Billings, MT
Here we are in beautiful downtown Billings - really downtown - at the Best Western Clock Tower. Had dinner this evening at the Montana Brewing Company only about two blocks from the hotel. Great being downtown and seeing all the things going on.
When we left the Rainbow in West Wendover this morning, a group was outside waiting for a bus. They were the people from Fargo who were heading to the airport to catch their plane. Talked to several of the guys and told them that we were driving to Fargo. They said good luck and that they would be home by noon! Should have asked if there was anyone from the Christine/Ft Abercrombie area, but didn't think of it in time.
Drove across the Great Salt Lake on I-80 and took I-215 north to I-15 past Ogden (site of Hill AFB). We were going to take I-15 all the way north to I-90, but decided to cut over on US 20 at Idaho Falls. Our route took us up to Yellowstone National Park. It's a beautiful drive on I-15 and US 20 through the valleys, most of which are farmland and cattle country. As we drove north on US 20, the elevation gradually got higher and the temperature got lower. Most of the area around Yellowstone closes down during the winter. Side roads aren't plowed and most businesses are snowed in. Kind of fun traveling that way because in three months, the roads will be packed with tourists and their RV's.
When we got to Yellowstone, it was closed except for foot traffic. Since we didn't relish the idea of walking 100 miles north through the Park, we opted for 191 up to Bozeman. As we crossed the mountains, we traveled through the valley created by the Gallatin River. It starts as a creek, but turns into a rampaging river as we headed north. A lot of snow piled up on the roadsides (similar to US 88 which we traversed on our way back from Monterey last week). Hit a lot of traffic when we got to Bozeman and then found I-90 which follows the Yellowstone River valley over to Billings. Gassed up at Costco on the west side of Billings and then drove downtown to the Best Western.
Tomorrow should be an easy driving day on I-94 (splits off from I-90 just east of Billings) into Fargo. Of course, we have to finish driving through Montana and then all of North Dakota, but it's Interstate all the way.
When we left the Rainbow in West Wendover this morning, a group was outside waiting for a bus. They were the people from Fargo who were heading to the airport to catch their plane. Talked to several of the guys and told them that we were driving to Fargo. They said good luck and that they would be home by noon! Should have asked if there was anyone from the Christine/Ft Abercrombie area, but didn't think of it in time.
Drove across the Great Salt Lake on I-80 and took I-215 north to I-15 past Ogden (site of Hill AFB). We were going to take I-15 all the way north to I-90, but decided to cut over on US 20 at Idaho Falls. Our route took us up to Yellowstone National Park. It's a beautiful drive on I-15 and US 20 through the valleys, most of which are farmland and cattle country. As we drove north on US 20, the elevation gradually got higher and the temperature got lower. Most of the area around Yellowstone closes down during the winter. Side roads aren't plowed and most businesses are snowed in. Kind of fun traveling that way because in three months, the roads will be packed with tourists and their RV's.
When we got to Yellowstone, it was closed except for foot traffic. Since we didn't relish the idea of walking 100 miles north through the Park, we opted for 191 up to Bozeman. As we crossed the mountains, we traveled through the valley created by the Gallatin River. It starts as a creek, but turns into a rampaging river as we headed north. A lot of snow piled up on the roadsides (similar to US 88 which we traversed on our way back from Monterey last week). Hit a lot of traffic when we got to Bozeman and then found I-90 which follows the Yellowstone River valley over to Billings. Gassed up at Costco on the west side of Billings and then drove downtown to the Best Western.
Tomorrow should be an easy driving day on I-94 (splits off from I-90 just east of Billings) into Fargo. Of course, we have to finish driving through Montana and then all of North Dakota, but it's Interstate all the way.
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