October 2 and 3 - Drive from Washington State to Butte, MT to Yellowstone!

I’m back online with a few new lessons under my belt. Sorry for the delay in posting! One lesson, the places you land may not have Internet or cell service. This was a new challenge as I have already forgotten how to literally survive without having these services. Had to resort to paper maps, weather updates from front desk (I should have turned the car radio on), landlines, reading paper material for pleasure and not my cell phone. It was horrible!! Kidding, it was a really good lesson to learn and a safe place to have the refresher.

Traffic out of Seattle through Tacoma was miserable, as is with most cities. I doddled too long leaving Burien and got sucked into a Fred Meyer store. Never been in one and was curious. Should not have doddled as the traffic put me seriously behind schedule and ended up arriving to Butte, MT in the dark, which I swore I would not do.

I think I mentioned on this trip I really wanted to see waterfalls across the US. Maybe growng up in Miami I was denied. Florida, flat land, where natural waterfalls basically don’t exist, or maybe they do, like in a sink hole or something and I just never saw one. Then I went to Hawaii where I met gorgeous waterfalls and totally fell in love. Driving towards Butte, MT, while still in Washington, I passed a sign that said “Snoqualmie Falls.” Suspecting a waterfall, duh, I went to check it out hoping it would have an easy access and it did! Stunningly beautiful and historic falls with a history of energy output. The area around is gorgeous too and full of fun things to do, like train museums, camping, and such. I did go at the absolute wrong time of day to take waterfall photos, 11a. Harsh back light and the falls were in the shadows. It would be perfect at sunset. Hum, we’ll have to go back!

Another place I stopped along the way Quincy, Washington. I crossed a lovely valley and bridge and ended up on a bluff on the other side. The valley and bridge photos were not good, so I won’t bore you. Again, harsh light and into the sun, but behind me was an art installation in the middle of nowhere, “Wild Horses Monument.” It actually made me quite sad and would love to see them in real life. Maybe one day. Still have an outside chance on this trip.

Stayed in Butte, MT overnight. Lovely town, with snow capped mountains. Stepped on my only pair of glasses in the hotel (queue a Christmas Story, “Oh no, not my glasses!”). Went to Walmart and fixed for free by a great staff. So many great people everywhere!

In Butte though, I was reminded once again of the problem we have all around the US, homelessness and drug addiction. It knows no bounds. No state, city, or even small town is immune. I have my guesses as to what’s causing this epidemic, but rather, my compassion for those affected comes first. I’ve heard folks say they are moving from this place or that place to get away from it. You can’t, it’s everywhere. A systematic change on a national level needs to happen.

Left Butte and on the road to Yellowstone and I passed the Continental Divide, I-90, in Montana. Soon I landed in the foothills by Yellowstone. Gorgeous with beautiful rolling hills, trout steams and autumn colors. I couldn’t believe people lived in this, idellic. Should have stopped by to take a photo of these sweet homes nestled by the steams with fly fisherman casting in the filtered light. Makes you want to pack up and move! Ran across what looked to me like Bonnie and Clyde’s old car. It was cool so stopped for a pic. Then saw something off in a field that did not look like a cow, horse, or sheep. Nope, a pronghorn!! So exciting! So, I swerved to take a picture. On to Yellowstone and I hit the north entrance to the park.

You all excited to see the Yellowstone photos? That will be the next blog post. OMG, amazing experience! I arrived late afternoon, stayed one day and left following morning. Or at least I tried to as some of you know. Stay tuned!

Snoqualmie Falls, Washington. Recommendation: for best light, go at sunset.

Wild Horses Monument, Grant County, Quincy, Washington. Art installation. Would love to see live wild horses!

Continental Divide, I-90 in Montana.

Foothills before Yellowstone

Bonnie and Clyde’s car. No really, I have no clue. Just a cool old care on the side of the road.

Omg, omg, omg!! I saw a pronghorn! And before I even got to Yellowstone!

Hum, this one didn’t turn out was I had hoped. Never-the-less, it’s pretty cool. I’ll try again as I’ll have plenty of roads to practice on.