First of all, let me just say that the fireworks in Butte, MT on the 4th of July are simply fantastic. It is probably the best show I’ve ever seen. Oh, and the fireworks the city launched were nice.
Apparently, in Butte, you’re allowed to buy pretty much whatever you want. For almost four hours last night, I watched fireworks launch over the entire city in the middle of an on again – off again thunderstorm. I sat at the top of a hill in the middle of the city and turned around in a 360; fireworks were going off in every direction.
But, this is supposed to be about today…
Got up and had camp broken by 7:30 this morning, even though that did mean a wet tent was placed in the car. That’s all right though, because after two hours of standing around waiting, I got to see Barack Obama from about 60 feet away and I have a little over 100 pictures of him on my camera. Now, I’m not an Obama fanboy, but if he wins the presidency, I’ll be able to tell my kids that I saw him in person, at the 4th of July parade in Butte, MT. And that will be cool.
We packed it in pretty quick at the parade, Obama made a quick speech, basically apologizing for not walking (because he didn’t want to put undue security restrictions on the entire route – the section I was in had to pass through metal detectors) and wished everyone a Happy 4th. With that, Sarah and I made for the car, not wanting to endure an hour of fighting traffic to get out of town. We made it after some wandering driving and found an on-ramp to the interstate not blocked by the parade route and it was off… for a lot of time driving.
There is one thing I’ve noticed about drivers in Montana; unlike in Michigan where the speed limit is viewed as the minimum speed one should drive, here it seems that people actually take it as the LIMIT. It’s a very odd sensation to be driving in a 75 mph zone and pass people doing 72 mph. It’s a new concept, as is the 70 mph undivided 2 lane highways that are prevalent in the state.
But, anyways, we’re settled into a campground for the night, have three days of activities outlined and then on Tuesday, I start my 2.3 thousand mile trek back to my parents via Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and the Badlands in South Dakota.
Travel Distance: 250 miles