Spent the Solar Eclipse in MONTANA with RJ n Marc n Boys. .. went to Phillipsburg to get sapphire dirt and go camping. It was like driving up to Conrad Meadows... camping in the boonies by ourselves.. been awhile since I've done rough camping... pulled Lillie up n down hills n over gravel roads she deserves a bath now. Also swung by Deer Park Montana and checked out the old prison.
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| Boon Docking on the River in Montana Woods |
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| Total Eclipse of the Sun...... |
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September 22, 2017
.A History Lesson/Challenge...
:).
While driving though Montana with the kids, Ramie pointed out a sign on a road "Yellowstone Highway" and told me a bit about it. Today, while geocaching in Granger, Wash, I came across the same sign with a Huge Yellow Stone at it's base.
---->What is the Yellowstone Trail...? you ask...
:D
->The Yellowstone Trail was the first transcontinental automobile highway to cross the northern states from Plymouth, MA to Seattle, WA. Begun in 1912 and completed in 1916.
-> The Trail made it's way through Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho to Spokane, Washington. The Coeur d' Alene to Spokane segment of highway gained the moniker the “Apple Way” because of the apple trees planted along much of the distance.
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| Small section in Sunnyside, Wash - 1921 section |
From Spokane to Seattle, organizers considered two options. The Sunset Highway” across the Columbia Plateau and Blewett Pass to Cle Elum, Washington. Or south to Walla Walla, up through Yakima to Cle Elum. They chose the longer route, Blewett Pass was not yet a "good road".
The Summe
r of 1916 saw the first drive for publicity along the entire Yellowstone Trail. The roughly 3,700 miles took five days, one hour, and twelve minutes at an average breakneck speed of 31 miles per hour. Joseph Parmley’s vision of a “great transcontinental highway” was complete.
Today, Towns all across the original route are starting to post signs designating this historic highway through their towns. The Yellowstone Trail insignia, that began with a modest proposal in South Dakota endures.
Check out the website and learn more.... http://www.yellowstonetrail.org/
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October 7, 2017
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The Teapot filling station has moved twice - then to it's present
location to the Center of the Town of Zillah, Wash.
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| The drive into Zillah, Wash. from the East. |
Today's Yellowstone Trail/Earth Cache (geocaching) adventure... I headed up towards Zillah for McD's Egg McMuffin Breakfast. Then drove through town on my way to Hwy 12 (Y. Trail) ....and visited the Teapot Dome which is now located in town, picked up a few brochures. On the way out of town, I see their Yellowstone Trail signs... Hoots... it went through the town of Zillah,
not around like I thought. I also went to the Teapot's second location which now stands just the round foundation next to Eglet's Seed Garden and a Wire Sculpture of the Teapot Dome. Beautiful little spot.
Then on up to Yakima, following the trail as much as possible, to a Geocache Earth Cache... end of 16th st at the Yakima Greenway...so that I can get a virtual souvenir on my GeoPage. I met another GeoGal who also had a Travel Bug on her car, like I have on mine. Then I ran into my old UPS delivery guy, who would deliver in Sunnyside. He was retired and volunteers his time... today was the Yakima Greenway Appreciation Day... he was handing out gifts... and a Fresh Yakima Gala Apple. I then went to Cabellas and bought some squished pennies for GeoSwag.... and on to Miner's Drive In (Burger joint) and had a HUGE Burger and Fries...
A good Day all in all... Sunshine and Blustery... Fun. Oh... I'm also painting Yellow Rocks to spread along the Yellowstone Trail when I stop.
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November 25, 2017
Did some more Yellowstone Trail slash Geocaching today. I've published 6 geocaches this month along the Yellowstone Trail from the Teapot Dome to Grandview Pavement already. Went to Benton City and planted/submitted 2 more and also found a small YT park or flower garden there. They have a bench bus stop? And a redwood sign with the bright YT sign surrounded by a small garden n pathway. The plants are identified n label too. What a nice little surprise.
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| Benton City, Washington, Yellowstone Trail Park & Flower garden. |
