#6: [26-May-24]

#5: [12-Jun-23]

#3: [04-Aug-05]

#2: [07-May-04]

#1: [07-May-00]

09-Feb-2007 -- This was the first of seven confluences on a trip out to Portland to see my sister.

I was southbound on 153rd Ave NW and stopped due east of the confluence, just after a line of grain storage bins and before a bridge over the railroad tracks and before Road 1804. The confluence was due west across a fallow, well-frozen field bounded on the south by the railroad tracks. It was bitter cold with steady winds and a below-zero wind chill. I left my van running so I would have a warm vehicle to return to. Walking across the field was easy. During the growing season, you might be able to walk along the fenceline and then go due south several meters to the zeropoint with very little impact.

I had recently purchased a used, sub-meter Trimble GeoXT, and this would be its first use. I found it even more challenging to get agreement between it and my Garmin than between two Garmins. Once my Garmin senses that it has stopped moving, it is relatively stable. The Trimble, with a higher precision, constantly updates with the smallest movements. Ambient lighting made for another challenge: trying to capture a picture without any glare on the screens.

Picture #1 looks south and shows the proximity to the railroad tracks and the timing was right to catch a eastbound train. Picture #2 looks west. Picture #3 looks north and shows the short distance from the fence. Picture #4 looks east and shows where you can park between the six grain storage bins (numbered on their west side) and the bridge over the railroad tracks. Picture #5 shows almost all zeroes on my Trimble and Garmin. Picture #6 shows 14 zeroes! Picture #7 looks east with receivers at confluence. Picture #8 shows the Confluence Interpretive Center near where the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers meet. During the winter it is open 9-4. I stopped in to take a look around and noticed several people out ice fishing.

This was a very easy confluence and took less than 30 minutes – and most of that time was trying to get the Trimble zeroed out! Time to get back to the warmth of my van.

Onward to 45-121!