On Ryan's recommdation, we’ve decided to follow the Lewis and Clark Trail to his h. s. graduation in Bellingham, Wash. We traveled 445 miles the first day and all went well.
5-20-99 Pensacola - Nashville
Today we began the first leg of our 6500 mi. road trip following the Lewis & Clark route. We were blessed with beautiful weather + got an early 7 am start following the usual routes to Montgomery + Birmingham via Rt. 65, then on to Nashville – an eight hour drive where we stopped just a few miles south of Nashville at Brentwood.
Our accommodations at the Mainstay Suites was better than we expected. After a confusing up-to-date check-in via computer, then the assistance of a desk clerk, we found a very desirable room awaiting us. Just one year old, it had the latest in furnishings including all new appliances, sofa bed, desk + double bed – very attractive in a maroon, rose + green décor.
We utilized the pool + had it all to ourselves. After a warm shower, we ate at a new O’Charley’s Restaurant + since it was the only real meal today, we feasted on home made rolls, chicken + salad.
The day couldn’t have been more perfect! Mileage today – 445 miles
5-21-99 Nashville - St Louis
Replacing people with computers isn’t always effective! No one appeared at breakfast to prepare tea/coffee + to check out persons leaving when the computer wasn’t doing the job. However, if having no hot beverage is the only snag on this trip, I won’t complain! The other accommodations here were excellent + I could highly recommend it.
We got on the road at 7:30 + enjoyed the leisure drive once we got out of Nashville. Rt. 24 to Paducah, Ky. was scenic especially the lake areas at the Tenn./Ky. border. Fields of brilliant red poppies were a joyful sight.
I had a hard time convincing Bert we were on the right route at the Ky./Ill. border when we had to exit onto Rt. 57 to Mt. Vernon. We stopped here for gas + had a bite to eat at Fazoli’s.
Stopping at the Gateway Arch was interesting seeing the Lewis + Clark exhibits underneath the arch at the Museum of Westward Expansion. The exhibits are presented in concentric semicircles that represent interactive time lines. The trail began here at the arch.
We didn’t take time to take the ride to the top of the arch as there was a line of students waiting to get tickets. We opted for a tour of the Lewis + Clark Center in St. Charles, about 20 miles west on Rt. 70.
We had a difficult time finding it as it was located in a large bldg. on Riverside Dr. + poorly marked. It was interesting to see the artifacts of these two brave men + all the others who accompanied them on this arduous two year journey from 1804-1806. There were some 40 other brave souls who made the trip as well. (More about that as we pursue their route to the West.)
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| Bert with Lewis & Clark Trail marker in St Charles, MO |
We walked across the road to Judd’s for barbecue - it was good – very satisfying.
5-22-99 St Louis - Kansas City
We had an excellent breakfast of fruit, cereal, juice + coffee + were on our way at 8 am for K.C. Rt. 70 had more bumps than we needed so we detoured to Jefferson City and toured the capital.
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| Missouri State Capitol |
We arrived in K.C. shortly after 2 pm + parked in the downtown Crown Center garage. We visited the impressive Hallmark Visitors Center. We watched a technician making dies, saw Keepsake ornaments for the past 23 years, saw memorabilia from more than 80 years of history + saw a 13 min. video before going next door to the Kaleidoscope bldg. Here we saw children, ages 5-12 creating all kinds of art work of various media.
We drove through a maze of routes reaching Best Western Country Inn near the K.C. International Airport.
Had a nice chat with Chilly + Dot C + ate dinner at the Holiday Inn. Mileage today nearly 300 mi. 1087 mi since leaving home.
5-23-99 Kansas City - Sioux Falls, S. Dak.
The mileage now reads 1083 + we’ve had no problems weather wise so we can relax a bit today as there are no big cities or traffic jams to comtemplate for today.
We started out about 8 am after a somewhat meager breakfast for a 3 star AAA motel. For a fairly new motel, it was poorly staffed + falling apart, but we’ll move on + not let that spoil our trip.
There weren’t many routes to remember, just the exits for rest areas + places we stopped to sight see. There was not much to see today so we just moseyed along on Route 29 from Mo. – Neb. - Iowa + S. Dak.
Our first stop was at the Lewis + Clark State Park just south of St. Joseph, Mo. It was a very attractive camping area on the Missouri River with a well built shelter constructed by the CCC [Civilian Conservation Corps] in the 1930s. People were very relaxed fishing in the peaceful environment.
We meandered along the Missouri R. into Nebraska driving through Omaha + into Council Bluffs, Iowa. St. Jo is known for the starting point of the Pony Express to Calif. + is an important grain + livestock center.
Council Bluffs faces Omaha across the Missouri R. + the first transcontinental railroad started here.
Omaha boomed from the westward expansion + is now one of the Midwest’s larger lifestock markets.
The most interesting part of the trip today was the Squaw Creek Nat. Wildlife Refuge in Mound City, Mo. There we saw red winged blackbirds, swallows that nest on banks in the water, rass ducks, cormorants, snow geese + nesting boxes for wood ducks. This was a 10 mile trip @ 25 mph + well worth the detour.
We stopped at the Iowa State Lewis + Clark State Park + saw a replica of the keelboat that they used on the Missouri R. This was located in Onawa, Iowa.
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| Bert with replicas of the keelboat in the river and another boat |
We sped at the 75 mph speed limit all the way into Sioux Falls, arriving at 5 pm. Wonderful meal + accommodations. I’m tired and off to bed!!
The restaurant where we ate last night was the Timber Lake Steak House, highly recommended + we ordered steak + chicken. Well, mine was just an ordinary piece of sirloin on a kibob, but the soup was out of this world. It was a wild rice concoction with tiny bits of ham. So delicious I’ll never be able to duplicate so I won’t try. Their prices were a little high, but the atmosphere was attractive + we enjoyed it after the long day’s drive.
Our room at the Best Western Empire Tower was lovely + we enjoyed a swim before dinner. The motel lived up to the 3 star rating.
Bert tried to send messages out but couldn’t connect on the Internet.
We had a great day. The mileage now is 1506.
5-24-99 Sioux Falls, S. Dak. - Bismarck, N. Dak.
Our breakfast was complete with cereal, banana, skim milk, muffin + juice + coffee. We slept in a little longer + didn’t get away as early as usual: 8:30.
It was another bright + sunny day + we stopped at the amazing corn palace in Mitchelle. This is a fanciful Moorish-style building covered with patterns created from various natural shades of corn + outlined with grasses + grain. It’s redesigned annually.
From there we continued on Rt. 90 to Chamberlain where we stopped at the Visitor’s Center.
We continued along following the scenic Missouri R. route of rich farm land, rolling hills, large herds of cattle + and never have I seen the sky bluer or the grass greener.
We followed the Lewis + Clark H’way signs + took a 4 mi. dirt road to the river – one of the sites where they landed.
Mid-afternoon we made a phone call in Pierre (Peer), the capital to make our reservation for tonight at the Comfort Inn in Bismarck.
This was an especially long day of driving with beautiful scenery. The only glitch was our clothes pole broke + all the clothes that were neatly hung spilled.
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| Clothes pole "glitch" |
We opted for carry out food tonight as we wanted to see the last segment of “Mad About You.” It was just O.K.
Our room is very comfortable + very reasonably priced.
We’re looking forward to tomorrow’s tour of the capital.
P.S. On the 4 mi. dirt road to the river we met a young calf on the road who eyeballed us. As soon as I got my camera out, he darted across the road. However I did manage to get a good shot of a mother cow with her calf crossing the dirt road. That made my day.
5-25-99 Bismarck, N. Dak. - Miles City, Mont.
This was a super motel + excellent breakfast. So much to see here! Our first stop today was at 8 am at the capitol bldg.
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| Bert and van at the North Dakota State Capitol |
Then we drove to Mandan + visited the Fort Abe Lincoln Park where we took pictures of the Earth Mounds built by the Mandan Indians.
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| Mandan Earth Mounds |
We decided on going back to Bismarck as we’d heard so much about the Lewis + Clark Interpretive Museum at Washburn, we had to forego our plans to make Billings our stop for tonight. Are we glad we decided to take the time to drive north about 30 mi. to see it. Everything was so well displayed about all you’d ever want to know about these two courageous men was there - hands on materials, paintings, relics, maps, etc. When these men + their party came to this area on the Missouri R., Lewis and Clark stayed here four months, then returned here on their way back from the Pacific O. An amusing incident was reading about the medicines they took. Lewis administered (prescribed) Dr. Rush’s “thunder-clapper’s” prescription for practically everything + Lewis took 50 dozen of these pills with them.
We took county road west, then south to Dickinson where we picked up Rt. 94 again + made a reservation for tonight’s lodging at miles City, Mont. We still had several hundred miles to drive, but the scenery was exquisite + the 75 mph speed limit got us here in time for a nice swim at the Best Western War Bonnet Inn + a prime rib dinner at a local family restaurant. We drove 400 miles today.
5-26-99 Miles City, Mont. – Bozeman
The mileage as we drove in to the War Bonnet Inn (Best Western) was 2,338 miles. When we checked in to the Western Heritage Inn at 6:30 this evening, the mileage read 2867, so you can see we put in a full day on the road.
First of all, we decided the van needed a lube + bath, so while he van was being cared for at Wal-Mart, we outfitted ourselves in new jeans as this is the Western wear + it’s all we’ve had on for the past few days.
Since we changed our itinerary today, we decided to get off the interstate today + drive state rt. 59 to Jordan + up Rt. 87 to Great Falls. What a treat. It was marvelous country + we saw many different types of terrain from prairie to snow capped mountains. Quite a few antelope were spotted as well as magpies, deer, horses, cattle + Bert even saw a coyote! Miles + miles of sagebrush + grass land were seen for miles + miles. (Redundant – sorry!)
At Great Falls we had a time finding the Visitors Center because of detours, but when we located it, it was worthwhile as the lady there was very helpful.
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| Statue of Lewis & Clark in Great Falls, MT |
After we left the falls, we took Rt. 15 down to Helena, the capital, then Bozeman, + it was the most spectacular drive I’ve ever taken through the Helena National Forest. It’s a combination of sagebrush, bunch grass to douglas fir, lodgepole pine + spruce with the beautiful Missouri R. meandering through it. Just beautiful.
We checked in at the motel. I used the whirlpool (too much chlorine), + steam room. We showered + had dinner at the 4B restaurant.
This was a full day – 10 hrs. on the road + over 500 miles, but just great – very fulfilling.
5-27-99 Bozeman – Missoula
Our accommodations at the Western Heritage Inn were quite nice. In the lobby + breakfast area we had a rustic décor with stuffed animals on the wall: a Kodiak bear, caribou, elk + deer.
The first stop was to tour MSU [Montana State University] where Ryan will be a freshman in Aug. We were impressed with the attractive bldgs. + took some pictures.
We stopped at the County Market + bought apples for our daily lunch. Then I made a reservation for a room this evening at the Bel-Air Motel in Missoula.
We stopped at AAA for maps + then drove to at Three Forks + took pictures of the Madison, Jefferson, + Gallatin Rivers which form the Missouri R. + this is the Headwater where the Missouri begins.
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| Hammy at the headwaters of the Missouri River |
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| Bert & Hammy |
Our next stop was at the Berkeley Open Pot Copper Mine at Butte. From there we traveled to Missoula on I-90, a distance of about 85 miles + got here mid afternoon in time to do laundry + take a swim in the indoor pool.
We’ve now driven 3,096 miles + the couple in the room next to us at the Bel-Air Motel came from Pensacola where they were attending the Brownsville Assembly of God. Small world!
After our swim we got cleaned up + found an interesting Old World Cooking type restaurant. It’s the Perugia + tonight they featured Greek food in addition to Italian menu. Bert had lasagna which he said was not your typical Sam’s. Mine was Greek: Pastitso (Pasta + Veal Casserole) Moussaka, Eggplant + Lamb, Cypriot sausage + Sweet Spiced Rice – Delicious.
Bert sent E-mail messages while I made motel reservation at Comfort Inn in Walla Walla, Wash. for tomorrow.
Nice relaxing day.
5-28-99 Missoula, Mont. - Walla Walla, Wash.
The mileage starting out today is 3100. We had to eat at McDonalds as the motel office wasn’t opened. The Bel Air is definitely not a AAA facility + should be removed from their list of accredited motels.
Our day was perfect otherwise. We bought apples, our daily lunch, at Safeway + began the beautiful Lolo Pass Drive through the beautiful Clearwater National Forest. We followed the Selway River to Lowe R, Idaho, stopped at the ranger’s station + learned about the paving of the highway in ’62, and observed white water rafting on the rough Locksa. The lady here at the Powel Ranger Station told us that $2 million dollars was the cost in ’57 appropriated for paving this road + it was Sen. Gore (Al’s father) who was instrumental in passing this bill.
We took pictures of the numerous places L+C + company landed + there are a lot of plaques that tell their story of the hardship Lewis + Clark endured especially going over the mountains to reach the coast.
*Fish hatchery at Orofino, Ida.
The scenery all along Lolo Pass is splendid, good highway, interesting towns, changes in elevation, winding roads, rough water, etc.
We stopped at the Nez Perce National Historic Park at Kamiah, ID + the museum had a lot of artifacts + saw a 23-minute film which was interesting. Although the Nez Perce Nation lost alot of territory because of an unfair settlement, they were very friendly with Lewis + Clark because they were kind to the Nez Perce + established a good relationship with them. The man who was narrating the filmed praised them (L+C) for helping them.
After passing Lewiston, Ida., the highway was less winding + we made better time. All told it was a long drive, but well worth it. We drove over 380 mile + it took us about nine hrs because of all the stops.
Our motel is beautiful accommodations a *** Comfort Inn – gorgeous roses – indoor pool + whirlpool + cookies + coffee in the lobby. Only problem - Bert couldn’t get on the Internet!
Had a delicious dinner at Jacob’s across the way. Jared Jones, quarterback at FSU [Florida State University] was our Server in Walla Walla, Wash. Small world.
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| Jacob's Restaurant where Jared Jones was the server |
We left the beautiful Comfort Inn at 8:30 + the mileage was 3422. We took Rt. 11 through the Umatilla Indian Reservation. After that, + kept going west because there weren’t any historical markings, we drove on through Pendleton on Rt. 84. The mill was closed since it’s Sat. so we couldn’t take a tour. On through beautiful rolling hills – foothills of the Cascades into Ore. shortly after leaving Walla Walla.
Our next stop was The Dalles where the Columbia River narrows here + the French christened it “les dalles,” meaning “the trough” + Lewis + Clark described it as “the great Indian mart of this country.” The Columbia Gorge is beyond words – it’s breathtakingly beautiful here. We took the train out to the lock + dam + watched the salmon, shad + sturgeon climbing the ladders enroute to the Pacific where they spawn, then die, ending the cycle.
On the Hood River, north of the Columbia, we saw many wind surfers going at a rapid pace. Along our route were beautiful tall Douglas firs from the peaks to the highway + large numbers of forsythias were mixed in between. What a beautiful sight – the bright yellows with the tall pines. All along this scenic route was the majestic Mount Hood looking over the whole area – Mt Hood National Forest.
We were still on the Lewis + Clark Trail + stopped at the L+C State Park to take pictures. One plaque said "They loved salmon + stayed awhile." The salmon do swim up to this area + we saw one that a couple caught + they said it weighed about 18#.
This being Memorial Day weekend, rooms were hard to find + the prices are high. Gas is $1.59 gal. We found a nice comfortable beautifully furnished **Best Western + after dinner we decided it was a full day! The Fortniter suite was so nice; the owner was so helpful that it should be rated ***. Their suggestion to try Steamers for dinner was excellent - an attractive, roomy place with stained glass windows + oriental rugs. Good choice.
May 30, Portland, Ore. - McChord AFB
The mileage is now 3685. We began touring Portland about 9 am after a very complete + satisfying breakfast.
We had to leave the Lewis + Clark trail here as we had lots to see + we didn’t want to be on the road too long. So we said “adieu” at the Columbia + bid these two brave men on to the Pacific Ocean + the Clatsops where they were well fed before they prepared for their return trip home.
After viewing the beautiful Rose Garden in Peninsula Park, which is one of the largest sunken gardens in America, we wandered around for what seemed to be hours before finding the fabulous Japanese Gardens.
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| Hammy & Bert at the Rose Garden in Peninsula Park |
It wasn’t too late to take a trip up the mountain to see the famous Mt St Helens that erupted violently in 1982. More than 1300 feet of the mountain’s top cascaded into the Toutle River Valley below destroying 150,000 square acres of forest + killing everything above ground. Fifty-seven people perished. Now the land blooms again + fish swim in the rivers + lakes.
We saw an excellent 15 min. film at the Interpretive Center which was about 5 miles from Hwy 5, then to get a closer look, we drove another 40 miles on SR504 because it was a gorgeous day + the highway was good. Were we glad we took the extra time to view the spectacular sight because we were within 4 miles of it! We would’ve liked to stay longer but had to move on.
Tonight’s lodging was more than we expected at McChord AF Base in Tacoma - beyond words. We got the key to a beautifully furnished apartment: living room with TV, VCR, desk for computer, dining area, kitchen (new appliances), new bath – double sink, + bed with huge closet, another TV + VCR. I think we’ll stay! Oh, yes – TV dinners, frozen breakfast meals in frig, so we’ll eat here. A great day! Mileage: 3941.
5-31-99 McChord AFBase, Wash. – Whidbey Island
We left our lovely Airey Suite of the Evergreens Inn after making breakfast in the microwave, doing some laundry, ironing + packing + checking out at 11:30. We picked up a few items at the BX, then headed north on Rt. 5 in a drizzling rain. By the time we got to Seattle the windshield wipers were going full speed. At the Mount Vernon exit we left rt. 5 and drove approximately 20 miles toward Whidbey Island. The rain stopped + the sun was shining brightly. We passed the beautiful Deception Pass State Park + the 182 ft high bridge over swirling waters. The name “deception” comes from the explorer, George Vancouver, who thought Whidbey was merely a peninsula rather than an island. There are a lot of birds in the area, but it’s quite windy so we’ll look for them tomorrow on our way to Vancouver.
There’s not much to report here. We’re happy to have a nice clean room for the night at the BOQ – nothing fancy. As we came back from dinner at McDonald's, we parked next to a naval officer from Pensacola! We agreed we’d rather have the hot humid weather there than this fierce north wind!!
6-1-99 Whidbey Island, Wash. - Vancouver, B.C.
We started out this morning in a drizzling rain in Oak Harbor + as we approached Rt. 5 going toward Bellingham, it was raining hard. We stopped at the Travelodge + confirmed our reservations for Mike + Donna + us for later in the week. We called Ryan + Leslie + left a message that we would see them Thurs.
It was a short drive to Vancouver + we stopped at the Tourist Information Center to check on reservations for tonight + tomorrow night. The girl there was very helpful in directing us to an area accessible to downtown for motels less than an arm and a leg. She also gave us good directions for finding this place as well as directions to a Chev. garage. Unfortunately the hook broke that holds the clothes rod + we have to get a replacement tomorrow – hopefully.
We checked into nice clean comfortable Quality Inn in a multi-national neighborhood about 2:00 pm., got a bite to eat after unloading everything in the van + started out driving in the rain to find Stanley Park.
It was raining pretty hard when we left the motel, so I didn’t bother taking my camera. What a mistake this was! It’s a good thing we decided to stay here another day because we wanted to get some pictures of the beautiful gardens. When we stopped at the Tea House restaurant to take in the view, the view of the Strait of Georgia was spectacular.
We came back to the motel, looked over our travel brochures + decided we drive to Grouse Mtn. tomorrow for an overview of the area.
Dinner was downstairs at the Jaguar restaurant where we had shrimp stir fry (me) + Monte Cristo + salad for Bert.
We’re anxious to see more of this international city + look forward to our travels tomorrow!
6-2-99 Vancouver
This was an unusually beautiful day, unlike yesterday when it was cold, windy + rainy. We took advantage of the weather to go sightseeing.
First we had to go to the Chev. dealer to have the part replaced on the van that broke. This was a relatively simple procedure + took just a few minutes to install once the part was located. Now we can hang up our clothes even though it cost us an arm and a leg. Chev. you’ll hear from us!!
By 10:30 we were on our way to Grouse Mountain. From downtown we followed Georgia St. westbound through Stanley Park across Lion’s Gate Bridge + on to Capilano. We didn’t stop at the Suspension Bridge as it was too scary. The scenery in the northern part of Vancouver is even more beautiful than the brochures + well worth a trip to the mountains.
We rode the tram a distance of 3700 ft. to the top of the mountain. It was fun walking in the snow + taking pictures. Theatre in the Sky was the video that was excellent. We got a panoramic view of all the city, took more pictures and saw everything we tried to see yesterday.
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| Hammy with wood carving at Grouse Mountain |
The area where we are staying is in Burnaby + it’s located near the Metro so people who commute are not dependent on cars. Good! If we would be here for longer we’d use this means of transportation rather than battle the traffic.
We made a trip to Safeway next door + bought our supply of fruit.
Had dinner again at Jaquar’s next door as it’s so convenient.
Bert has been so frustrated trying to get on line for two days. After numerous phone calls, he did get connected + it was so good to get + Bert was so happy to finally get online + send out messages to family + friends. It was a good ending for a full day.
The mileage is now 4,324 miles.
6-3-99 Vancouver – Bellingham
We packed up and checked out around 9:00 a.m. and it was just 25 miles to the U.S. border + another 24 miles to Bellingham. We took 91A across the Fraser River + onto the States via Rt. 91 – a beautiful day + a beautiful drive. It was early when we got into the area, so we took a drive along the Birch Bay area + stopped at a Family Medical Clinic + made an appointment to see a doctor to check my thumbs this afternoon.
Since our room was ready, we checked into the Travelodge + it appears to be acceptable for our three days in Bellingham for Ryan's graduation.
This afternoon we drove up to a quaint little city called Lynden. I saw a doctor who looked at my thumbs + advised me to keep them hot + dry, + to see my doctor when I get back home. He was an Ohio State graduate + very personable, Dr. Jeff Ries.
Ryan came over + picked us up and we went to his place for dinner. They had a wonderful meal for us: grilled salmon, rice, and salad. It was very good and we had a nice visit with Leslie and Sam.
The awards assembly at Schome High School was very interesting. Many students were honored in various categories. Ryan received a scholarship to Montana State in Bozeman + we’re so proud of him! At the end of the awards, the students + faculty gave a cheer: “Sun, sun, sun” as that’s what everyone is praying for tomorrow as it will be much nicer having graduation outside. We’ll see.
They served refreshments afterwards, and Ryan introduced us to all his close friends. We were so glad + really impressed with all these such nice kids and their enthusiasm for pursuing further education.
6-4-99 Bellingham
We drove over to a pretty little community called Fairhaven + saw the station + the rose garden. You can catch the Alaska ferries here. We drove along the scenic Chuckanaut Dr. + on a clear day you can see the San Juan Islands, but it was cloudy + misty, so we didn’t take any pictures. There were magnificent views of Puget Sound.
After a trip to the local supermarket, where we bought fruit, we took another drive along Lake Whatcom Blvd. where we saw the beautiful falls + lake. We stopped at the fisheries there + saw huge tanks of cold water fish – trout, salmon + char.
We made a reservation for lodging tomorrow night at Moses Lake Travelodge.
Donna + Mike drove in about 2:00 from their long flight from Seattle, so we let them rest a couple hours.
Ryan came over at 5:30 + took us to the Marina for a wonderful meal of seafood + salad.
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| Donna, Mike, and Ryan |
Another rainy day - we had to don raincoats all day, but these folks are used to it, + just take it for granted that it’s typical Wash. weather. In spite of the inconvenience, we had a wonderful day.
6-5-99 Bellingham - Moses Lake
This morning we did laundry, packed + checked out. Donna + Mike joined us + we went over to Leslie's for brunch. It was lovely. We met more of Ryan's friends. Since we had to be over at the school at 11:30 to park for the graduation, we said our good-byes there. It is a good thing as there was no way to find Ryan in a crowd of over 3,000 people there after graduation.
We were really impressed with all the speakers, especially Nick Stevens, the class president + the principal + superintendent.
There were over 300 graduates + Ryan sat in a row nearest us + we sat in the 10th row of the bleachers with Mike and Donna and could see Ryan + had a good view of the whole class. The convocation was held in the W. Wash. U. auditorium because of rain. (It was another rainy + breezy day!)
The Schome Mariners is a great school + this was not only a highlight of the seniors’ year, but a highlight of our entire trip!
We left for Moses Lake at 5 o’clock + arrived here at 9:30. It was just beginning to get dark. It’s out on the prairie land + coming into town we saw all the crops grown here as the names are printed on the fences. Sweet corn, field corn, wheat, hay, alfalfa, sugar beets, oats + potatoes are grown here due to their irrigation system. Otherwise it would just have been miles + miles of sagebrush.
As we followed Rt. 5, 405, + 90 these are the areas we passed: the Sgagit River, Wenatchee National Forest, outskirts of Seattle, Lake Sammanish, Snoqualmie National Forest, + Ellensberg. This latter place is where the Wenatchee, Nez Perce, + Yakama Indians hunted + fished peacefully. The Yakama River runs along the highway and the Columbia is also here in the Ellensberg area. The whole trip through the Cascades was beautiful + we saw a huge brilliant rainbow + another one that was muted.
The mileage is now 4725.
6-6-99 Moses Lake - Bozeman, Mont.
Breakfast this morning wasn’t the usual fare. This Travelodge was adequate – clean bed + shower but no breakfast included. At 5 am Sporty's Bar was opened for business. The "good old boys" rolled in, took their cups + the waitress rolled dice to see if she paid or they coughed up their 75 cents. The food was good + we never complained that everyone was smoking including the gal who served us. I’ve never heard so much laughter at 5:45.
We kept moving east by 7:15 but since we had a time change, we moved up the clock an hour. We drove 8-1/2 hours today + made good time considering the fact that we had a lot of rain + mountains to deal with.
We saw more beautiful country to Spokane, then on to Coeur d’Alene + the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. We had the time change from Pacific to Mountain in this area. We traveled I-90 past the Clark Fork + the Lolo National Forest. We didn’t drive over the scenic Lolo Pass as we did that on our way out to the coast.
We continued on I-90 through Missoula, where we stayed enroute west, and passed through the beautiful Deerlodge National Forest. At Butte we passed the Continental Divide and at Three Forks we saw the Missouri Headwaters again where the three rivers, Jefferson, Madison, + Gallatin come together + the Missouri River begins. This confluence was documented by Lewis + Clark on their trip to the Pacific in 1805.
We reached our motel, the Western Heritage Inn, early + it was good to have dome “free time.” This is where we stayed on our way out. It’s clean, safe + comfortable. Bert was able to log on while I took a long relaxing “bath” in the spa area – whirlpool + steam room. It helped clear the sinuses!!
We ate a nice meal at Fuddruckers before retiring early.
Mileage is now 5,235.
6-7-99 Bozeman, Mont. - Rapid City, S. Dak. (Wall, S. Dak.)
Mileage – 5,818
This was a long trip today but we saw beautiful scenery again, and we learned it pays to have a reservation. We took a chance that we’d be able to stay at the base in Rapid City; well, the BOQ was filled when we arrived. We made a few phone calls in Rapid City to no avail. We enjoyed seeing all the planes + activity at Ellsworth AFB. We drove another 43 miles to Wall where we checked in to a new *** Best Western at 6:00 pm – not too bad!
We left Bozeman in the rain at 39 degrees which was par for the course. We drove through the Gallatin National Forest + followed the Yellowstone River through Billings. We drove through the Crow Indian Reservation + at Exit 510 we decided to take a break + checked out the Crow Casino. We gave the Indians 50 cents, used the restroom, took a picture of the Casino + the little white church adjacent to it.
We headed east on I-90, followed the Bighorn River into Wyo. + the Bighorn National Forest. Sheridan is the largest city in Northern Wyo. + the town was once the heart of the Indian wars. Next city we passed was Buffalo which is a ranching town at the foot of the Bighorn Mtns. Its early days were not so friendly: many battles with the Sioux + Cheyenne Indians + the Johnson County War between ranchers + farmers took place in the vicinity.
We’re now in the Black Hills area of S. Dak. + there are many tourists here from all over the country. We’ve been here before with Kent + Mike so we didn’t stop at Mt. Rushmore Nat’l Monument or do any of the other tourist attractions.
A note about Wall, S. Dak. This place has been known for years as a tourist stop which started as a drug store in 1909. There is a block long Wall Drug Store with all kinds of shops in it + Main Street still has many buildings constructed during the days of western expansion. The ruts made by the wagons that carried prospectors + their supplies to the goldfields of the Black Hills are still visible on the nearby prairies. We’ve already been to the Badlands so we’ll forego that trip + we are moving on east.
6-8-99 Wall, S. Dak. - St Joe, Mo.
This was a long day today – 600 miles + 10 hrs of driving. We left at 7:15, but we set our clocks ahead to 8:15 as we go into Central Time at Murdo, S. Dak.
We passed the Black Hills area, the name given for the thick pine forest covering the slopes. The Lakota Sioux sought guidance from their ancestors here. Mining is still important in the area.
We followed the Missouri river to Chamberlain. This is the demarcation line between the corn + grain area to the east + cattle country to the western part of the state.
We passed through Sioux Falls, S. Dak. This was named for the Big Sioux River + began as a fur-trading settlement + stone quarying settlement. From Sioux City, Iowa to Council Bluffs we followed the Missouri River. We never got into Nebraska, but Omaha was just across the river.
Kansas was a welcome sight + we have a nice room at the Ramada. Used the pool area, had dinner here (St. Joe), + will retire early.
Mileage - 6,421.
6-9-99 St Joe, Mo. - Clarksville, Tenn.
Mileage 7,006
We left St. Joe about 8 o’clock + Bert did most of the driving this a.m. We crossed the Missouri River into Kansas City + the traffic was very heavy. The roads have alot to be desired with lots of construction on Rt. 70. The Missouri R. was with us again all the way into St. Louis + since we’d traveled this way on our way out, we didn’t do any exploring. Crossing the river into Ill. we passed fields + fields of corn in the Alton-Belleville area. We passed Scott AFB + at Mt. Vernon, we stopped + made a phone call to Clarksville, Tenn. to reserve a room for tonight. We planned to stop overnight at Paducah, Ky. but decided we could drive another 90 miles + have a shorter trip on Thurs.
We followed Rt.57 South + at Carbondale we stopped for fuel + something to drink as the temp. all day has been in the 90’s. I had to laugh at one of the girls, from the busload of kids, washing her hair in the sink in the restroom! Crossing from Missouri to Ill. we crossed the Mississippi River. Then when we crossed into Ky. from Ill., we went over the beautiful Ohio River. What a thrill! (You can take a person out of the hills but you can’t take the hills out of the person) + how I love that Ohio River! When we came into Tenn., we crossed the Tenn. and Cumberland Rivers.
Our "home" tonight is the best place we’ve had on the entire trip at the Executive Inn Best Western in Clarksville. We had a swim in the nice size pool + the water (outside) was nice + warm. The whirlpool was marvelous. We have a nicely furnished living room, TV + a king size bed, desk, another TV, chest of drawers, frig, microwave, walk-in closet; everything newly furnished. We lucked out on these accommodations! Had a good meal at Olive Garden. This is a beautiful area – tobacco + wheat fields or is it corn??
Drove 585 miles - 9-1/2 hours.
6-10-99 Clarksville, Tenn. – Pensacola
The mileage was 7008 when we started out at 7:15. We followed Rt. 24 out of Clarksville for about 20 miles + just as we were about to get on Rt. 65 to start our trip south to Nashville, the traffic was horrendous - cars madly crossing lanes, when I remarked “That car is about to have an accident.” I don’t know if the black car was responsible, but a very serious accident occurred + we were just five cars behind the wreck. A huge truck with a load of shingles was involved; fire trucks + emergency vehicles came zooming from all directions + it looked as though we would be held up in traffic for quite awhile. It was announced on the radio that there was a fatality + we’ll never know the particulars. Road rage is so senseless + that was positive proof of it.
We had been saying over + over again how perfect this trip had been until this accident today. The weather was cooperative all the way, we followed the Lewis + Clark trail all the way from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean, and saw beautiful country – an experience few people are fortunate enough to enjoy. We are so grateful we were able to drive this huge expanse of our great U.S.A. We shall always reminisce with delight!!
We drove a total of 493 miles today and a grand total of 7,499 - two weeks going out, three days with Ryan, Leslie, Sam + friends + five days on the return trip. Mike and Donna joined us in Bellingham!
One lesson we learned on this trip for future travels, always call ahead early in the day for motel reservations. You get the choice rooms + as a rule, better rates. We paid anywhere from $12 a night at Whidbey Island NAS in Puget Sound to $75.00 in Wall, S. Dak., home of Wall Drug.
Someday, hopefully our children + grandchildren will be able to make the trip retracing the route of these two courageous men, Lewis and Clark, on their trip out West.
“Happy birthday, Kent!” Can’t get you on the phone. Hope you got the E-mail!
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