Day 12 - Helena, MT - Missoula, MT

Day 12 - Helena, MT - Missoula, MT

Today we left Jeff and Sue's and stopped at the Big Sky Cyclery in downtown Helena, MT for a few things. I had to get a new rear light...mine somehow fell off during the 3,000+ miles she has been in the rack on the back of the truck...plus my odometer futzed out, so I got a new one, so I will know how slow I am really going up these hills!

 

 

Then we stopped for lunch at The Atomic Cafe in Helena. It didn't look like much, but I must say the food was really good!

 

Then it was off to Missoula and the hotel to check in and rearrange our luggage so that we out everything we will need for the next 3 days in a small knapsack so we can carry it with us on the Trail of the Hiawatha and the Coeur d' Alene Trail.

 

On the way I got to see a 'cattle drive 2013 style on the main road. There was a lady in a pickup truck waving a red flag out the window to get drivers to slow down and there was a cowboy on a horse riding behind a herd of cattle as they toodled down the shoulder of the highway. There was a whole bunch of Momma Cows and baby cows just meandering down the road. Every now and then a baby cow would start running...almost like " Hey Ma, Wait for me!" It was quite the site to see.

 

 



It had been raining on and off during our drive over from Helena, but just after we checked into the hotel the skies opened up and the deluge began.

 

Later tonight we pick up Miriam from the airport and tomorrow begins our Idaho Adventure!

 

Day 11 - Three Forks, MT - Helena, MT

Day 10 - Three Forks, MT - Helena, MT

 

Today the day started with a coating of fog, but it burned off before 8:00 am and we were off on our adventure by 8:20 am. Today we went to Big Hole National Battlefield, Wisdom, MT. It was a beautiful ride to the site and it was very interesting to find out what really happened at that battle. We listened to the Park Ranger tell us about the artifacts that have been found on the site and then we watched a 25 minute movie about the incident. It was extremely well done.

Then we had lunch in Deer Lodge at the Schlots Restaurant. I had the best hot roast beef sandwich. It was piled high and it was delicious. As we were leaving the restaurant, I made a new friend. Isn't she just the most gorgeous thing?
 

Then it was off to Grants-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, in Deer Lodge, MT. It was very interesting to hear how Grants and Kohrs amassed 10 million acres of ranch land and he was very successful in his endeavors. There were over 80 original buildings on site and it is still a working ranch. Cool.

Jeff & Sue Miller,our wonderful hosts!

Then we traveled to Helena, MT to tag up with Jeff and Sue M. from the 2011 Cross Country trip.  Jeff took us on a tour of Helena and then we stopped at Liz and Ken Eaton's house just to stop and say hello. We had met them at the BBQ Jeff and Sue hosted during our layover day during the 2011 Cross Country trip. Jeff and Sue are being kind enough to let us crash here before we head to Missoula, MT to meet Miriam J. so that we can continue our adventure.
 

Day 10 - Gillette, WY - Three Forks, MT

Day 10 - Gillette, WY - Three Forks, MT

 

 



Today's adventures started with rain and it continued most of the day. As we were leaving we saw this metal sculture to bid us on our way.

These Yucca plants are all over the grassy plains.

 

 

 

Our first stop was at Little Big Horn National Battlefield, Garyowen, MT. I have been here several times and each time it is just as interesting. I watched the introductory movie and then we took a driving tour of the battlefield. There was a personal reenactment going on but I could only see very little from the car, as the Park Rangers would not let us stop or get out of our vehicles.

 

We had lunch and then we were off to Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area, in Fort Smith, MT. It was a beautiful ride to the area and the area was absolutely gorgeous. The Yellowtail Dam is there as well. The informational movie about the area was stunning. The area is way out of the way, but I think that is why it is so pristine and beautiful. I am going to have to come back to this area and spend some time.

 

Then we traveled the back roads through the Crow Indian Reservation and finally stopped in Laurel, MT for dinner. We had pizza and wings. It was quite good.

 

 

We could finally see the snow capped mountains of Montana. What a beautiful sight,

 

Since tomorrow's schedule is a little tight we decided to drive a little closer to our first stop in the morning and thought we would stop in Bozeman for the night. Well, to make a very long story short. That was a no-go. I didn't realize how close Bozeman is to Yellowstone National Park. All of the hotels in Bozeman were full....oops...so we got back on the road and found a wonderful room in Three Forks, MT at the Historic Lewis & Clark Inn. It was a great find. It is also just around the corner from the Broken Spur Motel, where I stayed on the Cross Country Ride.

 

Tomorrow we are off to Big Hole National Battlefield and Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, before we tag up with Jeff & Sue M. from the 2011 Cross Country Ride in Helena, MT for the evening. Then it is off to Missoula, MT to meet up with Miriam for our Idaho adventure.

Day 9 - Deadwood, SD - Gillette, WY

Day 9 - Deadwood, SD - Gillette, WY

 

 

We started the day under funky skies, but we were optimistic and away we went. Our first stop was in Hill City, SD at the Rabbit Bicycle Shop, really the only mechanic on the Mickelson Trail. The owner was very nice and of course we bought a couple of t-shirts. Right across the street was the World's Largest Teddy Bear Collection.

 

 

Then it was off to Mount Rushmore, Keystone, SD. To get there we took the extremely scenic Needles Highway. Well worth the ride. As we traveled along the weather improved slowly but surely and by the time we got to the heads, it was a beautiful day.

 

 

Then we were onto Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, SD. It was a beautiful ride into the park and we saw a whole herd of antelope who decided to cross the road right in front of us and then hung around for pictures. Then we had the pleasure of seeing buffalo just lazing around in a field. A short time later there was the huge buffalo on the side of the road and he just stood there and let us take his picture.

 

 

We had lunch at the Hitchrail Bar & Restaurant in Pringle, SD

 Championship Trophy for being the best Spam Chef.....

 Thirsty???

Unique art outside of the Hitchrail Bar & Restaurant

 

Then we were off to Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer, SD. It was a very scenic ride out there.

 

 

Then on our way to Hewlett, WY, we decided to stop at the Oldest General Store in Aladdin, WY. Population 15 and holding! The saying is that when a lady in town gets pregnant, a fellow leaves!This is were I stopped during the cross country ride in 2008 and Marnie stopped in 2011. No running water and only an outhouse, but it is a cool stop with a liars bench out front.

 

Then it was off to Devils Tower, Hewlett, WY.

 

 

 

Then it was time to call it a day, so we drove a ways west to be closer to our adventure tomorrow and ended up in Gillette, WY.  As we made the turn onto the main street in town this is how we were greeted...



So this is all for now. More tomorrow!