We traveled hwy 14 all the way to Joe and Karen's in West Concord, MN.
Lots of high water in SD and even in MN - but none over the road.
Home tomorrow.
Friday, July 8, 2011
2011-07-08
We traveled hwy 14 all the way to Joe and Karen's in West Concord, MN.
Lots of high water in SD and even in MN - but none over the road.
Home tomorrow.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
2011-07-07 MT, ND, SD
July 7, 2011 Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota
Up early this AM and on the road by 7:00. We traveled all day on hwy 12 - from Miles City, MT into ND, then diagonally into SD. Some interesting scenery. Roads were more interesting. Hwy 12 is not a major road and had little traffic. That part was nice. ND road construction seems to mean you close the road, hack up the blacktop and any base, and then use a pilot truck to lead vehicles through the maze of construction equipment on muddy dirt that gives as you drive on it. Interesting.
When we saw SD road construction signs, we tried to find a way around but couldn't. Thank Goodness! The road was under construction only because it was under water! They were dumping truck-loads of gravel onto the road to raise it above the water. The railroad track was close to being under water as well. And it wasn't anywhere near the Missouri River. What a ride!
We finally made it into camp. Jim and Joe picked a winner this time! It's called Wylie Park in Aberdeen. There is a lake for swimming, Storybook Land (whatever that is) and a Zoo. The kids are happy.
Tomorrow we'll be in West Concord, MN. The kids are really looking forward to that. It was been a long trip for them and they've done very well.
Up early this AM and on the road by 7:00. We traveled all day on hwy 12 - from Miles City, MT into ND, then diagonally into SD. Some interesting scenery. Roads were more interesting. Hwy 12 is not a major road and had little traffic. That part was nice. ND road construction seems to mean you close the road, hack up the blacktop and any base, and then use a pilot truck to lead vehicles through the maze of construction equipment on muddy dirt that gives as you drive on it. Interesting.
When we saw SD road construction signs, we tried to find a way around but couldn't. Thank Goodness! The road was under construction only because it was under water! They were dumping truck-loads of gravel onto the road to raise it above the water. The railroad track was close to being under water as well. And it wasn't anywhere near the Missouri River. What a ride!
We finally made it into camp. Jim and Joe picked a winner this time! It's called Wylie Park in Aberdeen. There is a lake for swimming, Storybook Land (whatever that is) and a Zoo. The kids are happy.
Tomorrow we'll be in West Concord, MN. The kids are really looking forward to that. It was been a long trip for them and they've done very well.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
2011-07-05 Missoula, MT
July 5, 2011 - Missoula, MT
Tuesday, Steve and Linda left to become Trail Masters for an Alaska Trek. Dillon was so happy - guess he wanted to get away from the fireworks. Deb and Wayne showed us around a little of Missoula. The town has created a "Wave" in the Clark Fork River where surfers and kayakers can practice their sport. Fun to watch. We all rode the restored Carousel, trying to catch the gold ring - which we didn't. Had a good time.
Up very early on the 6th and said our "Good-byes" to Deb and Wayne. And we drove all the way to Miles City, MT. Nine hours of traveling. We are camped in the Meadows RV Park, in Miles City. A stones throw away from Wal-Mart! Too bad I don't need anything.
Tuesday, Steve and Linda left to become Trail Masters for an Alaska Trek. Dillon was so happy - guess he wanted to get away from the fireworks. Deb and Wayne showed us around a little of Missoula. The town has created a "Wave" in the Clark Fork River where surfers and kayakers can practice their sport. Fun to watch. We all rode the restored Carousel, trying to catch the gold ring - which we didn't. Had a good time.
Up very early on the 6th and said our "Good-byes" to Deb and Wayne. And we drove all the way to Miles City, MT. Nine hours of traveling. We are camped in the Meadows RV Park, in Miles City. A stones throw away from Wal-Mart! Too bad I don't need anything.
2011-07-04 MT Capitol
July 4, 2011 - Montana State Capitol
We traveled highways 87 and 15 from Fort Benton to Helena. We were going to just drive by the capitol, but were able to park both campers right across the street from the capitol! So we went inside and wandered around for awhile, taking much of the self-guided tour. Do all state capitols have domes and rotundas? Why? I sure would like to know.
After the capitol, we drove hwy 12 from Helena to Missoula. We put Deb and Wayne's address into our trusty "Matilda" and followed her guidance. And she got us there! They live on the Clark Fork River, which is still higher than normal so their yard is a bit soggy in places. Steve and Linda (from our Alaska trip) were already there, parked in the side yard so we parked the camper on the front lawn. Joe got the shady tree in the back.
Deb introduced the kids to Bud, the cockatoo, Jack and Fred the cockatiels, Angel the cat and Daisy the Golden Retriever. Beth and Tess would have spent the whole time we were there with the birds if we'd let her!
We didn't have any fireworks of our own, but the whole neighborhood was setting off fireworks so we didn't need any. Daisy and Steve's Dillon were going nuts. Deb had given them both tranquilizers the day before because of the noise and gave them more on the 4th. They still ran and hid at every bang.
Early to bed... and to sleep even with all the banging continuing.
We traveled highways 87 and 15 from Fort Benton to Helena. We were going to just drive by the capitol, but were able to park both campers right across the street from the capitol! So we went inside and wandered around for awhile, taking much of the self-guided tour. Do all state capitols have domes and rotundas? Why? I sure would like to know.
After the capitol, we drove hwy 12 from Helena to Missoula. We put Deb and Wayne's address into our trusty "Matilda" and followed her guidance. And she got us there! They live on the Clark Fork River, which is still higher than normal so their yard is a bit soggy in places. Steve and Linda (from our Alaska trip) were already there, parked in the side yard so we parked the camper on the front lawn. Joe got the shady tree in the back.
Deb introduced the kids to Bud, the cockatoo, Jack and Fred the cockatiels, Angel the cat and Daisy the Golden Retriever. Beth and Tess would have spent the whole time we were there with the birds if we'd let her!
We didn't have any fireworks of our own, but the whole neighborhood was setting off fireworks so we didn't need any. Daisy and Steve's Dillon were going nuts. Deb had given them both tranquilizers the day before because of the noise and gave them more on the 4th. They still ran and hid at every bang.
Early to bed... and to sleep even with all the banging continuing.
2011-07-03 Fort Benton
July 3 - The Grand Union Hotel B&B
We arrived in Fort Benton around 4:00pm and found a vacant lot where we all parked our rigs. (Don called the police and got permission for us to keep the vehicles there.) The Hotel was really neat! I'm sure it didn't look this good when Jim's Dad was here. We celebrated Jim's B-day with supper in the dining room. Took 2 hours and was good but way to long for the kids. Jeff's family was no longer with us... they decided Katie needed to see a doctor at home as she was still sick. Hope she's OK.
We arrived in Fort Benton around 4:00pm and found a vacant lot where we all parked our rigs. (Don called the police and got permission for us to keep the vehicles there.) The Hotel was really neat! I'm sure it didn't look this good when Jim's Dad was here. We celebrated Jim's B-day with supper in the dining room. Took 2 hours and was good but way to long for the kids. Jeff's family was no longer with us... they decided Katie needed to see a doctor at home as she was still sick. Hope she's OK.
2011-07-03 Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
July 3, 2011 We stopped at Lewis and Clark Center on the way to Fort Benton.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
2011-07-02 Livingston to Great Falls, MT
July 2, 2011 Drive from Livingston to Great Falls, MT
We didn't want to rush out of Camp this morning. All a bit lazy after last night's camp fire. Katie is under the weather again this morning... poor little kid. But having her Mom and Dad here should help.
The first mountain range we could see after leaving Livingston is called the Crazy Mountains. Great name! They are well in the distance and mostly snow covered.
We didn't drive in the mountains until we reached the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The mountains here are the Little Belt Mountains. Dad (Fen) and Walt traveled this route and had a snowball fight at Kings Hill Pass. I think they had more snow than we did - but we managed to find enough for a few snowballs. Our trip down the north side of the pass, unlike Fen and Walt's, was uneventful. They "shot the brake, reverse, and low bands-a hot time was had by all on the memorable ride," according to Fen.
We arrived at the Great Falls KOA about 1:30pm. All the Clemens were already here. We set up and the kids (minus Katie) enjoyed the water park for the rest of the afternoon. There is supposed to be a bluegrass group playing tonight but Jim can't find them. I think I'll see if I can get some laundry done.
We didn't want to rush out of Camp this morning. All a bit lazy after last night's camp fire. Katie is under the weather again this morning... poor little kid. But having her Mom and Dad here should help.
The first mountain range we could see after leaving Livingston is called the Crazy Mountains. Great name! They are well in the distance and mostly snow covered.
We didn't drive in the mountains until we reached the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The mountains here are the Little Belt Mountains. Dad (Fen) and Walt traveled this route and had a snowball fight at Kings Hill Pass. I think they had more snow than we did - but we managed to find enough for a few snowballs. Our trip down the north side of the pass, unlike Fen and Walt's, was uneventful. They "shot the brake, reverse, and low bands-a hot time was had by all on the memorable ride," according to Fen.
We arrived at the Great Falls KOA about 1:30pm. All the Clemens were already here. We set up and the kids (minus Katie) enjoyed the water park for the rest of the afternoon. There is supposed to be a bluegrass group playing tonight but Jim can't find them. I think I'll see if I can get some laundry done.
2011-07-01 Pictographs, Pioneer School, Pompeys Pillar
July 1, 2011 - We visited Pictograph Caves State Park, the Old Pioneer School and Pompeys Pillar
Yesterday we traveled from the flooded Little Bighorn River to the even more flooded Yellowstone River stopping along the way at spots Jim's Dad mentioned in his Journal. (We did call ahead to be sure the KOA on the banks of the Yellowstone was open for business)
Our first stop was Pictograph Caves S. P. just south of Billings, MT. Don and Jo had been there before. It was a good place for us to stretch our legs. The paintings on the walls have faded; many can barely be seen. But there was a woman taking kids around and she explained the drawings to the kids, using a laser pointer. I think we enjoyed it more than the kids!
Next stop was an old school where Dad Z (Fen) and Walt had camped overnight on their way to Billings. Jim had found the school using the internet and the owner of the 7th Ranch Camp (superintendent of schools there) had concurred. And it is really there! Right next to a newer Pioneer School. The buildings were fenced and the gate was locked but we got pictures anyway.
Next we drove a bit farther east to Pompeys Pillar National Monument. Fen and Walt had picked up a hitch-hiker in this area and wrote quite a story. Pompeys Pillar is another landmark used by early settlers as well as Lewis and Clark. The pillar rised above the Yellowstone River which was still very high - covering the picnic area but not up to the buildings.
After a few more hours drive we arrived at our camp for the night - Livingston KOA. We are very near Yellowstone N.P. so it's a busy park. The river is down the bank from our sites and we can hear it rushing by.
Katie's family has joined our group - Jeff, Deb and 4 year old Lizzie. Jeff brought venison steaks for supper which were delicious! We spent the evening around the campfire. The kids had "cookie some mores" - a Lizzie creation that they all loved.
Yesterday we traveled from the flooded Little Bighorn River to the even more flooded Yellowstone River stopping along the way at spots Jim's Dad mentioned in his Journal. (We did call ahead to be sure the KOA on the banks of the Yellowstone was open for business)
Our first stop was Pictograph Caves S. P. just south of Billings, MT. Don and Jo had been there before. It was a good place for us to stretch our legs. The paintings on the walls have faded; many can barely be seen. But there was a woman taking kids around and she explained the drawings to the kids, using a laser pointer. I think we enjoyed it more than the kids!
Next stop was an old school where Dad Z (Fen) and Walt had camped overnight on their way to Billings. Jim had found the school using the internet and the owner of the 7th Ranch Camp (superintendent of schools there) had concurred. And it is really there! Right next to a newer Pioneer School. The buildings were fenced and the gate was locked but we got pictures anyway.
Next we drove a bit farther east to Pompeys Pillar National Monument. Fen and Walt had picked up a hitch-hiker in this area and wrote quite a story. Pompeys Pillar is another landmark used by early settlers as well as Lewis and Clark. The pillar rised above the Yellowstone River which was still very high - covering the picnic area but not up to the buildings.
After a few more hours drive we arrived at our camp for the night - Livingston KOA. We are very near Yellowstone N.P. so it's a busy park. The river is down the bank from our sites and we can hear it rushing by.
Katie's family has joined our group - Jeff, Deb and 4 year old Lizzie. Jeff brought venison steaks for supper which were delicious! We spent the evening around the campfire. The kids had "cookie some mores" - a Lizzie creation that they all loved.
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