Sunday, August 18, it was time to begin heading East once again. We left McMinnville, Oregon and drove through Portland and headed east along the Columbia River. It was a bit foggy along the river but the drive was still beautiful!. We drove through Walla Walla, Washington and the many wheat fields. We finally made our way to Clarkston, Washington for the night. We were going to stay here for two nights, however they only had space for one night (and that turned out to be good, more later). Monday morning we left Clarkston and headed
across Idaho along US Route 12. US Route 12 is a federal highway in north central Idaho. It extends 174.210 miles from the Washington state line in Lewiston east to the Montana state line at Lolo Pass, generally along the route of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and is known as the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway.US 12 was created in 1925 as part of the original system of United States highways, and its original western terminus was in Miles City, Montana. In 1962, the highway was extended west to Lewiston, ending at the former US 410. In 1967, it was extended to its current western terminus in Aberdeen, Washington, with the Idaho section
taking its current route.The Lewis and Clark Highway, from Lewiston eastward to Lolo Pass, was designated State Route 9 in 1916 and construction began in 1920. Federal prison labor was used in the late 1930's and Japanese internment labor was used during the last two yeas of World War II, working out of the Kooskia Internment Camp, six miles upstream of Lowell. By the fall of 1955, 27 miles remained unfinished, and upon its completion in 1962, its completion in 1962, it was re-designated US12. At the August dedication at Lolo Pass attended by thousands, the states' governors, Bob Smylie of Idaho and Tim Babcock of Montana, cut through
a ceremonial cedar log with a two-man crosscut saw.We knew that there was forest fires in Idaho and before we left Lewiston, we called and were informed that route 12 was indeed open. As we drove along the road, we came to the town of Orofino and the air was filled with smoke. We did not see any active fires at this point so continued on our way. It was not long and we were out of the smoke are and continues along the Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers. I have to say that this was a beautiful drive, however the road was very curvy as it followed the rivers I enjoyed the drive,
but I am not sure this is one of John's favorite
drives!
This beautiful Idaho byway commemorates the 1803-1806 expedition by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to find the most practicable water route between the Missouri River and the Columbia River through the unexplored Rocky Mountains. It follows the US Highway 12 corridor from Lolo Pass to Lewiston along the beautiful Lochsa and Clearwater Rivers, paralleling the Northern Nez Perce Trail followed by Lewis and Clark and passing through Nez Perce Indian country.We reached Lolo Summit at 5,233 feet. We stopped at the ranger station for a break before we continued on to Missoula, Montana. The information at the pass stated that the Lewis and Clark party crossed this pass on September 13, 1805, westbound for the Pacific after a long detour to the south. From the headwaters of the Missouri River they crossed the mountains to the Salmon. Finding that river impassable, they traded for pack-horse's, hired an Indian guide, and came north to an Indian trail across the mountains here. Tired and ill-fed, the men were to have a hard struggle in early snow along the steep ridges which the trail followed for most of its 125 mile course west to the Clearwater River.
After crossing Lolo Pass we continued into
Montana. Our destination was Missoula. Just prior to entering the town of Lolo we noticed the clouds in the sky and knew they were clouds from a fire. Then the sky turned all yellow and we knew that we were close. As we rounded the mountain there on the hillside was a major fire. There were signs not to stop along the road as there was a forest fire. We did see the helicopter with a water bucket cross the highway and drop water along the fire. If you look closely you can see the flames along the edge of the fire.We passed this area and headed into Missoula. Shortly after going by this area we heard that the road had been closed due to the fire and remained
closed for the next two days. (So as I said earlier, we were lucky that Clarkston only had room for us for one night!)Before heading to our Campground for the next several nights we decided to fill the tank at the local truck stop. As we were filling the tank, another RV drove into the station and what to our surprise it was our friends, Chris and Jan. We knew they were also heading east but were unsure of their route. How fun to run into them, and what are the chances that we would both pull into the truck stop at the same time!?!? So we had dinner together for the next several nights.
We stayed in Missoula for two nights at Jim and
Mary's RV Park. We like it there as it is small park with lots of flowers and plenty of trees.My friend Jan gave me the following information about Missoula to pass along.
The city of Missoula began as a tenuous settlement known as Hell Gate in 1860, when entrepreneurs C.P. Higgins and Francis Worden saw trade possibilities and opened a log store in the valley.
Although the Lewis and Clark expedition had traveled through the area in 1806, and British explorer David Thompson had charted it in 1812
the nearest settlements - Fort Owen in the Bitterroot and St. Ignatius - remained tiny, and travelers were few. However the search for gold and the completion in 1863 of the Mullan Road, which opened up travel from Fort Benton to Walla Walla, Washington, brought people to the valley. The settlement became known as Missoula, taken from a Salish Indian word meaning "near the cold, chilling waters", and in 1866 became the county seat. The first jail was built the same year, the first school in 1869 and the first newspaper established in 1871.Missoula is a nice quiet place to stop and regroup.
There are many restaurants and good shopping before continuing east, along with NO sales tax. From here we head to Billings, Montana for one night then on to Dickinson, North Dakota and on into the Twin Cities for a visit with family and friends.
We found that Summer had finally arrived in the Twin Cities as the temperatures for the week were predicted to be in the 90's!!
That is all for now, I think that we are about caught up on our travels for now. More from along the road later.
Love to all,
Candy and Johnny
