Making a Run For It

What is a trip with Plan B without a little bit of drama? Last year it was the crazy early season blizzard that caught us just east of Calgary, and pretty much stayed with us all the way across the prairies………….this year?……..I have been listening to weather reports all day long ever since I heard there was a late season winter storm approaching from the south, heading northeast, right over my intended route for today. Somehow my Siri has developed an English accent, and you know when she says “There is a winter storm advisory for your area”, its almost like an inconvenience, but we all know the truth, it could be trouble.

This morning I am considering waiting out the storm which won’t pass through Columbus until Saturday noon, and there is no telling the mess it will leave behind. I decide to take a look at the radar one last time, and realize the first stormy blob which was on top of me when I decided to make breakfast was now passing, and there was a definite clear break before the second stormy blob, the big one, hits……..I figure at least a 2-3 hour window where I can make a break for Bozeman and beyond………I’m doing it……throw the dishes in the sink, put everything away, hook up Plan B, and I am on the road within 30 minutes.

Clearly not advisable to be out here, but the heavy rain comes and goes, and me and my 18 wheeler buddies are movin’ along. It got pretty interesting climbing the pass before dropping down into Bozeman………wet snow was falling but not sticking…….visibility sucked, but so long as you could deal with the spray and watched your speed it wasn’t really all that bad. Bozeman now behind me…….next target Butte. The next big, big climb, took me up and over the Continental Divide (6,329ft Homestake Pass), and although pretty messy on the way up, as soon as I cleared the top, everything changed…….skies opened up, and the sun was shining. A big valley below appeared and I started to see the outskirts of Butte. Happy to be here, and just in time as I was running on fumes. Jutta would be so pissed right now……..it took 24.5 gallons to fill me up, and I think I have a 25 gallon tank. Butte is an interesting town, with the Berkely Pit dominating the view to the east. Huge mining town, lots of history, but I wasn’t hanging around. I did here an interesting story that the Berkeley Pit became one of the largest Superfund sites ever.

This has become a mileage day……….I’m on it…….sorry, no photos, no videos, no audio, but I have to say it was a beautiful drive all the way……what gorgeous country this is.

Next on the list is Missoula, Montana……..a place I hate to have to say I visited at least 40 years ago………it is now about 100 times larger than the last time I was here…….stopped for a cuppa and made plans for my evening………figure I can get to Idaho…..did it……sitting in Osburn, Idaho, right now………almost said Asburn, because that is what it feels like after 450 miles. I should be in Seattle tomorrow with a day to prep Plan B for my honey, arriving Monday morning……..then the fun begins……nite all.