Technically we are done driving for a while after this.
Missoula, MT though Idaho into Washington with a final destination of Seattle.
478 miles.
7-9 hours.
Fort Polk to Fairbanks total completion = 60%
Things that amaze me #2:
Adding a lumpy soft-sided car top carrier to the top of our SUV actually improved our gas mileage from the time we left Traverse City to getting to the mountains. It seems all those people that pay the extra $ for the smooth aerodynamic cases...you're wasting your money! Just don't drive through mountains and you'll get great gas mileage.
We had a handful of debates (like you do when you're stuck in a car for the number of hours that we were). One of them was trying to come up with the scientific term for the elevation at which vegetation stops growing in the mountains. There is a very distinct line that traces the apex of a mountain that doesn't have anything there...So, are you ready for this so very scientific name?...
Wait for it... Tree Line
"The tree line is the edge of the habitat at which trees are capable of growing. Beyond the tree line, they are unable to grow because of inappropriate environmental conditions (usually cold temperatures or lack of moisture)." Thanks Wikipedia!
I know, anti-climatic, right?
Other than crossing into Idaho while it snowed, anti-climatic was pretty much the rest of our trip.
We did have another conversation about Princess Hiawatha. We were trying to figure out why we see her name all over the place, there is a forest named for her in Mi, we were seeing her name along our route out West...and neither of us could figure out what she did...
Back to wikipedia...
Basically, she was the leader of the Mohawks and convinced 5 nations to band together to become the Five Nations of the Iroquois confederacy. Good for her. That's some good girl power!
As we have crossed through a ridiculous number of state lines, the ones from MI to WA were the exciting ones because we were on official orders to Alaska. Well, I did fantastically well getting pictures of each border crossing. Until we got to Washington...
THERE WAS NO SIGN!?!?! Jerks.
It was a pretty state to drive through though.
And then we hit Seattle at about 4:45...yea we thought that through well...
Seattle means a little bit of a break from driving. We get to visit with one of our best friends from college. She's been in Portland for a year or so, maybe two...I lose track of time easily :) Either way, she's driving up to spend the next day or so with us before we head another 80 miles north to catch our Ferry to Alaska!
You have no idea how much joy there is in the fact that we successfully drove across damn near the entire country (Louisiana North to Michigan and then Michigan West to Washington) without any vehicle accidents or break downs, any major earth shattering temper tantrums, a cat who is in one piece and still under our care, a pregnant lady who is still pregnant and a happy couple that is still married!
I am thanking our lucky stars, counting our blessings, and loving all those family and friends who had any part in our vacation and/or general travels. Those that followed us on Facebook and sent texts or comments throughout the trip, you all helped keep me sane :)
Love, hugs, and blessings to everyone!
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