So, we're tootlin' down U.S. Highway 12 through the Bitteroot National Forest, and the highway gets narrower and wind-e-er (more windy?) - gets lots of curves! The trees get thicker and taller. The scenery gets more awesome by the minute.
Turns out, we are on the trail of Lewis and Clark! One of the Indian guides, a Shoshoni, led them through here. Only making 10 - 12 miles a day they camped many several times on this route in September 1805. It started out as a game trail that the deer and wolves, elk and goats made. The Indian's picked up on it, then trappers, and finally horse and wagon traffic actually turned it into a road that we follow today.
This was known as the Lolo Trail and followed the ridges rather than the valleys because there were too many cliffs and gorges. Now, critters eek out the path of least resistance which creates a LOT of switchbacks. Lewis and Clark grew really weary of the meandering. It puts me in mind of the Al-Can Highway (Alaska to Canada. Now THAT'S a story worth getting to know!!) But over the years, as improvements and repairs took place, the road has lost a lot of it's twist, turns, and hills. The Lolo Trail hasn't enjoyed quite as many "straightenings."
On the far side, the hills begin to round out and the trees begin to thin out. We're down beside the river coming off Lower Granite Lake out of Moscow (Idaho) now and meandering with the river. We're just crossing into Washington state.
Turns out this is big wheat country. In fact, thanks to wheat, Walla Walla once laid claim to having more millionaires than anywhere else in Washington!
In Texas, the fields are flat as a flitter. I doubt our farmers would even have a clue as to how to lay out a crop on rolling hills like this. Miles and miles and MILES of gorgeous wheat crops. No fences as far as the eye can see. Texas - because of the cattle and horses - has been fenced to a fair-thee-well. In fact, in Texas they say good fences make good neighbors 'cause the fences keep the neighbor's cows outta your corn.
This is just too pretty!
The mountains you see in the background are the Blue Mountains. I see them out our kitchen window and patio doors every day now. I wish we were going to be here when the snow flies. I'll bet it's just as pretty!
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