Miles 552 (2141)
Two Lanes 552 (1890)
Top down 552 (2016)
Another cloudless day greeted us. We had breakfast and headed east. One we reached US Highway 2, the northernmost numbered US Highway, we crossed 500 miles of rolling wheat land, then range land. The speed limit was 70 on the two land road, but we averaged 80. The traffic was light, and we saw one Montana trooper all day. When we passed him Linda was going 78 and he didn't bat an eyelash. This was the state that until about 30 years ago had no speed limit during daylight hours.
We then headed south and east to Fort Union. This was founded by John Jacob Astor of the American Fur Co, in 1829. It is at the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers. Fort Union became a major trading center, connected by paddle wheel steamboat during high water 1800 miles to St. Louis. The National Park Service has restored much of it and it is staffed by Ranger Yellowbird. He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Then off to Williston. The first motel had no vacancy. The second only had a suite. We took the suite, not wanting to drive forever.
Why was the town full? Recent oil and gas discoveries have turned this into a boomtown. The hotels are full and there is not enough housing for the workers, so construction workers have moved into to build houses...so there is no housing for the construction workers. I think I know what will happen in ten years to this boomtown. Nobody wanted to live here before oil, and no one will want to live here after oil. The wind chill in the winter is 60 below. The summers are hot and have mosquitos that carry away small children. So now is NOT a good time to buy investment property in Williston!
Morning at Many Glacier
Runnin' at 80 with Amtrak
Cut Bank, proudly the coldest place in the lower 48
Eastern Montana
"Share the Road" had as different Meaning Here
The Missouri, the "Mighty Mo"
Fort Union
Beaver at the Fur Trading Post!
Sunset over North Dakota
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