Second Jedediah Smith Trail 1824 — 1826

Day 13: September 3rd, 2010 Chamberlain — Billings

Map Chamberlain to Billings

Around a quarter to eight I wake up — after I needed the bathroom two times during the night! However, I will gain an hour due to passing into Mountain Time Zone. But I still must get going. As already planned yesterday, I have breakfast at the Anchor Grille. They are extremely busy and my server is really running all the time, sometimes even like an endurance run! There you really hesitate to ask for more coffee. Nevertheless, she still shows up and is able to maintain a perfect service. This must be honored by an extra tip!

N Main St, Chamberlain, SD

Then I am driving back to the gas station at my motel.

I–90, Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge/Lake Francis Case, SD

I–90, SD

I–90, SD

Around a quarter to eleven, I am eventually back on the road. Unfortunately, there is still a strong headwind and my mileage is again down to 13mpg! Main thing is that my car is able to withstand this abuse!

I–90, Mountain Time Zone, SD

I–90, SD

I–90, SD

I–90, SD

I–90, SD

The weather is really nice. But in the morning we had only 65 degrees.

I–90, Rapid City, SD

The first stop at a gas station is in Rapid City.

I–90, State Line SD and WY

I–90, WY

After passing the state line to Wyoming, things are warming up with temperatures in the 90s. Also the wind eventually slows down!

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

In the vicinity of Sundance is a rest area where I have a brief break.

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

I–90, WY

At my second stop for gas in Sheridan, I almost reached 250 miles with one tank of gas. This looks now way better!

I–90, WY

I–90, State Line WY and MT

I–90, State Line WY and MT

I–90, MT

I–90, MT

Then I cross the state line to Montana. Now I am driving the last leg to Billings.

Sunset I–90, MT

Sunset I–90, MT

88 S10 Blazer, 153000 Miles, I–90, MT

Sunset I–90, MT

Sunset I–90, MT

Because of the low–angled sun, it is almost impossible to read the signs. But it is still somehow manageable. Finally, I arrive at the Motel 6 in Billings — despite the pretty confusing traffic routing at the intersection below the Interstate! You don’t really understand what is going on here on a first glance!

There is peak time when I arrive at the motel. In front of me are already two guys and behind me the crowds are rolling in! But I have my reservation. Therefore I am absolutely relaxed. Finally, it is my turn and I receive a room on first floor. Indeed, this motel is a former Red Roof Inn.

When packing my stuff together I see that the glass has jumped out of my watch! It seems that, when my transmission gets hot, the plastic of my watch gets weak and releases the glass! It takes me a while until I have re–assembled my watch again. Then I get my stuff and walk to the room.

There I start the download of my video taping of today and check, where I could have dinner tonight. The last time I stayed here was in 2005 when I had my transmission problem. Back then, I was at the Outback Steakhouse. This time I want to go to the Texas Roadhouse. It is already half past eight when I show up there. But I still must wait almost 10 minutes for a free table.

The 11oz Sirloin is really good and also my second Coke comes without request! Around ten I pay and drive back to my motel. There, I check my video taping first before I copy the pictures. Today, I eventually also do a backup of my pictures on my two external hard drives. Then I complete my bookkeeping and write my diary. Now it is already past eleven. There is no chance to get to bed earlier!

The next day is in preparation…