ND to MT

Wow, what a busy Wednesday yesterday. So fun…

We had a quick breakfast at the hotel (don’t get me started about Microtel…), got the car fueled up, and took off for the Painted Canyon at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Oy, the wind. After a while, I just gave up.

Oy, the wind. After a while, I just gave up.

I had no idea this park even existed. What a gorgeous place, and a wonderful tribute to the bigger-than-life man known as the father of the conservation movement. We started with Painted Canyon, outside the boundaries of the park. I’m telling you, fiends: you’ve heard the adage, “Pictures don’t do it justice,” right? Well, I have to apply that old chestnut here. I mean, the prairie just goes on and on and on. It’s breathtaking.

After lingering there for a while, we took off for the north entrance of the park. Fortunately for us, the Thriller had done some preparatory research and discovered that the “Scenic Drive” was down to a one-lane road due to construction, so we hightailed it up to the north side road. I don’t think we missed much, as the drive and hikes we took were amazingly beautiful.

And hey, we’re officially wildlife photographers. We caught this guy sunning himself, far beyond where visitors were allowed. Fortunately, we had the telephoto lens with us. We saw two more buffalo, but they were way far away, moving through the grazing grasses.

When we got to the end of the 14-mile trek, we were at the highest point in the park, where the plains meet the sky. It was awe-inspiring, truly, and of course I had to take a Titanic photo, featuring me as king of the world. :P

It was a completely beautiful day, start to finish. When we got to the Cottonwood Inn in weird-but-wonderful Glasgow, Montana, we had a nice dinner and went next door to a tiny little casino and won a hundred clams. How about that?

Today, we fight the rainstorms at Glacier. I hope they abate long enough for us to get out and explore a bit. If not, we’ll get out and explore in our raincoats and umbrella.

Unless it’s cold rain. The Fink doesn’t do that. So fingers crossed for a break in the clouds. Reporting live from Glasgow…

FO

8 thoughts on “ND to MT

  1. Suzanne

    Nice nice nice!!!! Lots of places on my To Do list if and when H and I ever do a road trip in the US. Hope that the weather cooperated and you were able to get out and see stuff.

    Actually I am looking forward to seeing Le Tour on the television, we’ll see way more and won’t have to deal with those arrogant (but oh so charming) Frenchies. :P We’ll get there again some day.

    Reply
    1. Rat Fink Post author

      The PacNW would be a fantastic journey for you and H! We’re hoping for the best, although there’s flooding on the road into the park…yikes.

      Have a good weekend, my friend! <3

      Reply
  2. Will

    Sounds like a fun day. You’ll drive through Havre today which is where I was born. There’s really not much to see in Havre but hey, it’s there. I’ve only seen Glasgow from the train so I hope it was nice.

    Reply
    1. Fink on the Road

      Will, we certainly are going through Havre today! I had forgotten that was your birthplace. Does your mom live there now?

      Reply
  3. Mavis

    Such great pictures you’ve been taking! Makes me feel like I’m right there. You guys be careful traveling today! Turn around – don’t drown!!!

    Reply
    1. Fink on the Road

      Mave, I hope the rain holds off long enough for us to get some roaming around done in the park today. No worries…the Thriller always goes for caution first! Updates as they happen. Keep everything crossed!

      Reply
    1. Rat Fink Post author

      Thanks, RD! Haha…well, as you can tell by the post, not much cooperated at Glacier. LOL

      Reply

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