• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Heading South

randiliana

randiliana

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Messages
946
Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Wonders will never cease :wink: , hubby told me the other day that once we are done haying, and hauling the 200 bales we sold, we are going on a family holiday :shock: :D . So, that got us talking about where, he was thinking Glacier National Park, I suggested the Black Hills, or Yellowstone.

I think we are going to head down to one of those since our dollar is strong, we might as well take advantage of it. I've been to both the Black Hills (when I was 16) and Yellowstone (when I was under 10). Of course I remember more about the Black Hills than Yellowstone. Since we are about the same distance from either place it doesn't much matter which way we go. The kids (5 and 10) haven't decided which sounds better to them either, so we will see. We will probably be leaving next week.

Another thing we were thinking about was stopping a time or two on the way there and back, to see something interesting along the way. We will be tenting, couldn't afford to go otherwise.....

If we head to Yellowstone our general route will start out at Malta, MT, travel through Lewistown, and down to Big Timber, and then on down to Yellowstone.

If we head to the Black Hills the route will start out at Glasgow, MT, to Wolf Point and down to Circle. Over to Dickenson, ND and then on down to the Black Hills.

Anyways, I would be interested in hearing about some interesting places along the way (not too far out of the way) And of course which place you figure would be more interesting to the kids. Bonus goes to landscapes along the way, as both of us really like to see the different types of country along the way. Our routes could change somewhat depending on what places people suggest. Keep in mind also, that at the moment all I have to go by (for towns and roads) is a world atlas :wink:
 
If we head to the Black Hills the route will start out at Glasgow, MT, to Wolf Point and down to Circle. Over to Dickenson, ND and then on down to the Black Hills.
Click to expand...

If you come thru Glasgow instead of going thru Wolf Point down to Circle (unless you have a reason to go to Wolf Point) I'd go thru Glasgow down 24 South to Fort Peck - across Fort Peck Dam (was the worlds largest earth filled dam/reservoir for years-- think it is 4th now-- they have a new fish hatchery and dinosaur museum there) then on down thru the Missouri breaks (beautiful cattle country) to Hwy 200 and then over to Circle...Same distance just better scenery...
 
If your headin' towards the Black Hills Medora North Dakota is a great over night spot. get there in time to have the pitchfork Fondu and take in the musical. We stopped there on our way to Deadwood and our"net together". Other then the friends we met in Deadwood I enjoyed Medora more then Deadwood.
 
Right after I hit ' submit' I wondered how long it would take :? :? :? :? :? :? :? some of you to reply!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
I thought maybe the heat was really gettin to her, and she was "headin South" for real.....(I know it's south from where they are...but it's hard for me to put Yellowstone or the Black Hills in a southern context) LOL
 
the_jersey_lilly_2000 said:
I thought maybe the heat was really gettin to her, and she was "headin South" for real.....(I know it's south from where they are...but it's hard for me to put Yellowstone or the Black Hills in a southern context) LOL
Click to expand...

Ha,ha :D :D :D .

Oldtimer, that was exactly the kind of stuff I was looking for, thank you.

Big Muddy, Good info also.

Kolanraven, unfortunately, we can't quite do all of them. Too much distance, not enough time....

I have also discovered that the Sturgis Biker Rally is coming up on the 6-12, and I am not sure if we really want to be down there at around the same time.

Another question for the Americans, first weekend in Aug, is a long weekend for us, is it for you as well??
 
If you do come to the Black Hills, turn and go south at Belfield instead of Dickinson. Takes you thru' Bowman which has a cool museam and then into Belle Fourche, (Weather Hat Company). You'd drive real close to Tap's place and he might even get you to swing in for a glass of tea.

Yes, the Rally will be starting and there will be bikers all over and camping and motels will be at a premium. Tho' if you wanted to drive 60 miles out onto the praire, you'd be welcome to stop in here. Might even let you use the bunkhouse. :wink:

Then you'd be all set to head over to Wall for the Wall Drug and Badlands tour, also. :-)
 
randiliana- no 3 day weekend down here...Couple of things to think about-- if you decide to go toward Yellowstone-- might want to go to Great Falls- either thru Havre or the more scenic south of Malta to Lewistown...I think the State Fair is going in Great Falls that week and they have the CM Russell museum- plus a lot of other things...(I like Great Falls better than Billings (ghetto town) anymore...

Also you could then swing toward Helena-- lots of campgrounds in that area (Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Missouri River, Gates of the Mountains)- and probably not the zoo Yellowstone is....Then if you head to Yellowstone go down to Three Forks and south on the Madison River toward Ennis (ranchwifes and cowboyups country) beautiful country- and they have all the old mining towns (Virginia City) for you and the kids to see ....

You can then go down thru Quake Lake way (campsites) and into the Park from the west-- come out of that Zoo either from the north and come back thru Red Lodge or Livingston or the east (Cody)....

One thing I tell folks is if they get near Miles City- take 1/2 a day to take in the Range Riders Museum (old pictures, saddles, guns, wagons, etc)...

Unless I have somewhere I need to be- usually when I take off on a trip like this I only make it half the way as I find somewhere I like or something I'm having too much fun with to make the entire trip in the time alloted... But thats the way its supposed to be-- have a good time :lol:
 
Oldtimer said:
...Then if you head to Yellowstone go down to Three Forks and south on the Madison River toward Ennis (ranchwifes and cowboyups country) beautiful country- and they have all the old mining towns (Virginia City) for you and the kids to see ....
Click to expand...

We passed thru' there years ago and really enjoyed Virginia City. Real pretty country.
 
Yep- I looked it up and the State Fair is going in Great Falls that week--(going right now actually)-- you'd be too late to win big at the horse races, but the rodeo is the 1 thru the 4th.......Fair ends the 5th...

One more tip-- if either on your way down or way back you do go thru Glasgow----half way between Glasgow and Fort Peck is a road that goes to what they call the Pines Recreational Center...Its a pretty well known only to locals area with beautiful campsites complete with indoor cooking in the shelter houses- lots of firepits-- some cabinsites where retirees live... Right on the lake in the Missouri Breaks with pinetrees and all...Only drawback is the occasional rattler.....But Fort Peck has lots of campsites too- and miles of lake and beach you can just go camp anywhere on...

Back when your money was good :wink: their used to be droves of Canadians come down from Regina south area to Fort Peck--especially on the 1st of July holidays....(Boy could those folks drink beer :shock: ) but we haven't seen many for years-- but now again this year with the exchange so close we're seeing some again.....
 
We liked Mount Rushmore and even though you're Canadian it is an amazing piece of mountain carving to see. Also the Badlands though in August just a small glimpse would do. Touring the Minuteman Missle site is worthwhile and we'd also recommend, at the top of your list, Jinglebob's. He might let you dig for dinosaur bones if you're nice :wink:
 
Jinglebob said:
Oldtimer said:
...Then if you head to Yellowstone go down to Three Forks and south on the Madison River toward Ennis (ranchwifes and cowboyups country) beautiful country- and they have all the old mining towns (Virginia City) for you and the kids to see ....
Click to expand...

We passed thru' there years ago and really enjoyed Virginia City. Real pretty country.
Click to expand...

You know to me I had more fun in Virginia City and Alder Gulch walking around looking at the history than many of these big National Parks (where your stumbling over people- half of which can't speak English)....Telling the kids the history of the Vigilantes- Sheriff Plummer and all...Enjoyed walking thru boot hill and reading the gravestones...

But I'm a history nut-- and I'd also worked a year at Big Sky- and the Mountain Village was in Madison County- so if we arrested someone there we had to haul them all the way around to Virginia City to jail or the Judge...

I enjoy a lot of these smaller sites that don't have the millions of tourists like Yellowstone ...Another thing is that if anyone ever gets to the Gates of the Mountains out of Helena- you have to take one of the tour boats ( I think they are 2 hour- 4 hour- or all day ones)....Hard to believe that old Ma Nature could carve out and find a way thru those Mountains for the Missouri to take..... You feel like a flea on an elephant when going thru those Mountain walls...
 
Wow, you guys, thanks for all the info. Oldtimer, you are making me think that I just don't want to head down to either place :wink: , just go touring around and see what we can see. I'm a bit into history too, so the places you are pointing out sure are catching me.

nr, I have seen Mount Rushmore, and it is breathtaking, even to a Canadian :wink: :D :D . One of the things that I have always wanted to do is to take my own horse down to the Black Hills and explore that way. But, that won't happen this time.

I think, that I will print out this whole thread, and then we will have our Itinerary :wink: .
 
Oldtimer, isn't it Helena where there's a huge old barn designated as a Historic Site? I think it's just outside of town maybe only a mile. I was there on a 4H tour as a kid, and it was the most incredible barn I've ever seen. 3 stories, with wagon ramps going up to the 2nd level on each side, and they'd drive straight through. The top was all wide open, and of course as a kid I remember it looking like I'd stepped into a stadium. If I can find out where it is, I'll sure take my kids there one of these summers.
 
PureCountry said:
Oldtimer, isn't it Helena where there's a huge old barn designated as a Historic Site? I think it's just outside of town maybe only a mile. I was there on a 4H tour as a kid, and it was the most incredible barn I've ever seen. 3 stories, with wagon ramps going up to the 2nd level on each side, and they'd drive straight through. The top was all wide open, and of course as a kid I remember it looking like I'd stepped into a stadium. If I can find out where it is, I'll sure take my kids there one of these summers.
Click to expand...

Purecountry-- that doesn't ring a bell to me in Helena...They do have a big 3 or 4 story barn type deal just northwest of the tracks that they've turned into a fantastic brewery, brewpub, restaurant.... You can sit at the bar or a table and watch the brewery work going on down below-- and sample the wares as soon as its brewed ....

But that barn I don't know of- altho I don't know Helena that well as I usually ended up spending the majority of my time while there at the Legislature...

There used to be a Frontiertown west of Helena toward the Divide...I've never been there- and had only heard folks years ago talk about the good steaks and the bar there.... I'm not sure if its open anymore- because I know it was closed for awhile......
 
I don't want to steer you away from the Black Hills, but unless you're into crowds, traffic, and motorcycles, I would avoid this area during the first two weeks of August. For some people, a half million bikers is something to see, but as for me, I'd just as soon hibernate until they leave. It's not just Sturgis either--the motels and campgrounds in the entire Black Hills will be full of them and not only that, but your pocketbook will get gouged a little extra hard this time of year also.
 
Well, we kinda have the trip planned, the route has changed a bit, but we will travel down to the Black Hills. Talked to my dad who is a truck driver and he suggested this route. We will start out at Malta, Mt and head down to Billings from there. Haven't decided whether to travel through Lewistown or not. Probably won't decide till we get down in the area. From Billings we will head out along 212 highway, and stop at some of the places along there. Will also probably head over to the Devils Tower Monument. He said that was worth the drive. Heck, we might just travel through Sheridan and Gillette and go that way on the way down. Then on to the Black Hills and see the Bikes and some of the sights.

On the way back, probably we will take #212 and head up to Miles City, I guess there is a huge Museum there that dad suggested we take a look at. From there, then we will amble up to Fort Peck, and then on back home through Glasgow. Should be a pretty good trip.
 
If you go from Billings to 212-- remember the Custer Battlefield...And then watch out for your next 50 miles on 212 as you will still be in the battlefield of the Cheyenne and Crow Rez's (so I don't suggest any camping from Billings to Ashland).......
 

Latest posts

Back
Top