What do you call a guy who sets off on a 3,600-mile road trip in the dead of winter to drive the Rocky Mountain chain from Alaska to southern Colorado? Bear in mind that this is the same guy who goes kayaking with his Australian shepherd - in the ocean.

Crazy doesn't quite sum it up, because there was a fair amount of planning up front. Adventurous is probably closer to the mark, because these are the undertakings that lead to stories - for your buddies and for your future grandchildren. "That's nothing. I once drove the Alcan in December with a dog and two cats."

Hey, it's got to be better than sitting in an office attending a budget meeting or deciding annual employee raises. Who's the crazy one now?

Days 12 and 13: And on the 12th and 13th day Rich rested - and it was good.

It was great actually, because we rested in Bozeman - home to several friends and something to do for just about everyone. Anxious for a good run after 11 days on the road, Taiya and I ran a big loop from The Museum of the Rockies, through the south end of Montana State University over to within a few blocks of Main street at Tracy and Story streets and then back across the north end of campus to the museum.¹

Anyone who hasn't been to the Museum of the Rockies² or hasn't been in a long time should definitely go. Montana is known for its dinosaur fossils - especially the Tyrannosaurus Rex and several varieties of ceratops. There is plenty of stuff for kids and adults, alike. If you're not into dinosaurs, there are also sections of the museum that cater to art and history.

You just never know what's going to happen on a road trip. Sometimes, something big happens like a spectacular sunset. Other times, the gifts come in little moments.

I went with my friends Ryan and Yvonne to check out the new house they will be renting in January. I met their new roommate, Kate, and three husky-mix dogs. I was drawn to the smallest one who was sitting on the couch because she reminded me of the size and demeanor of some of the sled dogs I have met up in Alaska.

"That's Dream," Kate said. "She raced in the Iditarod with Jeff King."

Dream kept smelling my jeans and wanting to be pet. I think she could smell lingering scents of Alaska on my clothes. Dream's racing days are over, but she still gets to put on a harness and pull on occasion. On this day, she was happy to touch my hand with her paw and ask for some more love.

Dinner was at the famous Sir Scott's Oasis in Manhattan. There was a "Beef - it's what's for dinner" commercial years back showing a steak dinner in Manhattan, New York and Manhattan, Mont. The Oasis is the Montana restaurant in the commercial. This is as fresh as beef gets.³

Not only was beef what was for dinner, it was for lunch the next day too. A long-time establishment in Bozeman is Burger Bob's at Main Street and Willson.⁴ The burgers and onion rings are just what you'd expect in cattle country. You can choose either one-third or one-half pound burgers with a variety of toppings.

For coffee, the Leaf and Bean is right next door. They also serve sandwiches, tea and dessert. You can connect to their wireless hot spot at either establishment. We also had drinks at a place called Plonk on Main Street.⁵ It's a bit high-class for me, but like I said, Bozeman has something for everyone.⁶

For fun, Taiya and I went on a short hike up the Sypes Canyon trail into the Gallatin National Forest. Sypes Canyon Road is off Springhill Road, north of 19th Street and I-90. Due to final exams and the move, this was our first hike in two weeks. The trail was a bit icy, but Taiya found a deer bone to chew on, so she didn't care. Don't take an RV to the trailhead. There isn't enough room to maneuver.

Since I've been in Montana I have heard Supertramp's "Take the Long Way Home" three time on the radio - pretty fitting for a 3,600-mile drive home. I'm glad I took time out in Montana to rest, visit with friends and take in a little much-needed exercise. Don't pass up the opportunity to take excursions like this. Get behind the wheel and find your own destination and your own special route. Who cares when you get there. The longer it takes, the better.

Does it feel that your life’s become a catastrophe?
Oh, it has to be for you to grow, boy.
When you look through the years and see what you could
Have been oh, what might have been,
If you’d had more time.

So, when the day comes to settle down,
Who’s to blame if you’re not around?
You took the long way home
You took the long way home...........

 - Supertramp

Day 14. 
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¹ Somewhere between three and four miles.
² http://www.montana.edu/wwwmor/ - Admission is $8 for an adult.
³ I had the tenderloin. Taiya got scraps from everyone's meal.
⁴ Yes, it's two L's. What, do you think I don't do spell check?
⁵ Bozeman is a very dog-friendly town. Many businesses on Main Street will let you bring your dog into their shops.
⁶ Dive bars to high-end places with great wine selections. Cheap eats to expensive meals. Trails, skiing, hunting, fishing - you name it.
 

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