SPF 100: 2014 Big Truck across the NW, Day 5

This one should get us caught up for Day 5.. A couple of nights ago, before leaving Teddy Roosevelt NP, we headed up the scenic drive for a couple of sunset pics, and on our way down we ran into wildlife everywhere.

Kim had seen the buffalo herd on the way up, and wondered if they would be near the road on the way back. We rounded a bend and there he was.

About 25 feet from us, he was starting to roll around and make his bed for the night. As long as you aren't using Internet Explorer, you can view it here.

We were freaking out a bit, as he kept one eye on us almost the whole time. After a few minutes of safari-style viewing from the Jeep, we decided to move on and let him sleep. About 100 yards further, these guys crossed right in front of us.

We checked them out for a bit, then headed back to the campsite when a doe ran across just about full speed. The rest of the drive was done with brights on at about 20mph, just waiting to get bullrushed like these guys.

Fast forward to 5am the next day - we were packed up, ready to roll out at sunrise when I discovered during our morning Cousin Eddie routine that Jordan had invented a new game. She calls it 'what is the largest ball of toilet paper I can shove into an RV septic system?' She won this time.

20 minutes and an unfortunate call into service of the extension hook I use to pull down the awning (no amount of washing of that thing will be sufficient), the tanks were fully empty and we were on our way. Angry, sweaty, and bitten to pieces by insect species yet to be discovered (more on that later), but on our way.

The next 15+ hours can be summed up as follows. Driving 10 under the speed limit, spending just shy of 4 hundo on gas, listening to the GPS lady state 'stay on route for the next 640 miles, then exit right' (you think I'm joking).

The only real pics that could be taken were of the road in front of us. Here's one - our first real glimpse of the mountains in the distance.

Here's another - I have to assume someone came up with the coolest town in the universe, but spelled the name just slightly wrong.

And finally, just as we were losing steam and endured a rather harrowing downpour while crossing a mountain pass, this to get us excited again.

During the long drive, Kimberly had done some research and found a brewery in Missoula (Kettlehouse Brewing) that had some of the highest rated beers around. We stopped for about 5 minutes, long enough for me to run in and get a growler full of Cold Smoke, their take on a scotch ale with a coffee-ish tinge and some other goods.

Growler safely tucked in the fridge, it was time to knock out the last couple of hours and set up camp. We took the route through Polson and along Flathead Lake. One of the best sunset, lakeside, mountain drives one could have after 12+ hrs in the saddle. Here's an action shot of what was going on in the cockpit.