2026 Week 2 (Mountain States)

The second week of my long trip around the country started in Glendive, Montana. On a Monday. Overall, I had planned a few days traveling around Montana before getting to Pocatello, Idaho for Thursday.

Seeing games as part of the Rocky Mountain Rumble has been a long term plan for me. For years. And though the schedule is announced closer to the season, I had already made plans. However, only two days worth of games were scheduled for the first weekend. A doubleheader on Thursday and a doubleheader on Friday.

Initially, I planned for a game in Gardiner, Montana on Saturday afternoon. A town that sits right along the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park. But with it being a four-plus hour drive, which routes you through the park, was going to be an issue.

And then I had plans to maybe see a game in Arco, Idaho. A town I had visited a few years ago for a weekend. And had explored their football field. But, if I went there on Friday night, I would be sacrificing one of my four possible games that weekend. Or, I could head into Montana for a Friday night game. And then find an afternoon and night game on Saturday. Which would still leave the same five game total.

And then I explored a little further out. One of my all-time bucket list places was Monument Valley. I had been to the field twice before. Among many other times into Monument Valley Tribal Park. And I had always wanted to see a game there. It would work best with an early season game, so the background formations would be visible through as much of the game as possible.

But, that would mean finding another game on Saturday. And I quickly found one in Grand Junction, Colorado. With that, the plans had changed. Many of the hotels on this trip had been booked, but Friday and Saturday of this weekend, as well as the hotel on the way home were still waiting final confirmation of our plans.

Heading to Monument Valley was going to be a long drive. Which meant after a doubleheader Thursday evening, embarking on a very long drive Friday to arrive in Monument Valley, just feet from Arizona, for a game at 7pm.

It was with that, that the second week of the trip started.

Leaving Glendive, I drove west along MT200S to Circle. Stopping in Circle where I had seen a game this past fall. And then continue further along MT200 through central Montana.

With some extra time, stopping in Winnett for this first time. One half of the Grass Range/Winnett co-op. I was surprised at how well situated the small town was. I had been through many other towns in eastern Montana and had set my expectations to be… lower.

I had already booked a single night in Great Falls. As that would be the morning base to head west to Glacier National Park. After passing through Grass Range, I stopped in Lewistown to see Fergus High School’s football field for the first time.

With a short stop in Hobson and then Stanford. Stanford was a bit of a surprise, as a sub-varsity game was taking place at the field. But, timing didn’t really allow stopping to watch it. Leaving west along MT200, it was a quick drive through Geyser (the second of four teams in the DGSG co-op along with Stanford) and stopping in Raynesford for gas. There’s a very small cardlock just east of the intersection in the ‘town’. I’ve stopped there in teh past as though gas in that area is expensive, that little cardlock location is fairly cheap by comparison. After that it was through Arapahoe Junction in the canyon north of White Sulphur Springs between the Belt Mountains, just east of Belt, the town.

And into Great Falls. Taking a quick tour through town and its high school field that hosts both Great Falls and C.M. Russell High School. It was only as I was looking up the address, I found that St. Patrick’s had closed. I had seen them just two years ago while they still operated as Great Falls Central Catholic. Consolidating with an all-girls school, they had reformulated as St. Patricks Academy. And had now closed. Not just ending football (which was already the small 6-man level), but closing the school entirely.

In the morning, it was an early start to make nearly three hour drive northwest to Glacier National Park. Leaving the hotel, it was a quick drive to get onto I-15, and leaving the highway in Vaughn. Following US89 and MT200 west to the split, and taking US89 northwest through Fairfield and Choteau. I had been in Choteau many times in the past. Stopping to explore around town some before continuing on to Browning. Another town I had spent time in last year. A small prairie town in the Blackfeet Reservation. Through town, where US2 and US89 split, I followed US89 toward St. Mary. A small blip of businesses including tourist-based restaurants, shops, and hotels at the east entrance to Glacier National Park.

I stopped to clean my windshield. And then heading into the park. This was my second time in Glacier National Park. But only my first time through the eastern entrance. The previous time I was in the park, the Going-To-The-Sun Road was closed. And this was my first opportunity to see it, and the famed tunnel across the heart of the park.

We weren’t in the park as long as I had figured. Traffic was minimal. Despite the day being free admission for the National Park System’s 110th birthday. Going through the park alone could be another entry. I didn’t plan to walk any of the trails. As this was a one-day drive through of the park.

Leaving the park, it was a short drive west into Columbia Falls. A place I had spent many nights in the past. And another town on my long list of schools I’d like to see play.

For an early dinner, we stopped at Mudman Burger. A themed fast food burger spot that specializes in chili (aka mud) on their burgers. I ordered the largest double bacon cheeseburger. Not realizing what I was getting myself involved in.

The burger was gigantic, but tasted great. The fries had seasoning, and were otherwise unremarkable. Like many soda fountains in Big Sky Country, they had flavor shots of Huckleberry. Which paired well with the lemonade I had chosen as my drink. Total price was just under $20. But you got nearly a pound of beef on your burger. It was, summarily, insane.

I had already booked a room in Whitefish. Just west of Columbia Falls. Another freebie, I was expecting a very nice room. As its cash price for the night was nearly $300. Instead, it was a hotel that lacked an elevator. It was an early night, and there was the option of seeing the Glacier Range Riders. I had seen them play a few years ago with my daughter when we were up this way together. But with the long driving, and just wanting a night off, I didn’t go to the baseball game. Additionally, Glacier was playing the Red Mobile team which were a travel-only team that had at the time an absurdly long losing streak. If I had never been to the ballpark in the past, I may have headed down to the stadium. But instead, I just didn’t feel like it.

After the games on Saturday on the hot turf at Starion Sports Complex, my shoes had started to disintegrate. I had lamented that I hadn’t replaced my shoes prior to my trip. I had a new spare set of sneakers at home, and I didn’t swap them. So, instead, I ordered a new pair to be sent to an Amazon Locker in Missoula at the University of Montana. And they’d be available there by Wednesday afternoon.

Leaving Whitefish, it was an easy drive south around Kalispell and through the towns of Polson, St. Ignatius and others down to I-90. Stopping for gas at the Loves. Which we had found out had a 10 cent discount promotion on gas. Making it, in most cases, the cheapest option for gas along the rest of the trip.

Then over to the university to get my shoes and also drive-by the stadium up close. Something I had never done before as its packed into its neighborhood setting and I had only cared to see it from the highway as you drive by the east end of the city.

After that, it was down US93 through the Bitterroot Valley. I had only once before driving through this area. And that was back in 2009 or 2010. And didn’t remember much of it. It was much more memorable this time around. After passing by Darby, the road climbs to the border with Idaho.

It’s a very scenic, sparsely driven, and exceptionally curvy road down to the town of Salmon, Idaho. It was getting later than planned, but we stopped for dinner at Dave’s Pizza.

It was a good decision. An old shop located in a downtown strip of buildings. Salmon is a tourist town. Sitting at the southern plain of the Lost Trail Pass and Powder Mountain. The pizza place had a salad bar, but instead we split a large pizza that was well worth it. No photos of the pizza. The place did have an arcade with an array of pinball machines. And was my first time playing pinball in years.

After that, there was still a few hours to go to get to Pocatello. And it was getting dark. With storms in the forecast. The last time I was in Salmon, I had taken ID28 southeast on my way to Dubois and back into Montana. This time, I stayed on US93 south to Arco, and then US26 east, down to Blackfoot. And I-15 south.

Still, though, we got into Pocatello before midnight. And checked into the hotel. The Thursday games didn’t kickoff until 5pm the next day. So plenty of time to relax before kickoff.

In the morning, it was a short drive back down Business Route 15 to get a photo of the welcome sign during the daylight. With hours to go, I headed over to the Albertson’s and was caught off guard by their hot case at the deli with a line of dozens of college students getting lunch. Deciding it was worth the price, I bought the chicken lunch. Rotisserie Chicken, jo jos, and mac & cheese. Only $9.

It was back to the hotel to get ready for the games. With a 5pm kickoff, the plan was to get there before 4pm. And the crowds were a lot thinner than I was expecting. Sure, it was a 5pm kickoff on a Thursday. But I expected a bit more than what they had at kickoff.

I also wasn’t expecting the heat. The temperature in Pocatello was 93F. But it was that dry, western desert 93F heat. Walking into the ICCU Dome (aka Holt Arena), the heat became sweltering. There was no breeze. There was no relief. Instead, the dome acted as a dutch oven baking in the sun.

#13 – Thunder Ridge v. Bear River

Both games slated for Thursday were Idaho against Utah opponents. For both games, every team was new for me. Thunder Ridge Titans were from Idaho Falls. While the Bear River Bears are located in Garland, Utah, just north of Tremonton where I-15 and I-84 divert.

As well as my first game in Idaho. Down on the sideline, the heat was difficult to deal with. For the anthem, they unfurled a large flag from the ceiling. And then slowly wound it up.

The game itself was a good one. It was a back and forth game. With Idaho’s Thunder Ridge keeping pace. Before Bear River, from Utah, pulled ahead, and won 49-35.

There wasn’t much turnaround, before the second game was starting. But the temperature was getting worse. Though the sun was now setting, the residual heat inside the dome was not dissipating fast enough.

#14 – Madison v. Riverton

Madison, the Bobcats, were one of the better teams in Idaho. With a pedigree of success. They’re located in Rexburg, north of Idaho Falls. While the Riverton Silverwolves are from the southwest side of the Salt Lake City metro area.

This game was one sided. But a slow moving game. Take all the way until almost 11pm for it to finish. Madison won, 27-0 to cap the first day of the Rocky Mountain Rumble.

After the game, it was a short mile or so drive to the hotel and then get ready for a very early departure in the morning. Getting up and only the road by 8am. Intent on making it to Monument Valley before 6pm. With a stop in Blanding to check into the hotel. Rather than waiting until after the game. As it was over 90 minutes from Monument Valley backtracking from the game.

The drive south went quickly. Along I-15 to Ogden and stopping at a Loves for gas. Before then getting quickly back onto the freeway south through Salt Lake City to Spanish Fork. From here, most of the drive would be on non-freeway routes. Taking US6 east through Price Canyon and stopping in the eponymously named town for a quick restock at Dollar General, and a quick snack, on the way to Green River and getting on to I-70. Stopping once again for gas at another Loves at the first exit into Green River. Then back onto I-70 to the US191 exit.

Traffic was quite heavy on US191 heading south to Moab. Held up by two vehicles slowly towing cars to Mexico. A common issue, but usually not this slow. Passing through Moab and going past Arches National Park, the lack of people was notable. It seemed off for a Friday before Labor Day.

South of Moab, the road opened up with some red rock formations, before getting into Monticello.

By this point, the Saturday night game had changed. And a back-track all the way along US191 would be required to make the night game in time. No longer planning to drive to Grand Junction. Which meant a slightly longer trip to a hotel after the Monument Valley game would have worked. Instead, though, I still had a pricy hotel booked for Blanding at just over $90.

Passing through Monticello, the trip to Blanding was quick. And there was very few cars at all in town. Despite being so close to Monument Valley and Bears Ears National Park, among other scenic locales in southeastern Utah. Stopped at the Four Corners Inn and got the room keys. And unloaded some of our stuff into the room. And quickly back on the road. Heading south on US191 to US163. Passing through Mexican Hat.

I had already accepted that bad weather could be an issue on Friday night. And just north of the famed Monument Valley, the storm rolled across the desert landscape. It was my first time in Monument Valley with any sort of weather. I had been through in the evening near sunset, and middle of the day while bright and sunny. And this was the first time with weather. And I wasn’t about to let it bother me.

After taking time for photography, and letting much of the worst weather pass, I continued on to the school. Then taking a quick detour a few hundred feet past the school into Arizona. And then turning back to get the well vandalized Welcome to Utah sign.

Then back to the high school for the game. An 8-man game, something Utah had just started recently. Monument Valley and two of their three San Juan County school brethren had moved down to 8-man, while San Juan High School in Blanding was still plugging along as an 11-man team.

Panguitch, located on US89 between Salina and Kanab. Nearly a five hour drive if going through Page, Arizona.

#15 – Monument Valley v. Panguitch

The rain had cleared before I got setup at the stadium. But the clouds and cool temps hang around. The original forecast of temps in the 90s had cooled to the mid-70s with the passing of the rain system.

Despite all of it, I was ecstatic on the field photographing a game at one of my favorite bucket list stadiums. I had been here twice before. But this first time for a game. And it lived up to my lofty expectations. Panguitch had only won one game in 2025, a win over Monument Valley, 48-6. It was Panguitch’s first season in the modern era playing football. Monument Valley had struggled with football through the covid season until now. Dropping from 11-man to 8-man. Though this was my second time seeing the Cougars. In 2019, I had seen them play at Monticello, a couple hours northeast of here.

At first, Monument Valley stayed competitive with Panguitch. Giving it everything they had to stay in it. But Panguitch found the endzone defensively on a pick six, and a couple more scores made it 20-0.

I hadn’t thought that the game would go to a running clock. Or the mercy rule, which in Utah was anything over 44 points would endzone the game in the fourth quarter. But as the game wound to a close, Panguitch extended their lead. With the formations no longer visible after halftime, and the dim lights of the field with the vibrant green grass, photography was becoming problematic. And, I’ll admit in retrospect I messed up one choice in photographing this game. I kept my shutter speed too fast. Normally, the high ISO results wouldn’t be that terrible, but for this game the dim lighting had really affected things. I should have slowed the shutter down to 1/1000s or slower even.

In the fourth quarter, I went up in the stands to watch as a fan. To just enjoy the moment seeing a game from a field 1600 miles from home. A patch of dirt and rock I had been on many times in the past. This space so near and dear to me in the heart of Navajo Nation. In the shadow of the Monument Valley mesas.

Panguitch 52, Monument Valley 14

Utah’s Monument Valley High School home to one of the best Stadium Backdrops in the Country (PHOTO GALLERY)

Leaving the stadium, it was a dark drive through the mesas and over the bridge and passing by a unlit Mexican Hat. Though the full moon was there, it was shrouded by clouds. Getting in to Blanding before midnight. And having one more short night.

By this time, plans had already been changed for Saturday. But Grand Junction would be a fallback option. Gilpin County had an 8-man game against Vail Christian located near the small town of Black Hawk in the eastern side of the Rocky Mountain front range west of Denver.

It was projected to be another 6.5 hour drive to the game. With a 6pm kickoff. A 10AM start worked well. Passing through Monticello and Moab without issue. And past Arches National Park and on to I-70. Quickly heading east.

Stopping in Grand Junction at the Loves for gas once again. The ten cent discount promotion still ongoing. After the quick gas up, that was highlighted by Colorado’s Game Wardens checking on several horse trailers that had stopped to fuel up as well.

After a quick lunch, it was back on I-70 and some terrible potholes on the highway. Before passing through Glenwood Canyon and going up and over Vail and Eisenhower Pass and Eisenhower Tunnel. Getting off onto the Central City Parkway, and following that through the tourist mountain town, and following CO119 a few miles north to the school. Located by itself high in the mountains surrounded by more mountains.

It was a lot closer to kickoff than I had hoped for. The 6pm kickoff definitely playing a part in those plans. But, I was there, before kickoff. Parking in the gravel lot overlooking the field. Getting my cameras situated for another night of picturesque backdrops and photography.

Though I wanted to, I didn’t have time for a burger. I’ve never understood where schools out east don’t upsell burgers. Not many people will buy two burgers from a concession stand. But there’s many that would spend a couple dollars more to upgrade from a single patty to a double.

Out on the field, things were beautiful. It was, by far, the highest elevation field I had been to for a high school football game. Nearly 2000 feet higher than Monticello, Utah and Eagar, Arizona. Fighting Eagles Stadium sits at 8,954′. And proudly noted on the turf. Which was another thing. For a school playing 8-man football, it was surprising to see them with a turf field. With a permanently lined narrower 8-man blue line for the sideline. While the field itself was the traditional 100×53.3 yard 11-man field. Though 8-man, they also were playing on the 100 yard long field by 40 yards wide.

#16 – Gilpin County v. Vail Christian

The threat of rain was minimal, but present as this one kicked off. But the small blips of rains in the mountain air stayed to the north. To the south, the mountain vista seemed to stretch on forever. The tops of mountains visible as little bumps dotting the horizon.

As with the Friday night game, the visitors were favorites. And had quickly jumped out to a comfortable lead. The game did progress further into the night. The wind from the passing rain clouds chilling the elevated air. Far cooler than any other game so far in 2026. Reaching the low 50s by the end of the game. A game that went to running clock before one final score by Gilpin County left it, 48-15 for the visiting Vail Christian Saints.

Gilpin County’s Fighting Eagle Stadium sits at 8,954′ elevation. Hosting Vail Christian on Saturday night. (PHOTO GALLERY)

After the game, was a matter of booking one more hotel room. This one using a freebie and finding one near Denver that would be fully covered by the freebie. And that was a Super 8 in Westminster. Which may or may not have been a mistake. As the suggested route took me down through Golden Gate Canyon. Which, based on Google Maps looks amazing during the day. But far more annoying during the black of night. Losing several thousand feet of elevation through winding mountain roads full of hairpin turns and switchbacks.

Before checking into the hotel, it was one very cheap stop for gas at the Maverik just down the road from the hotel. With a blistering two day pace from Idaho to Monument Valley to Denver, I was taking all the time I had in the hotel Sunday morning.

Leaving just before checkout. And starting the day by heading north on I-25. Only because my friend had never been to Wyoming. And we had originally expected to be passing through Wyoming. Either on the way to the Saturday game. Or on the way home. Instead, we had just circumnavigated the entire state unexpectedly.

After quick gas stop in Cheyenne, it was a drive east to Pine Bluffs and a trip by their football field. And then, east along US30 back onto I-80 as I entered Nebraska. From Sidney, I got back off I-80 and too US30 east until Chappell. A quick pass by the football field of Creek Valley, a team I saw at South Platte in Big Springs a few years ago.

In Chappell, I took US385 southeast to Julesburg, Colorado. And then continued south to Holyoke. Then it was east along US6 east back into Nebraska. Passing through Imperial to Culbertson, where US6 multiplexes with US34. Continuing to McCook and taking US83 south into Kansas. Stopping at one of my favorite towns in Kansas: Oberlin. Then driving east along US36, the Pony Express Highway, to Norton for another gas stop at Loves. And then continuing on to Phillipsburg.

By now, it was late evening for dinner. Before closing, stopping at the Black Sheep Tap House for some pub burgers. The Tap House is an interesting location, as it appears to be in an old As well as some fried portobello mushrooms.

After dinner, it was back on US36 passing through increasingly less scenic dark rolling prairies. Eventually stopping at Washington Motel in Washington. A random stop when I had planned to go a bit further. But the detour through Wyoming and back onto US36 had added many hours of travel not originally planned. The beginning plans for the day was to take I-70 east to US36 in Colorado and following that all the way through Kansas.

The next morning, I had a really long drive planned. Leaving Washington as early as reasonable. Following US36 the to St. Joseph, Missouri and through the Show Me State to Illinois. Stopping just once for gas in Bevier.

The plan was to stop at Benjamin’s in Covington, Indiana one more time. But the longer drive made getting there before close unreasonable. So, instead, it was a quick stop in Springfield, Illinois at a Pizza Ranch.

It was an easier time, as there was no time to order or wait for food. Just grab, eat, and go. And was really good. Much better than the stop Wisconsin Dells earlier in the trip.

At 8pm, or so, I left Springield, Missouri. And had a lot of driving left. Taking I-72 east to Champaign. And I-74 into Indianapolis. And I-70 east to Ohio and Columbus. Dropping my friend off, and then having a three hour drive left to get home.

I started the day in Washington, Kansas. Almost 1,000 miles with an already late start. I made a quick drive north along I-71 out of Columbus and I-76 east of Lodi toward Akron. But I was dragging. Late at night and no one to talk to, I finally decided to call it a night. Pulling over at the parking area on I-76 to take a nap. I had set my alarm. Having a hybrid, I let the AC run, as it would only occasionally cycle the engine on to power the battery. I then slept three hours.

Realizing I had cancelled my alarm at some point early on. But it didn’t matter. I had no specific plans that day. Driving the final hour or so home. Getting my laundry started. Cleaned out my car. And then went to sleep.

5,627 miles. 11 Games. In 6 States.

One great trip to start the season. After already taking a trip to Florida the week before.

ECONOMICS

Overall, I drove a total of 5,627 miles. And I spent $1,138.66. For thirteen days. Gas and hotel costs were split 50-50. And many of the hotels were freebies that were cashed in. Including rooms in Illinois, Minnesota, Whitefish, and Colorado. Gas cost a total of $291.32. Hotels cost me just $219.22. Food cost $363.12. And I spent $65 on miscellaneous expenses. I did not include the cost of new pair of shoes. As those would’ve been needed regardless. Miscellaneous is set for trip-related miscellaneous expenses.

It was a quite cost effective trip for 13 days driving to western Montana, to Arizona, through central Colorado and back home to Ohio.

For the second week of the trip, I saw seven new teams. The only repeat being the Monument Valley Cougars. And all three stadiums were new for me. Including my first ever game in Idaho and first ever time seeing an Idaho team play high school football.