Route from May 13 – May 15 (522 miles)

A. Freezout Lake

We left Freezout Lake somewhat late in the morning, having spent some time working (that has to be done now and again!).

We could still see the mountains across the rolling hills.

Rolling plains with hills and mountains in the distance (central Montana)

It was only a short jaunt to our next stop … crossing the Missouri River in the process.

B. Dick’s RV Park, Great Falls, MT

Our first night in an RV park with full hook-ups (water, sewer and electric).  We were able to fill tanks (water) and dump tanks – grey water (shower and sinks) and black water (toilet).  We also took some time in the big city to do some grocery shopping and pick up some needed items at Home Depot.

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Great Falls, MT

In the morning, we visited the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. This center presented the details of their expedition. Every time I learn more about what those men accomplished, I am yet again impressed by their resilience and determination. At Great Falls (which has 4 falls, not just one), they had to portage their boats for 18 miles overland before they could resume their trip by water.

Panorama of Lewis & Clark portaging over 18 miles at Great Falls, MT

From there we headed out south to Helena and then cutting across to the east. For that small bit we were back on the freeway, I-15.

Once we got through the hills/mountains east of Helena, we were in gently rolling hills of cattle ranches, hay fields and sage brush going on for miles and miles and miles and miles.

C. Lavina, Montana

On the corner of US Hwy 12 and Montana Highway 3, in Lavina, Montant, is the Cosy Corner Bar & Gas Station … and that’s where we parked for the night.  I don’t think more than 10 cars went by during the night!

D. Little Bighoorn / Custer’s Last Stand

Actually, it’s the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.  The park is very well done, and communicates the complexity and confusion of Custer’s last stand. The tour road has lots of clearly marked and documented stops each of which explains what you are seeing. There’s been a lot of archeological study done in the area and every place where a soldier is know to have fallen there is a marble grave marker. Kind of eerie and sad, but definitely an important piece of our national history.

The actual last stand, where Custer and about 50 soldiers were surrounded and fought to the death. Markers are where actual remains were located.

There is also a monument to the Native American tribes that fought (and won) with documentation of their participation and the effect on their tribes. It has a sculpture in the center.

Sculpture at Native American Monument at Little Bighorn Battlefield.

E. Broadus, Montana

The night of May 15th we stayed at the Broadus Rest Area and Visitors Center.