Wow is the only word for western Montana

A gloriously sunny day! Wherever we go, people have been telling us how great the weather is now. Apparently, there has been weeks of rain before we arrive. Today we started at 1 mile high in Bozeman = 5280 feet. Then we started climbing to 6500 feet to go over a pass. Because we are traveling on an interstate, the climb and drop are more gradual, but still very challenging especially on a motorcycle.

We saw mountains again/always - so cool! After Bozeman, they started getting really rocky with gi-normous boulders stacked upon each other and trees growing around them. We saw the largest open pit copper mine in the USA, the Anaconda Mine in Butte. The mt rock colors were changing from sandstone to shades of mint green and maroon-rust reds and greys in vertical patterns at all levels of the mts - still having pine trees covering most of the mts.

As we traveled out of Butte, I became intrigued by what I thought was a man-made curving creek, that seemed to be meandering quite quickly along the side of the hwy. It's curving made a beautiful and relaxing pattern, and it was fun for me to follow it's progress. As we continued our quest up to Missoula, this little creek started getting wider and rougher, though still a green/blue color. Whenever we crossed a bridge, there was the creek, ever growing and becoming browner. By the time we reached Missoula, it was the Clark Fork River and very wide. Boats were even on it. It certainly helped us pass the time. This river was flowing west because we crossed the Continental Divide today. God's workmanship is awesome and never boring. The closer we look, the more we see. I also noticed that the pine trees were taller as we got closer to sea level and the mts seemed taller too.

We found a huge lake in Cour de Alene, Idaho (close to NW corner of Idaho and Canada). Looked like Lake Minnetonka with tree covered mountains going down to the water. We're told that this is a very ritzy vacation spot, and the homes we were seeing are impressive. The lake was deep blue and being thoroughly enjoyed by boaters. We were going through 85-92 degree weather as we crossed 2 more passes in Idaho. So, the cool water was inviting. We stopped after each pass for coffee and to relax...and to give our thanks to God. The fact that we are traveling on 2 wheels, does occur to me on some of these curves. How anyone traveled through these mts years ago and survived to settle and make a life, is beyond both of us. Even today, this country is very threatening and full of challenges.

I, however, will follow Curt anywhere...he is taking very good care of me and I am loving him and this adventure alot!!! Vicki