The following morning we woke up late. It was so nice to sleep in after a couple days of going, going, going. We started packing up while RJ *conveniently* struck up a conversation with the couple next to us. They were heading to Northern California and we were heading through Michigan, their home state. We each told the other what roads to take and what to do and where to visit. After almost everything was packed and ready to go, RJ had exhausted all avenues of things to talk about and decided he had better help me. But first, he had to brush his teeth.
The cool, crisp air felt refreshing as we took off. After a stop to check the tire pressure, we took “a faster route” to Helena which ended up being a narrow road that turned to gravel. The washboard road was partially flooded and never mind that you could only go 10mph because it was so bumpy. We were certain that our Idaho mug was going to break in the top case from the rough road. Several miles later, after waiting on a train, we made it to the pavement. Maybe on RJ’s dirt bike that would have been a faster route, but I have my doubts we saved any time. And this isn’t the first time Apple Maps has taken us on a crazy route. We disabled Maps from taking us on highways or through tolls so sometimes it takes us on funky excursions.
Fifteen miles from Helena, we pulled over at a lookout point. We viewed the view and talked to a group of motorcyclists who were also viewing the view.
A short drive later, we were in Helena, MT. We took a small detour to look at a church we saw towering over the city buildings.
A couple miles later we were at the capitol. The grounds were beautiful but first impressions walking inside were drab.
We got our stamp and walked up to the main floor where everything was updated and lively. Beautiful stained-glass windows, statues and paintings lined the halls and ceilings.
One unique thing about this capitol is that the chambers are not across from each other. Usually the Senate is on one side of the building and across from it on the other side of the building is the the House of Representatives. The House of Reps actually sits behind the Senate chamber.
FAST FACTS about Montana:
- Montana has the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states.
- Montana is derived from the Spanish word montaña, meaning mountain.
- It is the 4th largest state and the largest landlocked state.
- A portion of Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the country, is in Montana. The park has 1000-3000 earthquakes each year and is home to one of the Earth’s few super volcanos.
We found a gift shop down the road and I got a bear shaped Montana mug. RJ thinks I’m crazy and that it’s very impractical but I like it, so there.
From the gift shop we drove down-town to a coffee shop to work.
After an hour or so, it was time to head for Sheridan, WY but on the way to the bike I saw a wiener dog in the park and I couldn’t do anything else but take pictures of it and think about how much I missed my little Scooter. Once again, RJ was pretty sure I had lost it. Finally, the dog went home and I could focus on putting on my riding gear.
The haze continued to loom as we drove east.
At 6:30 we stopped for supper in Billings, MT at this cool little burger place. This burger made up for the crappy one we had the night before in that prison town. It was so good!
(no, RJ isn’t a fatty, we shared those fries)
We rode off to our KOA with the sun setting behind us.
Cheers!
em and rj
~Next up: rj vows to get a tattoo…