CHIEF JOSEPH SCENIC HIGHWAY
I took these photos two weeks ago….there is a lot more snow now! The start of the highway runs through Two Dot Ranch I think for the first 7 miles. Since I don’t have traction tires I only went up until I hit snow on the highway(about 10 miles) These photos don’t do justice to the landscape in person but here they are….
Ever since I move to Billings and started making the twice a month trip to Cody Two Dot Ranch has been my idea of heaven on earth. Beauty surrounds in every direction…
This is Heart Mountain the top is supposed to look similar to a buffalo heart. On the other side of the mountain lies the dark history of a Japanese internment camp….
From the website summitpost.org
“While it’s considered part of the Absaroka Range, Heart Mountain is more of a geologic anomaly with its unusual limestone cap. Geologists from around the world have studied it, yet its origin remains a subject of passionate debate. Somehow it became separated from larger masses of similar formations found sixty miles away in Yellowstone National Park. Moreover, older limestone lies atop younger strata, which is “upside down” in relation to how these strata are found elsewhere.”
RANGE RIDERS MUSEUM
The Range Riders Museum is in Miles City. It is probably one of the best museums I have been to for the reason that it is so personal to the community. All towns have little museums but I have never seen such a community effort. This museum was a lot of work and although the displays leave little to be desired as far as modern displays. …or design in general. Probably most was done by men. What amazes me is ( having worked with displays) how labor intensive this museum is. This museum didn’t order fancy displays and cases they built and designed everything themselves. I doubt they hired a professional consultant either. I didn’t even have time to see the whole thing and could easily go through again the things I did see! I love the personal touches and character of this museum.
They even put the brand in the sidewalk….
…with shotgun shells!
Even the rattles are not exempt!
Nor rope…
This the Range Rider hall that you can rent for your functions. The walls are covered with people that live within, I think, 25 miles of Miles City. To be in this room you have to have been born before a certain year but I can’t remember that either!
Look at all of that history!
Here are some of the photographs that caught my attention….
Each one of these is a frame on a plaque that has been painted, branded if the person had one, a metal plaque with their name and dates, and that black pipe at the bottom. Who would put a pipe at the bottom of each plaque. And each piece of pipe has the ends covered. As I said some man had to design these. I could picture my dad designing this very thing. I love them for their character and that someone put A LOT of time and effort. This was my favorite room in the museum and where I spent most of my time. I wish there was a story about each person!
More of the museum when I have time!
BEARTOOTH ALL AMERICAN HIGHWAY
The highway from Redlodge to Cook City across the Beartooth Mountains is the #r 1 scenic highway in the USA. Unfortunately there was a forest fire so the normally blue skies were filled with smoke. Not a good background for mountain landscape. This view is facing away from the smoke for the most part. This is at around 9,000 ft.
Even with the smoke you can get a sense of the spectacular views…
Thank God for guardrails! This one was broken in half but the rail held..
It surprised me how much of the top was plateau….
with lots of lakes…
That rock formation is the reason for the name…
GUNFIGHT REENACTMENT SLIDESHOW
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RUNNING OF THE SHEEP
There were several musicians to entertain…
What’s a festival without a parade?
Cars were lined up on the interstate exits…
The lamb cook-off! Had some great samples and got some free recipes.
Here come the sheep……
CELEBRATING SHEEP IN REEDPOINT, MT
I went to the Running of the Sheep in Reedpoint which is about an hour and a half from where I live. Since I rarely go as fast as the 75 mile an hour speed limit others probably make it in an hour!
I was going to be there all day I walked around town to get some good photos while the sun was at a good angle
SHEEP SHEARING SLIDESHOW
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LAST OF MY FAMILY VACATION PHOTOS…
Juanita looking at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone..
Frankie!
Gus – Man of Wilderness!
YELLOWSTONE ADVENTURES
No he isn’t really touching the museum artifact just my attempt at trick photography!
BUFFALO SLIDESHOW
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YELLOWSTONE VIA EAST ENTRANCE
My wonderful nephew Frankie at the Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir….
My equally wonderful nephew Gus looking over the dam….
Scenery in the Wapiti Valley the road runs a long the Shoshone River….
Over Sylvan Pass the first lake in Yellowstone…
Gus take the opportunity to skate Yellowstone….
The lovely Juanita at Yellowstone Lake
Visiting the geothermal pools…
EVENING IN CODY
Continuing with the journey of my sister Juanita and nephews Frankie and Gus…
The lightening storm the previous night started a fire in the Beartooth Mountains….
After I slaved away all day we went to a “chuck wagon” dinner with singing cowboys but my photos didn’t turn out so well…the singer/guitar players were great!
After dinner it was off to the Cody Night Rodeo!
WATERHOLE SALOON
This is a bar my Great Aunt Grace used to drink whisky at!
My sister and I following the family tradition….
The bar has interesting decor….
My nephews happy we are leaving….no drinking and driving we walked to the Yellowstone River!
REEDPOINT
The cross at my Great Grandfather’s church in Reedpoint…
Me sitting on the cross talking to my brother on the phone…
My sister Juanita and my nephews Gus and Frankie…
Pinhead!
Frankie the cross-country star running into the Reedpoint Cemetery
Juanita….
Me…
BROTHERS
I miss my nephews they are such fine young men. I love observing their actions, reactions and how they interact with each other.
This is Gus at the airport. Poor guy was about to go out the door looking for us when I snuck up on him. He turns around and there is his auntie with her damn camera!
Right away Gus affectionately tortures Frankie!
Frankie reading ….
While Gus skateboards….
While I’m taking photos of Gus, Frankie is relieved to no longer be the subject of my camera for awhile!
Gus trying on my new cowgirl hat….
Poor Frankie is pointing out his flesh-wound inflicted by his brother. (I think Gus pulled off the scab from a mosquito bite)
We were all on the way to Reedpoint during a storm when Gus asked for my camera to try to get a photo of the lightening….Ominous storm clouds rolling across the land….
Gus’ patience paid off! He captured a fine bolt of lightening in a moving car no less!
More brotherly torture….Gus contorting Frankie’s face….
Now it’s Frankie’s turn…
Gus driving my car for the first time….He’s a good driver!
Gus helps Frankie with his cross-country training….
Look at Frankie go!
I love this picture….
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