Day Thirteen: Lunch with a Legend and Dinner with a River

My stamina is wearing thin on day thirteen. All I want to do is sleep but what a ridiculous thing to do when in Montana. So I slowly stumble to the kitchen for some coffee; the continental breakfast is sad as most of them have been. Would it kill them to put out a banana; an apple? Carbs everywhere. A bagel, an English muffin, a blueberry muffin, lucky charms. I pour the usual OJ and coffee with two creams and follow the whining sound back to my room. Louie is on day thirteen of this trip and he still hasn't figured out the routine. But he has been a perfect dog. Except today when he snapped at the guy changing my oil in Montana. Other then that he behaves, enjoys the scenery, drinks from the rivers and is my best friend. There are portions of the journey where he steadies himself by putting one paw on my shoulder and the other on the seat back. He will freeze in that position for hours and down the road of companionship we go.

This morning my friend Wynn has arranged for me to have some human contact.. Her friend Cliff is free for lunch. We meet in Livingston and he is funny and familiar. He helps me get my oil changed and we eat soup in town. He talks loud about people in the room, and says 'what's that?' a lot. So it is an entertaining time. He has to be in his sixties maybe and said 'I just want to bitch slap him' when talking about a character in his life. The volume alone gave me cause to want to laugh out loud but then on contemplation I don't think I have ever heard a retiree use those words so then I had no choice but to spew my water.

I feel like I can come back here again and again and Cliff will help me with my oil changes and help me find a place to stay and eat soup with me. I feel lucky.

Cliff gives me a route to take to Idaho Falls and I follow it to the letter. I am proud to say that in over 4000 miles traveled there can't be more then 500-600 miles traveled on an interstate. This route is no different. It is the lovely combination of all mine and no one's.

Louie and I stop for water at the Warm Springs Creek.

Then we make the last turn for Idaho Falls.

My hotel is right on the river and this is the first time I have arrived at my destination in the daylight. So, Louie and I follow yet another river route and when we return to the hotel we eat a bison burger and kibbles and bits. Then, we call it a good day 13!

Recipes: Hot soup and a story teller will always nourish you.

Roadtrips: I used to travel to the oceans, but now, I am drawn to the rivers.

Renovations: I am growing.