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Thursday, 06/12/03; Hardin, Montana
On the Road Again, Reprise!
When we looked out the window at 0530 this morning, we could swear it was about 0800 because the sky was so light! It was blue and clear as a bell – a good omen for the day we were to resume our tour. As we were completing our packing, we noticed that there were sprinkles of rain dotting the hoods and fenders of our cars. The sky was still mostly clear, but a few dark clouds had drifted over and were threatening to rain on our parade! By the time we hit the Interstate a few minutes later, heading west for Sheridan, WY, rain was definitely going to be a part of our day. Threatening skies became light to moderate rain, but never so heavy to cause leaks in our windshields. We were in and out of rain the rest of the time we were in South Dakota. In many places after the main part of the rain had stopped, we were passed by trucks, which threw up a muddy spray. The windshields were messy and with no windshield washers, we had to endure streaked windows until we stopped for gas. Then we viewed our formerly shinny cars with much dismay.
Blue skies ahead; strip mine.
The road was very good and we could make good time and not beat up the cars with potholes and bad expansion joints. It was easier on us, as well. The hills were gentle and we were able to take most of them in high-overdrive. Dennis was in the lead and he dropped his speed on some of the hills to baby his rod bearings. The Olson’s Mitchell overdrive performed as expected, although Dennis did comment that he noticed the difference in the gear ratio comparing the Mitchell to his old Borg-Warner – the engine speed was higher at our cruise speed of 50 – 55 MPH. He didn’t comment on the better hill climbing performance, however!
The scenery was spectacular for the most part, the road winding gently through the green hills. Spring is just now coming to this part of the world and there were many wild flowers in different hues and trees in brilliant white blossoms. Dennis found a picnic table at Lake De Smet in a county park and we spent a pleasant half-hour having lunch and enjoying the sunshine.
We made good time and passed through Sheridan a little after noon, so we decided to press on to Hardin, WY, (about 80 miles down the road) the next town of any size and one we knew had motel facilities. We arrived at Hardin at 1515 after a drive of 320 –miles. This was one of our better days. All of us were ready to pack it in for the day as we drove into the parking lot of the Super 8 Motel. The skies were still mostly clear with puffy cumulus clouds dotting the horizon and the temperature in the high 70’s – a very pleasant day.
We will hold a powwow this evening to decide what our target will be for tomorrow. Billings, our original destination is now too close, so we will have to set our sights farther up the road. If the road and weather holds like today, we might make up some of the lost time.
Regards from,
The Eager Four
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