Wanderings--Episode 14--Wallawalla to Missoula, MT

 Traveling Through Southeast Washington was peaceful and beautiful very green with rolling flatland.  Farm country.  Unfortunately, the drive was short then I arrived at Lewiston, Idaho.  Located right on the Snake River!  Apparently, Lewiston is an inland port of some kind.  There is a "Lake" with quite a few commercial boats--not the huge ocean-going ships but definitely for cargo.  I stopped off here fo hit a T J Maxx.  I was looking for more of a particular cosmetic bag.  I had purchased one in California and it was perfect for traveling and I had uses for more.  I didn't have lunch there-it should have occurred to me but sometimes I'm not terribly bright! Instead I turned onto US 12.  A scenic route that ran along side the Clearwater River

I stopped for lunch at some tiny town and ate at what we call a "greasy spoon"  I really should have eaten in Lewiston!

Back on the highway I saw the first sign.  

NEXT 77 MILES

Curving road,  Okay.  Only a few miles later there was a sign: 

 WATCH FOR FLYING WOOD 

TREE WORK NEAR.

I didn't see any but I was watching for that along with driving those curves.

Next there was

        WATCH FOR WILDLIFE ON ROAD.  Just a plain white sign not this 

or this 

so I guess to many possibilities.

I watched, didn't see anything but I know hitting a deer, a bear, a moose etc would not end happily for either of us!

Next, a plain white sign WATCH FOR STOCK ON HIGHWAY!  Again not this

Or sheep or. . .

Lastly, a large ORANGE sign:  Known wildfire near, may be smoke on highway.  Please do not report it!  Then. . .Watch for fire crews.  Then fire crew Rendevous.

I was really grateful to arrive on Lolo Pass safely!  I've been to the Visitor's Center there before so I didn't stop.  I bypassed it and started downhill in Montana.  At Lolo, MT on US93 I turned north and drove into Missoula for two nights.

I woke the next morning to the sound of rain.  I had been really lucky with weather so far but it can't last forever.    I have a cover on the bed of my truck but it isn't waterproof.  Most of the insane amount of stuff I I had filled it with was covered with waterproof sheets or in plastic totes.  My large suitcase, which had evolved into the holding area for clothes I was sure I wouldn't wear again is NOT waterproof nor covered So I had to run out and bring it in.

 After breakfast at Crackerbarrel and coffee from Starbucks I spent the morning looking around Missoula and shopping.  Hit a Montana shop for souvenirs and a  quilt shop for fat quarters (they had a sale going buy 10 get one free, who could pass that up?) and a few larger pieces.

In the afternoon, I found a laundromat for hopefully the last time! Once I'd finished that task I stopped in for a steak dinner and at TJ Maxx for you guessed it- more bags (I now have 6.)  The trouble with T J Maxx is that I always find something else to buy!

Back in the hotel for the night was spent repacking for the next leg of the trip.