Roadtrip

I left my (sweet, kind, wonderful) brothers house in Ramsey on Mon. August 22nd at 7:30 on course for Seattle and a 10.5 month commitment to build houses for Habitat for Humanity.  It was a bittersweet departure leaving family and friends behind but distance is a minor inconvenience when you have such close relationships with people.  I actually spent a couple days last week burning a 'roadtrip soundtrack' and it definitely came in handy...I wish I hadn't started with the country category with all it's slow, thought provoking tracks as it envoked a few tears.  That was to be expected I suppose, and it is always nice to have time to reminisce about good times with good people....and I had plenty of time to reminisce (2 days worth of time).

To be honest it was a real boring drive through Minnesota and 90% of North Dakota...really nothing to see until you reach the Badlands.  We had taken this trip to Seattle when I was a kid but I was too young to remember, so it was like seeing everything for the first time. It was well worth the stop and a real impressive sight...with all the pictures I took I must say that they never really do it justice.

I mentioned to a few of you that if Montana had another 40 miles to the east that North Dakota would be worthless...and I mean that, from a scenery viewpoint anyways.  Sorry No-Dak but it's the truth, unless I missed something. After the Badlands you start into Montana, although it may be a little brown you start to get into some terrain.  It might not be the most interesting thing to see some hills and cliffs but it gradually gets better and you continue to look forward to what is around the next corner.

I was able to get a hold of my Mom's cousin Linda in Billings, Montana for a place to crash on night 1...840 miles and 13 hours into it.  I admit that I don't really know Linda that well seeing as I hadn't seen her in nearly 25 years but she was an awesome lady.  Extremely nice, welcoming, and accomodating.  I spent the night talking to her about family and each other...it was great getting to know her and look forward to seeing her again.  Hopped in the shower because I smelled like a trucker, watched some tv and called it a night.  I arose the next day around 6:30 and spent an hour conversing with Linda and getting more acquainted, I am so happy I decided to stay there and not at some random hotel.  It took me a while to find my way out of Billings but was on the road again soon enough.

Going from central Montana going westward just gets better with each passing mile....there is something new and beautiful around every corner.  That is good because when you are on a 1700 mile trip you need something that will help pass the time. I wish I had gotten more pics going through the mountains but I will have the sights with me always.  Once I got through Montana and into Idaho it was more of the same.  Amazing views but at a slightly increased speed....directly over the border you start going down the mountain.  It gets a little sketchy at times but I managed to make it through...I was unable to get pics of Idaho because of the increased rate of speed, I figured it was a good idea to keep my eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. I did sneak one picture of Coure D'Alene but it comes no where near how amazing a sight it actually was.

As you are going through the mountains you come to this huge lake...it was a awesome sight, I only wish I would've stopped to take it in.  Hopefully I will be back through there and able to more fully appreciate it.  Idaho was about 72 miles wide so there wasn't too much time to snap pics...and into Eastern Washington it was.  My thought is that you should give the Badlands to Montana and give Eastern Washington to North Dakota...what a waste.  It started out pretty flat until you come up to the Columbia River...which brings us to my next stop.

The Gorge was awesome...there was also a blonde chick who had stopped to check it out but she showed no interest in talking to me, her loss.  Over the river and on the road to Seattle I went. From here it was up and down with some nice scenery but nothing compared to what I saw going through Snoqualmie Pass.  I was actually on the phone with Kelli Thompson at this point so I didn't get any pics...that's okay though Kelli, the Pass will always be there but time spent talking with good friends precious.  How sweet is that? Ha!! Anyways, I am sure that I will be back that way soon seeing as it is only 1.5 or so hours away...I will make sure to take pics the next time through.

That pretty much took me into Seattle...there will be tons of pics of that to come.  So all in all it took around 26 hours to go 1700 miles and it was totally worth it.  I know that I have said this to many of you but I think that everyone should try to make a drive out West at some point in their lives.  I know that it is easier said than done but you won't regret it if you can make it happen...the world has some amazing views and landscapes and I have only started to touch the surface. Really gives you a greater appreciation for everything....

Until next time all...take care, god bless, and much love.