We're on a cross-country roadtrip heading (eventually, hopefully) to warm winter weather.
On Saturday, our first full day on the road, we drove a little over 400 miles from Boardman Oregon to Missoula Montana. It was a four-state day. That's a rare thing in the Western part of this country,
We stayed Friday night in the eastern Oregon town of Boardman .... the sunsets over the Columbia River are beautiful in this desert community.
We breezed right through Washington .... including Clarkston, where we graduated from high school. To this point, the trip was the exact same one we made last month for my high school class reunion. (When we were in school over half a century ago, the annual re-painting of the "C" up on the hill was a big deal...it still looks pretty clear, so I guess that tradition is still alive.)
From Clarkston, we traveled East up the beautiful canyons of Idaho's Clearwater River and on along the Selway and Lochsa rivers toward Montana. It has been years since we traveled this scenic route last.
We're barely into the State here, but the sky is already living up to Montana's nickname "Big Sky Country."
Day One on the road was a beautiful start for our trip. We love traveling in the Fall (as long as we don't run into too much of the season that comes next).
This post is linked to OUR WORLD TUESDAY. Thank you to Lady Fi, Sylvia, and Sandy. Visit ... click the links!
Very nice "postcards!" Driving 400 miles on that mountainous and winding route is big day! It's not like you were driving down a freeway. Enjoy your winter migration and keeping snapping them photos...
Posted by: Pat | October 18, 2013 at 12:35 AM
Four great postcards, and you're right about not often hitting four states in one day. I have done five on several occasions. The first time was driving from Colorado to Spokane (Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Ihado, Washington). And several times we've driven to or from Los Angeles straight through (Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California). That makes for a lot of driving - 1,100+ miles in one day! (On one of our road trips I took a photo of our navigation unit telling us to turn in 658 miles - I put it on my blog back in August 2012). I'd much rather split the drive up into your smaller blocks - it's much more enjoyable that way.
Posted by: Al | October 17, 2013 at 05:59 PM
I love your photos Sallie. Happy travels!
Posted by: DeniseinVA | October 17, 2013 at 03:37 AM
I love getting postcards, and these are the best I've received in a very long time, Sallie. Safe travel - and I hope you don't find any winter on the way down and across.
Posted by: Penny | October 16, 2013 at 07:12 PM
Wonderful shots from the road. I just got home from the NC mountains and I didn't take a computer so I'm catching up on blogs.
Posted by: Carver | October 16, 2013 at 02:55 PM
A long way to your winter home and it's just the first day !
Posted by: Annie | October 16, 2013 at 07:42 AM
Beautiful photos! I've traveled cross country twice by car, both in summer and in winter. It is always a wonderful adventure! We usually took I 80.
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | October 15, 2013 at 09:13 PM
How utterly peaceful and spectacular set of pictures, Sallie! I love those colors in the sky; Wish you a wonderful trip and I know you are already having one!
Posted by: Arti | October 15, 2013 at 08:27 PM
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful state; I have never been there but I have a cousin living in Montana. Thanks for commenting on my picture. Have a nice day.
Posted by: Misty | October 15, 2013 at 02:21 PM
Love the photo of the clearwater river
Posted by: Bill | October 15, 2013 at 01:29 PM
that sunset is amazing, what a lovely photo
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | October 15, 2013 at 12:28 PM
The first and third pictures are absolutely gorgeous. I would frame and hang the first one for sure.
Looks like you are seeing some wonderful sights on your way back to Florida!
Posted by: Lowell | October 15, 2013 at 08:57 AM
The third image down is particularly beautiful... love the reflection
Mollyxxx
Posted by: Molly | October 15, 2013 at 06:01 AM
I love road trips. Thanks for sharing yours.
Posted by: Yogi | October 15, 2013 at 04:18 AM
Wow, that sounds like a wonderful trip !
Posted by: Gattina | October 15, 2013 at 02:48 AM
That's a long long journey! Lovely shots - especially that first one.
Posted by: Lady Fi | October 14, 2013 at 09:27 PM
All of these are postcard worthy, but I absolutely love your river images!
Posted by: Lindy | October 14, 2013 at 09:07 PM
More, more--I am traveling vicariously through you this year and I LOVE what I am seeing! I can hardly wait to see more from Big Sky Country--the only part of Montana I have seen was the section right next to Yellowstone.
Safe travels and blessings,
Aimee
Posted by: Aimee | October 14, 2013 at 08:53 PM
Thanks for the tour! You definitely expand my horizons.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | October 14, 2013 at 06:28 PM
What a 'road trip' and gorgeous photography ~ enjoy ~ thanks, carol (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | October 14, 2013 at 05:58 PM
With such beautiful scenery, I would find it difficult to drive through.
Posted by: Fun60 | October 14, 2013 at 03:09 PM
my goodness you are so lucky.....
these are beautiful shots.
Posted by: Photo Cache | October 14, 2013 at 01:31 PM
Beautiful "postcards" from your trip.
Posted by: Cynthia | October 14, 2013 at 01:05 PM
I'm really glad you are having 'good' traveling weather. We ran into some nasty stuff coming back home from Nebraska. Wave when you pass through Colorado!!! I'll wave back!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | October 14, 2013 at 12:59 PM
Looks as though you're having a great trip! Beautiful captures of lovely places!! We're still having gorgeous weather here in Oregon!! And I raised my family in Montana and it is a beautiful place to be in the Fall!! Hope you have a great week and may the remainder of your trip be beautiful and safe!!
Posted by: sylviakirk | October 14, 2013 at 12:38 PM
You're on such a beautiful roadtrip, and I would love to come with you :-)
Posted by: Beyond Wandering | October 14, 2013 at 10:36 AM
oh i love MT..only got there once..but time IS on my side I hope! LOVELY photos of fall color!
Posted by: Sondra | October 14, 2013 at 09:14 AM
You have hit the road with some really nice photos.
Posted by: Sharon Wagner | October 14, 2013 at 06:03 AM
Wow, I love the sunset on the Columbia River. Gorgeous scenes from your road trip! Wishing you a happy day and safe travels.
Posted by: Eileen | October 14, 2013 at 05:29 AM
400 miles, just a hundred miles short to sing 500 miles.
Posted by: Rainfield (雨田 Malaysia） | October 14, 2013 at 02:35 AM
wenn einer eine Reise macht.
Sallie wunderschöne Bilder hast du aufgenommen..:D :D
LG vom katerchen zum Wochenstart
Posted by: katerchen | October 14, 2013 at 02:12 AM
Clearwater River looks especially inviting-happy travels!
Posted by: Hazel | October 13, 2013 at 11:55 PM
Dearest Sallie;
Wow, lovely post cards♡♡♡ The sunsets over the Columbia River and the Clearwater River above Orofino Id; So marvelous and happy for the sweet cards to know you are safe traveling and having a wonderful time♬♬♬
Safe trip ahead, my friend.
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | October 13, 2013 at 11:23 PM
What a lovely adventure, Sallie - across country at this most beautiful time of the year. I do wish you a wonderful and safe journey.
Posted by: Hildred | October 13, 2013 at 09:49 PM
Nice set of pictures. I think your annual trip south must be a really nice ritual.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne.
Posted by: Stewart M | October 13, 2013 at 09:49 PM
good luck with your trip - hope it is filled with great sight. That is quite something, to paint a "C' on the side of a mountain as a high school tradition. Cool !
Posted by: Lisa Hermanson | October 13, 2013 at 09:37 PM
That's a lot of miles, and states, to cover in a day. Sure did see the pretty fall colors along the way.
Posted by: Gaelyn | October 13, 2013 at 08:16 PM
Oh gosh Sallie, that first shot is so incredibly gorgeous! I'm looking forward to more postcards!
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | October 13, 2013 at 08:08 PM
that first one is a stunner. i'd have been tempted to stick around in oregon a while longer. you've got quite a few states to meander through, yet. hope you have safe travels and good weather! can't wait to see more postcards!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | October 13, 2013 at 07:45 PM
Sallie, you're on the road again! I hope you miss the snowy weather due in CO the beginning of the week! Drive safely. Love that Columbia River shot.
Posted by: Barb | October 13, 2013 at 07:32 PM