My Canada - US Travels
BC - Winnipeg
Winnipeg - Quebec
Quebec - Winnipeg
Winnipeg - BC
Epilogue
North West Drive
Washington
Oregon
California
Nevada
Utah
Colorado
Utah again
Idaho & Montana
Alberta
BC
Epilogue
BC Interior
Langley Detour
Okanagan
Cariboo
Prince George to Prince Rupert
Return to Vancouver
Epilogue
Idaho - Montana
Monday 6thAfter breakfast at the Grand America again, we set off north. Salt Lake is in a deep valley that runs north south, with SLC at the bottom. The highway runs up the populated eastern side of the lake, while to the west there are just mountains. As we near the top of the lake the valley widens, until once at the top, the scenery breaks more into rolling mountains. We're soon into Idaho.
80km north of the Utah border and we reach Pocatello. Here the landscape abruptly changes from rolling mountains to big farm land and blue skies, I thought that was supposed to be 'Big Sky Country' Montana. I've never seen so many cowboys with horse trailers before.
For a stretch after Pocatello, the ground around the highway is all
lava rocks. Ironically, since SLC we've seen no trees, but now
growing on this lava rock are these small trees. Left in the
distance are the Volcanic mountains of the 'Craters of the Moon'
National Park. Even though it seems to be the only national park
that is still open on our trip (winter road conditions mean parks
around here close about the end of October) we do not have enough
time to go and visit. It is 2 hours out of our way to the park
entrance and there is nowhere we are prepared to stay near there.Our time in Idaho is brief, just driving through in order to get to Montana. We stop to fill up with gas. Idaho lives up to its reputation. Going in to pay for the gas everyone turns and stares at the "Non-White". We know which way they're voting tomorrow.
At highway marker 150, the plains abruptly end and we climb into the rolling mountains and the Targhee National Forest. At 6900 feet we cross the continental divide into Montana and drive on to Butte. It's a smallish town of 34,000, but spread out. We consult our AAA book where to eat, we're famished. We go to Fred's Mesquite in the old town, it's fantastic.
Tuesday 7th
Midterms Election Vote Day/ Bush's Drubbin
g.In the morning we drive around the historic part of Butte, interesting but deserted. The town used to be driven by the mining industry, as can be seen by the many relics of the industry still standing.
We drive on for an hour to Helena. You have to pronounce it “Hell na”, otherwise the locals get offended. It sounds too girly. Seriously, it's in the guidebook! We stop and have a quick lunch, not much to walk around and see, so we press on.
An hour further on we reach Great Falls. We intend to stay 2 nights, supposedly it's worth the while, and I suppose appearances can be deceptive. The scenery on the drive however has been great.
Wednesday 8th
Yup, the town is not exactly awe inspiring. 1/2 hour later we're wondering if we shouldn't just keep going. We've paid for the accommodation though. Can't find anywhere worth going for dinner, so we use the kitchenette in our hotel room.