Travel in ID, MT, ND, SD, WY in begining of May

[Idaho]

One more thing, when you are on Highway 20, if you have the time, the detour around to see Mesa Falls is worth the drive, I think. It is a very pretty area.

 

[daannzzz]

Thank you for even more tips. I am looking forward to all the traveling and have wanted to visit Craters of the Moon since my last trip to Idaho so long ago.
On the day we leave Jackson to head to Yellowstone we will leave fairly ealry and if the south entrance is closed we will leave even earlier so we can drive from Jackson to the west entrance and still have some time left to see a few things OR take the drive slowly now that you have told me of a couple things to see.

 

[mtblujeans]

I just noticed that the 2004 Montana Travel Guides are out now. When traveling thru Montana, you can pick one up at gas stations, restaurants, AAA offices, Chambers of Commerce....they are free and have got GREAT info in them for use when traveling across the State. There are 6 different books for different sections of the state. They have maps, history, activities/recreation, lodging, dining, etc., and they are FREE. You can still get them sent to you at //glacier.visitmt.com Some locations may have State Visitor Guides for Washington State, too.

When traveling through Kalispell, sign up for an Albertson's or Smith's grocery store "free membership" (frequent buyer card) to save $$ on gas! You get 3 cents off per gallon with the Albertson's grocery card at the Albertson's gas station. (No additional purchase or obligation required.) You can get coupons on your receipt for 5 cents off per gallon at Smith's for the Smith's gas station when you purchase the required amount of groceries.

 

[daannzzz]

Thanks for even more tips. Can I use my Albertson's card from California or do I have to sign up for on in Montana? I will snag a Travel Guide in Polson and see what motel coupons they have. I found some motels on one of the Montana sites. In Lewiston is the Trangle Motel and Gun shop!!! I thought that was interesting. Might even stay there if we are passing through at the right time.
I leave tomorrow and am so ready to go.

 

[mtblujeans]

I think you should be able to use your Albertson's card from any where else. You need the big card to slide into the gas pump. I am not sure if they can scan your keyring card after you pump the gas. The travel guides will not have coupons but will have listings of places to stay and things to do. However, McDonald's has travel booklets with coupons in them. There is a McDonald's on Hwy. 93 in both Polson & Ronan, if I remember correctly (or just on the edge of town). They are like the coupon booklets you see at the airport and around town in Orlando.

 

[mtblujeans]

I have found a listing of the Albertson's Express gas stations in Idaho and Montana. You can use their Preferred Savings Card at the pump to save 3 cents per gallon. Every little bit helps!

Montana
600 Fee Street, Helena
900 West Idaho, Kalispell
1414 Third Street N.W., Great Falls
2250 Tenth Avenue South, Great Falls

Idaho
715 Twelfth Avenue South, Nampa
2400 Twelfth Avenue Road, Nampa
911 Main Street North, Hailey
10500 Overland Road, Boise
6560 South Federal Way, Boise
1653 South Vista Avenue, Boise
5100 Overland Road, Boise
2500 Blaine Street, Caldwell
1901 S. 2500 East, Ammon
4700 N. Eagle Road, Eagle
250 S. Eagle Road, Eagle
640 Highway 16, Emmett

 

[daannzzz]

Okay. Now that I am back and have taken care of all the projects at home and work...well I'm getting there... I can say how well it went.
The drive from Portland to Polson went extremely well. The weather was beautiful. I found the Area from Spokane to Coeus D'Alene to be incredibly beautiful and from Kellogg to Polson was pretty too. We stayed at the BW Kwatuqnuk Inn and were upgraded to a incredible view of Flathead lake.
Next morning we headed up toward Glacier Park. There was loads of roadwork in southern Kalispel and we kept our eye open for the Perkin's but were impatient. We ended up having breakfast at Finnegin's and it was really good. Then we past the Perkin's. South Glacier was beautful as well. We went to Apgar and got some nice pictures of the lake. It was extremely overcast and threatening showers so the pictures are not colorful. We went to Lake McDonnald lodge and looked around. It was not open. We were able to go up to Avalanch campground and then had to turn around. There was a coupld spots to pull of and see the river and some falls. We then took Highway 2 and saw some incredible views of the mountians. We stopped at Goat Lick and there was one there. Unfortunately when we went over Marias Pass the clouds were down over the mountain tops so the view was obscured. We really enjoyed our time here and would love to come back.
We had a great time in North Dakota. We stayed in a little motel (the only one around for miles) in Elgin and visited my Dad's birthplace in Bentley. Life is sure different out there! We then moved on down to Mt Rushmore which was much better than I expected. We hiked around Devils's Tower and I found that so interesting and photogenic.
The Grand Tetons were absolutely Spectacular and we had a wonderful view of them from Spring Creek Ranch. Jackson was an interesting town and a but more....well alot more tourist oriented.
We hivcked up to Hidden Falls which was a torent from snow melt.
Yellowstone wasn't quite as beautiful as the Tetons but it was fascinating. I had no idea there was so many thermal features to see. I did many, many of the trails and really enjoyed it. Old Faithful Lodge was wonderful, though a bit creaky and noisy. Walking the trail in the evening with the sunset and steaming geysers and pools was great.
We had snow the day we left Yellowstone and it continued into Idaho. Once down out of the hills it would rain a bit. On the way over to Arco we hit some heavy rain and really dark clouds.
Craters of the Moon was really interesting but it was cold and extremely windy and started to sleet and hail while we were out on the trails. Once back in the car the hail came down hard for a while and it looked as if it had snowed. Then it was back to Portland.
I really would like to hit some of these spots again. In particular Glacier, The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. I highly recommend a trip to visit these great US sights.

 

[mtblujeans]

WOW, I am glad you had a safe and scenic trip! By going this early, you probably got to avoid a rush of tourist in some parts! I hope you get to take in some of those sights again, too. I love this part of the country!!

 

[daannzzz]

I can not imagine...well, yes I can... what it is like in the Yellowstone, Teton area in the summer with all the tourists. We had to stop numerous times to make our way slowly though the herds of buffalo on the roadway. One time it took almost half an hour for us to get to the buffulo and through them. There were so many cars backed up. I can imgine the road up to Mt Rushmore being packed as well. I bet the roads around South Glacier and into the park are pretty bad with traffic.
I hope next time I am up in that area the Going to the Sun road will be open!