Day 8

Day 8: Deer Lodge, MT to Downey, ID
Miles: 323
Gas Mileage: 34
Soundtrack: U2, various Idaho radio stations

I had forgotten how cold it gets in Montana. I loaded up my car and stopped and got a peppermint hot chocolate from my friend Mona in her little shack. Her expression when she saw who was pulling up was priceless. We had a lovely chat, in her shack, and another friend pulled up while I was there and all three of us talked for a while. I love that little town!

I headed to the ranch and met my friend Laura, who I hadn't seen in much too long. She is truly amazing to me and very near and dear to my heart.

I also chatted with my old supervisor and it was so good to see her as well. There are some things that have changed about the place, but mostly, it's the same. A lot of the staff was in a meeting and I wasn't able to see everybody which was disappointing, but I needed to press on.

My friend Laura.
My former supervisor and superb interpreter, Julie.

Going south, I made a very important stop, and one I had not made enough during my travels between Deer Lodge, and Logan, UT. My grandmother's sister and her husband live in Blackfoot, ID. I think the last time I saw them was in 2004 as I headed up to Montana for the first time. My dear Uncle Vear had turned 90 this past summer and when I pulled up to their home he was outside sweeping the driveway. They sure keep busy. They were so thrilled by the timer function on my camera, it was pretty cute to watch.

We had a lovely chat, then we went over to where one of their sons, Ron, works, and I got a tour of the grain elevators. That was fabulous. It sure is a pretty place.

I left and had a little hop down to Downey, ID where I was staying with my friend Lisa. True to fashion, we stayed up quite late talking. Lisa is another amazing friend of mine. They all are, really. However, this woman, a month away from giving birth to her third child, took me out to the back shed, collected and carried some large pieces of firewood, and got a fire going to warm their house. Did I mention she's eight months pregnant?!?! Amazing.