April 8th, a Tuesday

Happy birthday Vanessa.  Sorry we could not be there with you, love you and look forward to seeing you in a few days.
  We got away from Ogden in good time, the traffic was light and before we knew it we were in Idaho, climbing the Malad summit.  Having filled up last night, made a difference on how quickly we were able to be on the road.  It was a bright sunny day and the temp actually warmed up quite a bit as the day wore on. Our objective today was to position ourselves so that the border was within an easy distance in case there were delays.  All these Alberta, Saskatchewan & BC license plates have go to be heading for a border crossing and Sweetgrass is the biggest one.  Hope we are not going to have another one of those 4 1/2 hour lines to customs.  Last time that happened I told Marg to put a sign in the window -- bathroom break $5, so all those ladies in cars and trucks would have an option.  LOL  To this end lunch was a moving feast again today, so we could make miles.  Marg makes a sandwich and I make sure we are moving.  Hey I could be a poet, well maybe not.
  The day was one of the most scenic on our route and we went through Butte this time to stay on the 4 lane interstate.  Returning snowbirds were without doubt most of the traffic.  In the farm area of Idaho before the Monida pass they were seeding and spraying, so they are at least a month ahead of Peace country farmers. We saw snow in the high country in the Monida and Elk Park passes. Traffic through Helena was pretty light as well.
  We got through Helena and pulled into an rv park on Lincoln road that we had used previously, but they had a sign out that their water was frozen, so just power was available.  There were lots of folks in the park, but others like us turned around and headed further north.  If we are going to dry camp [without services], then why pay for it when you can just stay in a truck stop parking area for free.  That would have been our default position, but we were really looking for a park.  When we got to Great Falls we found a spot in a park we have previously stayed in with all the services, so here we are.  We are about 125 miles from the border, so will likely cross the same day as we did last year on the 9th.
  Listening to the radio today, we learned that Great Falls [where we are] is one of the 3 large sites used by the American military as a base for ICBM's and will be in the reductions that are to be de-commissioned in the agreement with Russia.  Apparently the 3 sites have 450 combined, so there must be quite a number somewhere around here. 
  Supper was in the m'home.  We had a bunch of sushi that Marg picked up yesterday, so that was our main course.  Pretty good stuff, but the wasabi wasn't strong enough to clear my sinus.  My father-in-law used to say he could see China when he had really strong horse radish, well this would have disappointed him, couldn't have seen the four mile corner.
  Oh yes I had to give up the short pants this morning and stuck with them thru the day.  Marg stuck with shorts and will no doubt be posting pics of the contrast.  LOL