Roadtrip Part One

Two centuries ago people headed west in covered wagons, sometimes referred to as "prairie schooners", there's an old cartoon showing a family heading west in their covered wagon and they raise the canvas cover of the wagon like a sail and skim across the plains (ala Tom Hanks in Castaway). Having put 4,000M under the Durango across the Midwest Prairies, Northern Plains and Rockies, on blacktop and gravel, over dirt and rock we can say for certain that anyone making this trip on horseback was a hearty soul to be sure. Having begun our roadtrip with a 24 hour dash from Kemah, TX to Benson, MN we have since visited eleven states and counting.

It's hurricane season and every sailor in their right mind (that's a bit of an oxymoron) looks for a safe and dry hole. While Ana and Bill were stirring up things in the islands Vicky and Ed were watching the waves on Lake Scandi Minnesota. With three months to go in the official 2009 hurricane season we've traded Boto and the seas for the Dodge and the highway. Looking ahead to a roadtrip, where we will most definitely travel about in an unhurried fashion, we set off on 8/12 from Kemah, TX heading North to MN; 1,300M and seven states later we arrived in Benson, MN, Vicky's home town. For those not familiar with the state of MN, it is the land of 10,000 lakes, and we were off for a weekend on Lake Scandinavian; to Gretchan, Harvey and Jake we thank you for the hospitality by the lake.

Our next leg takes us from MN to MT, a total of 1,130M. Benson, MN to Mile City, MT 600M with stops to see the worlds largest Buffalo, Cow and Sand Piper. Beautiful scenery along the way and lots of fun in the car. As we ended our first day on the road Vicky and her Mom headed off to the casino to recapture some of the road dollars, Jean was successful, Vicky donated $20 to the states economy. A good nights rest and we're off for Hamilton, MT in the morning. With a little more than 500M in front of us we hit the road a bit late, but with a 75MPH speed limit we made up time. After refueling the truck and the body at Neptune's Brewery(if you find yourself in Livingston, MT stop in for some good Thai and a great beer) we cruised into Hamilton in time for dinner. Now the fun part of this leg will really begin.

Thursday the 2oth of August, finds us up and running heading into the Bitter Root Mountains for a day of four wheeling
and sight seeing. As the girls followed behind as we navigated the twists and turns enjoying the sights. Time for a rest before we are off on the road again heading to Helena, MT. Helena for the nuptials which have brought us to this piece of the planet. Standing by a babbling brook in the middle of a ranch we watch as Vicky's cousin makes her vows in the late afternoon sun. Following is a fun and rowdy barn dance well into the wee hours. Whether its the light air or our advancing ages we all sleep in a bit following the festivities. With the truck once again packed and the air mattress ready to go we are off to Glacier Park for some car camping and hiking. Three days on the road has taken us through Glacier National Park, into the Flathead Park and on into LoLo Park where we will spend a few days with the extended family camping and hiking.

Taking a break from the rigours of camping Vicky and Ed are off for a night on the town in Missoula, MT. For those Texans wishing to keep Austin weird, we suggest a visit to Missoula for some lessons. As all good things must end we find ourselves saying goodbye to Hamilton, MT and heading back to MN where we shall drop off Vicky's Mom before heading onto the east coast, but first, we have some stops to make along the way; Little Bighorn, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument,Wall Drug (a mainstay of the SD roadtrip), Corn Palace, and who knows what else.