After spending 50% of our obligatory stays to get a free night at one of the many hotels that are part of the Choice Hotels network, we set off this morning in fog that put visibility at about a 1/4 mile. That didn’t stop anyone, us included, in barrelling down Route 90/94 at 75 MPH. There’s nothing to really do in North Dakota/Montana but drive fast on straight roads. But wait, there’s more!
If you’re in the market for livestock, North Dakota is where you want to be. A virtual MegaMart of animal flesh is available for whatever your fancy may be. You can buy ducks, horses, buffalo, llama, cows, and night crawlers (they do love their hunting/fishing out here, even at Dairy Queen!). Land can be yours to house your menagerie for as little as $1 a sq. ft.
The elevation didn’t change much until we got closer to Montana. Which was hell on my clogged sinuses. It really is “God’s Country”, complete with Anti-Abortion and Say No To Meth billboards, a lot of sprawling landscapes and nature as far as the eye can see. We arrived in Billings, MT not knowing what to expect. The place is teeming with activity. Everything from the Wal-Mart SuperCenter to the 10 Minute Lube Hut (translation: Oil Change).
We decided to save a few bucks and pick up some things for dinner at the Wal-Mart SuperCenter. Whilst we were looking for some Vicks to unclog my plumbing, we got a call from Manny, the driver for the moving company. He said that he was waiting for us in Seattle. Our stuff beat us there! Funny thing is I don’t remember being passed by an Isaac’s Moving truck.
The nice thing is that we’ll be able to get all our stuff into the apartment and, theoretically, unpacked by the end of the weekend.
–Tim & Jamie (Billings, MT)