Escaping the Cold: From Craters of the Moon to Sunny Lima, Montana

In our latest adventure, we navigated an unexpected journey from the otherworldly Craters of the Moon in Idaho to the sunny and serene Lima, Montana. This post captures the highlights described in our podcast, the surprises we encountered, and the stunning landscapes we discovered along the way. Join us as we share our experiences and tips for fellow travelers seeking adventure and warmth in unexpected places.

Craters of the Moon: A Cold Change of Plans

Sage Brush forest, taller then me!

We began our journey at Craters of the Moon, a unique and eerie landscape formed by ancient volcanic activity. While the scenery was breathtaking, the cold temperatures rolling in made us reconsider our next move. With a snowstorm looming, we decided to head in search of sunnier skies and warmer weather.

Why Lima, Montana?

After some quick research, we discovered that Lima, Montana, was a lower-elevation destination forecasting sunny weather and low temperatures hovering around freezing. It sounded like the perfect spot to escape the cold, so we set off, eager to see what Lima had to offer.

Arriving in Lima: A Pleasant Surprise

Mountains from our chosen campsite

Lima turned out to be a charming, small town with a lot to offer. As we arrived, we were greeted by partly sunny skies and temperatures around 52 degrees Fahrenheit. It was a welcome change from the cold wind we were experiencing at Craters of the Moon.

The town may be small, but it has a lot of character and some unique amenities.

Exploring the Rest Area

We stopped at a rest area just off the exit, which featured 24-hour amenities and dog

James wandering with our pups in tow

kennels. The clean restrooms and the ability to camp overnight in our vehicle were definite highlights. While we didn't stay overnight at the rest area, it was a great spot to stretch our legs and let the dogs enjoy some time out of the car while we considered where we might want to stay.

Discovering Little Sheep Creek

Little Sheep Creek - Per usual, we couldn't keep the dogs out!

Our research led us to East Creek Campground, but due to snowy conditions, we didn't quite make it. Instead, we found a picturesque pull-off area by Little Sheep Creek. It was reminiscent of our time at Craters of the Moon, with a creek right next to our campsite and plenty of space for the dogs to swim and play.

The Very much anticipated Bacon Cheese Bugers

We set up camp, cooked some food, and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. It was a perfect spot to relax and take in the natural beauty of Montana. We stayed overnight, made breakfast in the morning, and then packed up for the last leg of our journey.

The Long Ride Through Missoula

Who knew Prickly Pear Grew in Montana!?

As we drove through Missoula, we encountered sleet, hail, rain, and snow. It was quite the experience, but we made the best of it by stopping at a Loves to let the dogs stretch their legs and take a break.

We even managed to take a shower, which was a much-needed refreshment after a long day on the road. We had brought a camping shower with us, but nothing beats a real, hot shower!

Despite the challenging weather, we were determined to continue our journey and make it to our final destination in Idaho.

Settling in Idaho: New Beginnings

After a nine-hour ride, we finally arrived at James' son's house in Idaho. Of course, we had planned to camp in Missoula, but the weather had other plans. Instead, we decided to push through and get settled in Idaho, where we could help Ryan and Deidra prepare for their new baby and start exploring the area.

Exploring Northern Idaho

Or First Hike up the mountain after arriving in Idaho

Idaho has already proven to be full of adventures. We've been exploring national forests, discovering new trails, and finding some great camping spots. One of our favorite spots so far is National Forest Road 2733, off Dufort Road, which offers a beautiful clearing for camping and plenty of space for the dogs to run around.

We've also been enjoying some great hikes and discovering the rich history of the area. From the timberlands to the beautiful lakes, there's so much to see and do. We're excited to share more of our Idaho adventures in future posts and episodes.

Join Us on Our Journey

We hope you enjoyed reading about our journey from Craters of the Moon to Lima, Montana, and our settling-in period in Idaho.

Join the conversation on Facebook.

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email us at join@kerouacscruising.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for Reading!

<3Cara