I am out of windshield washer fluid. I’ve run completely dry due to the massive cover-up I’ve been running to try to hide the fact that I’ve slaughtered an extreme number of innocent bugs while driving across the United States. Obviously, I’ve crossed state lines so I’m looking at a Federal crime of epic proportions. But, that’s not my main concern for the moment. Right now, I’m more worried about the fact that it’s raining hard and, apparently, there is some pretty nasty stuff inside dead bugs because my windshield has turned into a wet, blurry, slimy muck that is difficult to see through. It takes an entire minute for my wipers to clear the windshield enough that I can see through the ooze. One minute, people. Yikes. I guess I shouldn’t complain, at least I’m not one of the bugs.
Montana is gorgeous. From plains to mountains, it’s just beautiful. And, like Wyoming, the speed limit is 80 mph, so I’m happy to be zipping along towards the Museum of the Rockies and two nights spent in one hotel room. Yay! We can relax a bit. And, after that, only one more night somewhere between Bozeman and our final destination just west of Seattle!
The daily unpacking and repacking of the car is taking its toll. Folks, we are not traveling light. We have a lot of things to haul in and out each day. One suitcase, 2 computer bags, a backpack, two bags with pet supplies, a small cooler and a baby gate to keep the dogs out of the litter box. This may be the most important accessory on our list. You do not want to know why. Trust me. It’s gross.
The endless pet wrangling is getting old. I don’t like the long days that require us to set up the litter box about halfway through our drive. It takes at least 30 minutes to stop, use the bathroom, get gas, set up the litter box, let the cat out of the backpack to roam the car, take the dogs out for a short walk, and get everyone back in their appropriate places before I use the hand vacuum I brought along to clean up the litter that gets tracked all over the floor at my feet. I know what you’re thinking, a vacuum? That’s right people, I come prepared for anything. It’s exhausting. But, we are getting close to our destination. If you consider 17 hours to be a short drive.
In the meantime, we’re waiting for our first glimpse of the mountains. For the past few days, it’s been one of our major sources of conversation. Will we cheer? Will we tear up? We’re not sure yet. Read on to find out. We’re almost there!
In my mind, mountains should be really tall, a bit jagged, and they should have at least a small amount of snow on top of their highest peaks year round. I can appreciate kinder, gentler mountain ranges, like the ones found on the East Coast, but they aren’t really the same as the rough and tumble ones I’m used to. I don’t get that same satisfied feeling when they first jump into view.
We come up over a hill and a huge valley opens up in front of us. Way off in the distance, we catch the view we’ve been waiting for, the Rocky Mountains! They are definitely everything mountains should be. Really tall, fairly jagged, and they still have snow up top! We look at each other and cheer. Mountains! Real mountains! I tear up a bit. Mr. C has a huge grin on his face. Now it feels like we’re getting close.
The Museum of the Rockies is smaller than expected, but it has fun dinosaurs. Mr. C is more interested in the sea life fossils and spends forever reading each board and examining each diorama. But, I get that this is the type of museum that makes him happy. And, I figure that if he can follow me around an art museum while I peruse one gallery after another, I can certainly give him time to look at whatever he wants in here. Plus it gives me the opportunity to stand off to the side and zone out for a while.
We watch a planetarium show. It’s been ages since I last saw one. I can’t recall if my son and I have ever seen one together. We agree to search them out again in the future. We both have fun.
The museum happens to have a special exhibition of artifacts called the Villas of Oplontis Near Pompeii. Bonus! Art and volcanoes, two things that capture my attention. Even Mr. C enjoys walking through the different rooms.
We end our day at a grocery store. We buy a rotisserie chicken and a few things to go along with it. We eat dinner in our beds, which happens to be something we love to do while on vacation. At home this would not happen. Not even a snack usually. That kid makes a huge mess when it comes to popcorn! But, on vacation, we both enjoy it.
I watch a movie on tv, he watches a cartoon on his tablet. We go to bed satisfied that we only have two more states to go. Only one more night on the road. Washington, here we come!
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