We ummd and ahhd whether to go all the way East across to Yellowstone National Park. It was going to be 670 miles from Hood River but we decided that we may never be that “close” again so what the hell. We decided to cross on smaller roads to see the scenery and country America. We set off East along the Columbia River Gorge and crossed to the Washington side to see “Stonehenge” at Maryville. A pretty cool memorial for the lives lost in WW1 and great views through the standing stones.
We stayed up a windy creek but found some trees for shelter and a portaloo. What more could you ask for? We got beautiful white pelicans, amazing blue dragon flies and lovely birds chirping while we did some morning yoga – stretches.
We crossed back to Oregon for a last recycling trip (10c per bottle and can) and to check our lottery ticket Pete had bought when he had an itchy hand. Not one number!
Now through Walla Walla and the Blue Mountains – and no, we are not in Australia. It did however suddenly remind me of Scotland in places.
We followed the river all the way to Asotin (near the Idaho border). We found a lovely quiet park for the night and the next morning went to a riverside park. Janet had an exhilarating swim in the fast flowing river, while Pete washed his face.
We crossed into Idaho at Lewiston and filled up with lovely, cheap gasoline ($2.79 a gallon rather than over $4 in California)!!!
Then we followed the Lochsa River up to the Lolo Pass. We popped into the hot springs in Lolo – it was like a hot bath and kept me toasty all evening.
There were some rare characters there so we decided not to stay at the campsite but continue into Montana (which we discovered was an hour ahead of us). We stayed in the Bitteroot National Forest next to some Flint Knappers????
The next day was our biggest driving day for a while with over 500km. We followed the Bitteroot River and then the Lemhi River through vast valleys and huge farmlands with constant irrigation. We passed through windy prarie lands, mountains, some rain but mostly hot, dry areas.
During the day we crossed back into Idaho and finished up in Tetonia just before the border of Wyoming.
We even tried our first drive through ATM!
A quiet night was had in Tetonia before making our way towards the Grand Tetons.
