Part 3: Miles, Mountains and Montana!

After disembarking from the ferry in Bellingham Washington. We had a bit of car trouble, but after 4 hours at a dealership fixing the problem, we were "On the Road Again". (For some reason I break out in the Willy Nelson song when I say that.) We were on our way to Hot Springs, Montana to stay a few days with our dear friends the Carr's and Tulloch's. After driving through Montana, both Keith and I decided that this could be a place we could retire at! The beauty of the landscape was BREATHTAKING! No wonder all the romantic movies are about cowboys, horses and Montana! (except for Man from Snowy River, but Australia is also in the romantic category) Pictures really don't do justice to the landscape, but here are some we took, while driving the speed limit of 80 mph.

Columbia River. What a view! Can you imagine being a Pioneer heading out west and seeing this!(of course with out bridges)

Stanley Forged the Columbia River

My little rock monkey

In the middle of nowhere Washington State we found a little bit of Mexico. 

Seriously, you walk into the store and see Pinatas, Fruit, Chicharrons and Mexican cokes.

Pretty!

Welcome to IDAHO

Good morning Montana!

LOVE THIS DRIVE!!!

I want to live here!

And here

and here

And here

Finally made it to the Carr Ranch(or is it a farm Wendy?hehehe) Hanging out with our dear friends, Enjoying a cool morning and riding a horse.

Kaden the cowboy

Isaiah kept yelling " THIS IS AWESOME!!!"

Exploring the Ranch

Releasing the turtle

I can handle this view!

Wendy got her brother and his boys to go with us up to the top of the "hill" behind their house. Thankfully we had four wheelers to drive us up to the top. Montana Hills are actually Mountains!!!!

Look at that view!

Our family at the top of the "hill"

Wendy and the girls, and her brother and his boys

 I love you Wendy you are such a special friend!

The kids playing the tree house

Wendy and the girls decided to drive down with us for a few days of exploring. So we drove down to Bozeman to see friends there and then head out to Yellowstone.

Montana really knows how to pick the locations!

Sorry it is not straight but in my defense the speed limit is 80 mph on little country roads and we were zooming!

Continental Divide.... we crossed this about 6 times before we got across the USA!

 

 

Picnic with friends and volunteers that came and helped rebuild Galena after the flood. It was a wonderful day!

The kids enjoyed the nice soft grass