New territory and adventures in the central part of Montana

We drove over to Great Falls and ran into some rather stormy weather so headed off to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. This was an extremely interesting site operated by the Park Service. Learned lots in our two hours there. Then on to our stay at the Collins Mansion B&B.

Saturday – still rainy in the morning so we started out at the C M Russell museum. He made Great Falls his home for a number of years and was quite a prolific painter, writer and sculptor. We set a record at this museum, stayed for three hours (normally two hours is about tops). Really interesting.

Bison painted as part of a fundraiser

Montana countryside

After lunch we drove out to the First Peoples buffalo jump where we learned all one might want to know about how Indians prior to introductions of horses (by the Spanish in the 1500’s) drove herds of buffalo over cliffs two or three times a year to resupply the store of needed goods. After they got horses they found it much easier to use bow and arrow to kill their prey from horseback. And of course we learned at these various sites how the herds were decimated in the 1800’s which did a real number on the Indians and their ability to survive as nomadic people.

Top of the cliff where bison were driven off

A drive down to Great Springs State Park led to a fish hatchery and a pleasant walk along the Missouri River.

Last of the 5 Great Falls

Back at our B&B where it seems we’re the only ones here who aren’t part of the wedding that was supposed to be outside, but was driven in by the rain. Nothing like walking through the middle of a reception in zip-offs, carrying your ice chest.

We did learn that Montana has been quite dry this summer (unlike the province of Alberta to the north). Just happened upon Great Falls during the stormy weather. Well anyway, our next stop was Billings with a nice drive through some interesting countryside on our way there.

Why Billings? Because it seemed to be a good location to stay prior to heading over to the Little Big Horn site on Monday.

But first, our story of lodging for the next few nights. We had planned to stay in Glendive following the Custer battlefield visit, but a search of lodging showed nothing available in this good sized city. And very little in Miles City an hour or so west of Glendive. Why, we wondered? This was supposed to be a trip where we could kind of decide as we drove along where to stay. Then a read of the Billings newspaper gave us the story. The oil industry is active big time in NW North Dakota and surrounding areas. Which has resulted in available motel rooms for 100+ miles around being booked for months to come. We have altered our plans for North Dakota; will stay an extra day in Bismarck.

The Little Big Horn Monument was very interesting to visit. A ranger started on a presentation just after we got there; 35 minutes of fascinating story about the battle. This chap used to be a school teacher and did an excellent job.

On to Miles City; tomorrow we head over to ND and a visit to the south part of Teddy Roosevelt National Park.