Summer Vacation 2005

This summer we went on vacation to Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota. We left on Wednesday June 29 after Terry got out of work from Andrews around noon. We drove through Chicago and on to Eau Claire, Wisconson were we spent the night. Thursday June 30 our 10 year anniversary, we drove through Minnesota, South Dakota and spent the night in Glenn Dive, Montana. While we were passing through North Dakota we stopped at two ceramic shops for Jill to see different potters and the way they present there craft. Friday July 1, we left Glenn Dive and drove to Great Falls, Montanna. On the way we stopped by C.M. Russell Reserve which was 45 minutes from the road. It was a very nice place to stop so we took a family picture there. After that we continued on to Great Falls and Sun River where we were going to spend the next few days.



We arrived at Pam and J.C.'s around 5:00pm Moutain Time. It was great to see our friends again. J.C. took us out on 4 wheelers to herd some cows that needed to be moved. The kids really loved this.

On Sabbath July 2, we went to church in Great Falls. It was good to see many of the friends we knew when we had lived there. After church we went to "Giant Springs". It is one of the worlds largest springs and shortest rivers (at 58 ft.) as it empties 190 million gallons per day into the Missouri river. It was great fun for the kids and adults alike. We also took a short hike along the paved trail along the Missouri river before we headed back to their home. That evening we were at Brock and Jeans for supper and worship. The kids dressed up and the parents took pictures of their kids playing.

Sunday July 3 the guys setup forms for a concrete slab that was to be poured on Tuesday. Then late that afternoon we headed into town to catch up with the woman and kids who had gone into town. After eating supper in town we headed back to their house.

Monday was July 4 and many exciting things awaited. We headed to Chauto for a really home town style parade. The Montana National Guard got into the parade by towing a F-16 down main street. After that we went to some other friends house for lunch and most of the afternoon. That evening most of the family members headed into Gread Falls for fireworks.

Tuesday July 5 dawned too early with clear blue skys. After breakfast we went to pour concrete, a 30 x 60 pad for the garage, plus a side walk in the back off the house.



Wednesday July 6, we went into Great Falls to see some other close friends we hadn't seen in a while. We stopped by Charlotte Irvin's house and had lunch with her. We also stopped by Clark's Orthopedic to see Dick and Bunny Clark. While we were there we saw Edna another close friend. We went to the park, had supper and headed back to Pam and J.C.'s. We went out for our last 4 wheeler ride. It was sad to know we would be leaving there the next morning and start our way slowly home.

We left Great Falls July 7 heading south toward West Yellowstone were we would spend the night before entering Yellowstone National Park the following day. We drove through a part of Yellowstone National Park that none of us had been through before. We spent the night at the West Yellowstone KOA Campground.



The next morning Friday July 8, we packed up our camp, picked up a few things before we started into the park. After entering Yellowstone park we headed south toward the Grand Tetons. We had hoped to stay at Grant's Village but the rangers at the west enterence told us that they were full. We stopped further south at a little primitive campground & looked around. Since we didn't have the exact amout of money to pay for our camping we went back to Grant's Village to get it. While we were there we checked to see if they had a spot for us and sure enough they did. Yipee. From there we headed to the Tetons. Jill got some awesome pictures of the Grand Tetons before we headed back to Yellowstone. When we got to our camping site we setup our tents, fed the kids supper, then put them to bed. Jill and I spent the next few hours talking with our neighbors in the next campsite by a warm cracklin fire.



Sabbath morning July 9 came all to soon. We got up and headed toward Old Faithful. After that we drove around the lower circle seeing many beautiful things. We saw deer, moose, elk and ton's of buffalo. Sorry to say no bear. We did drive toward the east enterence and stopped where they are doing construction. We arrived at our campsite just in time for a late supper, then off to bed.



Sunday morning July 10, we packed up our camp and started the long trek back toward Billings, MT. We drove out the North East enterence as none of us had driven that way before. It is a long and almost lonely drive. We stopped by several neat things. Again we saw lots of buffalo, but this time we say 2 black bear and 1 grizzle bear. The first black bear was not more then 50 ft. from a deer across a revine from us. I pretty sure that the bear didn't know the deer was there until the crowd that started to geather spooked the deer. Farther down the road the traffic was backed up and that usually means some kind of animal. We saw a park ranger vechicle do a U-turn which seemed a little odd for the moment. We soon saw why, there was our second black bear about 100 yds. up a hill to the right from where we were. We drove past got a few pictures and did a U-turn our selves further up the road. We went back so the kids could see the bear for a second time. Of course we had to turn around and go back the other direction. It was on this pass that we notice off the other side of the road not more then 100 yds. a grizzle bear. In all of our pre-occupation with the black bear we had missed the grizzle. We again turned around again so the kids, Jill and I could see the grizzle again. I think in all we made between 6 to 8 passes of the bears before we headed on down the road. It is a long way from the north east enterence to Billings when the roads are closed due to construction. As we got close to Billings, Montana we could see a thunderstorm ahead of us. I'm glad it was there and not behind us. When we got to our campsite we found it very wet and slowly drying out after the rain. We setup our tent and soon fell asleep. We had a big day planned the next day.







Monday July 11 we packed up and headed for Battle of the Big Horn and Custers last stand. At the visitors center we saw artifacts from the battle field. We heard a park ranger talk about the events and tensions leading up to the battle. After walking around the monument we drove along the ridge as different signs pointed out significant events before or after the battle. From there we drove to Sheridan, Wyoming where Terry spent several years during academy and college when he was at home with his folks. We eat lunch at the park over looking the city. We got some ice-cream to help cool off with before heading on down the road to Gillette, Wyoming and then Devil's Tower. When we got to Devil's Tower, Terry and the kids hiked around the base, a 1.3 mile hike. The kids really enjoyed the hike, while mom stayed back at the visitors center. We then pitched our tents at the KOA campground just out side the park enterence. We got to swim in the pool and enjoy some other activities before heading off to sleep in the shadow of Bear Lodge (the indian's name for Devil's Tower).



The next morning Tuesday July 12, we headed for Mt. Rushmore and the Blackhills in South Dakota. On our way there we could see some smoke along the freeway. We were able to see a helicopter drop water on the fire. It was really cool and the kids enjoyed it very much. When we arrived at Mount Rushmore, we eat lunch and then headed toward the base and the visitors center. We took several pictures while we were there and walked the trail to near the base of the rock carvings. From there we were off for Wall, South Dakota. Having gained attention for giving out "Free Cold Water" in the old days it is very much a tourist trap now. We found the "free" water in an outside drinking fountain that was at best luke warm. We took some pictures before we continued on our journey. We saw several places we would like to have seen, but they were closed for the evening so we pressed on to our camping spot that evening some where in eastern South Dakota.



Wednesday July 13, we again packed up camp and headed out this time distination for the evening was eastern Iowa.



Thursday July 14 we finished our vacation by stopping home to spend the night before heading up north to Jill's Mom's cabin for a relaxing weekend.


Home Page