Rapid City, SD to Home

Thursday April 22, 2021, we left Rapid City, SD behind for Wyoming.  We won't be long in Wyoming  because we just cross the northeast corner to Sheridan.

We are traveling I-90 because we are trying to make as much time as we can, wanting to be home by Monday.  There was a lot of tire rubber on the road that we were having to dodge.  Finally we came upon a u=haul truck pulling a trailer with a car on the trailer.  One of the wheels on the trailer was bare of rubber and throwing sparks.  We were able to get the attention of the driver to let him know what was happening.  We pulled over to the side of the road along with the truck driver.  The driver was not aware of what was happening and grateful we caught his attention..  

The rest of the trip to Sheridan, WY was uneventful.  Found a nice restaurant for dinner and turned in for the night.

Friday April 23, 2021 -This morning we woke up to snow and wind.  The water we left in the truck was frozen.

Different hotels do different things for breakfast these days.  Some do a full breakfast, others do a grab and go and other do everything in between.  This morning was one of in between but very limited.  There were a couple of stores we wanted to visit however they did not open until 10.  So we found our favorite coffee shop.  We had a breakfast sandwich and coffee. 

Feeling better and after the stores opened we spent the rest of the morning browsing.  John found an electronic tool and then we were on our way to Billings, MT.

There are six stores in Billings, 3 of which are really good.  At the last store we parked in front of St. Luke's Episcopal Church.  Then I remembered Melinda St. Clair that was a supply priest at St. Tim's for a period of time.  Melinda is currently the Rector of St. Luke's.  We did not have time to visit with her, but it brought back great memories of Melinda.

The temperature got up to 40 today but the wind and the cold from the snow in the mountains makes it feel cold.

We went to the Montana Rib Chop for dinner.  It is Friday night, 6:00 pm and everything is busy.  We put our name in and were told it was about a 45 minute wait.  30 minutes into our wait we were called and told our table was ready.  Surprised to find that our table was really 2 seats at the bar.  I sat next to a couple of ranchers.  As we have traveled through Montana and North and South Dakota we have wondered about the differences in how the hay is harvested.  In Washington most of the hay is bundled into rectangular bales.  In Montana and the Dakota's the hay is rolled into very large rolls.  The question is why the difference. I thought, now I have the opportunity to ask, so I did.  They said the roll makes it easier to feed the cattle/horses because it can be pulled apart easier.  Also when the hay had to be trucked long distances, the bales fit on the truck bed better and create less problems for the truckers.  So I guess it depends on where it will be used or where it is going to be trucked to.

Even though social distancing was non existent in the restaurant.  Hopefully most people have been vaccinated and/or were not sick.

Saturday morning we woke up to no hot water.  Not sure what happened but were told we were the only ones complaining.  Took a sponge bath, dress and were on our way.   

How many more days do we take to drive about 800 miles?  We got on the road by 10:00 and decided to head for Missoula, MT.  Made a stop in Bozeman and Butte before our final destination.  Also stopped at the Montana Wheat outlet on I-90.  This is such an awesome place to pick up bread, rolls, flour, etc. as well have lunch.  Sometimes if we find one of the restaurants in Kalispell, Bozeman or other Montana towns, we try to stop.  

Another good place for a meal is the Montana Club.  They have everything from steak to soup and salad.  

Sunday morning we headed home.  Decided to call some friends in Elk, WA, about 25 miles north of Spokane.  Would they like some company?  They asked if they needed to dust the guest room so we spent the night.  They have a new puppy, Tucker.  Really frisky and fun loving.  Monday we walked around a lake close to their property.  What fun.  Left about 11:00 am and were home by 4:00 pm.

John, Tucker, and Mary

It is always good to be home.  Now begins the work of unpacking the truck and going through the mail.