Our first day of the road trip, and where did we end up? Boot Hill.
That would be the Boot Hill Inn in Billings. A fitting end to today's drive - I died of boredom and woke up on Boot Hill.
Last year's road trip, we drove through Helena and Butte, and it was a much more scenic version of Montana. The road to Billings, on the other hand, is fall-asleep-while-driving boring. (Yes, I'm from Saskatchewan. So when I say "boring", you know that I know what I'm talking about.) Just miles and miles of nothing. A little place called Roundup was about the only bright spot on the drive. But even so, I was still falling asleep, randomly driving into meadows and ditches... Zzz... urk! Oops! Sorry.
And now I have a headache and a sideache and I'm really really tired (too many late nights prior to our departure), so we decided to call it a day in Billings. Didn't feel like attempting another 2+ hours on the road to reach Gardiner - and as Gardiner is right on the front doorstep of Yellowstone, the hotel prices would be that much higher.
When we left home this morning, Stephen had checked the highways hotline before leaving, and so decided to go through the Gardiner Dam route to avoid some road repairs. I'm not so sure it was an improvement. #1, that's a crappy highway. #2, there was road work going on there, and #3 that's a crappy highway. The Dam itself was interesting to see, at least. And finally we were back on main roads. Whew! Solid pavement.
Until we start approaching the border, anyway. The road to the border crossing at Climax (where we went last time) was crap, and the one at Val Marie might be marginally better. Bumpy, patchy, broken pavement all over. "Is that a gopher on the road? Oh, it's a piece of pavement. No wonder the little feller is moving so slow."
Then you get to the US side, and it's smooth sailing, with a big orange sign warning you whenever there's an innocuous little bump.
I feel sorry for the Americans heading into Canada. "What the hell is this? Why are we driving on logging roads?"
Anyway, the border guard let us cross over, after suspiciously quizzing us on how we could have 3-4 weeks of vacation, and taking note of our large supply of junk food. (It doesn't go bad in a hot car.)
As for Montana, I don't have much to say, except that they have lots of bugs. Lots and lots of them. Sometimes, it sounded like hail hitting the vehicle. Oh, and it's hot outside.
Time to go explore Boot Hill. I may be sitting in a hot tub tonight.
ETA: Why is it called the Boot Hill Inn? Because Boot Hill Cemetery is just across the street.
That would be the Boot Hill Inn in Billings. A fitting end to today's drive - I died of boredom and woke up on Boot Hill.
Last year's road trip, we drove through Helena and Butte, and it was a much more scenic version of Montana. The road to Billings, on the other hand, is fall-asleep-while-driving boring. (Yes, I'm from Saskatchewan. So when I say "boring", you know that I know what I'm talking about.) Just miles and miles of nothing. A little place called Roundup was about the only bright spot on the drive. But even so, I was still falling asleep, randomly driving into meadows and ditches... Zzz... urk! Oops! Sorry.
And now I have a headache and a sideache and I'm really really tired (too many late nights prior to our departure), so we decided to call it a day in Billings. Didn't feel like attempting another 2+ hours on the road to reach Gardiner - and as Gardiner is right on the front doorstep of Yellowstone, the hotel prices would be that much higher.
When we left home this morning, Stephen had checked the highways hotline before leaving, and so decided to go through the Gardiner Dam route to avoid some road repairs. I'm not so sure it was an improvement. #1, that's a crappy highway. #2, there was road work going on there, and #3 that's a crappy highway. The Dam itself was interesting to see, at least. And finally we were back on main roads. Whew! Solid pavement.
Until we start approaching the border, anyway. The road to the border crossing at Climax (where we went last time) was crap, and the one at Val Marie might be marginally better. Bumpy, patchy, broken pavement all over. "Is that a gopher on the road? Oh, it's a piece of pavement. No wonder the little feller is moving so slow."
Then you get to the US side, and it's smooth sailing, with a big orange sign warning you whenever there's an innocuous little bump.
I feel sorry for the Americans heading into Canada. "What the hell is this? Why are we driving on logging roads?"
Anyway, the border guard let us cross over, after suspiciously quizzing us on how we could have 3-4 weeks of vacation, and taking note of our large supply of junk food. (It doesn't go bad in a hot car.)
As for Montana, I don't have much to say, except that they have lots of bugs. Lots and lots of them. Sometimes, it sounded like hail hitting the vehicle. Oh, and it's hot outside.
Time to go explore Boot Hill. I may be sitting in a hot tub tonight.
ETA: Why is it called the Boot Hill Inn? Because Boot Hill Cemetery is just across the street.
 |
 |
| From It's My Travelogue Blog |
Comments
Post a Comment