For June 1 GREAT FALLS to HELENA
Erica and Bryce came by and took us to a local Lutheran church. We then picked up 'Grandma' and drove the 25 miles out to Erica's family home. We joined them for a birthday brunch celebrating her dad's 60th birthday. Dad was asked lots of questions about the Palouse country. I learned that some wheat plants develop roots up to 6 feet long as they follow the moisture level as it drops. Everyone seemed to be having a great time.
Later in in afternoon we took a back roads route and headed out to Helena. Now tonight I've been trying to get this blog updated and Dad has read the paper and is not watching the Women's Collegiate Softball Playoff. Tomorrow night we won't need to be consulting out motel guide - we'll be in Pullman.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
for May 30 Canyon Village to Great Falls
Continued up the east side of Yellowstone Park. Walked out to Tower Falls (and Dad got many words of admiration and encouragement). Found out that the day before the road hadn't even been opened. At one point the snow on the side of the road was much higher than the car. Also a section where the chuckholes of winter were still waiting for repair. Saw another WSU Washington license plate. Had a picnic lunch at a Mammoth Hot Springs picnic table. I hiked up a bit but found none of the lower hot springs were active. Several elk have made the area their permanent hangout. Just as we were leaving the park area we ran into two adult and two baby mountain goats.
At this point we had three missing license plates, but in our first town spotted a Rhode Island, so were down to just Vermont and West Virginia missing. It was very interesting to have earlier run across a trucker from Nova Scotia and a car with 'Citizen Potawatomi Nation" license plates.
Took highway 89 up to Great Falls and really enjoyed the green grass, budding out trees, and being accompanied by snow-covered mountain out the rear view mirror.
Stayed at a Super 8 Motel, as we have most night, and got a hold of Erica so we could plan getting together on Sunday.
Continued up the east side of Yellowstone Park. Walked out to Tower Falls (and Dad got many words of admiration and encouragement). Found out that the day before the road hadn't even been opened. At one point the snow on the side of the road was much higher than the car. Also a section where the chuckholes of winter were still waiting for repair. Saw another WSU Washington license plate. Had a picnic lunch at a Mammoth Hot Springs picnic table. I hiked up a bit but found none of the lower hot springs were active. Several elk have made the area their permanent hangout. Just as we were leaving the park area we ran into two adult and two baby mountain goats.
At this point we had three missing license plates, but in our first town spotted a Rhode Island, so were down to just Vermont and West Virginia missing. It was very interesting to have earlier run across a trucker from Nova Scotia and a car with 'Citizen Potawatomi Nation" license plates.
Took highway 89 up to Great Falls and really enjoyed the green grass, budding out trees, and being accompanied by snow-covered mountain out the rear view mirror.
Stayed at a Super 8 Motel, as we have most night, and got a hold of Erica so we could plan getting together on Sunday.
For May 30 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Entering from the south we got a firsthand view of the devastation caused by the 1988 forest fires. There are now many young lodgepole pines crowding the countryside. Noticed slush on the road. Enjoyed an intoductory video at the Grant visitor's center and then made it to Old Faithful in time for a sunny and blue-skyed backgound for the eruption. Enjoyed exploring some of the side roads and, of course, we were always on the lookout for new license plates. In addition to sighting 'Yukon' we came upon a very close-up view of several buffalo and their calves grazing. Later it got even closer as all the traffic on the road had stopped for a line of about about 6 buffalo slowly walking up the middle of the road. One took a particular interest in the front of our car, but luckily decided to meander on before inflicting any damage. We saw no bears, but many herds of buffalo. Also saw a number of elk. Enjoyed a picnic lunch and then drove north and east so we could view the upper and lower Yellowstone falls. found the 'Artists viewpoint' an especially pretty site. Continued down to Yellowstone Lake and found the ice just starting to break up. With the late afternoon sun and the snow covered mountains in the background it was very memorable. (You notice we were focusing on the area that wasn't covered on the family trip of years ago.
Stayed at the Canyon Village. Even though it was the first day they were open, there were none of the least expensive rooms left - learned people can start on May 1 making reservations for the following year! There was still snow around the cabin and a plow was still clearing the parking lot. Again no Internet.
Entering from the south we got a firsthand view of the devastation caused by the 1988 forest fires. There are now many young lodgepole pines crowding the countryside. Noticed slush on the road. Enjoyed an intoductory video at the Grant visitor's center and then made it to Old Faithful in time for a sunny and blue-skyed backgound for the eruption. Enjoyed exploring some of the side roads and, of course, we were always on the lookout for new license plates. In addition to sighting 'Yukon' we came upon a very close-up view of several buffalo and their calves grazing. Later it got even closer as all the traffic on the road had stopped for a line of about about 6 buffalo slowly walking up the middle of the road. One took a particular interest in the front of our car, but luckily decided to meander on before inflicting any damage. We saw no bears, but many herds of buffalo. Also saw a number of elk. Enjoyed a picnic lunch and then drove north and east so we could view the upper and lower Yellowstone falls. found the 'Artists viewpoint' an especially pretty site. Continued down to Yellowstone Lake and found the ice just starting to break up. With the late afternoon sun and the snow covered mountains in the background it was very memorable. (You notice we were focusing on the area that wasn't covered on the family trip of years ago.
Stayed at the Canyon Village. Even though it was the first day they were open, there were none of the least expensive rooms left - learned people can start on May 1 making reservations for the following year! There was still snow around the cabin and a plow was still clearing the parking lot. Again no Internet.
For May 29
This is the day we saw many pick-ups and semi-cabs with a crash bar, similar to that seen on police vehicles, covering the front grill of the vehicles. We soon deduced why. By 1:30 pm we'd spotted over 300 antelope in groups ranging from one to 20. (As well as 5 who didn't make it across the four lanes of interstate.) We also spotted over 30 elk and one jack rabbit.
As we traveled we came into an beautiful area with many newer log-cabin type homes and many pastures with herds of horses.
This is the day we saw many pick-ups and semi-cabs with a crash bar, similar to that seen on police vehicles, covering the front grill of the vehicles. We soon deduced why. By 1:30 pm we'd spotted over 300 antelope in groups ranging from one to 20. (As well as 5 who didn't make it across the four lanes of interstate.) We also spotted over 30 elk and one jack rabbit.
As we traveled we came into an beautiful area with many newer log-cabin type homes and many pastures with herds of horses.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The day featured a good drive through the Badlands, and getting to Mt Rushmore just as the mist was starting to come in. After Mt. Rushmore we took a very windy (as in many curves) road on down to Custer, where we stopped for 8oz. buffalo burgers. As we drove on there were 2 wild turkey sightings with a total of 6 turkeys, and 5 deer sightings with a total of about 16 deer. Also saw one prairie dog up on his haunches.
Here in Edgemont the cold water runs hot - which is interesting. Staying at the Rainbow Motel - the old fashioned one story style where you drive right in front of your own entrance. Tomorrow we head for the Grand Tetons. Ruth and Dad
Here in Edgemont the cold water runs hot - which is interesting. Staying at the Rainbow Motel - the old fashioned one story style where you drive right in front of your own entrance. Tomorrow we head for the Grand Tetons. Ruth and Dad
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Rochester to Mitchell
Paul Klavano (Dad) and Ruth Klavano got away from Rochester before noon and decided to hang up their keys at Mitchell, South Dakota. It was the earliest stop of the journey. Enjoyed dinner at Perkins and a chance to view the Corn Palace. This building is redecorated every year at a cost of over $100,000. The decoration is with natural colored corn and grains grown locally.
It was the first day with no new license plates, as well as the first time for using our jackets.Interesting to observe the drainage ditches that had been dug over the last 100 years. According to the sign about 20% of Minnesota's farmland has been reclaimed from land which was too wet.
Tomorrow we head to Mt Rushmore. People at out motel reported that they couldn't even see the faces as there had been 2 inches of snow and the clouds had settled in. Hope tomorrow is better! No pictures today because the wireless in our rooms isn't working, and no downloads allowed in the lobby.
It was the first day with no new license plates, as well as the first time for using our jackets.Interesting to observe the drainage ditches that had been dug over the last 100 years. According to the sign about 20% of Minnesota's farmland has been reclaimed from land which was too wet.
Tomorrow we head to Mt Rushmore. People at out motel reported that they couldn't even see the faces as there had been 2 inches of snow and the clouds had settled in. Hope tomorrow is better! No pictures today because the wireless in our rooms isn't working, and no downloads allowed in the lobby.
Monday, May 26, 2008
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