Mammoth Springs and Missoula

Yesterday, I spent eight hours at Yellowstone National Park. The bison were still neat to see, but I didn’t gaze in as much wonderment or take as many pictures of them this time since I’d encountered them at Roosevelt Park. Instead, the most fascinating aspect of this park was the geothermal activity: hot springs, geysers, and mud volcanoes. Plus, there’s a canyon with a waterfall that’s even higher than Niagra (of course the parking area for viewing this one was closed—as were a couple of the main roads in park)--anyway, I did see what I believe was the shorter of the waterfalls, the sight of which from a place called Artist’s Point could compete for the most beautiful scene of nature. I left the park at about 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time and stopped in West Yellowstone to get food for me--and the SUV. I had only put a few gallons in the Equinox inside the park because I knew the gas prices were hiked due to limited options. However, West Yellowstone was actually no better. #3.17 a gallon and $8 for a medium 10-piece chicken McNugget meal at McDonald’s. Wanting to make it to Seattle by Monday, I knew I should get as far along I-90 as I could so that I’d have a reasonable drive the next day. Montana’s 70 mph on highways and 75 mph on Interstate helped. I was able to reach Missoula, Montana a little after midnight. Since I was checking in so late, I only wanted a comfortable bed and clean bathroom—or at least just a clean bathroom and a decent room, since I am carrying my own cot. A Motel 6 seemed just the place. One was at the first exit, but when I saw it, I decided to drive around to check other options. The Hotel Bel Air seemed promising until I looked in one of the windows of a vacant room and then heard a door open on the second level to reveal a long-haired bearded man—standing in his longjohns/thermals. The place seemed sketchy. I kept driving, and I called the Day’s Inn—a room with tax would be $62. I didn’t want to pay that for the night. Got back on the Interstate because I knew there was an Econo Lodge at the final exit for Missoula. Also, turned out, at this exit was a second Motel 6. I figured I’d give it a look-see: 180 degrees from the other one. This Motel 6 was 3 stories high with internal hallways and looked like it had been constructed within the past 5 years. I checked in. “Would you like to access the Internet?” “How much would that be?” “It’s free.” There was also an elevator and a luggage cart (two things that would that would have made my Super 8 experience better). Incredible. And the room—so pleasant looking--and with a better view out the window than my room at the more expensive bed and breakfast where I stayed on the first night of my trip. I kept looking around to see what else I might be amazed at--or uncover to explain how $53 affords such a nice place. Then I figured it out: no clock. This hotel was able to save money by not providing alarm clocks. Well…I had my phone. I didn’t need a hotel clock. And, I thought, even if I had to buy my own alarm clock and leave it with the hotel, it’d be worth it if I could always get as nice a place as this for what it costs.