It's a great time of year to take a drive through Montana--the fields are brilliant shades of green, the mountains still have snow, and the sky is fresh and blue. We stopped every two hours or so, giving Claire some wiggle time outside the car and us a chance for
a few mini-hikes. We followed the Missouri north to Helena and Great Falls, taking side roads right along the river for part of the time. Then we headed across the high mountain plains to the historic town of Fort Benton. It's one of the oldest towns in Montana and was quite the frontier town as it was the last navigable point for steamships coming up the Missouri. Once the railroad came to Helena and Great Falls, it lost its importance. We stayed in a fantastic restored hotel called the Grand Union and enjoyed a delicious bison
steak dinner in their dining room. (Thankfully, the busy season hasn't hit yet, as keeping a 13 month old in control in a white linen tablecloth kind of restaurant was a bit of a challenge.) Our room looked out on the Missouri, and we had the windows open listening to the river all night. We took a different route home, heading through the Big Belt and Little Belt Mountains. It's impossible to describe all the different landscapes we saw in just this one trip, but it certainly makes us appreciate where we live--the history, the views, the people, and the recreation all right in our backyard so to speak!
3 comments:
Yay! for school being out!
Now you can enjoy your summer with Claire. Looks like a great road trip.
Oh and by the way, Cam is semi-walking. He pushes push toys around and walks with holding hands. But I don't consider that walking yet. Hang in there, one day Claire will just take off running. well, ok, maybe not running, but you know what I mean.
Great great pictures that tell your story so completely. Just loved the picture of the hotel and the river.That hotel is my cup of tea; it sure beats a motel. Claire and the mountains in the background. Wow!!She's going to be a hiker.
Thanks thanks thanks.
Wow, I'm impressed with a spontaneous trip! I think the most spontaneous thing we've done since the twins is going out to breakfast. It looks like the trip was wonderful -- I wish I could have seen it all with you. Congrats on school being done. What will you do with all your free time now that you have 'nothing' to do? :)
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