It has been a hot summer out West (in Calgary, Alberta) and we are thoroughly enjoying it! This year my husband, my two sons (age 9 and 12), and I headed to Montana on a road trip. It truly was an unplanned adventure with only the vague idea of heading to the Lewis and Clark Caverns near Three Forks, MT. I must say it worked out amazingly well given the fact that we had no itinerary and no reservations for accommodations.
Day 1
Packed up the SUV and our tent trailer. Headed for Big Sky Country. Crossing the border from Canada into MT driving on the I15, you see the Sweet Grass Hills looming over the flat prairies and ranch lands. After passing through Great Falls the highway runs beside the Missouri River and over a beautiful Mountain pass into Helena.
Day 2-3 Helena
AM Helena is the capital of MT and boasts a beautiful mansion district and a gorgeous Cathedral. In the morning we went on a boat trip up the Missouri river through the Gates of the Mountains, seeing Bald Eagles and Eaglets, and listening to tales of Meriwether Lewis and the Mann Gulch Fire.
PM Went to a Sapphire mine in search of treasures. We did find some small sapphires, and many cool rocks to add to our rock collection.
Day 4
Lewis and Clark Caverns! A wonderful guided tour through huge limestone caverns with amazing stalactites and stalagmites.
Day 5-6, Butte
We happened to arrive when the town was setting up for Evil Knievel Days. We got to see some bike stunts and take in the food trucks.
We also went an abandoned ghost town, Garnet which was a mining town in the hills of Montana, toured the buildings and a self guided walk to learn about mining gold.
Day 7, Missoula
AM Arrived in Missoula. We lucked out and there was a Celtic festival that was happening in the downtown park by the river. Fun!
We visited the Smoke Jumpers Interpretive Center and training base. These are some seriously courageous firefighters that battle remote forest fires.
PM An afternoon shopping trip to the mall, hey a girl’s gotta shop now and then.
Day 8
Headed back to Canada on the 93 through Whitefish and the Scenic Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park!
We had great fun, fabulous weather and learned a lot about the early explorers and miners that ventured out west. Happy Trails!
MEET KATHY | KIWI TINI
Hi! My name is Kathy and I am the designer/owner of Kiwi Tini on Etsy. I create hand made paper items for weddings and parties. When I am not in the studio I am busy with my family.
This is the last road trip story of August, thanks Kathy for submitting your adventures!
