Thursday, March 4th

The day started off a bit cool and some cloud.  I think the temp was about 6C or about 44F. 
  We went to the breakfast provided by the hotel.  It was pretty much something for everyone with waffles, eggs, sausage, toast, muffins, cereal, oatmeal, juices, etc.  Marg had a few sips of coffee, I almost never have coffee on a travel day, so had orange juice.  Well fortified for a long day we were out of the hotel and on the road at 7:20 AM. 
  Our journey started with a turn away from the hotel and then a U turn on the main drag back toward the interstate.  They even had markings on the road and a big bay in the road to accommodate the move.  We had a full tank of fuel, I hesitate to use the word gasoline as it was E 85.  Although the truck is rated for it, this was my first experience using it.  It seemed fine, but I sensed a bit less power on the steeper grades, not certain if that is actual or my perception.   Traffic was light leaving Layton [its a suburb of SLC] so we made good time.  Passed by our favourite RV park in Ogden where we have spent quite a few nights in our motorhome travels.
  Traffic continued to be light through our turn off at Tremonton and the weather was great so we set the needle on 80 mph and let it roll.  That is until we reached a point short of Pocatello where they had the interstate blocked on one side for resurfacing.  This meant a reduced speed area as the northbound lane was split with barriers so the oncoming traffic had half.  At home that would have been a much slower posting, but here it was 65 mph, so about 100 KMph.  After Pocatello it was clear sailing with a slow down at Idaho Falls, but sunny with dry roads.  A real quick stop for fuel and wash the bugs from the windshield and onward.  Truck seemed to have better power with the gasoline in the tank, so maybe there was something to it.
  When we got to the end of Idaho and the dreaded Monida pass the roads were wet but good travelling.  There was lots of snow in the high country through the Targee forest area and still lots in the fields and ditches in the pass.  Something must have happened to the welcome to Montana sign as Marg asked when we would cross the state line.  My answer was to say check the mile post and it was 48, so we crossed quite some time before.  The rivers were open and running free but the dam reservoir and ponds were mostly frozen over.  Temps in the pass area were 4 to 6C, so cool.
  Once we got down into the valley the snow disappeared and the temps rose to in the range of 12C.  Still very light traffic and we held the needle at 80 mph, I saw a sign that said that speed meant a mile every 35 seconds.  Not certain about their math, but it must have been OK.  Cannot believe the amount of highway construction this early in the year.  When we got to Butte we saw more.  This time the entire northbound lane was closed and we shared the other side, this time with speeds reduced to 55 mph, if I recall correctly.  We debated taking the route around the pass, but elected to go for it.
  It was the right decision as the roads were dry and bare, traffic moving at the speed limit.  Well until we got to the markers, where they had both sides down to single lane.  Not really certain what was going on, but Marg took pictures of three guys in white hats and traffic safety vests on a high rock point looking down on the road. Made me wonder if there was something going wrong, these guys don't usually get very far from their trucks.  Got to Helena, still had lots of fuel, so kept the pace.
  Down toward the Boulder hill they again had our side down to one lane.  This time they had a pilot car taking us through and a line painting truck up ahead putting down a new inside margin line.  They kept us down to about 25 - 30 mph, so slow progress.  After the end of the endless line painting, it was like the Indy 500 with everyone putting the pedal to the metal for position.  There was snow on the sides of the moutains, but the road was mainly good, just wet in some places from earlier rain.
  There were boats fishing on the Missouri river and the temps in the valley were again in the 12 - 15C range, so quite pleasant.  I intended to get as close to the border as possible for fuel, but at Great Falls I decided to err on the side of caution and fueled up.  Again just washed the bugs on the windshield and filled up heading out from a pit stop that would do well in a NASCAR race.
  Put the needle back up to the prescribed 130+ rate and passed lots of slow moving old folks and rv's, especially on grades.  When we got to the border crossing we were pleasantly surprised.  We expected to be lined up, but not so, we were number 4 in line.  By the time we got to the booth many had caught up and the line was about a mile long.  Just like a NASCAR rate, to the victor go the spoils.  My response coach had me well prepared, so I started the yes sir no sir, 3 bags full sir replies to his questions.  When I described all the part bottles [there were about a dozen bottles varying from 1/4 to 3/4] I had to declare he said it appeared we were over on permitted alcohol, but was not sending me inside - Yahoo.  I may have been a bit conservative on how I reported the portions, but I had no other means than eyeballing them.  Next year I may put my glasses on for this.  LOL  He asked about cigarettes and total dollar purchases on which we passed under both limits.  So he bade us a good day and I thanked him for his time and got out of there.
  Back on Canadian soil and feeling very sanctimonious about our honesty at the border crossing I got to thinking about other things I could have told him.  I mean would have told him had he but asked.  The only way to keep on good terms with these guys is terse replies, DO NOT elaborate unless asked, but never lie when asked.
  In our home and native land we felt a certain amount of relief.  My response coach asked me about not mentioning some of the points I was proctored to provide, but hey it went just fine.  The Highway was smoother, the sun was brighter and we made good time at 115 KMph, not as good as in Montana, but better than average.  Into Lethbridge where we topped up the fuel, picked up some Tim's that we ate on the road.  Marg got a couple of chicken wraps that were very good and easy to eat on the road; talk about distracted driving.
  We opted to continue on as it was a nice day, roads were bare and it was still not too late.  We intended to go to Claresholm, but instead continued on to High River.  Marg went in to the desk for the room and having had success telling the clerk we were AARP last night today said we were AAA members, but her card was in the truck.  No worry, she got the rate again.  She asked for a ground floor room, but they are usually given to people with mobility problems and were all gone.  I guess that gal saw her limping, so upgraded us to a suite on the main floor at the same rate.  That's why she goes to get the rooms, I would have ended up on the top floor and been surcharged for it.  LOL  We had high winds today all the way from Great Falls through to High River.  So much that at one point the bike on the rear carrier was moved around and I had to go re-tighten it.  Seems that happens almost every time we go through here, but the temp was in the area of 14 - 16C, so very mild.
  Nice room.  When we got in she phoned the pharmacy at home and ordered refills on her medications.  Again she spoke to the pharmacist, gave her name and simply asked for refills, even without her prescription numbers, she was advised they would be ready tomorrow.  I really need to pay more attention to how she does that.
  Our statistics, well today we made 1,320km's or 820 miles and travelled 12 hrs 10 minutes.  We are well positioned for the final day tomorrow.  I expect our nice weather is over and we may have rain part of the way and snow as we get closer to home.  This will either be the last or 2nd last post for winter 2018-2019.  Thank you for following our adventures.