First Jedediah Smith Trail 1822 — 1824

Day 34: September 18th, 2009 Missoula — Bozeman

Map Missoula to Bozeman

Today I have once again breakfast at Cracker Barrel. I order this time the “Old Timer’s Breakfast”. Because this breakfast misses the hashbrowns, it is not really much food. It seems I will have definitely a lunch stop today with two apples as lunch. Otherwise I will stay hungry the whole day.

When paying my bill I ask for the “Worry Stones”, because I am looking for the angel “Hope”. But they do not longer have these stones in stock! This is really sad. So I can only pay and drive over to the next gas station.

Around half past ten I am finally back on the road. First, I take I–90 North in direction of Highway 93.

Highway 93/200, MT

At Exit 96 I turn onto Highway 93/200.

Highway 93/200, MT

Road Construction Highway 93/200, MT

On this highway I must drive through an endless road construction zone soon, where you are only allowed to drive 35mph. Therefore I might take now the shortcut through the mountains on my way back, as my software already proposed.

Highway 93/200, Culloyah St, Arlee, MT

At the end of this construction zone I drive through Arlee in Montana.

Highway 93/200, MT

Highway 93/200, MT

Highway 200, MT

At Ravalli I reach my exit to Highway 200 along Flathead River.

Highway 200, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Highway 200, Flathead River, MT

Now there is way less traffic and driving is much more fun when there is no semi truck or truck with trailer hanging behind my tailgate.

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

At Paradise, Highway 200 now follows Clark Fork.

Highway 200, Plains, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Highway 200, MT

Highway 200, Marker Bad Rock Trail, MT

Highway 200, Marker Bad Rock Trail, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Then, the road takes me through Plains in Montana. There, I also pass the historical marker of “Bad Rock Trail”

Highway 200, Marker Saleesh House, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Highway 200, Thompson Falls, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Just before Thompson Falls is another historical marker regarding the Saleesh House. Partly, I was able to figure out that it could be the same spot as the Flathead Post. But the marker shows that it was abandoned in 1820. Unfortunately, there is nothing to see or read about Flathead Post. I also drive through Thompson Falls to see, if there might show up another marker later. But, unfortunately, I am not able to find anything. Therefore I turn around and drive back.

North Shore Dr, Smith Camp, MT

Airport Dr, Smith Camp, MT

Highway 200, MT

On my way back I visit two spots where I read on the Internet that these could be the area of the former Smith Camp. But there is only private property and no historical marker. Therefore I must drive on without any success and continue on Highway 200 back.

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Again, I follow Clark Fork on Highway 200.

Panorama Rd, Flathead Post, MT

Then I reach another spot, where Flathead Post could have been. But also there is only private property and no historical marker. Therefore, I now drive finally back to the main highway and start my journey back home.

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Highway 200, Clark Fork, MT

Highway 135, Lolo National Forest, MT

On my way back, I turn onto Highway 135. Then my software navigates me to a forest road. Because I didn’t expected this, I miss the exit and must turn around. I take another look at the road on my map, because Highway 135 would also take me back to the Interstate, but with a huge detour.

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

88 S10 Blazer, FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

88 S10 Blazer, FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Siegel Rd, MT

Therefore I decide to take the forest road. But this one develops to a little rocky one lane mountain road, where I am not able to drive really fast. But half way up to Siegel Pass I am able to find a nice spot for my lunch break — at least something. However, I am really amazed that the road is not more busy on a Friday. Usually, the camping guys fill up all the forest roads on a Friday. It seems like this area is only in little demand.

FR412, Siegel Pass, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

FR412/Ninemile–Siegel Rd, MT

After the pass I drive down on Ninemile–Siegel Road. But at the beginning, this road is not really better than the road up. It takes a couple miles until the road is better developed and is getting wider. Now you are able to drive the allowed 35mph in reality.

Ninemile Rd, MT

Ninemile Rd, MT

However, you pass many homes where I reduce politely my speed to produce less dust.

Remount Rd, MT

Frontage Rd, MT

All in all, I most likely have spent now more time on this shortcut than driving back the same highway where I reached the area. But in compensation, the drive went through a way more beautiful landscape.

Around half past four, I am back in Missoula and gas up at the same Conoco gas station like in the morning. Then I am hitting finally the Interstate. Already in the morning, I pumped up my tires to highway pressure, whereas I have only missed 1–2psi. I would have expected way more. These tires are really good for gravel roads!

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

On the Interstate, I make really good miles. As always, I set my cruise control to 68mph. This is the optimum speed, where the transmission is not shifting all the time. I assume, that I am somewhere around the torque maximum of my engine. Indeed, I would be allowed to drive 75mph. But then the transmission permanently unlocks the torque converter.

I–90, MT

I–90, Butte, MT

Certainly, there are also two pretty tough passes on this Interstate: One around Butte…

I–90, Continental Divide, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

…and another one when crossing the Continental Divide. There is a really long uphill run. But because I am not heavy on the pedal, the engine temperature stays somehow reasonably. The airflow at 45mph seems to be able to cool sufficiently. It’s about time that the radiator conversion will be done.

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

Slowly this day comes to an end and the landscape presents itself in a wonderful evening atmosphere.

Sunset, Fog, I–90, MT

Sunset, I–90, MT

Sunset, I–90, MT

Sunset, I–90, Belgrade, MT

Sunset, I–90, Bozeman, MT

At Three Forks I have suddenly ground fog from the river — and this happens at this temperature! All in all, we still have around 75 degrees! Also the clouds draw an interesting picture. But because I am running out of time, I am not able to do a stopover for taking pictures.

Just before eight in the evening, I arrive at Bozeman. First I assume, that I will stay again at a Motel 6. But when I have passed the Microtel Inn, I realize at my laptop that I planned to check in there. Therefore, I turn around and drive back to the Microtel Inn.

Unfortunately, they are out of single bed rooms. But they offer me a double bed room for the single bed room rate. However, they no longer have an AAA discount on the room rate. But this is still better than the first time, where I should have to pay the full price and at that time I left bugged out for the Motel 6. But the room at the Motel 6 has the same rate as my room here. Therefore I take this one.

I put my stuff into the room and check where I can have dinner tonight. I mixed up Bozeman with Buffalo. There I had dinner at the Bozeman Steakhouse. Here, I have been at the Outback Steakhouse, which I was searching for an eternity back then. Today, I have already seen the sign from the Interstate. It is just one exit back and therefore very easy to find.

Around a quarter past eight I am there. But I must wait around 15 minutes for a table. They are really busy around here! Then my table is ready and he says, that he has the perfect table for me: Quiet and out of the way — and I say spontaneous: But this one is in the cellar, correct?

This joke was really good for him. This time I try the Roasted Filet in a red wine sauce. The description looks way more than what I finally tastes. And the salad must be ordered as an extra. A Victoria Filet would have cost the same, but would have tasted better for sure.

For a change, my server is today a white haired lady, probably around 60 years old. Usually, you only have young people as server at the Outback Steakhouse. Around a quarter to ten I pay and drive back to my motel. However, I skip my Walmart visit tonight. I already have too many CDs. I already don’t know, how to get them back home. Maybe I have to buy a bigger trolley back in Pittsburgh, where I can also put my old trolley in.

At my motel room, I have started charging my devices in the meantime. My phone was already empty. The same is with my camera batteries, because my charger in the car also quit working. And my laptop also ran for a while on batteries. This one I quickly hook up to mains supply to not overload my car adapter.

Then I do my bookkeeping and write my diary. While doing this, I listen again to Patty Loveless and then to my twin pack of Joe Dee Messina. It seems, that these are the very first CDs from 1996 and 1998. Then I download the pictures from my camera and do a backup.

Around half past eleven I go to bed. This time I try it without ear plugs — even when I have again a trampling guy above my room…

But shortly after I have turned off the lights, I hear a train passing by. Therefore I give up on the plan to sleep without my ear plugs. But until I am able to have them squeezed in, it is already midnight. Next year I must take a better look at the surroundings of my motel locations…

The next day is in preparation…