MONTANA - The Last Best Place

[Timolgra]

Of course it wasn't all rough although a stunningly picturesque valley all the way.

And then we're going to cross the main road heading north up what becomes very rough trail to another Ghost town, called Garnet...east of Missoula.
There were signs warning of slippy and steep climbs and it might be worth considering arriving at it from the north, Highway 200.....something you might want to consider if you're on a big bike with the missus on the back!!

Anyway, more happy tales along the way

 

[Timolgra]

The trail becomes steeper and steeper with loose rock hairpins, the car's in 'Low' at the touch of a button.
Looking up I can see it's going to get slightly worse but this car just eats it up.

It's here I meet Pat McGuiness, a 79 year old from Kalispell in NW Montana he's off the bike looking a little hot and bothered, helmet unused and strapped to the back of his bike, he asks me if it gets any worse!

We chat for a while, he realises I fully understand his predicament.
Big bike, middle of nowhere, by yourself we've all done it.........
..if not, why not?

We agree I follow him up and if there's a problem we're on hand within a couple of minutes.

We meet again a few times and later back down at the main road where I took this photo, we chat some more with Pat telling some pretty horrific stories from how things were in the early pioneering days.
We talk motorbikes of course, his sons bought him this bike and he intends to ride every dirt road he can find in Montana, well good luck with that I tell him.

Here he is, a legend in my eyes who would only wear his helmet if it were raining but always wore his gun.

 

[Timolgra]

The ghost mining town of Garnet.
It's hard to imagine up to 1000 people living here but it is easy to imagine there being a saloon selling liquor during the Prohibition.

Better light and this would have been a fantastic view.
It's been a much longer day than I'd expected and we still have a long way to go.
I've cocked up a bit by booking somewhere to stay in Helena and should have used Deer Lodge where we're going tomorrow.

 

[MikeO]

Great pics - when I was last in Garnet, there was a very pretty Nat Parks guide there.

I never thought you'd end up being an SUV fanboi Tim...

 

[Timolgra]

On the way to Deer Lodge, don't miss it.

A very interesting place and we looked in at three museums.....honestly it really is good if you think I'm jesting.

If you're one of those types who travels through SW Montana noticing the big haystacks in fields then you may also wonder how they're made.
The answer is The BeaverSlide Hay Stacker

This and so much more about early cattle ranches, life for cowboys and all other the other workers needed to run a ranch can be found at the superb Grant-Khors Ranch.

Once at the centre of a 10 million acre cattle ranch, in the early 70's controlled by Yellowstone NP later an Independant Park open to visitors.

I'll just post a few pics rather than bore both you and I with any self explanatory details

We're told the railway running right through the ranch was just coincidence

Next we go to jail

 

[Timolgra]

I never thought you'd end up being an SUV fanboi Tim...

Temporary affair, thankfully I'm over it now.

 

[Timolgra]

Montana State Prison, still used up to 1979.
Although it really was interesting I was really uncomfortable and claustrophobic here and couldn't wait to leave.

The walls echoed "Pick up the soap boy"

Att would approve I'm sure

 

[Timolgra]

Then seamlessly we escape the prison straight into a car museum!

My all time favourite

All of a sudden the Ford Explorer becomes less appealing

 

[Tinytim]

Really enjoying this Tim, thanks.

 

[jags]

absolutely fantastic, thankyou so much. speaking of bears, when we drove across canada i was caught short and had to retire to the woods. i was a bit nervous, i didn't fancy changing my name to claude bottom.

 

[Timolgra]

absolutely fantastic, thankyou so much. speaking of bears, when we drove across canada i was caught short and had to retire to the woods. i was a bit nervous, i didn't fancy changing my name to claude bottom.

Indeed

 

[Arsey]

 

[Timolgra]

Our last night out and about before returning to Missoula is at a great Air B&B on the outskirts of Philipsburg but did involve a detour through the forest to get there as the only road was shut.

Yet another stunning day, starry night and wake to find deer in the garden.

Breakfast in town

A town with a great vibe

And of course some history

 

[Micky]

Super photographs Tim .... what camera are you using?

Still the faithful Panasonic DL?

 

[Timolgra]

The weather's good and we're determined to make the best of our final day, you can drink this country in and I feel, never tire of it.

More information signs, this on almost tripping itself up by admitting the omission of 8,140 years

Everywhere has a story but never found why there was a Wales Lane

Just as when riding through the US 'Bible Belt' on the Trans American Trail I ponder the US's obsession with religion.

Perhaps because during the early pioneering days many fled to the US in search of religious freedom with schools and culturally have a superiority complex... or more likely we think they're obsessed with religion because religion shouts so loud?

Either way, who cares. The ferryman over the Missouri demonstrated once again the insecurity of middle Americans, something Trump recognises and uses to full advantage.

Smoking withdrawal soon passes and I'm back to the things which normally occupy my mind, y'know tits and motorbikes.

Later we call in at Trixi's Antler Saloon, sitting on top a hill overlooking a small town.
It's seems the original Trixi had been a successful trick rider, roper and showgirl in the 1950's and you could sense the stories this place has to tell.

View from the bench outside. The sign opposite which we can't read in the photo points to the Blackfoot Community Bible Church.

The current 'Trixi', a slim and efficient looking woman recommends apple pie and I wouldn't dare cross her although I forget and take another uncomplimentary wide angle shot of Ange

 

[Timolgra]

Super photographs Tim .... what camera are you using?

Still the faithful Panasonic DL?

Had a great meal at some friends last week, I say to his wife that was delicious, what type of stove do you use?

 

[Posh Pete]

This thread just gets better and better. The stories on the info boards are terrific. Hope there's more to come!

Sent from my moto e30 using Tapatalk

 

[Timolgra]

This thread just gets better and better. The stories on the info boards are terrific. Hope there's more to come!

Sent from my moto e30 using Tapatalk

Nearly at the end Pete, Ange especially takes photos of all the story boards (gave her my LX7 and her phone) and I only included a few as wasn't sure if they were of interest.

Oh Micky, mix of XT1 and Samsung S10+ phone, I especially like the wide angle on the phone for some photos of the sky etc etc.

Here's a couple of little stories from the walls of the saloon in Bannack especially for Posh Pete..

 

[snelly]

The weather's good and we're determined to make the best of our final day, you can drink this country in and I feel, never tire of it.

More information signs, this on almost tripping itself up by admitting the omission of 8,140 years

Everywhere has a story but never found why there was a Wales Lane

Just as when riding through the US 'Bible Belt' on the Trans American Trail I ponder the US's obsession with religion.

Perhaps because during the early pioneering days many fled to the US in search of religious freedom with schools and culturally have a superiority complex... or more likely we think they're obsessed with religion because religion shouts so loud?

Either way, who cares. The ferryman over the Missouri demonstrated once again the insecurity of middle Americans, something Trump recognises and uses to full advantage.

Smoking withdrawal soon passes and I'm back to the things which normally occupy my mind, y'know tits and motorbikes.

Later we call in at Trixi's Antler Saloon, sitting on top a hill overlooking a small town.
It's seems the original Trixi had been a successful trick rider, roper and showgirl in the 1950's and you could sense the stories this place has to tell.

View from the bench outside. The sign opposite which we can't read in the photo points to the Blackfoot Community Bible Church.

The current 'Trixi', a slim and efficient looking woman recommends apple pie and I wouldn't dare cross her although I forget and take another uncomplimentary wide angle shot of Ange

Could there be a Josey involved; ; loving this thread Tim; you and yer Mrs are lucky guys;

 

[G&T]

Tim, great pics of a jaw dropping trip! Those Tetons look awesome with one looking a little like Tryfan near your old home. Stunning, stunning, stunning.