Aug 17, 2013, Montana

Yesterday we had a marvelous experience of leaving Jackson, WY and traveling through the length of Teton National park and then through Yellowstone National Park.  This area is one of my most favorite places on earth. I have wonderful memories of trips as a boy and as an adult.  I love the beauty of the area, the trees and meadows and the geysers, the wildlife and just the feel of it.  Every time it makes me feel good, even if we have to contend with construction now and then. We went to the north end of the park and then traveled over Beartooth Pass to Red Lodge, MT.  What a spectacular drive!  We rose to almost 11000 feet to go over the pass and the view was beyond description.  Even the wildflowers seemed to have a special glow.

 These are fire weed near the top of the pass.

 Today we crossed most of the state of Montana, following along the serene Yellowstone River and tracing the path of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  We stopped to learn about Pompey's Pillar, which contains the only actual physical trace of the expedition, Clark's engraved name on the sandstone.  These high plains are lovely and at times we could picture them back in the early 1800's. Tonight we are staying in Glendive, MT and will go to church here.  It has been a great trip so far.

Here is the view of Pompey's Pillar, it looks over the Yellowstone River and is now a peaceful spot, inhabited by National Monument personnel.

Tomorrow, after church, we plan to venture into North Dakota, home of the Bad Lands.