October Move- Wisconsin to Alberta (Missoula: hotel, buy, store)

[Cha Ching]

Hi Montanans.

So we are looking at leaving Wisconsin, heading through Minnesota and North Dakota, then through Montana to visit family in Sandpoint before heading back through Montana up to Sweetgrass to cross the border. We have plans to leave here probably Tuesday October 27, so would hit the border around the weekend.

We have a 4-door Honda Civic (do not own any chains), and it will be full of us (a cute married couple), our dog- a 100 pound Great Pyrenees, and a cat in a carrier.

I'm wondering just what a foreboding weather sitch we might be driving into. I remember the big blizzard that hit ND last year was that first week of November.

How bad might it be, do you think? I have nightmarish visions of being stranded in a hotel in Jamestown, ND or Missoula or somewhere in a blizzard. And scared that if a whiteout occurs and we do find a lodging, they won't take pets.

[mtlogger]

Well no problem with the car - tho I can't imagine putting a hundred pound Great Pyr in it. I have enuf problems with mine in a truck.

Make sure you have blankets, food and water for a couple of days, road flares and a battery charger for the cell phone.

That time of year - yeah it can be dicey, but sometimes it's warm. I'd rather be stuck in a motel room than out on the highway in snowbank. Most motels will waive the no pet rule if the highway is closed.

[Rickers]

Well if you slide off the road at least you'll have a dog with you that can pull your car out of the ditch.

[Cha Ching]

Originally Posted by rickers

Well if you slide off the road at least you'll have a dog with you that can pull your car out of the ditch.

There ya go. Guess I need to go to the store and buy a bridle...just in case!

FWIW, we also have an Element, but we're turning it in before we cross the border because of the two, the Civic is the one that's paid for. We could have fit SO much more in the Element. Dammit.

And my husband is from Alberta, so at least he knows how to drive in this stuff. I'm a Texan. I've had two years of developing skills in Wisconsin, but that's it!

[Rickers]

Even though the mountains can in a way create their own weather, any major pacific system that will give you trouble can be seen coming our way by the forcasters. Just keep your eye on the the weather reports and you should be fine.

[Cha Ching]

Originally Posted by rickers

Even though the mountains can in a way create their own weather, any major pacific system that will give you trouble can be seen coming our way by the forcasters. Just keep your eye on the the weather reports and you should be fine.

Thanks rickers. Will do.