WELL, I MADE IT TO NORTH DAKOTA
1,300 miles (1,250 on 2 lane roads), 5 nights and I finally crossed into ND. Wow, Montana is a big state! I travelled US 2, which goes for 660 miles in MT alone. I have overnighted in Ritzville, WA (Not much there, trust me), Bonners Ferry ID (decent casino and lodge), someplace along Glacier National Park, Havre, MT, and Culbertson, MT.
CASINOS IN MONTANA
When you enter Montana you pretty immediately notice (besides all of the little crosses along the road) that they approached the casino gambling thing in a very different way, with essentially every bar, restaurant, and gas station having a “casino.” These seem to be generally about 10-20 low-stakes slot machines, and a bar for drinks. What I did not like is that it seems to take away a revenue stream for the tribes, since there are these “casinos” everywhere, the tribes cannot really do their more full approach to the gambling/entertainment aspect. But, if you are sitting on a Saturday night in your motel in Culbertson that shares the lot with an auto parts store and a junk yard, that tiny casino across the road looks pretty good.
SHOPPING IN MONTANA
The shopping highlight so far was in East Glacier, MT. Sorry, I did not take a photo, but the sign was as follows: “THE LARGEST WOODEN SPOON SHOP IN THE WORLD” the smaller type below: “well, perhaps…..”
Anyway, an old couple carves wooden spoons all winter and sells them all summer. He explained how tough it is to make spoons out of hickory wood, so of course, I bought the hickory ones. Just trying to keep him busy next winter……
The last shot below proves my arrival into North Dakota. State number 48 is now official.
I guess if you sit out in the wind all of the time, these things can happen? This is near Ritzville, WA.
My cute little cabin outside of Glacier Park. First night they were open for the season. So, out here in the middle of nowhere, 10-15 miles from the next facility of any kind, I asked the owners where they went in the winter. Costa Rica. Oh, of course. So obvious. They also own a bar in Shelby, MT with 36 beers on tap (that is rare for a little town.) and they play in a rock band. Busy guys.
Looking into Glacier from Marias Pass just south of the park.
The last view of the Rockies as I head out into the prairies for the next few days.
Espresso in a teepee. Seems appropriate out here.
The hotel in Savo, MT. I do not think it is accepting guests at this time. Maybe next year?
Abandoned building on the endless prairie.
I made it! I have no idea what is so legendary about ND, but they surely think it is. It is beautiful in this western part for sure.