Traveling

[Ulysses]

So today's excursion was to Chief Plenty Coups state park. https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/chief-plenty-coups/
This guy, who we'd never heard of, had a most incredible life. Born in 1848 as a "real" Indian living with his tribe (Crow) in tepees, by the time he died in 1932 he had been an honoured warrior, tribal leader, had met presidents, lived in a nice house and drove a car - sometimes in full headress.

Interesting.

When I was in junior high school in San Francisco in the 60's, one of my English instructors was a black haired lady who said she was 100% Crow Indian. She was nice and seemed to take an interest in me. At the time I was under the impression that somewhere back in my ancestry was an Indian princess, and I probably told her that. However about 20 years ago another relative informed me that it was a myth, although there is a mysterious woman who looks to be Indian in a old family photo (which don't think I've ever seen; at least I don't have a copy). But I did grow up with that belief and felt my interest in nature was somehow related to those genes.

[O Really]

It takes a bit to impress me with something "old" or "historical." My mum's half of the family is from York (Old, not New), where you can have a pint in a pub that's been there since 900 and visit places Vikings lived. In Greece, I lived within a few blocks of 5,000 year old ruins, so given the places I've lived and visited, I'm pretty much all McKayla Maroney over places that feature their "historic" towns from 1820ish. But following a dinosaur trail does improve the perspective. This week we're in Three Forks, MT, home to the headwaters of the Missouri River, at the confluence of the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin Rivers. Looking at the long-term history of the area, you find you're standing not just where Lewis and Clark parked themselves, but also along the route followed by the earliest critters to migrate across the Bering Strait back when California was under water and Idaho was beachfront. You've also got thousands of years of indigenous peoples lives that goes back way before any white people ever thought it was a good idea to bring their smallpox. That's definitely standing on history.

[Vrede too]

It takes a bit to impress me with something "old" or "historical." My mum's half of the family is from York (Old, not New), where you can have a pint in a pub that's been there since 900 and visit places Vikings lived. In Greece, I lived within a few blocks of 5,000 year old ruins, so given the places I've lived and visited, I'm pretty much all McKayla Maroney over places that feature their "historic" towns from 1820ish. But following a dinosaur trail does improve the perspective. This week we're in Three Forks, MT, home to the headwaters of the Missouri River, at the confluence of the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin Rivers. Looking at the long-term history of the area, you find you're standing not just where Lewis and Clark parked themselves, but also along the route followed by the earliest critters to migrate across the Bering Strait back when California was under water and Idaho was beachfront. You've also got thousands of years of indigenous peoples lives that goes back way before any white people ever thought it was a good idea to bring their smallpox. That's definitely standing on history.

The drive thru the Big Hole Valley and up the Bitterroot Valley is a nice alternative to I-90.

[O Really]

[
The drive thru the Big Hole Valley and up the Bitterroot Valley is a nice alternative to I-90.

Which road?

[Vrede too]

The drive thru the Big Hole Valley and up the Bitterroot Valley is a nice alternative to I-90.

Which road?

You're aiming for 43 thru Wisdom. 2 ways to get there:
Shortest is 1-90 to I-15 S to 43 W.
More scenic is 55 to 41 thru Dillon to 278 to 43. Stop at Bannack ghost town. I know you're not impressed by MT "old", but it's a very interesting history.
On 43 west of Wisdom is the Big Hole National Battlefield, "the largest battle fought between the Nez Perce and U.S. Government forces in the five-month conflict known as the Nez Perce War."
There are high passes by MT standards, but all the roads are paved and you should be fine in your fancy rig.

43 to 93 and the Bitterroot Valley. The valley is getting crowded, but it's still one of the most stunning places on the planet. Every side canyon is a fabulous dayhike. At Hwy 12 is another Nez Perce War point of interest, Fort Fizzle. "The name describes the effectiveness of the fort."

You can either continue on to Missoula and I-15, or head west on 12. 12 is beautiful, but very twisty for 75 miles or so. You may find it annoying in your big rig.

[O Really]

Thanks, I'll check it out on satellite.

[Ulysses]

So today's excursion was to Chief Plenty Coups state park. https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/chief-plenty-coups/
This guy, who we'd never heard of, had a most incredible life. Born in 1848 as a "real" Indian living with his tribe (Crow) in tepees, by the time he died in 1932 he had been an honoured warrior, tribal leader, had met presidents, lived in a nice house and drove a car - sometimes in full headress.

Interesting.

When I was in junior high school in San Francisco in the 60's, one of my English instructors was a black haired lady who said she was 100% Crow Indian. She was nice and seemed to take an interest in me. At the time I was under the impression that somewhere back in my ancestry was an Indian princess, and I probably told her that. However about 20 years ago another relative informed me that it was a myth, although there is a mysterious woman who looks to be Indian in a old family photo (which don't think I've ever seen; at least I don't have a copy). But I did grow up with that belief and felt my interest in nature was somehow related to those genes.

That looks more like a sedan than a coup.

[neoplacebo]

Too bad this gullible Indian was tricked into a car from the UK. Not only is the steering wheel on the wrong side, that spare tire they stuck him with doesn't appear that it will fit the wheels.....the tire seems to be about twice the width of the other tires. I hope the chief didn't pay too much.

[O Really]

. I hope the chief didn't pay too much.

Historically, they've always had to pay too much for too little.

[O Really]

The drive thru the Big Hole Valley and up the Bitterroot Valley is a nice alternative to I-90.

Which road?

You're aiming for 43 thru Wisdom. 2 ways to get there:
Shortest is 1-90 to I-15 S to 43 W.
...

I think we'll work that route in on a different trip. I'm not that fond of driving more than 100 or so miles on two-lane at a time if I can avoid it. There are several good parks along the river on 93, but it's way too late to get into one for next week. Looks like a beautiful drive, though.

[Vrede too]

Too bad. I didn't think of it until you mentioned Three Forks.

The passes would have been the most comfortable you'd find outdoors in MT in the daytime. In fact, at over 6000 feet the entire Big Hole Valley and Battlefield will also be relatively pleasant.

Thanks, I'll check it out on satellite.

I think driving is nicer.

[O Really]

I think driving is nicer.

Sure, but previewing a route is majorly helpful when you're driving something that won't back up unless you de-hitch the toad. I usually scan a route on satellite, then query something like "driving (road name/number)" and look for videos. A lot of the time you can get the entire trip in condensed time. Hills aren't usually a problem, but narrow, sharp blind curves can make for a looooong day.

F'rinstance: http://www.aboutrving.com/rv-topics/the ... -in-an-rv/

Big mistake:

Below Eureka, California, US 101 heads inland and stays away from the coast all the way to San Francisco. We wanted to be on the coast. So, at Legget, California (about Mile Marker 616) we decided to take California Highway 1 (Shoreline Highway). After all, it hugs the coast, ends up in San Francisco, and is a “red” road on the map. RVers know that the red roads are typically okay. What we didn’t know was that this highway is one of the official “California Restricted Routes” (click to see my article entitled, California Restricted Routes).

[Vrede too]

Sure, but previewing a route is majorly helpful when you're driving something that won't back up unless you de-hitch the toad. I usually scan a route on satellite, then query something like "driving (road name/number)" and look for videos. A lot of the time you can get the entire trip in condensed time. Hills aren't usually a problem, but narrow, sharp blind curves can make for a looooong day.

F'rinstance: http://www.aboutrving.com/rv-topics/the ... -in-an-rv/

Big mistake:

Yeah, 1 is gorgeous, but can be stressful even in a car. I got caught in fog so bad along that same stretch that I had to pull over for a couple of hours.

[Ulysses]

Sure, but previewing a route is majorly helpful when you're driving something that won't back up unless you de-hitch the toad. I usually scan a route on satellite, then query something like "driving (road name/number)" and look for videos. A lot of the time you can get the entire trip in condensed time. Hills aren't usually a problem, but narrow, sharp blind curves can make for a looooong day.

F'rinstance: http://www.aboutrving.com/rv-topics/the ... -in-an-rv/

Big mistake:

Below Eureka, California, US 101 heads inland and stays away from the coast all the way to San Francisco. We wanted to be on the coast. So, at Legget, California (about Mile Marker 616) we decided to take California Highway 1 (Shoreline Highway). After all, it hugs the coast, ends up in San Francisco, and is a “red” road on the map. RVers know that the red roads are typically okay. What we didn’t know was that this highway is one of the official “California Restricted Routes” (click to see my article entitled, California Restricted Routes).

As a sometime sport motorcyclist, those RV's are like challenge games on Highway 1. Usually one can pass them safely on a sharp left hand curve, where they generally slow to a crawl.

[Vrede too]

I think we'll work that route in on a different trip. I'm not that fond of driving more than 100 or so miles on two-lane at a time if I can avoid it. There are several good parks along the river on 93, but it's way too late to get into one for next week. Looks like a beautiful drive, though.

Future reference: Much of 93 is 4-lane.

Where are you staying after Three Forks in case I think of any good day trips for the car?

[O Really]

I think we'll work that route in on a different trip. I'm not that fond of driving more than 100 or so miles on two-lane at a time if I can avoid it. There are several good parks along the river on 93, but it's way too late to get into one for next week. Looks like a beautiful drive, though.

Future reference: Much of 93 is 4-lane.

Where are you staying after Three Forks in case I think of any good day trips for the car?

Missoula, but not for very long. Then on to Spokane.

[Vrede too]

Missoula, but not for very long. Then on to Spokane.

THE community event:


Saturdays May-September 8am-12:30pm
Tuesdays June-September 5-7pm
Not just produce. You can also buy a meal and there's an open-air crafts market a block away.

Greenough Park, in town, is a lovely walk. Rattlesnake Creek is good for a chilly dip.
I know that you've biked on part of the Milwaukee Road rail trail in Idaho. It runs thru Missoula on the south side of the Clark Fork River. Bike-able, but I'd suggest a stroll.
Beat the heat by swimming at the confluence of the Bitterroot and Clark Fork River at Kelly's Island.
Drive down to Fort Fizzle in Lolo to get your funny Nez Perce fix.
Mission Mountains, north of town on 93, stunning.
Montana Museum of Art & Culture
Missoula Art Museum
Fort Missoula. Most interesting to me: "During World War II, Fort Missoula housed a prison camp for Italian POWs, who called the area Bella Vista, and Japanese Americans arrested as "enemy aliens" after Pearl Harbor."
Float trip on any of the rivers if you have time.

[O Really]

Latest stop on the dinosaur tour:
Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman



https://museumoftherockies.org/

[O Really]

A good thing about staying in RV parks is that there is always free entertainment - usually provided by other travelers, and often by those who are first-time RV renters or who rushed out to buy a covid-mobile. In the last month or so we've seen:

Awning ripped off because the owner didn't roll it up before a predicted wind storm;
Awning ripped off on a tree because the owner didn't roll it up before starting to drive off;
Black or gray water sprayed all over somebody who didn't attach the drain pipe securely;
Guy rolling his trailer over a large rock that had been placed to prevent short-cutting a corner;
Large fifth-wheel trailer trying to back up the street from the underpass going into Hot Springs State Park because he ignored the height warning.
Two people and two large hairy dogs all stuffing themselves into a teardrop trailer with (apparently) no air conditioning.

Never dull.

[billy.pilgrim]

A good thing about staying in RV parks is that there is always free entertainment - usually provided by other travelers, and often by those who are first-time RV renters or who rushed out to buy a covid-mobile. In the last month or so we've seen:

Awning ripped off because the owner didn't roll it up before a predicted wind storm;
Awning ripped off on a tree because the owner didn't roll it up before starting to drive off;
Black or gray water sprayed all over somebody who didn't attach the drain pipe securely;
Guy rolling his trailer over a large rock that had been placed to prevent short-cutting a corner;
Large fifth-wheel trailer trying to back up the street from the underpass going into Hot Springs State Park because he ignored the height warning.
Two people and two large hairy dogs all stuffing themselves into a teardrop trailer with (apparently) no air conditioning.

Never dull.

https://dai.ly/x2nakrs