
After a light breakfast we left Missoula and after a short ride on the interstate we swung off onto Route 200 towards Helena, the capital of Montana. We will, as far as possible, be taking the byways. The countryside was pretty but far different from the forested hills and mountains of the previous day in Idaho. Again, we were struck by the extent of the wheat farms, which go for miles.
The speed limit was 70 mph and most folk (including moi) were quite good at observing it. I was very, very impressed with the design of the bends in the roads, which could in almost every instance be taken at seventy. I recall only one advisory of 55 mph.
Helena is very pretty downtown, with several interesting shops and restaurants. The older suburbs are charming; but there ain't too much happening in Helena. (Pronounced Helen-a)
On the way there we stopped in Avon, looking for coffee. Nothing there, but we did find the post office. So we posted my headphones back to Portland (thanks, Louise) and discovered that the only other person in the "queue" - owned a cafe a mile down the road. The Avon Cafe has an espresso machine. It must be thirty years old. So are their coffee beans! But the very jolly waitress tried to make a cappuccino for Liz. But their pecan pie is delicious!
Helena to Bozeman was a flattish and straightish road, with no remarkable anything. The last thirty five miles into Bozeman were on the I90 where 75mph was the speed limit. I flicked out the highway pegs, set the cruise control and relaxed.
Downtown Bozeman is also attractive, just one main street it seems; and it was quite busy. So many towns have commercials looking suburbs with a harsh ambience. Checked into the hotel which charges like new York. Tomorrow we will stay here as our Yellowstone booking could not be brought forward a day. But we will move to something that offers better value for money.