MOSES LAKE-WA to BUTTE, MONTANA

Our first night on the road was spent in Moses Lake-WA.

Leaving Longview behind to choke in our dust, Holland drove up the freeway to Highway #12 where we traveled the White Pass Scenic Byway to Naches … and on through towards Spokane-WA. We didn't see any of the beautiful scenery though, because we didn't leave Longview until about 9:30 PM - but, because I have enjoyed this particular stretch of road for most of my life in the PNW, I have it memorized ;-)

We'll travel this way again sometime in the future; in the daytime hours, and I'll get newer pics then of the scenery.

We got all the way to Butte-MT, and had a hard time finding a room for the night, for cash. We did finally manage to get one very late into the evening: we stopped inquiring over the phone, and just drove to the office … over the phone we were told the inn was full; face to face was a different story.

Spent the 1st night 'on the road', at Moses Lake.

Holland says I'm spoiling Bleu. I tell him, "he's a baby - he needs a little spoiling" ;-)

Blue lays at my feet in the truck cab.

Making sure we can legally get our New Home out of West Virginia … YES! Safe :-)

We went thru Ritzville: a region in south eastern Washington characterized by gentle rolling hills. The industry of the Ritzville area is dominated by agricultural dry land production of small cereal grains, primarily wheat and barley; however, other products such as canola, grass seed, livestock and alfalfa hay are also grown.

Carl Jrs. for Supper - a new experience.

Idaho.

Hwy. #2 - from Spokane to Minnesota. My Uncle Don (the baby of my bio-father's family) was a long-hauler - driving from Coast to Coast.

Pretty architecture.

'I could live the rest of my life like this' … AND I AM!

Bleu left a little wee at Big Creek. LOL

Holland does not want to be in snow country - and guess what we passed through: snow ;-)

50,000 Silver Dollars - I remember these from the 1968 trip to Uncle Don's home in Missoula (he had remarried and moved from WA State).

I had told both Bob and Holland about this place, where silver dollars covered every square inch of the building. The building has expanded, and the silver dollars are displayed differently; but this is the same place. Exit 16, I-90, Haugan, MT. The silver dollar collection (more than $50,000) was started by Gerry & Marie Lincoln in 1952. Now in their fourth generation, the Lincoln family continues the silver dollar collection.

Here, I bought 4 necklaces that I can wear with my jeans … no metal on them anywhere.

We finally had time to contact AARP Vehicle Insurance … and ended up canceling AARP because they wouldn't insure our 4x.

We quickly found another Vehicle Insurance provider. Our new Insurance Plan will insure both - the truck, and the 5th Wheel.

Holland likes to move along quickly; he obeys the speed limits but feels constrained by the 55-65-70 limitations … this speed limit made his day: he'd been waiting for it to show up. LOL

My Uncle Don's house was at the base of this 'M' which marks Missoula. This is rattlesnake country.

We did not get to sleep in Missoula-MT; a concert bumped the room rates triple cost.

Cannot get a room in Montana WITH CASH - they insist on using a Credit Card reservation!

I was disappointed to find that Montana is a rhino state :-(

TODAY'S BLESSINGS

I had a scheduled lunch date with my friend Becky, this afternoon; Holland was planning on getting some stuff done at home this week, so I planned out-of-house things to do so I'd be out of his way.

I was getting ready, when I got got a text from Becky - a new plan was set in motion ;-)

Enhancement  tools.

I overlaid the navy eyeshadow with a line of sparkly turquoise to match my top … and I added some blue mascara, and liked the result: my hazel eyes changed color, to match my top :-)

I like a little flash here and there, in my daily life; today the flash is glitter eyeshadow.

I'm still working my way through my clothes cache: this shirt gets to stay in my closet; and it's perfect for this rainy afternoon spent with a low-key friend :-)

I haven't seen Carl in a while - this will be a lot of fun. Holland would like him - they have the same sense of humor.

I asked Holland if he'd like to join us, but he said he'd stay home and get busy here.

So … off I went :-)

The Country Folks Deli; alley entrance.

My usual booth … I read a chapter or two before Becky and Carl arrived.

Latest Read; plot set in Oregon.

Carl & Becky: I love these two - we've been friends for 25 years. They are like younger siblings to me ;-)

A different type of BLT with fresh cut home fries. YUM!

Convo was good, the food was good … and the friendship added sugar and spice to the atmosphere. Carl is a hoot, and Becky is a sweetie.

I am thankful they are in my life: Elohim is good :-)

When I got back home, Holland had the treadmill working. It hasn't worked in months. Holland knows how much I love to walk, so he dinked around with it while I was gone and fixed the issue; now I can get my mileage in even when the weather is not cooperative.

This entire day has been a blessing from the get-go.

(((THANK YOU, YESHUA!)))

Holland got the treadmill working!

Selah - 'Bless The Broken Road' song:

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPaU7jJvqRc)