Whew!
It's Been A Few Weeks Hasn't It?
It’s
been over a month since I last updated the blog so I’m going to try and get
all caught up…
July
21st, 2017
While
still in Sioux Falls we went and saw the movie Dunkirk. Sometimes when we are
camped for a few days in the same place we will all go see a current movie
instead of sitting in the RV all day and when we haven’t anywhere else in mind
to explore in the area. The movie was so-so. Lots of action but told from many
different perspectives making it hard to follow.
July
22nd, 2017
Just
another down day spent in the RV doing laundry and getting ready to move on.
July
23rd, 2017
Time
to go! We traveled north to Fargo, ND and spent the night in a Wal-Mart parking
lot. We needed to do some shopping and we decided to go thru North Dakota just
because we had time and had never been here. We went in looking for a T shirt
that had something to do with Fargo but there was nothing. It seemed every
other Wal-Mart we ever visit always has shirts dealing with wherever we are but
now that we want one there are none to be found.
July
24th, 2017
Left
Wal-Mart headed to the General Sibley National Park outside Bismarck, ND. The
park is beautiful with many spaces and right next to the Missouri River. We saw
lots of deer around the area.
 |
| General Sibley Park |
 |
| General Sibley Park |
 |
| General Sibley Park |
July
25th, 2017
We
all went on a tour of Fort Abraham Lincoln which is situated on a hill
overlooking the Missouri River. This is the location where Colonel George
Custer was stationed before leaving and leading troops down to the battle of
Big Horn. There is a very nice replication of the Mandan Indian tribe’s village
also located here.
July
26th , 2017
Today
we stayed in camp and caught up on chores before walking around the campground
to see the river and surrounding park.
July
27th, 2017
Today
was a travel day to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. The park
is divided into 2 parks. North and South. We camped in the North and hit a
traffic jam going in. Sara says she counted in the neighborhood of 40 buffalo
blocking our path into the campground until they decided to move off the road. We
even had them in our camp early mornings or evenings a few days.
July
28th, 2017
We
spent the day traveling to Theodore Roosevelt National Park – South. There is a
great tourist information center located outside the park with a fantastic view
of the land. We all agreed the north end of the park was the place to camp
after driving thru the southern half. Not as many trees and wildlife like back
in the northern section. Well worth the extra fuel to drive there.
 |
| Carl dressed in buffalo hat at Slant Indian Village |
 |
| Ft. Abraham Lincoln Outpost |
July
29 – 30th , 2017
Today
we traveled to Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs, Montana. Out in the middle of
nowhere lies a large building housing a pretty big swimming pool, 2 Jacuzzi’s
and steam room. One of the Jacuzzis is hot at 106 degrees and the other feels
freezing cold as you enter it but is not bad after coming out of the steam
room. We spend our days in the pool and nights are spent inside the motor home
as we all found out about mosquitoes. They were big enough to carry a small dog
off and were relentless. In the time spent to dump my tanks before leaving I
think I got at least 10 bites between my ankles and knees as big as dimes and
bright red that didn’t heal for about 5 days. We loved the pool and spa but
were mighty happy to be moving on.
July
31st, 2017
We
traveled to Chester, Montana today. We heard about this quaint little town with
a park centered in the middle and the town actually advertised camping at the
park. Camping was free but they asked for donations. Nice green grass, no connections
and very quiet. Perfect for an overnight stay.
 |
| Chester, MT City Park |
August
1st, 2017
Headed
to Helena, Montana to see our friends, Tom and Lydia. They have a beautiful
home at the end of a quiet street with enough property for a small RV park.
They had an area all picked out for us to camp for a few nights before heading
out to Glacier National Park. With their place being close to town we were able
to replenish groceries and supplies.
 |
| Montana State Capitol Building |
 |
| A house built during the gold rush days in Helena |
 |
| Downtown Helena |
 |
| Saturday Farmer's Market in Helena |
August
2nd, 2017
When
we spent last winter in Quartzsite, AZ where we first met Tom and Lydia they
introduced us to Jim and Sue, another couple from Helena. Jim and Sue stopped
by last night and Jim invited us to go on the “Gates Of The Mountains” tour
given by himself. Today we all headed a few miles down to the boat dock where
Jim had arranged for all of us to go on a personal tour led by himself on a
tour boat that held about 100 people and we had it all to ourselves.
The
“Gates Of The Mountains” refers to the location where Lewis & Clark first
entered the mountains via the Missouri River into what is now the Helena,
Montana valley. As they paddled their canoes along the river it appeared the
straight cliff walls opened up like a gate to allow them passage. It’s very
cool to see from a boat. Also in the immediate area is the location of the Mann
Gulch Forest Fire that on August 5th, 1949 overran and killed 13
Montana Smoke Jumpers. That event was the start of many changes made to the way
we fight fires today.
 |
| Our cruise ship for the tour |
 |
| Memorial for the 13 Montana Smoke Jumpers who perished in the Mann Gulch Forest Fire just around the bend |
 |
| The opening Meriwether Lewis saw as he paddled up the river past the Gates To The Mountains |
 |
| Hieroglyphics from Indians left along the river bank |
August
3rd, 2017
Today
was spent on a train tour of the city of Helena. We saw many old homes from the
gold mining era as well as huge mansions the early settlers lived in. The tour
is very informative and quite entertaining. It starts and ends right next to
the state capitol building. After the tour we headed over to the Brew House for
a quick lunch and that evening was spent across the street from Tom and Lydia’s
at their neighbors, Ken and Terry. Ken had prepared a BBQ of Moose meat as well
as many salads and desserts. It was quite the feast as we sat around consuming
wine and tasting local foods. In the evenings we normally sit outside until
dark (about 10pm) discussing whatever comes up.
August
4th, 2017
The biggest
excitement today was going to see the latest Spiderman movie. Did a little
shopping at the local gun shop and relaxed.
August 5th,
2017
When we took
the train tour of the town of Helena we were told there were many shops in town
who gave away little goodies with proof we had ridden the train so today was
spent on a walking tour of downtown going from shop to shop to collect all our
goodies. Most were little trinkets associated with whatever shop we were in but
it was fun to see the main street and shopping area. The end of the walk just
so happened to be right outside an ice cream shop. Bet you can’t figure out what
we did before going back to the car!
August 6th,
2017
Today was
spent watching the Nascar race and then later that afternoon going with Tom up
to a little town called York for burgers. After dinner Tom drove us back up in
the mountains to see if we could spot any wildlife. We found many cows grazing
the open land but never saw any deer, antelope or Big Horn Sheep. Sara did spot
a bear alongside the road as we drove past but he disappeared before we could
back up and watch him.
August 7th,
2017
Stayed around
the coach so Kathy could do laundry and I could do a little motor home maintenance.
August 8th,
2017
Nothing new
today. When we arrived in Helena our thought was to stay a few days and then
head to Glacier National Park but that all changed after the first few days.
After chatting with most of the locals we had come in contact with we quickly
realized that a trip to Glacier was going to be a nightmare if we went. We were
told the traffic on the roads we wanted to drive while in the park were bumper
to bumper crowded and getting an RV site that would accommodate our large RV’s
would be a problem. Based on this info we decided to wait till next year, make
reservations and come during the off season. Thus the extended stay in Helena.
August 9th,
2017
The day was
spent touring the Lewis and Clark Caverns. A ¾ mile hike to the entrance, a ½
mile trek through the cavern and a ¾ mile hike back. I think we wore Kathy out
today. Since her torn ligament adventure last year this was her first long
hike. She did great and slept well that night. Tom took us down to Butte and
Whitehall, MT where he grew up as a kid. The entire area is now depressed and
the occupants barely get by on what they can earn since the mines have all been
shut down. It used to be a huge copper mining area in it’s heyday!
 |
| Lewis & Clark Caverns |
August 10th,
2017
Just another
day spent around the house and RV’s doing nothing but relaxing. Isn’t that what
retirement is all about?
