From Devils Tower to Montana
A little hike, a big view — Devils Tower was worth every step.
Devils Tower, Wyoming. Seeing our nation’s first national monument up close was incredible. We hiked the loop trail around the base before continuing on to Tongue River Reservoir for the night. Even with rain and chilly temps, it was a gorgeous place to camp.
The next morning, we made a rainy but fun stop at ZooMontana before spending three quiet nights at Itch-Kep-Pe City Park in Columbus, MT. Derek’s parents joined us once again for two of the three nights. This little town was such a gem — peaceful, friendly, and easy to explore by bike. We checked out the local museum, park, coffee shop, and bakery (the bakery was a hit!).
From there, we headed to Divide Bridge Campground in Divide, Montana — a beautiful Bureau of Land Management site along the Big Hole River between Wisdom and Melrose. We practically had the whole campground to ourselves for three nights, surrounded by mountain views and fall colors. Divide Bridge Campground quickly became our new favorite camping spot. Montana in general has won us over with it’s breathtaking views. Despite being chased out of the area due to an impending snow storm, we’re already looking forward to spending more time in Montana next year.
From Divide to the Pacific Northwest
From Divide, MT, we ventured west to Missoula to check out their amazing public library — and wow, it did not disappoint! The second floor has an interactive science museum that kept Trygg completely entertained. One thing we learned along the way: always check town events before rolling in. Turns out, it was homecoming weekend for the University of Montana, so finding parking was a bit of a challenge. The upside? We stumbled onto a parade! The walk to the library ended up being a nice chance to stretch our legs, and the whole afternoon was such a fun surprise.
From Missoula, we drove to Wallace, ID — a charming little mining town tucked into the mountains. Derek got his first taste of a real mountain pass, and despite the rain and fog, he did an awesome job navigating it! We took the Sierra Silver Mine tour, and since no one else was brave enough to venture out in the freezing rain, we got a private tour. Wallace was so adorable that we wished we had more time to explore, but the Idaho weather had other plans. With freezing temps chasing us, we decided to keep heading west. Idaho definitely earned a spot on our “come back next year” list!
A hands-on history lesson deep underground at the Sierra Silver Mine in Wallace, ID
From Wallace, we made our way to Ritzville, WA, and decided to call it a night at the local fairgrounds. Nothing fancy, but it worked perfectly for a quick stop. The next day, we finished our drive to Hood River, OR, where we’ve been soaking up some family time with Derek’s parents, his brother, and their crew. It’s been such a treat to stay parked in one spot for almost a week! Taking a little break from driving helped us realize that hitting the road on weekdays after Derek wraps up work just isn’t sustainable. Lesson learned.
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow we’re meeting up with my parents for five days of camping and exploring another part of Oregon — we can’t wait to see them! After that, we’ll reconnect with Derek’s family again for some time on the coast. The adventure continues!
Until Next Time
As we keep rolling west, we’re reminded that this journey is as much about learning as it is about exploring. Some days bring smooth roads and sunshine, others bring rain, fog, and unexpected detours — but that’s all part of the adventure. Every challenge brings growth, every adventure adds to our story, and in the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
Soaking up the sunshine and fall colors along the river — moments like these make the miles worth it