8 Feb, 800 miles since last post (of hard driving)

The last two day adventure is difficult to talk about without pictures.  I downloaded them and somehow I lost them.  Maybe Travis can help recover them.

We departed Big Sky Thursday about 0630 with the temp at -28,  as we went down the mountain and traveled toward Wolf Creek the temps dropped to -40, air intake froze over, windshield washer fluid was a rock, locks on truck were very stiff and Tink and I had our long johns and coats on in the cab with the heat on full blast.  We drove to Wolf Creek ( North of Helena, MT) and had an unbelievable visit with Myra (Peggys sister) husband Ray and daughter Hanna .  They have a beautiful home set in the middle of 80 acres of forest with no one in sight (built it themselves).  Ray met us on the County road nearest home and guided us in, good thing too or we would still be lost in the woods.  Myra fed us like lumberjacks and we swapped war stories about how cold it had been and how bad it was when we were kids.  We had a great time, but had to depart early Friday and head for Seattle.  Bill and I decided we would head south and drive the Columbia Gorge, along the WA/OR border.  A beautiful drive along I-90 West , Gods creation shines in Western Montana and Idaho which was only 90 miles wide, light snow and overcast most of the day but one lane of the road was in pretty good condition.  We crossed into WA and the ground turned to rolling desert, lots of dry land wheat with fields stretching to the horizon, I would love to come back in harvest season.  We stopped in the Tri-Cities area about 35 miles North of the OR State line and spent the night with plans to travel the Columbia River Gorge Sat Morning.

3 inches of fresh snow and 18 degree temps greeted us this morning (Sat 8 Feb) overcast and slick roads were the norm for the entire day.

 

 

  We could not take the scenic route (low visibility) so stayed on the interstate where to road was passable, I think.  Columbia river on the right, Tink said it was beautiful, had to take his word for it, eyes on the road

         Only one lane open with icy and snow every where.

   We are in the gorge but can't enjoy the beauty of the area.  Tinks finger prints are in the dash but we were able to stay between the ditches.

         Some of the areas were pretty bad- Remember we are on the interstate, there are additional lanes somewhere.  They use cinders not salt, have several new glass stars from the cinders (rocks)

   A few wrecks and abandoned vehicles as we top the pass.

  Snow stopped as we neared Tacoma, we are spending the night at Ft Lewis, WA.  As we checked into the hotel it was 40 degrees and large wet snowflakes started falling, it is 2030 now the temp is 39 snow is still falling with about 2 inches on the ground, weather forecast says 3 inches with temps falling to the 20s.  George and Travis fly in tomorrow about noon and Tink departs.  Hopefully tomorrow nights blog will be from Whistler, BC, God willing.
Have a blessed day, check back often.