Rollin’ On The River #4 – Saying Goodbye to Montana
I’m excited about the road (& river!) ahead, of course, but I’ll be sad to leave Montana. The two states where I stay the longest on this trip are Montana at the start, and Missouri at the end. I already love Missouri, and I’ve sure gotten attached to Montana in a short time! I used to think “Big Sky Country” was a slogan, now I think it’s an understatement!! But the river doesn’t stop, and on Tuesday (8/9), I’ll cross over into North Dakota, and soon after that, I’ll finally start back south again.
Here are some of my stops since last week’s blog, and some highlights from each. Pick and choose as you wish.
Helena Loved the ‘feel’ of Helena, but can’t quite describe it aptly. Part of it is the size – perfect blend of big ‘little town’ and small ‘big city’; part of it is the ‘old west’ flavor everywhere; and part of it is the location, scenery & the views!
- Apparently I goofed up the link to the Capitol Building pictures last week (THANKS to those who told me!), and you’ve GOT to see that, so let’s try again: CapitolBuilding. Sorry ’bout that!
- Not far north of Helena is an amazing stretch of the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark called it ‘the gates to the Rocky Mountains’, and a similar name – Gates of the Mountains – has stuck. Don’t miss these views and this float on the river: GatesMtns.
- For some views OF and FROM Helena, see HelenaViews.
Great Falls Named for the series of ‘great falls’ that almost doomed Lewis and Clark’s entire expedition. The Indians had told them of ‘a great waterfall’, and they expected a half-day mile-long portage. Instead they found FIVE (5) falls over 18 miles of river, and it took almost a month of back-breaking work up steep hills and over land to get around them.
- Of the 5 original falls, 3 of them now have hydro-electric dams sitting on them, and a fourth is submerged as a result. Only one has no dam on it, and even it is affected by the dam above it. For pictures and details, see Falls.Dams
Fort Benton “The birthplace of Montana.” One of the original buildings in historic Fort Benton (as in the fort) was built in 1846 and is the oldest building in Montana. Fort Benton was the furthest west on the Missouri that (some of) the steamboats were able to reach. Fascinating and charming small western town – one can still stroll the remaining levee.
- Just south of Ft. Benton, on the way up from Great Falls, I took a short detour to ride my first MO River ferry crossing! Carter Ferry was GREAT fun, and the operator – Vicki Perkins – is a marvelous gal. See CarterFerry.
- Ft. Benton: what a delightful (& historic) place! Here are some shots of the city: FtBentonScenes.
- Sunrise! Caught some great RiverSunrise shots one morning. Click the link.
Virgelle A little one-store ‘town’ on a gravel road about 8 miles off the highway, north of Fort Benton. But within a mile radius are a famous Mercantile store, another ferry, and the northernmost point of the River!!
- For a ride on the VirgelleFerry, click the link.
- To see this most unique establishment and owner, visit Mercantile.
- For the northernmost spot on the River, see CoalBanksLanding.
- Finally, a bonus!! Driving away from the Landing above, I spotted an active Osprey nest, with a mother and two chicks. Got some great pics. See OspreyNest
By the time you read this, I’ll be in the middle of my visit to the Fort Peck Area (including Glasgow and Wolf Point). But a BUSY agenda there and a long blog already means that report will have to wait until next week. Can’t wait!
Non-River-Related Highlight(s) of the Week: A couple this week. 1. I’ve seen some weird street signs before, but this may take the cake? 2. Many of you know I love purple, but I’m just not sure here. Maybe this doubles as a day-care center? At least it would be easy to give directions! See both of these at NR.Highlights
Up Ahead – A Quick Preview: During this next week, after the Fort Peck area, I’ll move into North Dakota, with stops at Williston, and then Bismarck (for 3 nights).
Have a great week!!