I'm currently driving to drop off a car to my brother in Coeur d'Alene, ID. This isn't a trip that was on my schedule. But, with the immediate need for a set of wheels, my mom and I are making the trip, thanks to several people that have helped purchase the car. So, with the new set of wheels and the weekend off, I currently find myself in a hotel in Billings, MT.
Cheyenne to Billings isn't really that long of a drive. Typically, the drive should only take 6ish hours. However, February in Wyoming presents uncertainty with weather. Earlier this week, Winter Storm Kayla moved through dumping a foot of snow on Cheyenne. The effects of that snow storm were still being felt today through most of the eastern part of the state. When I say felt, I have to clarify just a bit before I continue with the story.
Many people associate Chicago as being the Windy City. Ask anyone in Cheyenne and most of them will scoff at that notion, and then correct you by informing you that Cheyenne is windier than Chicago. Not just words, fact. Cheyenne average wind speed - 12.4mph and Chicago is 10.3mph. This sets the stage for the rest of the story.
My mom and I finally tore out of Cheyenne about 9:45. Just minutes before we left, the State DOT opened up I-25 (only north/south interstate in Wyoming). Despite it being opened, there was a high wind warning along with warnings for patchy ice from Cheyenne to Buffalo. I knew we were in for a long trip. I wasn't expecting such a long trip. A long, slow, windy, icy and flat out horrible drive of a trip.
Despite the awful driving conditions to just south of Buffalo, and the slow speeds, it provided me with some great windshield time. God took the crap of the day and turned it to gold. He blew my mind. He showed me his beauty, his provisions and his designs.
If you are one for road trips, I highly suggest taking a ho hum drive up I-25, then on west I-90 into Billings (the rest of Montana and Northern Idaho will be observed tomorrow). No, the scenery won't change much, but you will get to see the mountains to the west while going through Wyoming. Once you hit Montana, you'll get the same thing, but add in a few rivers. Then, the farther west you get you'll be shown a river most of the way across Montana, a few mountain passes to traverse and some of the most beautiful scenery in the US. But, I digress.
Anyway, my trip today I got to see all the above mentioned of Wyoming. But, while I was taking it all in, I began thinking of the flood. You know, that flood that covered the whole world. The flood that Noah and his family took a whole bunch of pets on a boat to save themselves and the animals from drowning. Yeah, that flood. I began to see the very spot I was driving as being covered by water. Then, that water receding, forming the very mountains I was looking at. I began to imagine the water flowing along the valleys I had driven through. Next, I wondered what Noah and family were thinking as the water was receding. My mind was absolutely blown.
What does all that have to do with me driving what is possibly the longest trip from Cheyenne to Billings? Nothing. Nothing at all. But, it was God distracting me with some pretty cool scenery and a completely different perspective of the flood.
Tomorrow, more driving, more scenery and eventually getting to hang with my brother, niece and nephews. Night all.
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