Days 8-10: Libby & Lewistown, MT with Glacier & Yellowstone on the Side

Well, we had a 12:00 noon check-out time at our motel, and took advantage to sleep a little late, then plugged in the computer to get some work done on the internet. We lost an hour today when we crossed the ID/MT state line, and arrived at the church in Libby 1/2 hour late. Our host, Lee Kibler, was waiting for us in the parking lot, helped us move our display in, then led us to his house in the country. His wife, Dede, had prepared a delicious salmon dinner for us. We saw wild turkeys out their back window.

The church had a good turnout, 25 or 30. I had a brief but good visit with senior minister Phil Alspaw after the service. He's a Manhattan graduate who has helped the church grow significantly, including a move across the river to their new (2 years old), nice, modern facility.

Next morning, Lee, who was a Starbuck's barista for a time, made Emilee a hot chocolate and mochas for Susan and me. (Susan now writing) We also saw 2 deer beside the highway, and next morning had some cross the road in front of us. We were up at 6:00 a.m. to make the most of the day. Those who know us well know that borders on fanatasism for us! But we had a LONG drive and wanted so much to see as much as possible of Glacier National Park. We stopped in Kalispel to visit with long-time supporter Eloise Mycroft. She treated us to some delicious apple pie and coffee, then we were on our way. We found out the pass through the middle of Glacier NP was already closed by snow, but managed to go about 15 miles into the park before we turned around. It was gorgeous. Reminded us of Itasca but with huge moutains towering above. The whole drive just around the southern edge was awesome. We finished the drive arriving at Lewistown, MT at 5:45, in time to put up the display and sit down to bean soup and cornbread that was shared with the church family. We met up with another NWSOM speaker, Johnny Orr, and we shared the program that evening. We stayed that night with Phil's 1st cousin-once-romoved and husband, Lois and Ron McConkey. What a delight to be with them again. Ron does woodworking projects like Phil's Dad used to do. He gave us a very special present for our next grandson, but I can't tell what it is here, or it will ruin the surpise (Sorry about that, Tim & Shauna!) We went early for a big breakfast, and then visited with a long-time supporter in her assisted-living apt. Then off we flew driving a couple of hours (OK, Phil drove, I slept) to the North entrance of Yellowstone. We took off seeing geysers, hot springs, mineral deposits, obsidian cliffs, deer, elk, antelope, a coyote, buffalo and a partridge in a pear tree. At one place Phil asked a park ranger what time Old Faithful would erupt again and she said at 4:06. It was 3:00 and we were an hour away. So we roared along at 35 mph and turned into the parking lot with 2 minutes to spare! We rushed to the benches with just a bit of time to spare. It was worth the rush--very cool! It was my favorite thing. We did the "gift shop" thing and then took off for Boise, another 350 mile drive! It was almost 5:00 p.m. and Emilee kept asking when we were going to eat lunch! We finally drove in to Boise about midnight. We had come full-circle--and what a huge circle it was--since our departure from Boise just last Saturday. We were very glad we stayed with the same people who were our hosts last weekend, Gary and Joyce Anderson, and they were fine with our late arrival. They went to bed and left the door unlocked.