Two states, I remember being long and difficult to patiently drive through were Wyoming and Montana. However, this time, as I drove through this part of the nation, I founds joy in the hills and mountains. It's been more than 10 years since I last visited this part of I-90, but there are still familiar spaces and places along the way. My first stop in Wyoming was at Devil's Tower. This unique landmark is the remnants of volcanic activity in the area. Legend says that a giant bear chased down a group of girls and they stood on this little rock and prayed that it would save them. The rock grew and put them into the sky where the bear could only claw at them and leave the vertical gashes on the sides. Well, as fantastical as giant grizzlies and growing rocks sound, I'll leave this one to the God of Creation!
As I drove through Wyoming's rolling hills, I encountered some red hills. In some places, these mounds would be a state or national park. Here, there is a sign indicating their existence and I think there may have been camping nearby. However, when the Bighorn Mountains are only a hop, skip and jump away, these little red hills have no contest. This makes me wonder how we value and treat our land.
Often times we push aside the importance of the earth we reside on because there is something bigger and better next door. But, I can appreciate South Dakota's preservation of grasslands, even as the fringes of the Badlands are host to towns and buildings. Every area has it's peculiarities and value. I suppose what I am trying to say is that saving some places for our enjoyment is important, but so is caring for the spaces we occupy.
I hopped over the border into Montana and saw that the first rest area was 57 miles into the state. I think they do this to indicate just how long you will be traveling in the state. Whereas most states have an info center within 7 miles of their border, you have to wait 57 to get to the Montana visitor's stop. Driving through the state, I looked at my map and predicted what mountain ranges I was weaving between. Every now and then, a sign would confirm my guess.
For the evening, I stopped by Shuttle Char's house. I got to know her a bit in Antarctica as a wonderfully patient and pleasant person to be around and her hospitality for the evening was beautiful. In fact, Char is simply a beautiful person all the way around! I enjoyed my stop in Bozeman with her and the next morning she sent me on my way with enough snacks to last me more than the rest of the day in the car. She also recommended a pit stop at the Wheat Montana Bakery. I picked up an over sized caramel cinnamon roll there that had me feeling a bit sick from sweetness when I finished it! But, it put a smile on my face.
Two states, I remember being long and difficult to patiently drive through were Wyoming and Montana. However, this time, as I drove through this part of the nation, I founds joy in the hills and mountains. It's been more than 10 years since I last visited this part of I-90, but there are still familiar spaces and places along the way. My first stop in Wyoming was at Devil's Tower. This unique landmark is the remnants of volcanic activity in the area. Legend says that a giant bear chased down a group of girls and they stood on this little rock and prayed that it would save them. The rock grew and put them into the sky where the bear could only claw at them and leave the vertical gashes on the sides. Well, as fantastical as giant grizzlies and growing rocks sound, I'll leave this one to the God of Creation!
As I drove through Wyoming's rolling hills, I encountered some red hills. In some places, these mounds would be a state or national park. Here, there is a sign indicating their existence and I think there may have been camping nearby. However, when the Bighorn Mountains are only a hop, skip and jump away, these little red hills have no contest. This makes me wonder how we value and treat our land.
Often times we push aside the importance of the earth we reside on because there is something bigger and better next door. But, I can appreciate South Dakota's preservation of grasslands, even as the fringes of the Badlands are host to towns and buildings. Every area has it's peculiarities and value. I suppose what I am trying to say is that saving some places for our enjoyment is important, but so is caring for the spaces we occupy.
I hopped over the border into Montana and saw that the first rest area was 57 miles into the state. I think they do this to indicate just how long you will be traveling in the state. Whereas most states have an info center within 7 miles of their border, you have to wait 57 to get to the Montana visitor's stop. Driving through the state, I looked at my map and predicted what mountain ranges I was weaving between. Every now and then, a sign would confirm my guess.
For the evening, I stopped by Shuttle Char's house. I got to know her a bit in Antarctica as a wonderfully patient and pleasant person to be around and her hospitality for the evening was beautiful. In fact, Char is simply a beautiful person all the way around! I enjoyed my stop in Bozeman with her and the next morning she sent me on my way with enough snacks to last me more than the rest of the day in the car. She also recommended a pit stop at the Wheat Montana Bakery. I picked up an over sized caramel cinnamon roll there that had me feeling a bit sick from sweetness when I finished it! But, it put a smile on my face.
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