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Published: August 18th 2017
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Today was a moving day. We left Great Falls, MT at 7:15 AM and 59 degrees. Brrrr. Well, it went all the way up to 81 degrees at one point, then back down to 55 and then up to 75 degrees. Clearly the weather was in a hissy fit. It was sunny, it was smoky, it was windy and it rained, and all at different times and places during the day.
We had no plans for the day, just to get from point A to point B. And so we set off through Big Sky Country and headed south east. Course, due to all of the smoke in the area, the big sky was not so big today. At times the visibility was down to less than a quarter mile, so the massive mountains that I know were standing to our right, were not to be seen at all. At one point it looked like you could reach out and touch the smoke, it was so thick and just floating by the car.
We drove for miles and miles through rolling yellow fields interrupted from time to time by green patches of fertile low-lying areas. We could always tell
where the rivers were running, because of the lush lines of trees and bushes that grow along side, where water is plentiful.
We were made well aware of the fact that they get a lot of snow in these parts because of the many snow fences we saw along the roadside. One farm had a long driveway leading to their house and they had planted a thick row of trees on both sides, clearly to minimize the amount of snow that drifted into their path to home.
We drove through many tiny towns like Judith Gap, where activity was minimal and buildings were crying out to be demolished, for they were past the point of restoration.
It was hazy all day, all the way to Rapid City. At one point the smoke was so bad, the sun was a big orange ball in the sky. See the photo. It was eerie. As we approached Guillette, SD we saw plumes of smoke in the sky, over the ridge. We drove toward it and just when we thought we would see it, there was another ridge behind it. We chased it for miles, then veered off to the south
and left it behind. My research tells me it is a huge wild fire outside of Guillette covering 2,000 acres and there are about 185 firefighters on scene trying to contain it. So, for once, we managed to see the source of at least one of the fires that is causing so much smoke. We have driven all over the NW every year since 2012 and have never seen anything like the obscured skies that we experienced this year.
We landed in Rapid City at 4:30 and checked into our hotel. This hotel is linked to several others by way of an indoor waterpark. Check out the photos. There a tons of kids in this place. And they are all jacked up like they are on caffeine. I don’t think it is Mt. Rushmore that is getting them so excited. We spent some time arranging the rest of our trip, which will get us home on the 23
rd but not before spending more time along the Mississippi River Scenic Byway. Still, I am looking forward to sleeping in my own bed!!!
Tomorrow is another moving day, all the way to Omaha.
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Sharon Gauert
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Your own bed
You have had some unique experiences on this trip & it looks like you will be home before us. We don't arrive until 7PM on Saturday, Aug 26.....although our body time will be much later. See you soon; I have saved a bottle of white Bordeaux from our tasting for you & Steve. Don't know what we will serve with it, but we may not care.