July 5, 2005 ~ The "Three Musketeers" taking a lunch break and rest stop at the South Dakota line as we travel South on highway 85 to Rapid City, SD. 

July 1st hailstorm at our campground in Dickinson, ND. Later that night, although they managed to get them rolled up with Les's help, both Don and Phil received damage to their big awnings from a sudden thunder, lightning, and very intense (albeit short lived) wind storm.  

After three weeks of fishing, visiting friends, spending time with family and exploring Montana, we head east on highway 2 and cross into North Dakota on June 27, 2005. 

Gloria contemplating meeting this guy in a dark alley as we explored the excellent Phillips County Museum in Malta, Montana. 

Gloria and Lester leading the way as this spectacular vista opens up on highway 191 driving north from White Sulphur Springs toward our next stop in Malta, Montana. In the middle left, off in the distance you can see the road as it continues on and on ... 

10:10 AM Sunday July 10, 2005

Gateway to the North entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Livingston is a small town with a lot of history. Traveling East or West on I-90, at Livingston, turn South on Route 89 for about 57 miles to the park.

Magnificent old barn on it's knees, taking a last breath before giving in to the ravages of time.  

Abandoned grain elevator along scenic route 89 south from White Sulphur Springs to Livingston Montana.  

Lovely city park in Livingston Montana 

Main street of Livingston Montana 

9:52 AM Saturday July 9, 2005

For lots more pictures of our travels, here is a link to Gloria and Lester's picture site:

http://lr.smugmug.com/gallery/602376

9:17 AM Saturday July 9, 2005

Hindsight:

Wonderful example of snow fences along highway 12 in Montana. Here is a fine explanation by:

Paul Noel ltree@ro.com
Harvest, Al USA
March 1997

"Snow fences are intended for several purposes. All of these rely on the fact that snow fences cause snow to drift down wind of them thus either collecting water in a place it is wanted or preventing snow from piling where it is not wanted. They are used in many places and interestingly they are also used on the sea shore to cause dunes to form where they are wanted or to control the progress of sand into areas where it is not wanted. So when you go to the seacoast you will see the same thing.
How they work is quite simple. Whenever the wind goes over a fence or wall it forms an eddy current behind the wall. This is a rolling wind current that flows downward and back to the back side of the fence. Thus it causes fast and slow places to develop in the wind. It makes a drift form in front of the fence on the windward side

This empties the air of snow before it crosses the road. It also causes fast air to form, as it is drawn downward, a little farther away so that it blows the snow away from that area. All of these devices rely on the fact that the wind that deposits the material you want to control is nearly always coming from the same direction. In the Colorado area the winter snows blow mostly from one direction. On the beach the prevailing winds are mostly from one direction too. So the builder of the fence can plan their effects by merely placing the fence. Wind erosion

So actually they don’t stop the snow from blowing across the road, they pile it along side and like a leaf blower they blow any snow off the road. Hopefully this helps you understand the function of a snow fence. This is quite similar to the building of groins or jetties along the sea coast to control the deposition of sand on beaches and harbors."

One of several ... 

closer look ... 

strategic placement ... 

Our destination for Father's Day brunch ... 20 miles west of White Sulphur Springs Montana on highway 12 ... way-y-y-y out into the mountains next to what seems to be a prosperous housing development. Large, impressive homes sitting up on the ridges surveying the landscape all around. Beautiful views on substantial chunks of land (maybe about 20 acres). Both dramatic and puzzling ... what brings these people out here?  

Unpretentious front door of the lodge. 

The menu ... 

Joy at the buffet line ... 

Joy and Phil contemplating whether to have more dessert ... maybe not! 

Gloria and Les taking pictures inside the lobby. 

10:57 AM Thursday July 7, 2005

Hindsight:

After enjoying our Father’s Day brunch we piled into Gloria and Les's Saturn and went for a drive. We soon lost count of the deer and antelope around every corner as we meandered along the back roads surrounding White Sulphur Springs. Then we noticed these big birds. Our species guesses ranged from Australian emus to wild turkeys. Standing or laying down, they were just far enough off the road in the grassy fields that we couldn’t get a good picture with our camera but eventualy we did see their red heads with the binoculars. After we got back home, we did some research and found these pictures on line. We felt very fortunate to have spotted several pair of them on our drive.

Standing four feet tall and weighing about 7-8 pounds, Sandhill Cranes have a wingspan of six feet or more. These graceful birds are best known for their mating dance in which male and female bow to each other, leap, hop, skip and pirouette like avian ballet dancers. The birds are counted every September in Montana before they begin their southern migration. This and similar surveys in Idaho and Wyoming and Utah indicate there are 20,000 cranes in the Rocky Mountain population.

Elegant Sandhill Cranes 

Exotic Sandhill Crane 

8:17 AM Saturday July 2, 2005

We arrived in Dickinson before lunch after a short drive from Williston. Our park is a Passport America (half price camping) park so we have four nights for just $52. This is another park that wants cash and doesn't issue receipts ... we've found several along the way in our travels. Hmmmmm? To assist my bookkeeping I have to remember to write my own receipt in order to jog my memory about where we spent what.

It appears the weather has cleared up at least for a day or two. The wind, rain and thunderstorms have been giving us fits with our satellite connection then adding insult to injury, Phil was beginning to believe our wireless router had failed. After arriving in Dickinson, we got on the phone to our ISP (Ground Control), left a message and our phone number then waited for hours for them to return our call. My frustration level has a much shorter fuse than Phil's and after making several more calls and venting to the receptionist, we finally got a call back. Of course, once on the line with a technician, he had us connected in minutes! What was wrong? I wish I could tell you but after working my way through many "screens", double checking our settings, clicking here and clicking there ... like magic, we were connected!

Then, at the suggestion of Ground Control (he couldn't help with the desktop's inability to go online) we called "Linksys" customer support for our wireless router. Again, in minutes, they walked Phil through a checklist and he found a wire undone in the back. We were very relieved to have it be such a simple fix but on the other hand, we feel kind of foolish that we didn't find it.

So, we are back in business (Internet-wise) and can now concentrate on taking care of some other business (laundry, shopping and having some fun) in Dickinson, ND.

Very interesting and informative stop in Montana's NE corner along US highway 2.  

Bookstore, gift shop at Fort Peck Montana.  

Formerly the indian reservation jail.  

Iola Jozzette, a delightful Assiniboine volunteer at the museum who enhanced our visit by sharing her vast knowledge.

Finding a parking spot for three motorhomes with "toads" is somewhat of a challenge. Here's a nice wide spot in Poplar, Montana. 

9:15 AM Friday July 1, 2005

Having some frustrating problems with our satellite internet! And, my desktop computer refuses to connect now that we have the signal back. Hoping by some miracle all will be well again once we arrive in Dickinson (ND) this afternoon. If not, we will start making some phone calls and get help. Thank you for your patience. I'll get back to business as usual just as soon as possible.