Update from Spokane, Washington

Wed 28 Sep
Didn't stay in Great Falls, but continued North through Lewis & Clark National Forest, very picturesque, and then on through open prairies to Cut Bank for the night.

Thu 29 Sep
Left Cut Bank and headed West to Glacier National Park at St. Mary entrance. Spectacular. Most amenities were closed for the season, but the drive through on the Road to the Sun had wonderful views. At the Logan Pas the temperature was 35 deg F, pretty chilly. Even the loos were closed and we had to use PortaPotties!

Went through Kalispell where we stopped for a late lunch at BoJangle's Diner. Unlike the morning, it was raining in the afternoon so we just pressed on and spent the night at Sandpoint, Idaho. Nice little place. Went out in the evening to a sports bar where we had a few drinks.

Fri 30 Sep
Before leaving Sandpoint, we drove down to the lake where a sand beach forms part of a lakeside park. We are now continuing West along the US2, having stopped at Spokane so we can use the internet. We plan to visit the Grand Coulee Dam this afternoon. That's all for now or we shall get a parking ticket.

Update from Great Falls, Montana

Tues 27th Sep.
Left motel early and went down the road to Old Trail Town www.museumoftheoldwest.org a collection of old historically important wooden buildings which have been brought to one place. These include three 'Hole in the Wall' hideouts used by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid among others. Graves of notorious persons also re-positioned here.
Then entered Yellowstone via the East entrance. Spent the day there seeing as many of the sights as possible. Mostly the only other people there were old gits like ourselves enjoying the place without the crowds, plus one or two school trips. We left via the North exit and ended up in Livingston, Montana for the night.
So far the trip has been really great, temperatures just about right in the high 60's low 70's and sunny all of the time.
We have now covered 3000 miles on really quiet roads - only going on the Interstates when absolutely necessary. We should have done this a couple of years ago when the fuel was cheaper. We are paying between $2.80 and $2.90 a gallon.
On Thurs we hope to visit Glacier National Park. Will report again after that.

Update from Cody, Wyoming

Sun 25th September

Departed Spearfish and continued along US14 to the Devils Tower of "Close Encounters..." fame.
When we arrived the top was shrouded in cloud, so we walked around the base (about 1 mile) and by the time we got back to the beginning the cloud had lifted. It's an amazing sight - even more impressive from a distance.
Carried on to Gillette, arrived in the rain. Noticed that there is a lot of opencast coal mining in the area. So we kept going on US14, over the Bighorn mountains and stayed in Lovell overnight.

Mon 26th September

After a cup of coffee, left Lovell and continued on the US14 to Cody. Found somewhere to have a decent breakfast (Grandma's Diner) and ate a hearty meal! Then visited the Buffalo Bill Historical Center www.bbhc.org and spent a couple of hours or so looking round. It sounds a bit naff but it was really interesting; we spent so much time here that we have now decided to stay in Cody overnight and then go on to Yellowstone tomorrow.

Update from Spearfish, South Dakota

Sat 24th Sep

Spent the entire day touring the beautiful Black Hills. This must be one of the best times of year to be here. All of what I imagine will be high season crowds have gone, the trees are just starting to turn, and it is not too cold.
Went on a drive through Custer State Park www.CusterStatePark.info and from the road the wildlife we saw were deer, buffalo, mules, goats, prairie dogs, chipmunk, and turkeys.
It is a pity we could not be here next weekend when the round up of the Buffalo herd starts. Must be quite a sight.
We then drove over the Needles highway to Hill City whre we lunched in a Diner.
Visited Deadwood which is a bit of a depressing place as it seems to have been inundated with casinos. We did however climb the hill to Mt Moriah Cemetery and saw the graves of Wild Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, and other notables from earlier times. However, we didn't see the Deadwood Stage rolling over the hill. :-) We did see a genuine Deadwood Stage exhibited at the House on the Rock a few days ago.
We eventually ended up in Spearfish for the night.

Update from Custer, South Dakota

After leaving Pierre we immediately crossed the Missouri then continued west along US14. The scenery changed to miles and miles of rolling prairie. All along the way we saw fewer and fewer signs of life but increasing numbers of adverts for Wall Drug.
We visited Badlands NP - taking advantage of our Seniors pass. Very impressive, and reminded us very much of The Painted Desert in Arizona.

Eventually we arrived at Wall, checked in to a motel and then went for a walk down Main Street. Found Wall Drug www.walldrug.com which seems to be the main reason for the existence of Wall.

Went into a bar for a few drinks (as one does!!) and got talking to a guy who is a self employed upholsterer who travels all over SD and beyond on contracts. This next is for Allen - he comes from Aberdeen and knows Conde.

Fri 23rd Sep

Drove into the Black Hills. Ended up at Keystone in time for a ride on an old steam railway www.1880train.com through the hills to Hill City and back. We really enjoyed it.

This afternoon we have visited Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorials. The Crazy Horse one is much the larger. So much so that I wonder if they will ever get it finished.

We are staying the night in Custer. We are just setting off down the Main Street to find a Steak House and Bar. These road trips are so tiring you know :-)

Update from Pierre, South Dakota

Thursday 22nd September, Pierre

These Public Library facilities are great!! It's very convenient - we stop for a lunchtime break and look out for a library at that time.

Left Marshall yesterday lunchtime, spent the rest of the day driving west through cornfields on lovely quiet and dead straight roads (mainly US14), eventually stopping overnight in Huron.
Stayed at the Super 8, opposite which was a shack called Prime Time Tavern - had a great filet mignon dinner for $5.95! We need more places like this! The 'salad' was a bit of a surprise: one quarter of an Iceberg lettuce in one chunk, with ranch dressing poured over it. It was good though.

After a bite of lunch, we intend to carry on West on the 14 and hope to overnight at Wall just outside Badlands National Park; tomorrow will be Badlands and Black Hills.

Update from Marshall, Minnesota

After leaving Dodgeville, we visited Taliesin, Frank Lloyd-Wright's gaff. Fairly interesting but getting a bit dilapidated. They say that Taliesin West in Scottsdale, Arizona is better. Headed West to La Crosse where we crossed the Mississippi then went North alongside the river and stayed overnight at Red Wing Minnesota.

So far today (Wed. 21st Sep) we have followed Minnesota Route 19 all the way West through farmland, farmland and farmland: a very quiet but good road, just as we like it. Have just stopped for a coffee and scone (it's lunchtime) in Marshall. Intend to carry on West till we hit South Dakota where we will overnight.

Update from Dodgeville, Wisconsin

Friday 16th Sep.

Travelled from Reston to Zanesville, Ohio - mainly along the I70.
Heavy thunderstorm as we arrived in Zanesville otherwise uneventful.
Stopped in Zanesville because it is close to Buckeye Lake, of which more later.

Saturday 17th Sep

Visited Banbury Cross Tea Rooms at Buckeye - establishment run by person Jenny went to junior school with: Dawn Canning (maiden name). She was surprised to see me! She visits Kings Sutton every January when tea shop is closed down. Continued on to Bowling Green on minor roads, all farming areas and through neighbourhoods in small towns. Overnight at Bowling Green.

Sunday 18th Sep

Visited Chain O'Lakes state park, few miles South on route 9. Lovely park but shops and amenities closed - out of season after Labor Day. Conntinued on Route 6 to Nappanee, where an Apple Festival was taking place.

Fairground in the Main St etc. We stopped, I had apple dumpling with ice cream, Clive had a funnel cake - as one does!!. On to Amish Acres at Nappanee, historic Amish farm, etc. Overnight at Days Inn, N.Chicago. Didn't stop in Chicago, just kept on the expressway North. Didn't see any motel signs at all until we got out the other side of Chicago. So gave it a miss, may come back again without car next time.

Monday 19th Sep

Woke to thunderstorms. Weather clearing as we set off. North into Wisconsin, took the Wisc. 50 West. First stop Whitewater for frozen custard - local speciality; small university town. Bypassed Madison, route 12 then route 18, Wis. 23 North at Dodgeville. Visited House on the Rock - fascinating house with collections of all sorts, from dolls to hearses. Has to be seen to be believed. Overnight at Dodgeville.

All of the motels have free internet access, but it amounts to a wire - which is not much use without a laptop. So we are having to hunt around for internet terminals. This one is in Dodgeville Chamber of Trade - many thanks to them.

More later

Arrived in Reston

Great Falls on the Potomac

The journey over on Tuesday was entirely uneventful.
The weather is in the 80's and very humid.
We went out to the local with Sherri and Asif last night. They send their regards to Flo and Norman.

Jenny is "lunching" with the girls whilst I am here in Reston Library making use of the internet terminals.

I think I will go down to Great Falls this afternoon to get our Golden Eagle NP pass ready for the trip.

We set off tomorrow (Fri) on the road trip.

Will try to keep you posted