Road Trip Part 3: Pictograph Cave and Little Bighorn

 Hello Yellowstone National Park! Although it was a little out of our way we both decided that we couldn't be this close and not take the opportunity to gawk at this beautiful preserve.

 Immediately following entry into the park we were greeted by wildlife!

We stopped off along a couple of roads and made a quick trip to Mammoth Hot Springs before it got too dark...not to mention rainy.

What a view! We definitely want to make plans to come back equipped with more appropriate weather gear.

Now it's back on the road heading to Billings Montana! We found a directory of sights and attractions to see and decided that first thing the next morning we would venture to the Pictograph Cave State Park.

We were both pleasantly amused at this little guy enjoying an early morning breakfast right along the walking path that lead to the caves.

 What a view!

Ben and I both agreed that this place was an unexpected and ethereal gem.

 

It was so interesting to learn about the pictures and meanings and how different markings show at different times in the year due to mineral changes.

This was the view looking out from the caves.

Thistles and yellow wildflowers

Leading the way!

Say cheese Ben!

On the way back to our truck, this little guy poked his head out to check us out!

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument:

 Words will never express how powerful an experience it was for both Ben and me. 

We both felt very moved by this monument and the equal representation of both sides of this battle were respectfully included at this site.

This was definitely hollowed and sacred ground.

31 Days of Praise: Day 17

I am reading one of my favorite daily devotionals called, "31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew" . It's a months worth of short daily readings that are all designed and worded to praise God through various circumstances and scenarios. This book continuously helps me to start or end my day on a correct and God centered mindset. It is a book that I read over and over again.

Today's reading really hit home for me...being new to this Louisiana area, being called away from my comfort zones that I established for myself in Washington. There are the obvious comfort zones such as the physical (house, career, friends, hobbies) but God has been using this opportunity to reveal that I was in a spiritual comfort zone back in Washington...and not in a good way...more of a complacent picture comes to mind...ironic because I take great effort not to be complacent in my life. Humble pie moment anyone?!?!

Strip away those comfort zones...feel out of your element...because it is when you are stripped bare, emotionally, physically, and financially, that God is able to really work in your life...He is able to be given the credit as it is due for His hand over your life. You are able to better focus and devote your time and energy to Him...and your are more willing and open to follow His plan and purpose for your life.


When a reading really speaks to me I find that there is great power in speaking it out loud...claiming that truth and power over your life. It makes the words come alive in my heart and allows me to make a stand and commit to my faith that much more... You might try it if you haven't.

So for today's reading (pages 76-77):

Day 17:

"Thank You that You have me in the place You want me just now...that even if I got here through wrong choices or indifference or even rebellion, yet You knew my mistakes and sins before I ever existed, and You worked them into Your plan to draw me to Yourself, to mold and bless me, and to bless others through me. Thank You that, even if I'm here through the ill-will or poor judgment of other people, all is well; for in Your sovereign wisdom You are at work to bring about good results from all those past decisions, those past events beyond my control-good results both for me and for others. Thank You again that You meant for good the terrible things that happened to Joseph, who was sold into slavery, exiled to a distant country, and later sent to prison on false accusations...and that through all this You had him in the right place at the right time, for highly important reasons. I'm glad, Lord, that You are the same today-well able to work things out for us, to turn evil into good. I stand amazed at the complexity and mystery of Your wisdom. How safe it is for me to trust Your reasons for acting (or not acting) and Your methods of working!

Thank You that I can safely commit my location and situation to You. I can "be willing for You to shift me anywhere on life's checkerboard, or bury me anywhere in lives garden, gladly yielding myself for You to please Yourself with, anywhere and anyway You choose" (source unknown). Thank You that I can trust You with my future places-ready to go, ready to stay.

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" ~ Romans 11:33

Road Trip Part 2

Goodbye Washington!!! Hello Idaho!

So note to self...don't try to stay in Core D Alene right before the Ironman!!! The place was packed and obviously we had a little bit of difficulty finding a place to stay...it all worked out but still...that was a bit of an adventure!

I won't get tired of looking at this mug! Here he is working his magic with his phone to find us a place to stay for the night!

Ben was admiring this wooden boat...and we had a nice little chat with it's owner.

Back in to town we found a little place called, Crickets and they had the most amazing artichoke pesto pizza!! A quirky and eclectic place and I fell in love with the brass elephant bar accents!

We woke up and took a beautiful little hike to stretch our legs before hitting the road again. So glad I captured this shot!

Hello Montana...I hope this isn't a preview of the weather forecast for the remainder of our drive...

I'm starting to be intrigued by older, abandoned or decaying structures...as this old rusty railroad structure indicates...

We stopped off in Deer Lodge Montana later in the afternoon after seeing a roadside billboard advertising that the Montana Auto Museum was located there...We decided that we would see it the first thing the next morning... As you can imagine Ben was like a little kid the night before Christmas.

Located within the Old Montana Sate Prison Museum, there were some gems to be sure.

There were about 150 or so cars ranging from muscle cars, old military jeeps, Ford's, Chevrolet's and more located in this little museum. Deere Lodge Montana...who knew! There was even a raffle for what I believe was a classic 1966 Mustang, white convertible with red pin-striping going on. My finger's are still crossed for the drawing in December!

Ben was in his happy place walking through this collection to say the least.

Back on the road...at least until lunchtime!!!

 

A quick fuel stop for petrol and more importantly FOOD!

This little Pickle Barrel Sandwich Shop in Bozeman hit the spot!

Hello cows!

Montana has such beautiful scenery...We are going to take a slight detour to head to Yellowstone National Park for a bit...next stop Wyoming! 

Hit the Road part 1

I cannot begin to express how blessed I am. While I did spend countless hours prepping not only mentally but the obvious physical aspect, the packing up of my house couldn't have gone smoother. There were definitely times when finding the motivation to finish packing efficiently was hard to find and living in a house that is in various states of disarray definitely had its physical, emotional and mental taxation, but I am so happy that I took to time needed to ensure the least amount of damage would occur to my belongings.

The two rooms that had the most boxes were obviously my craft/art room and my kitchen! Yikes what a mess organized chaos looks and feels like!

Two tips that I found to be SO useful (Thank you Pinterest!): Buy brown paper lunch bags (available at most dollar stores) which you place your glasses in mugs in and push the tops of the bag into the opening of the glass! Huge time saver and there is no ink so you don't have to rewash anything after unpacking!

The second was to purchase disposable styrofoam plates and bowls (again available at most dollar stores). These you place between your plates and bowls and they absorb a ton of shock, they help to keep your dish ware from shifting and they don't add to the weight of the box!! BRILLIANT!

I had three strapping men help to load the moving van and it was the perfect amount. Two to bring furniture and boxes out from the house and one to organize and load the truck.

I can't thank you enough John, Alex and Ben! I really couldn't have done it without you in the time frame that you achieved! We are talking in about three hours, my entire house was loaded into a 16 foot Budget truck. A lifetime in such a small space...a little surreal.

It was overcast and cool the majority of the morning and about as soon as we were locking the truck up, the sun came out in full force! The timing couldn't have been more perfect! So glad we avoided the SPF and melting under those rays.

I treated the boys to lunch at one of my favorite sandwich shops called MSM (Magical Sandwich Maker's) Deli and their name is more than appropriate. They makes the most amazing sandwiches in the area and the meal wouldn't be complete without their magical cookies!

I had fun using my panorama camera mode on my phone!!! I love these guys!

Words will never do justice to how appreciative and blessed I am to have such amazing and generous people in my life. John and Robin let us crash at their place that same evening and sent us off with two bags of road trip treats! 

Driving through the Snoqualmie pass!

It was such a delight to watch Ben's reactions to seeing a different part of Washington for the first time! He was definitely a fan!

 Cows!!! About to pass the junction to Yakima!

A quick break close to the Gorge in Eastern WA...I'm a little windblown as you can see! haha but the weather was amazing!

The beautiful Mustang monument. So stunning...It took our breath away. Not sure if you can see the scale of these beautiful sculptures in comparison to the little person all the way to the right (after the last horse).

Next stop Idaho!