Avon, Montana

Sometimes I decide to divert from my road trip and explore a town, simply because I know there's nothing there.  Such was the case, when I drove upon Avon, Montana.

There's a church...

... a few buildings...

... and of course, a few old railroad tracks cut through the edge of town.  As I recall, there were a couple of dogs here too, determined to bark away intruders.  Business must be pretty slow for them.

Before I knew it, I was back at the railroad tracks again. 

Aside from my desire to explore a small town where almost no one else has ever been, I also thought I'd try to find the convenience store, which was promised on a small sign at the side of US 12.  I found it, right in the middle of downtown, but it was closed.  There went my only excuse (other than picture-taking) for stopping in Avon.

As you continue east on US 12, you begin to gain altitude, until finally...

... you find yourself at the top of MacDonald Pass, elevation 6,325 ft.  There's a small side road that takes you up to a scenic viewpoint, overlooking the Continental Divide.  On this particular day, however, it was not the least bit scenic.  As I looked west, I saw the view in the picture above...

... and as I looked east, this is all I could see.  The rain in these clouds didn't have to fall far, to land astride the Continental Divide.  I'm sure on a sunnier day, it would have been breathtaking.  But, it was mid-September, 2006, and winter was already arriving. 

From here, head downhill and eastward, and Helena isn't far.