A Lockdown Virtual Journey (North America) Day 11
Day Eleven
The annoying noise of my phone reminding me that I needed to be up and preparing for the day woke, me at seven. I quickly called my lovely wife but didn’t get any reply. Oh well such things happen. I mentally planned to phone again later in the day. Up I got and shave and shower done, I got dressed and made my way to Chris’s room. Once again I was last to arrive but by my reckoning I was a few minutes early.
Chris’s room looked very similar to mine, slightly dated but comfortable. We formed a circle and at Roz’s insistence, held hands. Chris, after freeing his hands read the prayer the Lord had taught His disciples. He then reflected on how much the prayer meant to him. We then spoke out five things each to thank God for. After prayer for others and ourselves and our journey we went of to collect our luggage. Meeting in the lobby, handing back the keys and having said our farewells to the receptionist We loaded the cases into Pete’s and my vehicles. Then we went in search of a breakfast which at least three of us didn’t need.
It was a short but welcome walk to the bakery. The day was warming up and the sky an amazing shade of blue. We chatted as we walked. We three asking about Alan and Roz and they asking about our lives. They weren’t sure what they were to do after their year at Bethel, maybe stay there for year two or look for paid work of some sort. We three were heading to Cour D’Alene and from there to Seattle and then south to LA. It seemed that Alan and Roz hadn’t travelled very far from home until this trip. They were amazed at the travelling we three had done as individuals and together.
At the Bakery we ordered five plates, two with fried eggs and sausage, one with poached egg and bacon and two with scrambled eggs and bacon. We each had a couple of rounds of toast. I has orange juice and the others coffee. It was good. The food and service was excellent. And the talk over breakfast was mainly about Israel. Pete having spent a lot of time there and my having visited for a couple of weeks were able to answer some of the questions asked. I think we would all have liked to go, preferably sooner rather than later. The chat continued as we made our way back to the vehicles.
Alan and Roz joined Pete in the Ford, sat navs were set and agreed. The short first stage was made and we all filled up at the aptly named ‘Town pump’. As we were filling up I became aware of the train standing behind the petrol station between us and the river. It was a goods train and it was long. It must have been a half mile at least and must have sneaked in after Chris’s railway antics. Having paid and stocked up on drinks we set of on the road back to the I90.
The road followed the valley formed by the Yellowstone River for about thirty five miles. The land either side of the road used for agriculture and looked to be good and productive land. Pete who was initially bringing up the rear indicated to come out and overtook Myself and Chris. The indicator went of and the left one came on and he left the I 90 on the slip road and followed the road under the I90 and towards the ‘Montana Grizzly Encounter’. My initial thought was to stay in the car. Looking a little more closely I realized that the bears were in an enclosure.
We parked up and us three older ones did a few stretches and then followed the youngsters to see the bears. They wanted to pay for us to enter and see the animals. We initially protested but were persuaded that they really wanted to pay something. We agreed on condition that we pay for food and accommodation. The deal done and fees paid we spent about half an hour admiring these huge beasts. Apparently you can tell the difference between a grizzly and a black bear by it’s size. Grizzlies tend to be larger. The claws of the grizzly are longer and they have a hump between the shoulders. I think if I were being attacked by either species of bear I wouldn’t be wondering whether it was a grizzly or a black bear!
Back on the road and heading west I reflected about what I had seen. I like to see ‘wild animals’ and while I appreciate the work that zoos do I always feel saddened that the animals are not free. I felt the same about the Grizzly encounter. They do great work and hopefully bears will be returned to the wild at least those who would stand a chance of surviving there. They were magnificent animals but I don’t think I would relish coming face to face with one in the wild.
The I90 changed into the I191 but the sat-nav assured me we were on the correct road. Generally the road was following the ‘Rocky Creek’. We did travel through some more mountainous terrain. Apparently we were in a range of mountains named ‘The Crazy Mountains’. Google assured me that they were named after a woman who while travelling west had become separated from her group and and had gone ‘mad’ in them there mountains.
We travelled through the mountains and a few miles east of Bozeman we were once again in rich farmland. Soon the adverts for camping grounds appeared. As the road looped Bozeman to the north, we saw built up areas and areas of industry. We crossed the rail line as it went into the city and crossed it again where it exited the city. As the road headed north west we were joined by the rail track on our right. After a few miles traversing farm land the road seemed to split in two the town of Belgrade. Soon we were crossing the Madison River. As the road crossed the river the train tracks went beneath the road and headed of to the left of us. There were signs for a town called Three Forks to the south of us and another for a place called Trident to the north. I did wonder if there had been any argument over the names.
The road seemed to head due west. There were hills all around, and the horizon, just for a change, seemed quite close. It didn’t last long, soon we were back to big skies and distant horizons.
We sped past Cardwell, Whitehall, Pipestone and Homestake. Soon after we all three pulled off the I90 at exit 228 and followed Chris once more in search of fuel. Judging by the frequency of fuel stops I thought he must be running on fumes. We turned under our road and then right onto Continental drive. About a mile or so and we arrived at a Conoco garage and a very relieved looking Chris was soon refuelling. Pete and I topped up our tanks and after paying were doing the obligatory stretches when Roz asked what was it she could see on the top of a nearby mountain. It was white and lit up by the sunshine. It was obviously man made. Alan, who must have had the eyes of an eagle told us it was a statue of a woman.
Who else but Chris was immediately in conversation with another motorist filling their car. Listening in on their conversation the statue turned out to be a huge sculpture of the Virgin Mary. The motorist thought that she was maybe looking over and protecting the town. Pete used his phone to google pictures and it did look impressive. We had a conflab and decided to have lunch in Missoula. Back into/on our vehicles we were soon on our way.
Our direction our sat-navs gave us back to the I90 seemed unduly complicated. We went back on ourselves then did a right, then a left, across a junction and then a right followed by a left and onto the 115. This soon became the 15 which became the other number of the I90! After a couple of miles we parted company with the I15 which headed south.
After heading west for a few miles our road turned to head north. We had the Bow creek on our rights and the train track had returned and was on our left. At a place called Deer Lodge I managed to resist the temptation to visit the ‘Old Montana Prison Museum’.
We parted company with the rail track as we headed north. The road ran alongside a river which I think was named Clarks Fork. As the road climbed up from the valley we had some lovely views across the river over the land beyond and on to the mountains.
As the road turned north westerly it became more interesting. Interesting in the sense of more use of the steering wheel. The road followed the shallow valley in all its twists and turns. The landscape was greenery, bushes and trees, alongside the rivers or creeks. Away from the water the ground looked parched seemingly awaiting a good downpour. The valley got narrower still fairly broad but narrower than it had been.
We whistled past a road sign proclaiming twenty one miles to Missoula and a hundred and eighty nine to Coeur D’Alene. I also realised that the rail track was back on our left. No trains but the track was there. I felt tempted to enjoy the road and scenery and the car by putting my foot down. I thought about it and decided to resist the temptation for speed. I really didn’t fancy trying to explain to the local constabulary why I was speeding. We passed a long line of goods carriages stopped for no apparent reason.
We followed the road past some blue roofed properties one of which seemed to be a general store. I cannot remember seeing blue roofed buildings before and wondered if all the properties in Clinton (the name of the place) were blue. Whilst musing about blue roofs we must have crossed the rail track because it was now on our right.
At a steady seventy five it didn’t take long long to cover the ground to Missoula. Passing yet another freight train we exited the I90 at exit 107. Turning left under the I90 we headed for the town. Pete had decided on our choice of restaurant and we followed him. The sat-nav in my car protesting all the way! We did a left, left then a right and pulled into the car park of the ‘Iron Horse Bar and Grill’ on our left. From the outside it looked modern and clean.
As I was getting out of the car my left leg cramped up. My leg shot out straight and it took ages to relax. I don’t think this was anything to do with the car’s comfort more to do with an old back injury and a lack of serious exercise. Pete and Chris showed a lot of concern, mainly commenting on my advanced age and decrepit condition. Alan and Ros initially looked startled but quickly realised the banter was all good natured. We walked into the restaurant me more gingerly than the others. After a few minutes we were shown to a table for six.
We placed our order, two tender loin salads, two fire roasted chicken salads and one tandori chicken salads. I’ll leave you to guess who had what. I think we three were becoming more aware of our expanding waistlines, two of us were really concerned! The food looked and tasted great. The place itself looked spacious and relaxing. Lots of wood – real wood, tables etc. The only thing I didn’t like was the TV screen. It seemed an unnecessary distraction. I imagine the place was set up for the locals not a group traversing the USA.
The bill having been paid and our drinks consumed it was time to be on our way. I tried to stand and as I did the cramp in my left leg returned. I hobbled out following the others. I didn’t fancy driving so informed the others that I would go for a walk to work of the cramp and catch them up on the way or at the hotel. Both declined and said we should all stick together. It’s how we started and how we should finish.
I really wanted to get to Coure D’Alene so asked Alan and Ros if either of then fancied driving the Charger. Alan was definitely up for it so I asked Pete if he minded me sitting in the back of the Ford and stretching out. Keys passed to Alan and a short time with him familiarising himself with the car, I joined Pete in the Ford. I cramped up again getting in back. Thinking wise decision not to drive for a while.
Within sight of the I90 We pulled into another Conoco gas station. This time I stayed in the truck, not fancying another attack now that I had gotten comfortable. There was a quaint little building with a big sign across from us named ‘Florence Coffee’ it looked like it was a drive through.
We were soon refuelled and after going under the I90 we rejoined it again heading west. We soon passed the cities airport. It looked to be quite busy with lots of smaller private planes and I think I glimpsed a larger aircraft like the ones that are used to fight forest fires. Not long after we passed a church building that looked remarkably like one in Banbury. It was a Mormon church – looked nice.
Frenchtown was split by the I90. It looked a nice enough place with lots of open spaces. Pete and I chatted about the aircraft, churches and a lot about Alan and Ros. He seemed to be really pleased for them and the plan they had for their lives at least the Bethel part. I guess as one gets older the realisation that we only really have today becomes more real. Hence the expression ‘God willing’.
We both wondered how Chris was coping being alone most of each day. We realise that Chris’s job as a lorry driver would have prepared him for this journey, probably more than us, he still had a great need to chat. There is a belief that men have 12,000 words a day and women 20,000. Chris seemed to have more than his share. Pete and I do have our moments.
I stretched out as best I could with a seat belt on in the back of the F150. Despite the beauty of the countryside, good company, lunch, a beer and not having to concentrate, caught up with me and I dozed off.
The Ford was big but quiet, much quieter than I thought it would be. It looked easy to drive and was very comfortable. Despite the comfort I woke as we were passing a place named Kellogg. Nothing to do with breakfast cereals but named after a prospector. According to google a lot of silver has been extracted from beneath the town. Now home to the Silver Mountain Resort the town is open for business.
We passed another airport although this one was much smaller than the last one. We entered a heavily forested area and passed and were passed by huge lorries loaded with logs. Pete had slowed to a sedate sixty five, which he explained when he realised I was awake, the speed limit. I think they must get a lot of snow because we passed a sign which advised us the was an area ahead to ‘Chain Up’. We also passed a huge UPS lorry which was towing two equally large trailers. No chance of a three point turn with that lot I thought! Then we passed another equally large lorry also with two trailers.
We had entered the Idaho Panhandle forest. The road seemed to have drops on either side one minute and to have been blasted through rocks the next. All the time we were in thick forest. Although still in thick forest we had a large expanse of water to our left. Suddenly we were crossing the lake. Not as long a bridge as some we had been on crossing rivers but very scenic just the same. The road seemed to be gently climbing and was made more interesting with some twists and turns. The twists and turns continued as the road descended. We were catching glimpses of the lake to our right.
The sat-nav directed us to take the next exit, which we did. At the bottom of the off ramp we made a left towards the city centre along East Sherman Avenue. The Avenue was long and straight. The building were a mixture of business and residential were mostly low rise. We did pass two high rise blocks of flats on the left and one on the right. (High rise compared to what was around them NOT NY!.) We came to a set of lights and made a left towards our destination. After travelling through landscaped grounds we we pulled up under the canopy of the ‘Coure D’Alene Resort Spa.
A smartly dresses gentleman appeared and asked Pete if ‘Sir a resident?’ ‘Not yet but we will be once we have booked in.’ Was Pete’s response. We were directed to the car-park next door and when we had found a space to make our way down to reception.
We processed the short distance to the car-park and almost immediately found three adjacent spaces. It always strikes me that even when we don’t pray He often gives us what we would like.
Alan was positively beaming as he exited the Charger, he opened the boot/trunk and we each took our suitcases. Entered the hotel and made our way past the shops to the reception area.
We were passing through a lobby seating area when a chorus of wolf whistles sounded out. We all three looked behind us! Then realised that the whistles were aimed at us. Alan and Roz looked totally bemused. We three looked quiet shocked. Then our wives were out of their seats and hugs and kisses were given and received. There was no need to register as our wives had already booked us in. So sitting down and having decided to spend the evening in or around the hotel we ordered some beers with our wives continuing with wine. Alan and Ros looked quite awkward with the situation. Introductions and explanations were made and we all started to relax. I think it was Roz who said they couldn’t afford to stay here. We three had a quick conflab and agreed to fund them for a couple of nights. They said they needed to be on their way to Redding – they would like to settle in before the course started. I think it was Chris who suggested they might like to fly if there is an airport around here. To cut out the protestations and cut a long chat short Alan and Roz agreed to stay for one night and fly if a flight could be arranged for the following day. Chris, who has assumed the aura of a seasoned traveller and man of the world, marched off to the reception desk. He had a conversation with the the young lady who was smiling and laughing at what he was saying to her. She made a call and then signalled for Alan and Roz to come to the desk. She placed a card for them to sign and issued them with keys. She told them a flight had been booked that was via San Francisco and would be departing Spokane at about 3pm the following day arriving Redding about 7:45 pm. She then asked them what time would they like their massage bearing in mind it would be an hour session and they would need to leave for the airport around midday. The booking was made and they rejoined us in the lounge area. A brief resume of the trip so far was given, questions were answered and more details were given as required. After about thirty minutes and another round of drinks we had pretty much caught up with all our lives. The ladies had arrived late the previous evening and had stayed at a hotel midway between Spokane and Coure D’Alene and then travelled to our hotel around midday. Jolander said about our trip ‘so it’s been sleep, drive and eat! Repeat!.’ Chris defended us chaps with ‘we have done other stuff as well.’
I said I think I’ll go and book us a table for dinner. I was informed in triplicate that that wouldn’t be necessary as we were all eating during a lake dinner cruise. Again Chris went to the receptionist who smiles as he approached and informed him that Alan and Roz had been pencilled in should they wish to be included! They did, so they were. What a brilliant receptionist!
The cruise was due to start in about half an hour so we all went off to freshen up.
Our rooms were in the Lake tower. The room my wife and I were in was on the thirteenth floor and on first sight and all subsequent sights, looked and was great. Apart from the king size bed there was a sitting room with a huge TV and a balcony. The view was stunning, the lake looked peaceful and the surrounding hills, peaceful.
Chris (my wife) was already dressed to go out. I had a quick wash and a change of ‘T’ shirt. We stood on the balcony hugging and admiring the view. Eventually we made our way back to the foyer to meet with the others. From there we headed out of the hotel and seemed to walk around the outside of the complex away from the lake till we rejoined the dock side from where we followed the signs and the others making their way to dinner.
We were seated on a table for eight, music was playing and it all felt very romantic. The starters were brought soon after we took our seats, wine, beers and water was ordered. The boat cast off and I think we all seemed to breath a sigh of relief and settled down to enjoy the views, the outstanding food and great fellowship.
Two hours or so later, with full tummies and feeling quite mellow we disembarked and made our way back to the hotel. We settled down to a last drink before retiring for the night. Our three wives were still catching up after a late arrival the previous day and were showing signs of drowsiness. I felt tired and then some when I realised that we had to put our watches back an hour. Alan and Ros looked they needed to have some alone time. After finishing my drink I suggested we might all like an early night. Chris (my friend not my wife) couldn’t resist a slightly ribald comment but was immediately quieted by Jean. We all agreed to meet in the lobby at eight. I noticed, as we made our way to the lifts that each couple was holding hands and looking a little relieved to be with their spouse.
Big Timber Bakery – Home | Facebook
www.grizzlyencounter.com
pcmaf.org/explore/our-museums/old-montana-prison
Iron Horse Bar & Grill in Gardiner – Restaurant menu and reviews (restaurantguru.com)
www.silvermt.com