#2 Regis MT to Butte, MT and beyond

#2…Regis MT to Butte MT and beyond

The adventures begin:  On the morning of day 3 we received a phone call from an RV park on the Missouri River that our reservations could not be honored. The River had risen and flooded the park. So we made new reservations high above the river.  Later that afternoon we received an email that one reservation was being cancelled for lack of payment.  Those of you who know how I plan, recognize a mistake by them.  I had confirmations on both stays in Augusta GA and yes, they had made an error in bookkeeping.

Long trains move goods all throughout this part of our country.

 Then we pull into Butte and discover I made reservations at the wrong RV Park. My bad! The park was less than desirable.   Derelict RVs with years of neglect were parked here as were some regular trailers and campers.   He gave us a site up on the hill and hoped we could get level.  We did and we stayed.  Actually it was very quiet at night, and very, very dark without any lighting.  However we won't stay here again.

Meet Buddy!  We drove into town to visit with our good friend, Nancy Cass. Her new little puppy is a real cutie. We went to dinner and also got to visit with her stepdaughters later.

Interesting facts:  Butte MT records a population of 34,602.  However it is the 7^th largest city by land acres in the United States.  The city claims 716.2 square miles!   Butte also sits at an elevation of 5538 feet above sea level.  Higher than Denver!

East of town the road climbs steeply. Homestake Pass lists an elevation of 6329 feet. At one point you cross the Continental Divide at 6393 feet.  In case you don’t know the Continental Divide is the point where rivers on the west side flow west and rivers on the east side flow east.  We have crossed the Divide in several other places down the Rockies.

Interesting facts:  Rest stops in Montana put restrooms in very nice buildings that I assume are for weather protection.  Each one sports 2-3 reader boards.  Derrille walks for 15-20 minutes at rest stops and we read the signs. One such sign said dinosaurs lived here in the Jurassic period.  At that time this part of Montana from here to the Artic encompassed a large, warm inland sea.  That is why the Morrison Formation in the mountains includes sandstone, mudstone and some limestone.

The highway rolls through high valleys.   A three trailer load is legal in Montana. 

As we headed down the mountain side the speed limit drops to 25. Check out the angle on this runaway ramp.

 Rivers flow around the highway, and snow-capped mountain encircle the route. 

Lots of chain-up zones which may explain why several houses have their living quarters visibly on the second level.

Further east the forested land, and pastures begin to include more farmland.  Then sagebrush desert like areas add to the mix. 

Side note:  This large brick building is a Montana Rest Stop.  You must enter the building to use the three men’s and three women’s Individual, complete bathrooms.  I think this facility helps travelers during winter snow and summer heat.

Snow fences stand in many fields hinting at the severity of the winters around these here parts!

We are headed to the Little Big Horn Battlefield.