Big Timber, MT/Cody, WY

 Arrived in Big Timber, MT Tuesday to a nice little campground on the Boulder River. Very peaceful. We took advantage of the riverside serenity to chill as much as possible. Short trip into Big Timber where we found a quilt shop/candy store combination, bakery, and mercantile. Later that evening we went back for dinner at The Grand Hotel. Built in 1890. Casey and Charlotte had fried trout and Phil and I had coffee rubbed New York strip. All was delicious and the atmosphere very enjoyable.

Drove into Livingston, MT on a pass through to Gardiner, MT and the north entrance to Yellowstone Nat'l Park. The scenery was spectacular of course and we were able to spy some elk and buffalo along the way. On our return we stopped in Livingston to belly up to the bar in  Katabatic Brewing Co. They had some delightful cold brews. We then stopped at the Rib and Chop House for and early dinner. Excellent food there.

Sad to leave the banks of the Boulder but onward to Cody, WY. Arrived in Cody Friday afternoon. Strolled into town to check things out and search for pie and ice cream. We weren't totally successful but we did get some desserts.

Made our way into Cody again on Saturday. This time to go to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Old Trail Town. The Buffalo Bill Center is a very impressive museum of old west culture, including both cowboys and Indians. The Old Town is impressive in its own way, displaying old cabins, wagons, and paraphernalia from the late 1800's and early 1900's. 

Sunday it was back to town for Phil and Casey to do a little shopping while Charlotte and I moved our coach to a different RV site. Sunday afternoon we were back to the Buffalo Bill Center.

We're off to the east entrance of  Yellowstone tomorrow with hopes of making our way to Jackson Hole for a brief visit.  

Ours campground on the Boulder River.

                                        

Our welcoming committee into the campground.

A view of the Yellowstone River as is exits the Park.

Katabatic Brewing Co.

Katabatic means "wind".

drainage wind, a wind that carries high-density air from a higher elevation down a slope under the force of gravity.

Great place to eat!!

Mercantile back in the day.

Final resting place of my hero,

Jeremiah Johnson.

Standing tall.

Early model Chevy.

Beer Wagon.

Early Flatbed.

Probably a Dodge.😁

Cadillac?

Phil and Casey bellied up to a bar where the likes

of Butch Cassady and the Sundance Kid and other

infamous characters once stood.

One of those pesky "happy campers"

This car is being raffled off at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

I'm going to win it!

So I let Phil have his photo taken with it. 😁

Polson, Montana and Glacier National Park

 Arrived in Polson, Montana Saturday late afternoon. Drive from Moses Lake was quite scenic and pleasurable. Had dinner at a local Mexican restaurant on Flathead Lake and then stopped at a local brewery just to check out the offerings. Glacier Brewing. Sorry to say the beer offerings were not very good. Phil and Casey had their homemade root beer however and found it palatable.

Waited til late Sunday afternoon to head to Glacier Nat'l because we failed to get a daily pass. After 5pm we were allowed in without and I've got to say we're quite disappointed. The "Highway to the Sun" which I believe to be the highlight of this park was "closed" before it began its ascent into the majestic mountains. We did stop along the shortened route to view some fast moving glacial waters but that was it.

Arriving back that evening we found one of the house batteries had basically exploded, sending both caps out and split the plastic casing sending acidic fumes into our living area. Removed the battery and put it in trash bag til morning in hopes of purchasing a replacement. Before heading off to the auto parts store the following morning I crawled under the coach to inspect the exhaust because it had begun sounding like it had a hole in it somewhere. Low and behold, one of the bolts had come completely out of a connection to the catalytic converter on one side and half the gasket was gone. I will have to blame this issue on me since I installed the converter but half the blame goes to Washington state and their rough interstate. In places it was teeth chattering and bone rattling. A successful trip to the auto parts store and some getting hands dirty and we're back in business and set for our next leg. 

Phil and Casey are off exploring this afternoon while Charlotte is doing a little laundry and I'm chilling.

Off to Big Timber, Montana tomorrow. Not sure what we'll get into there.

One of those pesky "happy campers"

Washington State Mt. Rainier

 Made a short drive up I 5 north to Centralia, Wa on Wednesday. Since we arrive early afternoon we decide to make our way up to Mount Rainier. Weather was beautiful as well as the scenery. As you can see in the photos there was quite a bit of snow still remaining. 

 Thursday we washed the road grime off the motor home and chilled the rest of the day. Charlotte and I wondered into the campground store and found a bottle of margarita premix made with wine. Decided to try it out. Much to my demise, it was too good. 

 Friday we made our turn east. Arrived in Moses Lake, WA for a one night lay over before heading on to Poulson, MT and hopefully a glimpse of Glacier National Park. They have implemented a daily pass requirement there and we were unable to obtain one. We're hopeful we can sneak in during the evening after the park entrance closes for the day.

Mt. Rainier

This photo gives you a pretty interesting look at

how glaciers have transformed the earth.

Colombia River Gorge Oregon

Made the long, rainy trip to Cobourg, OR on Sunday for our one night layover. Very nice campground close to I 5. I was treated to pizza for dinner in appreciation of getting everyone safely to the park. Really I don't think anyone wanted to cook.😉

We moved on Monday to Troutdale, OR just east of Portland and on the scenic route 30 out the Columbia River Gorge. Made a brief tour of downtown Troutdale. This is an up and coming quaint little town but almost everything was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and most just beginning to recover from the Covid issue.

On Tuesday we set out to explore the Columbia River gorge. Its a place you don't often hear of but its also a place you need to visit if your in the area. Very scenic and beginning to expand via wineries, cider distributors, breweries, and restaurants. We spent most of the day taking in the views and did take the opportunity to sample some local ciders, beers and fish and chips. 

On to Washington state Wednesday for a couple of nights. Hope to get a good visit and view of Mt. Rainier. 

The "bus" driver and his "bestest" companion.

View up the Columbia with storms in the background.

I think that's sasquatch in the foreground.

Those pesky "happy campers".

Charlotte taking in the view of one of the falls.

Bridal Vail Falls

And the journey begins.

One of the other falls we stopped to see.

Stream below the falls making its way to the Columbia.

Beautiful scenery.

The state of Oregon has done a wonderful 

job in its presentation and preservation of

this area.

Photo bombers!😁

Mount Hood in the background.

We didn't go all the way to the mountain but

did get some picturesque views. There weren't 

many camera friendly locations to pull off but 

we got a few shots in anyway.