The Great 2025 Road Trip Day 8

We had a really lovely evening last night with 2 other families staying at the same camp.  (Hi Karen and Kelly!)  Their kids were super cute and played late into the evening while the adults enjoyed some time by the fire.

Woke up with the roosters from the farm next door (maybe a little too early for my taste) and got packed up and on the road.  Plan for today; drive by Devils Tower and on up to Billings MT.  We've decided to scrap the Tetons and just go right to Glacier.

Every place we've left so far I've had about 10 more things I wanted to see.  So I guess we'll have to come back to all of this! 

We drove out of South Dakota and into Wyoming and the terrain changed yet again.  White rocky mountains turned to red crested buttes and pine covered mountains, which eventually flattened out to miles and miles of open pastures. 

The small detour to see Devils Tower did not disappoint! 


More driving through endless open lands.  Unfortunately between the vast openness, high winds tossing the car around and high speeds I'm not used to, my vertigo spiked something awful and I got super car sick for a bit.  Which made my stupid anxiety bad too.  

We both just took in the scenery in silence for a good long while only realizing later we were both feeling really agoraphobic suddenly with the vastness and remoteness of the land all around us.  Only way is straight thru so we continued on. 

Made it to Billings.  We splurged and got a hotel again.  We willy likely be camping or sleeping in the car the next few days so we figured take this chance for a real bed and shower.  Thankfully the last place we stayed had free laundry so all our stuff is clean for now.  

Got caught up on work (boo!) And worked ahead as much as possible.   I don't love working while only. The road but I'm so blessed that I CAN.  

Aftwr working for a bit I was Starting to feel a little homesick and really missing my little buddy. Got a little emotional.  So we decided to go get dinner.  I realized I hadn't really eaten today so that may have played into my emotions.

What are the odds?!?!  We went to grab dinner at a place downtown in Billings near our hotel.  We sat at the bar and halfway thru our meal two guys sat next to us and we overheard one of them mention to the bartender they are from Ohio.  So I had to ask. They're from Columbus too!  And they also drove out here!   I'm guessing father/son duo and the younger one mentioned he's moving to Washington state.  So funny to meet up with a couple fellow Columbusians.  Safe travels to them!

Felt better after food and we have a plan for tomorrow.  So I think we will likely turn in early.  We have a lot more driving to do tomorrow.  

Miles Driven: 2131
Miles hiked: 17
State Count: 9

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