Day 36 August 6, 2024 Choteau Montana to Livingston Montana 224 miles
The car started very well this morning. Rob did not touch the choke.
We went to fill with gas at the station next door. That station is having problems with their pumps because nothing comes out. At least one other person had tried because the two pumps had dispensed a very small amount. No one was at the station so we left and went about a block to the next station that was working.
A lady at that station admired the car and then gave us a poster for a big weekend they are having in September. Looks like tractor pulls are the big event. Don’t think we will be back for any of that.
We got a few miles down the road when Rob remembered he left the cookies in the motel refrigerator. Oh well not worth going back. Not many left anyway.
The terrain is rolling hills of farmland. Lots of grain and some kind of hay. A few small herds of beef cattle scattered here and there. The weather is partly cloudy but rather warm.
As usual we opted for the no freeway route. This took us through the outskirts of Great Falls Montana. Had not realized that was included. We crossed the Missouri River which is wider than expected for this far away.
Further down the road we took a break near Sluice Box State Park. They had information about the area displayed at the turn out. A train used to run through the valley below. You can actually see where the tracks used to be. The train brought supplies and people during the silver rush. It also carried the ore out. The geology was also interesting. The area at one time was the bottom of the ocean near the equator. The limestone is made up of sea shells. Shifts in the plates moved the area north and up out of the ocean.
The forested area that followed had lots of trees down by something other than saws. Sometimes the trees broke about half way up. Sometimes only large limbs. This went on for miles on both sides of the road. We later learned it was caused by a big snow storm that went through combined with high winds. The trees broke from the combination of heavy snow and wind. The small town we drove through had been without power for three weeks.
We saw two fresh road kill at different times. One was a doe and the other a coyote. Don’t know if that should count in our wildlife sightings. We did see 8 antelope in one of the fields. Rob honked and at least some looked up.
We stopped in White Sulphur Springs for gas. A couple drove up to admire the car. Then they invited us to lunch. The only spot open seemed to be Bar 57. Well they had good burgers. We visited with Wes and Barb for a couple of hours. He owns a towing business among others. Glad we did not meet him with his tow truck.
Back on the road to Livingston Montana. Parts of the road are really bumpy. This is more ranch land. In the distance are lots of clouds. When we got close to Livingston the wind got really strong. Lightning was all around. And then the rain came down. The windows in front were open so Connie in particular got rather wet. Rob stopped and rolled the curtains down. Now he was wet. Of course once the curtains were down it stopped raining. The town is full of puddles so it has rained quite hard. We were glad it wasn’t raining when we checked in.
Tonight is laundry night and the machines are very close. These are only $2.00 to wash and $2.00 to dry. The laundry in Alaska was $10.00 to wash and $10.00 to dry. Location, location, location…
Spoffords Travel 