JUNE 12, 2013 - DAY 1--Spokane to Billings, Montana

I left Spokane around 9 AM...it took three trips to the car (maybe I should have packed a second suitcase instead of all these little bags? One day I will learn this.) A little smudge action started this trip and I was safe all the way (thanks Ben)! The internet said it would take 8 hours to drive from Spokane to Billings, Montana but apparently that did not take into consideration all the road work in Montana as it took over ten.  I think they must have received a large sum of Federal money for all the work that was in progress. A cloud dumped its load just west of Butte but cleaned those bugs right off my windshield!  Stopped in Butte to check out a store I follow on FB. She has some great items to purchase and yes, I did buy a couple of gifts (maybe for myself, maybe for someone else). If you care to follow her on FB...Twisted Designs. I like her because she does A LOT of different types of crafts AND she soon will be offering sewing classes for teens.

Dinner just arrived...more later.

Dinner was DELICIOUS...Lemon Rosemary Chicken with Italian vegetables (and, oh yeah, angel hair pasta and garlic bread). If you are in Billings, I recommend Johnny Carino's...they deliver.

I know I should not go to bed with a full stomach but it is now 9:45 local time and I have to be up early tomorrow...Mt. Rushmore and Custer's battlefield and, whatever else awaits. The Internet said it was a 6 hour drive...really? In case that is wrong, I don't want to miss the sites. :)

BTW gas is 20 cents less a gallon in Montana than in Spokane.

I almost forgot to mention the huge billboards advertising the Testicle Festival...it must be something because they have the schedule posted through 2017.  Here is the description from the Internet:
Booze and balls are the name of the game at the Montana Testicle Festival, held annually at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, Montana, USA. People come from all over to eat a few Rocky Mountain Oysters--deep-fried bull testicles--and take part in the beer-soaked, anything-goes 4-day festival. Personally, it is not worth the drive for me. :)