Yesterday our drive was alongside the Gray Fire outside Spokane and at times the smoke was pretty intense. Today it started raining just outside Coeur D'Alene and rained off and (mostly) on until just outside Missoula. Not just a little bit of rain - it was like a middle of December type of rain. The rental car definitely didn't handle a rainy road like my Jeep! As much as I love a rainy day I was relieved when it stopped. It finally cleared up as we were getting closer to Helena. The scenery was beautiful.
Then going over Macdonald pass it was suddenly so foggy we couldn't go faster than a few miles an hour. It was crazy!Â
We eventually made it to Helena, did a quick check-in at the hotel to drop off our bags and then headed to meet my Aunt Nancy and cousin Mike. It's been a very, very long time since we have seen each other and it was so wonderful to catch up over dinner. Thanks Mike for making that drive from Great Falls!
The Hall cousin family band
We did a little touring around later in the evening. We drove by my grandparents' house which looked the same and completely different all at the same time.Â
This is a picture of my dad painting that house years ago. I think it was an all hands on deck house painting situation
and this is a picture of my grandfather and I on the steps of that house
After the memory lane tour we went downtown and walked around. We were taking pictures of an old building when an older guy walked up and started talking to us about the building. Then he invited us in to see the interior. After seven years of listening to My Favorite Murder the voice inside my head was saying stay out of the forest but inside we went. We chatted for a while and as we thanked him and left he said "don't take any wooden nickels" which was one of my dad's favorite sayings.
Tomorrow we head to Glendive Montana - a long drive day.Â