As the weather is warming, we are ready to head to Alaska and drove through Montana heading northwest. I am amazed at the vastness of Montana’s landscape. I now understand why it is called “Big Sky Country.” Trying to capture the scenic views in a photo is difficult. Here is one from the top of our campground and a few while driving. Gorgeous sunsets too!
We stopped for 2 nights at a campground in Garryowen, MT to visit the Little Bighorn National Monument, which is the infamous site of Custer’s Last Stand. Visiting National monuments and memorials has provided a more thorough understanding of what happened and the why. When we first arrived at Little Bighorn, a volunteer Ranger had just started a very impassioned and informative talk on the battle. We then watched a 25-minute video with reenactments of that tragic day. Next, we walked up to the memorial for the 7th Calvary as well as a nearby one for the Native Americans who were also killed in the battle. Lastly, we took a 5-mile drive out to one of the battlefield sites. The story behind the battle and the result was much more complicated than I remember. If interested in a brief overview of the battle, please click the link below.
https://www.nps.gov/libi/learn/historyculture/battle-story.htm
The RV Park we were staying was on the Crow Indian Reservation, the largest of seven Indian Reservations in Montana, encompassing 3,600 square miles. We learned that tribal owners can sell to non-natives. Approximately 40% of the reservation is now owned by non-natives, I did not realize that was possible.
The RV Park has its own little coffee shop that sold coffees, a few bakery items, and a homemade breakfast each morning. Greg suggested we stop and get a cinnamon roll on our way out on our departure morning, and who am I to deny Greg a homemade cinnamon roll? Of course, he was gracious and bought two, so Dave and I (and Murphy) could enjoy one as well. Dave claimed it was even better than the Wall Drug cinnamon roll. To me it was scrumptious, but still did not surpass Buc-ee’s cinnamon rolls. Maybe a close second. And even better, the RV park gives you tokens to get a free ice cream. We enjoyed them so much the first night, we went back again the second. My new favorite – Huckleberry Ice Cream Sandwich.
Our first stop in Canada, just about 10 miles from the Montana/Canadian border, was unexpectantly amazing. As far as the eye could see, was wide open prairie land, yet our GPS said we were just a mile or so from the campground. Huh? As we turned down the road with a sign for our campground, we started driving downhill into the Milk River Valley. The Milk River is the only river in Canada that begins and ends in the Unites States. It starts in the Rocky Mountains of Montana and flows for 721 miles, running north into Alberta, Canada, and meandering southeast to the confluence with the Missouri River near Fort Peck, Montana. One of the curvy locations of the Milk River was cut off forming a oxbow lake with RV Campsites right in the middle. Canada’s fish and game department stocks the lake with trout. Such a unique site and appears to be a popular summer destination. Helen and I (and even Greg) couldn’t help but play in the Jungle Gym.
Nearby was Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The four of us headed out the next day for a visit. What an amazing location! It is also located in the Milk River Valley and has hoodoos (columns of weathered rock) and coulees (deep ravines) formed over time as the water receded. The area was once home to the Blackfoot Indians, who left petroglyphs (rock carvings) on the cliffs. The park had a booklet with descriptions of 15 stops along the 1.5-mile path, describing the landscape, and the trees, plants, and animals that live there, plus the sacred beliefs of the Blackfoot. The expansive views were magical and walking through the hoodoo formations was incredible. We were told not to hurry through Canada on our way to Alaska and if other stops are like this, I can see why!
Throughout our hikes the last month or so, we were told to be careful and watch for rattlesnakes. At the end of our hike described above, we were reading signs at an overlook. Greg, Helen, and I were standing at one, while Dave and Murphy were at another sign and then we switched places. Dave and Murphy heard a rattle and both moved back and there it was – a rattlesnake, right at the bottom of the sign. Greg, Helen, and I were just there and did not hear a peep. My foot must have been within a foot of it. I think the snake got tired of us taking its picture and it moved off down the hill.
We are headed northwest and our next stop is Calgary. Too bad, we will miss the well-known Calvary Stampede Rodeo, which is in early July.
Looking forward to exploring Canada Brenda, Oh, Canada! Dave, and Not sure what that thing was that was rattling at me Murphy.
You are learning so much on this adventure! Happy you made it into Canada. 🙂
Spectacular!!
Trip of a lifetime #2. The boat trip being #1
The pictures are beautiful and add to your posts. The layout is awesome as well.
Be safe and enjoy the sights and sounds.
What an amazing country. You are so lucky to see such marvelous scenery. And to indulge in all the local food.
Enjoy! Stay healthy! Be safe!
Oh my, such an adventure, but we could do without snakes!