The Montana Adventures Begin

Montana has been a state that we travel through on a journey to somewhere else.  The ruggedness of western wilderness has long called to me and this year Montana became the destination.  Many people have asked where we are traveling to this year and my actual destinations remain to be seen.  When traveling without reservations, You are never quite sure where you will be sleeping each night but is my favorite way to travel.

Restocking after the Sisters on the Fly Event and Hailey and I were off for our five week Montana Adventure.

 Watching fishing boats float by

 The occasional train passing through

 The perfect place to play and recharge batteries

The was only one other camper in the Cascade campground where we spent the first night.  A couple from Polson, Montana.  They were on a mini-vacation that was going a bit longer than they planned for.

After driving them twice to the nearest cell phone coverage area to call Triple AAA to get assistance and then wait for someone to come, to no avail....a ranger came and jump started the truck for them.... the charging system was not working properly so they ended their camping and headed on home.

Reality is a bummer!

Happier Trails to you, Doris and Alvin Lee!

 National Bison Range

The National Bison Range is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It was established in 1908, making it over 100 years old, and one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the nation.

The 18,500 acre range was established to support a population of American bison. It is home to about 350-500 of these animals. Other large wildlife found on the Bison Range include elk, white-tail and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, coyote and ground squirrels who share the area with 350 to 500 bison.

 A young bull

We started the visit at the visitor center and decided to make the big loop called Red Mountain Loop.  We were rewarded with views of wildlife and gorgeous views.  This drive through Bison Range sported two trails at the top of Red Mountain in an area where the buffalo do not roam.

One of the big buffalo bulls 

  This drive through Bison Range sported two trails at the top of Red Mountain in an area where the buffalo do not roam.

We started the visit at the visitor center and decided to make the big loop called Red Mountain Loop.  We were rewarded with views of wildlife and gorgeous views.  This drive through Bison Range sported two trails at the top of Red Mountain in an area where the buffalo do not roam.

  
 It does however sport 10% downgrade with hairpin roads which require use of brakes in addition to down shifting.  Squealing brakes sent us to return to Camp Firestone in Missoula to check out our options.....

While not an emergency.....brake work will ensure best possible braking as we continue to climb more mountains.