From Gardiner, Montana at the north entrance of Yellowstone we made our way to Glacier National Park. On the way, we stopped in Livingston, Bozeman and Missoula Montana. The colors of this rainbow were brilliant like we have never seen!
Livingston
We stayed a half hour outside of Livingston. The area is beautiful. Livingston’s downtown is small, revitalized and has numerous shops, restaurants and bars.
Yellowstone’s Edge RV Park
Our site was next to the Yellowstone River. We had 50 amp service, good water pressure, sewer and good internet. The best part was the homemade ice-cream in the office.
Each morning, Sandy has her coffee while Jake scans the area. We really enjoyed the Paradise Valley and Livingston, but the winds were a bit too much.
Pray
We drove into the National Forest. There had been a fire years ago and the forest was still recovering.
We enjoyed being on a dirt road (Mill Creek) away from the crowds of Yellowstone. We saw deer and a marmot.
The Indian Paintbrush were amazing.
Chico
Good food and drinks at the Chico Saloon.
Bozeman Hot Springs
The campground had all the ususal amenities including; good internet, daily breakfast, and free use of the hot springs. We went to the hot springs, but it was packed with people and way too many kids. Not our idea of relaxing so we opted out of the free use. They don’t chlorinate but instead change the water in each pool at the end of every day and bleach it…. after hundreds of people have bathed in it. Probably very safe, but we didn’t want to find out.
There was a red-tailed hawk with it’s two juveniles at the park.
A juvenile robin was at our site, and was not at all shy about hanging out only a couple of feet next to us while it’s mother searched for worms.
Big Sky, Montana
A beautiful drive from Bozeman along the Gallatin River to Big Sky. It’s a small town. The ski resort is huge and is the second largest ski resort in the United States by acreage. The goal is to make it the largest. NBC news co-anchorman Chet Huntley was involved in it’s development. It’s a gorgeous area but there are way too many condos and only a two lane road in and out of the town. In the winter, it would be like most ski towns, way too crowded and slow traffic.
Palisades Fall
An easy walk on a paved path to the 80 foot waterfall. Great way to spend July 4th!
We enjoyed the numerous wildflowers including columbine, bluebells and lupine along the path.
Missoula-Jim and Mary’s RV Park
From Bozeman it was a few hours drive to Missoula. Jim and Mary’s is in the trees, had large spacious sites, 50 amp service, good water pressure, sewer, good internet and was quiet. The park had their own greenhouses. They grow hundreds of flowers from seed which are displayed throughout the park. Missoula is a great town for outdoor enthusiasts and this park would be a nice place to stay for a month or two.
Montana Winery
Their wines were good. Grapes are sourced from Washington. It was a little difficult taking in the aroma of their wine since a marijuana dispensary was next store and the tasting room smelled of pot.
Garden of One Thousand Buddhas
We are not sure if there were one thousand Buddha statues in the garden, but there were a lot. According to Buddhist texts, we are living in The Fortunate Aeon. It is fortunate because it is believed that one thousand Buddhas will take birth, attain enlightenment and teach the path to liberation.
The gardens were beautiful.
MacKenzie River
We visited Polson, Montana. It’s along the southern end of gorgeous Flathead Lake. We could live here! MacKenzie River had a nice atmosphere, friendly staff, good food and a nice view of Flathead Lake.
