RT Day 22!

Fourth Tuesday on the road! And I've got over 8400 miles now to show for it. What a fabulous trip this has turned out to be. A few long days, but just spectacular. Most things I will probably never lay my eyes on again, but others I definitely will return to enjoy, hopefully next time with others to share. It has been a life changing experience for sure; and I'm glad that I not only decided to do it, I'm glad that I was able to do this at this point in my life. Life choices lay ahead.
Ah, so today I went more than 400 miles in the car. Fortunately, there was very minimal 25 mph areas; almost all the roads traveled today were not only scenic, they were at 65+ mph. I would say that there are more bugs that have a death wish on my windshield up here, but really, this is the first day in a long time of bug squishing speed. I cleaned the windshield just about every time I stopped. Then, the last stop before coming to Yellowstone, there were three juicy fellas before I got up to speed. Maybe they are just out for this Texan; and they knew I just washed the car.
Montana is Big Sky Country. I can vouch. Sunday was a rainy day (my only one on the entire trip) and yesterday was partly cloudy. Today, not a cloud in the sky. It might explain the reason why it was upper thirties last night outside Glacier. It was totally clear today. All day long.
Once again, just print out the pics and tape them together. Scenic views that never ended. And I crossed the Continental divide again today. I'm going to have to count the times I have crossed it in the last month. And, evidently, the road in Yellowstone crosses it three times. Maybe I can keep count just tomorrow by itself.
I think maybe I have more days that I climbed up and over a pass than not. Today was McDonald pass. You can probably pick out the photo from the vista point there.
I'll have to look up the lake that I passed. There was about five or six. They come out of nowhere; you come down a pass, surrounded by trees, and hit a clearing with a beautiful lake that takes your breath away. Its amazing.
And I have stayed 90% off the freeways, and followed the scenic route as I have mentioned before. Today I had to be on the freeway for 50 miles, and it was even scenic. Big Sky country was amazing today. Enjoy.
Tonite (tuesday night) I'm out of cell service, so this installment will be a bit tardy. I expect to upload it in the morning by at least nooner central time; thanks for your patience. I hope you are still enjoying these posts as much as I am enjoying writing them. It will be a treat next year for even me to go back and read my chronicles.
Oh, and if you have read my blog from the beginning, toy know Idiot and Stupid. Well, their Cousin Retard, lives in the mountains. And Retard is equally frustrating. Ok, so most times when the road is weaving through s curves going up passes, or just weaving itself around the hills, there's Retard that is holding everyone up. He maybe drives ten or so miles per hour under the speed limit. A curve comes, and he brakes (rightly so in some cases). In most areas, there are passing lanes provided for slower traffic to have an opportunity to let others by, without having to pull over, or the faster traffic to pass the slower traffic without risking a pass at speed.
Any guesses? Yep. Retard.
Most of these beforementioned passing lanes are for trucks- 18 wheelers, etc., who really do have to slow down thru the s-curves. These are not the Retards.
Most of these lanes happen to be on the incline of a pass. Makes sense. You lose inertia, so it makes sense, especially the heavy trucks. The lanes are also sometimes provided on the descents, too. Same reason.
Enter Retard. Say the speed limit is 55. Curves ahead have an advised speed of 45 mph for the geometry of the curve and road conditions. Retard is comfortably doing 40 and has a half dozen cars behind. Curves end and a passing lane appears on the straight section starting the pass.
I'd give you three guesses, but you don't need three; you know, its Retard. He mashes the gas, and the '68 Crown Victoria Land Conquerer has not only maintained speed, he's hit 80 out on the rise. Yessiree, Bob, Retard is leading the pack on the climb. If we were level, we would have took off in flight. And then, you know. Passing lane ends, and he's still AHEAD, and resumes sub-speed limit activity.
Retard. Yeah.
Another data point that some (and I'm beginning to think that is getting close to significant majority) that some people just don't give a damn about anything but them. Screw everyone. Or just as long as I get mine.
So, goodnight Retard. And the rest of ya, drive on.
Tomorrow, Yellowstone. I'm gonna like this too I think.