Billings and Red Lodge

Zoe, the great, here:

Forget those wide open spaces that Phaedra and Mama loved; give Papa and me those beautiful

rolling hills and mountains of Montana. We finally left that flatness behind and went to Billings MT.

We stayed in a KOA "Holiday"campground which Mama said was the nicest we have ever camped in! It is right on the Yellowstone River with great views. 

Yellowstone River

River near our KOA

Plus, there is a swimming pool - not for dogs - a BBQ restaurant, mini-golf (I don't know why those sticks are used.  I just pick the ball up with my mouth as long as they aren't sandy.), and swings on each site.  There was even a beach.  It was sandy, had cool rocks, and the river was really fast flowing so we couldn't swim in it.  It is also THE most costly campground ever.  It cost us 35 boxes of Milk-Bones every night.  Do the math!



Though we could see the mountains in the distance, this was still flat. There were some really interesting places near Billings.  Lots of history happened there. The folks spent one day driving to Pompey's Pillar which was a spot where William Clark left the Yellowstone River to climb up to view

the area. He signed this rock which is now a National Site.  I have to mention a theme that seems to follow us.  Mama likes snakes.  She is thrilled that she might get to see a rattlesnake out here in the west.  I don't like to think about coming across the one of those.

Pompey's Pillar (Pompey was Sacagewea's son)

                                                      
The next day they went to visit Pictograph State Park which consisted of a mile walk to various caves containing neat cave paintings up to 2000 yrs old. And, guess what? There were people living in Montana about 12,000 years ago.  The way that the story gets known is by pictures drawn on cave walls and stones. I think I could do a better job of drawing people and weapons, but I don't think mine would last as long as the pictographs.

Cowboy Hats at Bogarts

Red Lodge was the next place we visited.  Our friend, Anne, told Mama and Papa about that town and it sounded like an interesting and pretty place.  I never did see any lodge so I don't know how it got it's name.  What I did see, though, was Cowboy Hats!!!  Everywhere!  Plus, as you know, Mama and Papa like to go out to eat.  There were lots of restaurants and even an outdoor concert one night!

Sensitive stomach?  Not me!

We had to stay home and "guard the house"!  Humph!  The dirt is kinda red, so that part I get.  It's a small town located at the start of the Beartooth Highway which leads into the northeast entrance to Yellowstone NP.  Mama and Papa have always wanted to drive this road but big campers could never make the hairpin turns. I don't really know what that means, but I heard them talk about them.  They were worried about me and my "sensitive stomach", but I surprised them!  No problems!  


So, anyway, we left the camper in Red Lodge and drove it. This was
the most beautiful road that we have ever been on and the most switchbacks. Papa did a great job with lots of stops  along the way. He said it was for pictures and to rest me, but I really believe it was for him because he was a "little" nervous. We had cold, rain, sleet and a little sun. The views were fantastic, but the only critter we saw was a Yellow-Bellied Marmot.

Beartooth Highway Overlook

Papa chose to drive on a longer road returning to Red Lodge called The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.  It followed the trek of the Nez Price Indian travels.  It was another beautiful road but not as high or twisty as Beartooth. We had downpours on he trip but that was OK. It didn't leak in the truck so I wasn't bothered at all.  It was an all day trip and we survived.

The next day we were back in the car for over a 200 mile trip looking for the Pryor Mountain Wild mustangs in the area of the Bighorn Recreation Area.  This National Park straddles the Wyoming and Montana border. It was another 6 hour day in the car and we never did see the Mustangs. There are around 140  wild horses living in the area. No one does anything for the horses.  They survive on their own like they have done for the past 250 years. These horses are descended from the Spanish Colonial Horses that got loose and roamed in herds in the west. Some horses still look different from the regular horses you see mostly.  Some even have a stripe down their back or on their legs like zebras.  Wish we had seen that!

We really loved the National Park with this gorgeous canyon. Papa does not do well with heights, but he did get close to the edge. Both Mama and Papa thought that this canyon was even better than the Grand Canyon because we were almost alone.  All I remember hearing about the Grand Canyon happened eight years ago.  I was only six months old and supposedly, our little friend, Parker, walked out onto an overlook, took one look at the canyon, turned around and announced "I'm done!".  She was only two at the time so I get it.  That's how I feel sometimes, too.



Yellowstone National Park is our next destination.  I wonder how many canyons Yellowstone has.  I guess I'll see.



In the meantime, here are some more vistas to see from Beartooth Highway, Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, the Big Horn Mountains, and Red Lodge:

Big Horn River Canyon 

Red rock of Big Horn Mountains

Valley from summit of Beartooth Highway

Pictograph Caves

Alpine Lake at top of Beartooth Highway

Fire ravaged tree

Lake in Big Horn mountains

Petrified Tree

Looking for Rattlesnakes?   Really???

See, I told you!

Big Horn National Recreation Area

More Beartooth Highway Switchbacks

 Mama's and Papa's favorite canyon - Big Horn River Canyon