In fairness to Idaho and Idahoans everywhere, where we crossed into Idaho on our way to Montana was on the I-90 from Spokane to Missoula across the neck (pan handle?) only 74 miles. Someday we’ll come back this way and explore the rest of a very beautiful State.

We left Coeur d’Alene for the Bitterroot Mountain Range passing Lake Coeur d’Alene:

 

Then it was off into the mountains:

 

 

 

 

 

a little green before the snow…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and just like that we were across Idaho and Montana lay in front of us. The “white markers represent highway fatalities” sign was encouraging.

 

Montana didn’t look too much different than Idaho:

 

 

 

 

Mary looking for a place to lie in the sun..

 

 

 

followed a stream out of the Bitteroots..

 

 

 

 

down the road…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…and by the farm

 

 

 

 

 

 

around the bend….

 

 

 

 

 

…..past the stream

 

 

 

 

 

 

roll through the hills

 

 

 

 

 

 

take a look back…

 

 

 

 

 

 

…and we’re at Missoula where we will meet up with Route 200 and take it over the Divide to Vaughn.

 

 

 

 

 

starting on 200 northeast from Missoula

 

 

 

Oh look! Goats…

 

 

…goat farm?

 

 

 

200’s not a bad road and its a nice day for a drive:

 

 

Did I mention Montana 200 was a nice road?

 

Its a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it!

 

 

 

 

..stream..

 

 

 

more road:

 

and Mary gets to see what she came to Montana for:

 

Really, can it get any better??

 

 

 

 

……well, OK ya

 

 

Coming down with water now running east:

 

 

 

 

 

Montana used to have no speed limits. The Jag is supposed to do 155 – hum…

 

 

Nah.. the sights would go by too quick..

 

 

 

 

 

the x’s would go by too fast

 

 

 

 

 

but…. it is tempting…

 

 

 

….a little more

 

 

 

 

Vaughn coming up..

 

 

 

 

 

Vaughn….don’t blink..

 

 

 

 

 

Rex’s house and our base for the next week.

 

 

 

 

Rex and his horse…no that’s a lawnmower.

 

 

 

Next : We check out Vaughn