Tue, Oct 5, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 11:26PM Tuesday, October 5, 2010
We slept a little later than usual… well if I am to be totally honest, I slept a little later than usual. When Paris and Dodger jumped up on the bed to make sure I was aware it was time for breakfast, Charles was already up, had showered, dressed and made coffee. I did enjoy the extra sleep though.
We decided to wait and look for a local café down the road since neither of us were particularly hungry. As we left West Yellowstone, there were ominous clouds overhead and soon we were in and out of a light rain. We like changes in weather and the opportunities it presents in different types of photography so it doesn’t really deter us unless we get in one of those all day, raining cats and dogs systems. But this was not the case today. As we road along it might be raining for thirty minutes or so but then would quit and at times the sun popped out as well.
The drive north out of West Yellowstone we chose was gorgeous. The road followed the Madison River for a long time and there were huge valleys between mountain ranges with equally large ranches with cattle dotting the landscape. The vistas were expansive and the “big sky” theme was true all morning. As we got further north, it was apparent we were in “fly fishing” territory. At the small town of Ennis, MT we found a local café where we had a good breakfast. They had a US map up on the wall with push pins showing the location of many of their patrons. There were two pins on Meridian and I’m guessing it was two fishermen.
Our next stop of any length was in the old mining towns of Virginia City and Nevada City. Although the tourist season is over and none of the local businesses were open. We enjoyed walking around the historic buildings. Virginia City was, in the middle 1800s the largest city in the northwest territory primarily due to a gold rush. It is remarkably well preserved due to the purchase of it by a couple who must have made it their life’s work. I believe they bought it in the late 1940s . It is sort of frozen in time. One business, that was a ladies clothing store closed and the entire inventory is still there in the building. It is like they just woke up one day and walked out.
Nevada City just down the hill shares the same history and also has a neat collection of old train cars. Although it was drizzling by the time we got out to walk around, we just had to try to get a few photos of the old passenger cars. My dad was a railway mail clerk and I have many fond memories of trips to the railroad depot in Meridian to drop him off or pick him up. As the rain began to get harder, we were forced to return to the jeep.
As the drive continued we soon made our way to the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. Luckily the rain had given way to partly cloudy skies and we had a gorgeous drive thru diverse terrain. Always our favorite portions are those that go thru the old ranches. The Byway travels the length of the Pioneer Mountain range and it is like stepping back in time to the homesteading days.
We saw some wildlife, nothing to compare to Yellowstone, but we did luck up on a nice antelope herd and the spot of the day came just outside the small town of Wisdom. There we saw, sitting on top of two old beaverslides (hay stacking apparatus) were two adolescent bald eagles. They looked like they had been playing in the mud because neither had completely lost the mixture of white and brown feathers common to young eagles. They were very cooperative and waited until I got a few shots before flying off.
We decided to stay the night in Hamilton, MT and found a nice Best Western. After a good dinner at a café across the street we are catching up on some reading and relaxing.
We had a very nice day of our usual road trip fare… leisurely driving, puppy breaks for swimming and at least one picnic interspersed with photography and now that my knee is better a little more walking.
We are well tonight and hope you all are too.
Peace, Hope & Love,
Donna, Charles, Paris & Dodger
Reader Comments (1)
I didn't realize you had a blog and I'm loving it! I almost feel like I'm along for the ride! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and your photos with those of us who have a hard time getting to the store to buy bread! I hope you and Charles and of course the pups have a wonderful trip and are safely home in no hurry at all!