Day 3- Nov. 7th -Snakes in the bathroom?

Internet is very spotty in these areas, so I couldn't get on last night, but here is what I wrote yesterday-

Today was totally my style of traveling. I woke up at 10:00am, had a leisurely breakfast and didn't leave the hotel til noon. AHHHH....

I saw more antelope and deer today than people and towns. Eastern Montana is very desolate. I think the population of cows is probably 50 times the amount of humans.

I came across the most interesting town. I had to go to the bathroom and saw a blue sign that said rest area next right. Oh, great!! It's mid day and you can see for miles, so I think I'm safe to stop. Safe from people that is! I was the only person stopping in this odd town. Hmm... What do others know that I don't? Well, for starters, take a look at the bathroom door.

If you can't see it in the picture, it says, " CAUTION!! This is rattle snake country. Watch out for rattlesnakes!!" That's a comforting creature to have under the toilet!

As I approached, it was like something out of a movie. I think it was built 100 years ago and never touched except on the front where you can see it from the street. It was very presentable from that side. I guess they go by the philosophy that if you have one gallon of paint, paint the front. It was like a ghost town that still has people. Weird!! The windows on the back of the building were shot out and covered in spider webs. The playground, also on the back side of the building, looked like in its day was a bountiful place full of life and laughs. Now, the grass was over the top of the fence and the hand carved sign at its entrance was weathered and falling apart. From the road side, it looks normal and nice and I can't help but notice the huge sign out front that says, "Employment and training." Employment and training for what? There is NOTHING around here. The fort is on the other side of the road and might have two nails left in it. The only thing still there was a gas station and convenient store that is boarded up and shut down. Fort where?

Then, as I rounded the corner, I looked up at the street sign and had to take a double take.

At first glance, I sweat it said, "Ass in bone" Can you imagine living on a street with that name? Yeah, I'd like to order some flowers from you all at 1-800-flowers. Could you please have them delivered to me on "ass in bone?"

Then I pulled forward a little only to notice the sign at the barely standing grocery store that was not any bigger than my living room. It was boarded up and had maybe one drop of paint left on it like a ghost town building but was actually a store that was open. Cats and rock? Hmmm... interesting items to put next to the veggies.

OK. enough of that strange place. I got back on the road and saw nothing for probably 50 miles, when out of nowhere there was a Dairy Queen sign.

I'm in the middle of nowhere Montana and there's a Dairy Queen. You must be kidding?

NOPE...

There it was and I had some yummy soft ice cream!!

After this, I drove another who knows how far and stumbled across a sign for a pottery studio. HUH... how can I pass this cute little place up? Easy, I can't!

I walked in and met the nicest lady. We talked for probably an hour. She is the post master in the next town. Mind you, her town has 200 people and the neighbor town has 400. She made the most beautiful pottery and said she sells it all over Montana and South Dakota. She makes all her own glazes and designs everything herself. Of course, I walked out with 4 new dinner plates. Dinner will never be the same at my house. I love little places and people like this.

Next stop, a cool dam that the nice lady at the pottery shop suggested I see. It's called Fort Peck Dam and Lake. the lake has more coastline than the whole state of California and the dam is the largest hydraulic filled earth dam in the world, backing up the Missouri River 134 miles making the Fort Peck Lake. The museum was closed so I didn't get details, but it was an amazing sight! Here is a picture of the actual dam. It was so expansive.

This is Fort Peck Lake

This is looking down the dam towards the Missouri River.

Not long after I left the dam, I saw this hill on the side of the road. It was really unique. I wonder what caused it to look like this. No other hill looked even close to the same.

NOW to my very favorite... THE SUNSET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AHHHH..

After the sun had set and the sky was totally black, I couldn't help but notice the abundance of stars in the sky. Since there wasn't a light for 100 miles and cars were few and far between, I pulled off onto some farmer's land and got out of the car to watch the stars. I laid there in the field with the bone-chilling wind blowing over me and the hood of my jacket wrapped around my head. It was amazing!!! There were millions!! I have never seen so many stars in my life!! It was so black out there that it was like being in a 3D theater. I felt like I could reach out and touch the stars. A long time ago, I was told this: when you think you're alone, look at the stars. Those are your loved ones blinking at you.

Have a great day!!