Billings to Denver

On Sunday we started adventure from Billings Montana to Denver Colorado. Were supposed to drive to Minneapolis Minnesota but due to severe weather warnings we had to choose an alternate route. 13 hours of severe winds and severe snow seemed much more miserable than only 8 to Denver. So we made this choice. Because saturday our car topper almost blew off a few times we stopped at Walmart and bought some straps to help tie it down. I am unsure if anybody over in this area uses car toppers due to the severe wind. I think we have counted three that we've seen. So we started our day nice and early about 7 AM unsure what the day had in store for us.  The first hour was very pleasant as there was no snow and no wind. We were very glad we took this route. We got to drive by Custer's last stand. Great history lesson as we both had to look up as I thought it took place in Texas and Mat thought it took place only about 60 years ago. Turns out it's called the Battle of Little Big Horn. And took place in 1876. We could see up ahead as the roads were pretty flat that we were heading into quite a storm. The speed limit around here is 75 but soon slowed to about 40 when we hit the blizzard. According to Mats intuition it was about 40mph wind and a two lane highway soon turned into a one. The roads were very snowy and with the wind often became a whiteout. We played the "can you see" no "can you see" game often. And I soon learned you can see better through the whiteouts with your sunglasses on!  We were the lead car for quite a while...not too many cars in that part of the world! A semi comes barreling down the hill passing everyone. Not sure he could stop. Soon a crazy man smoking in a mini van followed suit and decided to pass us and started to fishtale left, right, left, right, I was just screaming waiting for him to role. I told Mat we were not stopping as this was his own damn fault. This was the longest "almost wreck I ever saw." But he pulled through and continued to go about 20mph as the lead car. Not sure he had dry pants after that one. Soon after that was a very bad wreck involving two semis. Pictures to follow! Now if you have ever driven across country you probably already know that there are these railroad crossing arms everywhere. We always wondered what they were for. Well we learned they are for severe weather and shut roads down. They shut down the other side of the road that day. We are sure we were the last ones to come through on ours. After three hours of this crazy weather we got to turn and head for Colorado. I was one sweaty girl and Mat had to relax his tensed driving hands. What a ride!! But it doesn't stop there! It was super windy the entire way but our topper was so frozen I was sure it wasn't going anywhere. Just outside Fort Collins the winds picked up! 55mph wind! Oh my...garbage, snow, and dust was moving everywhere! Mat told me again "hang on." It was a crazy ride. We soon learned the middle lane was the best as the garbage and dust would be filtered by the outside lane cars. We hit wood, shrubs, card board boxes, any many other loud unknown objects! There was a lot of "lookout" and "oh that didn't sound good" but after a total drive time of 8 hours we made it to Denver safe and sound. What a beautiful city! Mountains are amazing. We looked around for an hour for a "pet friendly" hotel. Finally we found the Ramada in for $88! Sold! I ran in to make a reservation only to find a kind of rough place. A man told me his flight was canceled and stood there for a long time staring. "Reservations for two please" didn't scare him away. I had a bad feeling about this place but still signed the no smoking policy. I went out to the car to tell Mat it was a go...he said he was creeped out sitting in the car. I think it reminded us of the bad part of sprague in spokane. Upon walking down the hall to the room was a heavy stench of skunk/pot, we were right across from the beauty parlor in the hall so it was a rather fingernail polish pot smell that made your eyes water. Mat walked Miley into the courtyard where he found a large group of "gangsters" smoking pot. Smoke free policy my ass. Miley came back in and began to lick the comforter on the bed. OMG I wanted out so bad. The light on the wall was covered in glow in the dark marker so you could find it and the wallpaper was peeling. Denver is gross!! I knew I could not stay there, so I faked I has asthma and got us out of it. "Mam we are a no smoking place." Whatever! So we proceded to a nicer part of town... Where the hotel was $200 but I DIDNT CARE! Nice place and even nicer people. My "asthma" didn't act up and our red eyes turned white again. They served Miley water in a Fugi bottle, and brought her silver dishes to eat in on a cloth napkin . What a day! We had a fabulous dinner at Euclid where they serve a pickle sampler (I've only dreamed about this). Had a great drink, nice walk, and watched some Grammies! Hoping tomorrow is a little less eventful!! Oh PS we were in Denver Bronco territory! Wow they are big fans.