs on the map as you text. Geroge L. wanted to let you know that Sturgis is in progress. Here is the address for schedule of events if you want to take that small detour and be part of the yearly massive rally. Keep us posted on your progress. http://www.sturgis.com/calendar/scheduletest.phpanter
Jesse - thanks for the words, I thought about calling you today but didn't have cell phone reception long enough to turn the thought into action.
Heather - thanks for visiting!!! Tell Terry I said 'hi' and you do realize, that by telling your husband about my little adventure it is going to be more difficult for him to prolong his desire?
Bob- mark on the map Ainsworth, Nebraska. Unfortunately (or note) I detoured around Sturgis to get to Rushmore...but saw enough bikers to get an 1/8th of the idea.
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