Turtle Tales: Day 39 - Rocky Mountain High

We left Missoula, Montana this morning under gray skies and no snow! However, we did see our share of snow as we traveled through the Rocky Mountains at various points along our route to Billings, Montana, our stop for the evening.

The mountains were magical and majestic and we never knew what to expect when we rounded any curve as we zig-zagged through the mountain passes. At one point, when we crossed over the Continental Divide, we were at an altitude of 6,393 feet!

We have been traveling Interstate 90 which runs through Montana, and basically is the same route that the explorers Lewis and Clark followed in their quest to find a northwest passage. The route they took follows the Yellowstone River from Billlings to the Continental Divide. Having now traveled that same path via modern day transportation, I cannot even begin to imagine what that trip was like for them so many years ago in prairie schooners (covered wagons) and what they did when faced with weather elements, indians and wild animals. Just as amazing is the what it took to build the roads in this area given the mountains, weather and rough terrain! Many times today we found ourselves in the snowy mountains and then within minutes we were on the prairie. The temperatures today ranged from a low of 38 degrees, to a high of 60 degrees. Once we got through Bozeman, the sun came out and the ride to Billings was pleasant. We did not go to Yellowstone on our way to Billings, as we have been there before, and we really wanted to get out of the mountains as more snow was predicted for the area. There was quite a bit of snow on the mountains in Yellowstone County, so I can imagine there was probably still quite a lot of snow in the park.

We are staying at the KOA Kampground in Billings, Montana. This particular campground was the first ever KOA Kampground established in 1962, and this year celebrates its' 50th Anniversary!

Of interest in the area is the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. On June 25, 1876, General George Custer and the 7th Calvary rode into battle against over 3,000 warriors of the Sioux and Cheyenne Indian tribes. The defeat was overwhelming. Jim and I visited here the last time we were through this area and walked the battlefield and visited the Indian Memorial. It was very interesting to say the least.

Montana is a beautiful state with a lot of history! Not much more I can say..........

Finally, a special request. If you are so inclined, I would like for you to please take a few moments to say a prayer for a dear friend of mine who suffered a heart attack yesterday and is in ICU at Citizens Hospital in Victoria, Texas. Her name is Kay Frels. She lives in Edna and she is a member of the Crossroads Emmaus and First United Methodist Church, Edna, TX.. She was the Lay Director on a Walk to Emmaus last summer, and I was honored to have served on her team for this walk. She is a very strong, devout Christian who is simply an amazing Godly woman loved by many. Thank you..........

The terrain as we left Missoula, Montana