What a Difference a Day Makes

We have phone service, we have internet, we have TV, we have wind blowing at about 35 mph, we have 70 degree temps, and we are basically sitting in a gravel parking lot.  Such a difference from the last two days.  (I just posted what I had written while we were unable to make any entries.  So there will be two for today.)



Although the temps in Big Timber were mid to high 80s, it was quite warm - enough to run the AC.  It's amazing how fast these tin cans heat up with the sun on them.  Today when we got up it was cool so we put on long pants and I put on shoes instead of sandals.  We are glad we did.  We never saw temperature readings above 74 today. Tonight it is to get down in low 40s.  But, tomorrow, it's going to start warming up again.  In the meantime we are enjoying not having the noise of the AC running.  

As I mentioned we are no longer following the Mormans or the 49ers but now we are following in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery.  We crossed the Missouri River a couple of times today and I did see a sign pointing to the Headwaters of the Missouri River.  Even here it's a good size. I don't think we will be following this path much past Helena as we head further north to Flathead Lake and the our intrepid explorers headed west towards the Columbia River.   I   a few years ago we stayed outside of Great Falls, MT and there was an interpretive center we visited so I'm thinking that once we pass Helena on Friday we will lose the trail.

Our campground for tonight and tomorrow had the promise of being a great stopover.  The reviews were good and it was listed as the best park in the area.  It's near a huge body of water -  Canyon Ferry Lake.   It's in a beautiful valley of wheat farms with mountains in the distance.  We are eight miles out of town.  There are no railroad tracks.  But, it's a gravel parking lot full of RVs, ATVs, and boats.  It looks as if most of the folk are seasonal and are here to fish and go off roading.  Lot's of camo painted vehicles and outerwear on the guys.  We stick out like a sore thumb!  Oh, well. It can't be all bad - there's a small cafe next door whose specialties are chocolate nachos or huckleberry ice cream!
   
Tomorrow we will go into town (Townsend, MT) and get fuel and look around.  It looked like a nice downtown area - very small, though.  So, unless something else breaks, Rog will get a day of rest!  

Maggie and I had a bit of a disagreement this morning.  She was being willful as we were getting ready to go and then once we got moving she would sit and pant in my ear and every once in a while she would kiss it - not once, mind you, several times. This while I am trying desperately working Google on my phone to find an RV repair parts place in Bozeman to stop and look for the propane regulator.  She was driving me crazy most of the drive and I spoke sternly to her several times.  We made up later when we got set up and had a nap together.......

Once we got wifi today we ordered the propane regulator from Amazon and it will be at home when we get there. Since we aren't running the furnace at night, we should have no trouble.  

Our stop for lunch today was another truck stop parking lot where we ate inside the RV (big time wind today) - but instead of a little cafe like before, this place had a bakery and deli!   Yep,  fresh bread for sandwiches and toast and some turnovers for dessert tonight.