Road Trip – Omaha to Seattle – Day 5 – Billings to Poston, MT – September 15, 2010

It was getting kinda foggy in Billings when my drive was coming to an end last night, and when I woke up it was as thick as pea soup. I could barely see to the interstate from the rest stop parking lot. I got up about 9 and did my morning routine in the rest area bathroom. Then got back on the road. Within about 15 minutes of me driving, the fog lifted, and revealed absolute beauty. I was surrounded by mountains with beautiful greens and browns all around me. Winding roads and big sky. I can see why that is Montana's nickname.
I stopped at the first city, Bozeman, before McD's stopped selling breakfast at 10:30. Got handed an egg Mcmuffin meal by a good looking girl probably for the first time ever at any McD's. I drove a bit more down the interstate after filling up and using the women's restroom in the gas station because the dude was taking forever. Then I pulled over at some random exit and just ate my breakfast sitting on the hood of my car looking at the gorgeous scenery.
Got back on and stopped next at the headwaters of the Missouri River. This is where the Missouri starts and is still clear and shallow. Quite lovely, there was also a man fly fishing there. I was hoping I'd see some fly fishing while I was in Montana. Anyway, busted through Missoula, and Butte, and finally reached my destination for the day, Poston, MT. Poston is the first large town on Flathead Lake. I have been wanting to come here for quite awhile. Flathead is about 60 x 20 miles. It is surrounded by mountains, and just absolutely breathtaking. I drove around a bit, got some provisions and drove to a couple campsites before choosing Flathead Lake State Park. It was close between this one and Big Arm State Park. Big Arm had showers, and their campsites were right on the water. But Flathead had power and more views, even if you have to walk a bit to get to them. My thought was for the best sunrise shots in the morning, and I hope this one will be better.
Who knows though. I planned on driving to the other side of the lake to get some good sunset shots, and was a bit disappointed. I think I'm just spoiled, though. It was pretty good, it just showed a lot more promise than it delivered. Plus, I was about an hour early, because I forgot I'm in mountain time, and darn close to pacific time here. Oh well, I got to explore a few different locations and I bought some roadside homemade huckleberry jam.
Before I left, I broke out the camping gear, set up my tent and cooked brats, and asparagus on the grill for myself. Pretty satisfied at this point. Plus, with the stuff I borrowed from Beth and her family, I set up a desk by the outlet, which I am currently blogging, listening to my iPod boombox, charging my phone and I have a fire roaring in the background. Couldn't get much better. Well, gotta dump my photos and stare at the fire before bed.....