I N T H E N I G H T K I T C H E N
One of the best things about a road trip is seeing things you have never seen before like, for instance, vend-a-bait --
The trip back was long though the roads were clear. No matter how hard you push it, though, it takes about 12 hours to get from Bozeman, Montana, to Portland. It's a long drive, capped by the always-harrowing trip through the Gorge. That leg of the trip, which takes about two hours through pitch blackness, is almost always in rain and/or fog. It's a four-lane highway, two on each side, besieged by 18-wheelers and RVs. Lane closures for construction work are punctuated by lengths of road closed in on each side by cement barriers.
As expected, it was rainy and foggy and pitch black when I drove us through it last night. There were points where the road markings were worn away completely. After and hour or so of this white-knuckle driving, I pulled off the road to do a little hyperventilating. T. took over from there and miraculously all the rain and fog cleared up and we barely saw another big truck. So not fair.
Other than that, it was gorgeous the whole way. We stopped in Historic Wallace (Idaho) and went to the "1313 Club" for lunch. I had a massive cheeseburger and their signature fries. We tried to patronize local businesses on our way in and out when we stopped. Though, we did stop at a chain diner, the 4Bs, somewhere in Montana on the way in. It was pretty good and cheap and an American institution. I recommend it. My arteries are tougher for it.
12:56 PM link
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Perfect DaySleep in late. Eat a hearty breakfast. Head up to the slopes. Rent boards. Take your time and learn to turn. You turn pretty well considering. You don't fall down too much. Head home when they close the lifts. Take a hot tub. Watch the sun create pink fluffs on top of the mountain as it sets somewhere beyond. Go out to dinner with your family and extended family. Laugh. Drink copious amounts of nut-brown ale (Moose Drool, on tap). Speed home on a windy road in the dark. Read a little. Pet the cats. Sleep.
8:57 AM link
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