R.A.T. Days 43 - 49...hots days and cold nights

Taking advantage of this year's hurricane season to rediscover America. We're calling it the R.A.T. (Rediscover America Tour). While Sanibel sits on dry dock at Safe Cove boatyard in Port Charlotte, Florida, Jimi and I will be traveling 49 of the 50 U.S. States. Along the way we're going to recapture what America's made of, visiting out-of-the-way and well -known places, reconnecting with friends and family and  much more.

Day 43 - September 1st. Today we drove and drove and drove, landing in Billings Montana for the night.

Total miles driven: 7857

Walking through the Wal-Mart parking lot, Jimi found this little cactus laying on the asphalt. Most of the dirt had been spilled out and this poor guy was destined for sure death. Jimi rescued him and now he is another traveling companion for us. He sits wedged between the dashboard and windshield with Pete the squirrel.

Day 44 - September 2nd. We left Florida to escape the heat, but still we were getting 95 degree days. So, we headed for even higher ground where we finally found a cool high of 75 and cold low of 39.  Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming

Total miles driven: 7955

Day 45 - September 3rd. We drove into Yellowstone National Park with plans to stay a few days and really take it all in. The first day we scoped out picture opportunities.

Total miles driven: 8150

Fly Fisherman

Day 46 - September 4th. There are no shortage of Bison in Yellowstone. We also saw Swan, Deer, Elk, Ravens (we'd never actually seen one before) and coyote.

Total miles driven: 8309

Old Faithful is as faithful as ever.

 The high content of sulfur and minerals create some nice color.

The Bison don't care...they walk out in front of traffic and just stand there until they are good and ready to move on. Excuse our dirty windshield.

Day 47 - September 5th. This Deer wondered around our camp site just after breakfast. A little while later, a herd of them came through. After leaving Yellowstone, we drove to Helena, MT for the night.

Total miles driven: 8500

Day 48 - September 6th. We drove to the Clearwater National Forrest in Utah.

Total miles driven: 8690

I knitted myself a hat and matching cowl, just in time for the cool weather.

Jimi grilling and wearing the warm wool hat I knitted for him.

This was by far the best camp spot we had so far. Just off the road, by the river and had a nice fire pit and several small makeshift tables. Of course, with the extreme fire danger, we were unable to build a fire, but it was still a nice place.

Day 49 - September 7th. A few more pictures from our camp spot. Then we drove to Kalispell, Montata to sleep for the night.

Total miles driven: 8879