Danielle's Continuing Life Adventures

[Sarah B ✅]

Dear Danielle

Thank you for sharing this very personal update.  I know how much you have tried over the last couple of years that I have known you and in your personal posts that it has taken real inner strength for you to keep the door open after so many years of distance and hurt from your parents.  Especially when past efforts from you have been met with silence and rejection rather than understanding coming from them.  Going back to the place where you grew up carries a lot of history and emotion and doing so while your parents are facing serious health issues adds even more weight upon your shoulders.

I hope your travels are safe and enjoyable and as smooth as possible, both by air and road.  More than that, I hope this visit brings you moments of calm and perhaps small signs of connection, even if they are not expressed in the ways you might hope for.  Perhaps just being present matters more than words.

Your parents are clearly very important to you and your willingness to continue showing care and respect despite past rejection speaks volumes about your, inner strength and character.  I will keep you, your mother and especially your father in my thoughts and prayers, with the hope that this time together is more meaningful for all of you.

Please take care of yourself during this trip.  Many here understand how emotionally demanding these visits can be and we will be thinking of you.  I'm looking forward to any updates you feel comfortable in sharing with us and when you are able to.

Wishing you all the peace and strength that you deserve, from some upside down bat down under.

With Best Wishes Always With Love, Hugz and Care
Sarah B
@Northern Star Girl

[Emma1017]

Danielle, everyone here has you in their thoughts. 

I truly hope that this trip exceeds your expectations in every way!  You deserve to have joy and their love finally!

Warmest wishes,

Emma

 

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

I hope your visit goes well, Danielle. While you can't choose your relatives, you can choose your family. I hope your parents can finally accept you with open arms. Safe travels!

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Gina P]

Danielle, I realize you are probably in Montana by now but I wanted to chime in and wish you the best. I forget as beautiful and perfect of a life you seem to live that you still have struggles like the rest of us. Best wishes for a great reunion with your parents and friends.

[D'Amalie]

Danielle!  Happy New Year! 

Here's hoping your visit fits the calm success you have had in Alaska.  Parent's are hard enough to deal with without throwing in a dose of bigotry.  My parents are gone and I envy you the opportunity to at least see them in person.

Remember to take care of yourself.  You've been a success because of you, let them not make you forget how much of an inspiration and friend you are to those who've been following you for years!

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

On the plane, heading to Seattle where I have lots of college friends and some relations,
then driving to far Eastern Montana, stopping to make visits along the way, to my home town,
the small ranch town of Glendive that is near to my parents ranch/home where I was raised.
🔗 [Link: ibb.co/v4xfhw4t/]

[Tess100]

If you're looking for a bakery in Spokane the Grain Shed has absolutely delicious bread and baked treats.  Coffee is also great. Safe driving/roadtripping.

[Dances With Trees]

If you're taking 90 West (which I assume you are instead of US 12 or the High Line), wave when you pass through Whitehall. You'll only be a few miles from my home. Safe travels, Danielle!

[Gina P]

Best wishes for a safe journey, and for healed relationships with your parents.

[tgirlamg]

Safe Travels Sister! 🙏💕👋👩

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

UPDATE:  Wednesday, January 07, 2025  5:00 pm

I am still in the middle of my travels. 
I arrived in Seattle yesterday around noon and spent the afternoon and early evening visiting
with my old college friends from our days at the University of Washington in Seattle.

This early morning I started my car trip to Montana with immediate problems after being on the
road for over an hour on Interstate 90 which is the most direct and expedient route to Montana,
the first of 4 mountain passes that I have to navigate was CLOSED to traffic for several hours
because of snowy and icy road conditions. I spent about 2 hours at a roadside coffee shop waiting for
the mountain pass to finally open up. I am so glad I rented a 4WD SUV to drive safely on the road.
Then 2 other mountain passes to conquer, July 4th Pass in Eastern Washington near Spokane, WA
and then Lookout Pass on the Idaho/Montana border were not too bad to drive slowly and carefully.

I finally arrived about an hour ago in Saint Regis, Montana which
is about 40 miles into Montana.

Tomorrow I will start out early and continue East on Interstate 90 to arrive in Butte, Montana and the
highest pass, HomeStake pass is also at the Continental Divide at 6,400 feet elevation. Then continuing
east on Interstate 90 to Gallatin/Boseman Pass near Whitehall, Montana for another 475 miles for about 8 hours to finally arrive at my hometown of Glendive and on to my parents ranch/home. 
Road conditions will be somewhat bad but I am quite accustomed to driving on snow and ice, and with my
rental 4WD SUV I will be OK.

More updates to come, stay tuned.
HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

cc: @Susan @Devlyn @Jessica_Rose @Lori Dee @Sarah B @Mariah 
@D'Amalie  @Dances With Trees

[Jessica_Rose ✅]

I hope the visit with your college friends went well. Sorry to hear about the travel delays. I expect you are an expert driving on icy and snowy roads, it's mainly the other drivers you need to watch out for! I hope the rest of your drive is uneventful. Stay safe.

Love always -- Jess

[Sarah B ✅]

Hi Danielle

I hope you travels have been spectacular and I hope you have been taking photos as you know no photos, it did not happen.

Stay warm and safe while you are travelling.  My thoughts are with you as well.

Hugs
Sarah B
PS The parties we are having are spectacular.

[Lori Dee ✅]

Glad things are going well so far.

A little snow and ice are no match for our Alaskan Danielle.

Enjoy yourself, and have fun. You already know not to eat yellow snow.

Hugs!

[davina61]

Take it easy, wishing you safe travels XX.

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

I just arrived in Butte, Montana in the middle of the state, and I just went over Homestake pass (the Continental Divide) and I am continuing East on Interstate 90.

[Northern Star Girl ✅]

Montana is a big state with lots of cattle ranches... many cattle are Black Angus.

FACT:  the ratio of cattle to humans is 3:1    i.e.  3 million cattle
             1 million people

Driving through Monana's expanse all one sees is lots and lots of wide open spaces with lots of cattle grazing in the ranch fields.

[Sarah B ✅]

Hi Danielle

Watch out for any stray cows (Angus) on the road they will dent your rented SUV.  Pictures?

Hugs
Sarah B

[Dances With Trees]

I waved as you passed by the Whitehall exit. Compared to where you started, you're almost home.

[Lori Dee ✅]

In case you have been gone too long...