Montana: Big Sky

 Day 59: July 21, 2021

We travel across Big Sky Country Montana

When I told Ben I was “over” the desert and dry landscapes, although I didn’t know it at the time, I lied. Coming out of the mountains and relative green of Helena and heading eastward, I found that I really enjoyed the rocks and buttes and valleys and vistas of the heart of Montana. At one point, we could really see why they call it Big Sky Country.  

We arrived in Miles City and got settled for our only night in the KOA here. This park is nestled in what appears to be an industrial and/or old area; a parking lot with large piles of gravel on one side, an old trailer park on the other and industrial businesses filling in the rest. No fences, just open to the quiet streets surrounding the park. 

We went out for dinner and then explored the town. LOTS of casinos—honestly, I could count 6 really fast along a commercial area, then in another block, 3-4 more. Even the Tilt Würks Brewpub, our dinner destination, had a casino attached to it. A corrections facility, several nice looking churches, and an old Main Street that was a mix of old businesses and closed businesses, antique shops, insurance dealers and investment advisors. (Why does a town of 8000 need TWO Edward Jones offices? And TWO Stockman’s Bank branches?  ….the things I notice when I’m not driving….)

Here are some “taken from a briskly moving car” photos. 

The colors in this view out of Helena reminds me of all those Charlie Russell paintings we saw yesterday.

Butte

Rocks and trees and sage

Cattle, rocks, trees, sage

Rocks, trees, scrub

Boulders; and, car rear view mirror

More of the same

Growing something….

Our Montana vacation home site for one night

Today’s drive puts us over 6500 towing miles. Tomorrow we head out to Teddy Roosevelt NP in North Dakota. Another sticker to add to our map. No electricity or water at this site. Stay tuned!