Through Montana We Go!

Entering Montana from the south, after departing Yellowstone, a dry high desert greets you.  NOt the Montana you expect.  This area gets only 10 inches of rain a year.  Over the Gallatin Mountains precipitation increase dramatically.  The mountains have gradually become behemoths to the east.  They shelter the lush pasture-land, through which we're traveling.  The Yellowstone River has kept us company along our right side.  This peaceful valley, this peaceful valley......

In the distance, beyond my valley, snow capped peaks rise.  I  guess they're 60 miles away...

We keep musing about moving here. But, alas, nobody can figure out what jobs exist.  John regrets having given no ranching skills to his kids.  "Maybe I can become a ranch hand and learn..."  "As long as you can feed yourself...300 acres..not bad..."

I notice deciduous trees for the first time in a while.  Yellowstone has only two varieties of them:  Aspen and We-don't-remember. 

We yummied down some sticky buns bought at the Yellowstone Grill on our way out.  Not as good as mine according to the kids....the sweet rolls were better.  The sticky buns not.

Now Annaliese and Grace sit peacefully next to each other playing with Minnie Mouse and Ben's buffalo, "Buffy".  Rebekah scrolls through her Instagram, while Lydia and Luke read their respective books:  "Over the Edge", a mystery set in Grand Canyon;  Harry Potter book 3.  Johnny asks for The Book Thief, but nobody has seen it since Rebekah finished it.  Benny plays happily with his Doctor Kit, a gift from his Auntie Laura!  After an initial temper tantrum about getting in his carseat, and numerous bribes:  peanut m and ms. sticky buns, Barney....he finally settled in.  He goes through short-lived fits about once a day.  After distractions and time, a few minutes, he settles into his old self!