We left the Yakima Valley in Washington to continue our journey east. The first night found us near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We were able to stay in our campground there and observe the solar eclipse on August 21st before moving on to Montana.
Driving toward Stevensville (south of Missoula) we encountered thick smoke from the Lolo Fire (in the National Forest near Hamilton). Days earlier the highway had been closed, and evacuations occurred. Command centers were still active along the route. But, we were able to get through and spent a couple days visiting relatives there. Then it was back to I-90, through Butte, Bozeman, Billings, and on I-94 to North Dakota.
East of Billings we drove by Pompey's Pillar, a massive sandstone "rock" that rises up along the Yellowstone River. Based on petroglyphs & carvings on the stone, this landmark has guided travelers for centuries. One notable etching...William Clark (of explorers Lewis & Clark) scratched his name there in 1806...the site is now a national monument.
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