Lucy is on the road to Alaska

[montana brad]

Originally Posted by gypsydad

Well, yes of course...try to get there before 11am! Actually, the "general" number that's listed for the campground is a "central" call type center for answering questions on all the campgrounds.

That being said, depending on your rout down to Yellowstone (191 out of Three Forks or 287 out of Bellgrade/Bozman) , there are other places also, like Rainbow Point Campgrounds we have stayed at; which is a bit of a hike off the highway, although very nice also. There are several smaller campgrounds on the way if you choose 287.

Bakers Hole typically doesn't fill up till early afternoon. I will PM you the hosts name/number so you can try to call or text them directly. Here is a number for Yellowstone Visitor Center, and they know currant status on most of the sites also: 406 646 7701 I just called for you this morning, and they said Bakers Hole not filling till afternoon. Good luck and let us know how it goes...hope Lucy is well!

Thanks for confirming with the visitors center what I said about being there early will get you a spot.Even though it sounds logical it may be something not every knows or may think of.
Brian,
I am not positive of this but maybe someone like Gypsy could run down there for you and get you a site since he's feeling neighborly

[moosetags]

Lucy broke camp this morning in Great Falls. We headed south on Back roads. We took Montana Highway 3 all the way down to Billings where we got Lucy a campsite at the Billings KOA.* This is where we spent the week waiting for hitch parts in June.

We arrived in town pretty early and got Lucy hooked up and we got settled in for the night.

- Countryside south of Great Falls along Montana 3.
- It's harvest time in Montana and the hay bales are everywhere.
- We pulled into Stanford, Montana to have a look around. We found this house with a fenced front yard. In the yard was the family dog and the family cow.
- The 1925 Judith Basin Courthouse in Stanford, Montana. The whole town is decorated with flowers.
- Central Avenue in Stanford, Montana.
- Really nice bucking bronco statue on the Courthouse lawn in Stanford.
- The flower theme continues throughout the town. This old truck is well decorated, probably a far cry from its original duties.
- Another flower bed in an old wagon.
- The 1911 Adams Hotel in Lavina, Montana.
- The 1908 Lavina State Bank which has been operating in the same building for 111 years. The Masonic Temple is still upstairs.

Brian

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by montana brad

Thanks for confirming with the visitors center what I said about being there early will get you a spot.Even though it sounds logical it may be something not every knows or may think of.
Brian,
I am not positive of this but maybe someone like Gypsy could run down there for you and get you a site since he's feeling neighborly

Looks like they decided to head East to Billings instead....I did forward private phone contact to Bakers Hole hosts for them, and left a message for the hosts. Phone service spotty there, but text works. As for "run down there"-- it's 230 miles...about 3 3/4 hour drive one way! We will head out to TX on Labor Day, and likely stay a night there then on to Signal Mountain Tetons next day or so...best time of year to go thru the parks! Kids are back in school and fewer crowds...

[GettinAway]

Moosetags. I just pulled into Walden CO. The self proclaimed Moose sighting capital of Colorado. Made me think of you all. Hope your trip is going well.
Jeff

[Mollysdad]

"Harvest time in Montana" reminded me of motorcycling up the east side of the mountains to Glacier. We met 'Luddites' who travelled around in pickup trucks, and spoke old English, including "thou", etc. At first, seeing a truck with 10 young men unload at the motel was concerning, but they were polite and respectful.
They travel following the harvest and one member has the gigantic combine, while most don't have driver's licenses.

[Steamy1]

In our driveway in the fall a couple of years ago.

[moosetags]

We broke camp in Billings yesterday and drove over to Cody. We are camped at our friend, Larry's ranch outside of Cody, Internet access is very marginal here.

Here are a few pictures from the last two days if I can get them to go.

Tonight's pictures:

- Main Street, Fromberg, Montana.
- Old 1940's Hudson parked in Fromberg.
- 1958 Edsel still on the road near Belfry, Montana.
- Main Street, Belfry, Montana.
- Irma Hotel in Downtown Cody, Wyoming.
- Lucy at her campsite on Larry's ranch.
- Larry took us for a tour of the ranch and vicinity in his ATV.
- The girls from the ridge below Larry's ranch.
- Herd of antelopes seen during our tour.
- View from Lucy's door.

Brian

[moosetags]

Lucy is still camped on Larry's ranch in Cody. We gave Lucy a well-deserved bath this morning. We went into town with Larry for lunch.

We did a little more touring before coming back to the ranch to give Lillian a bath. We have had a nice supper and have settled in for the night.

Tonight's pictures:

- Main Street, Cody, Wyoming.
- Cody Reservoir.
- Mountains on the road to the ranch.
- Larry's ranch house.
- Road out from the ranch.
- Castle Rock viewed from the ranch.

Brian

[moosetags]

Lucy broke camp this morning at Larry's Ranch and headed east into the Bighorn Mountains. We took US 14 A across the mountains. It was a challenging trip while towing Lucy. There are 10% grades on this route. It passes through elevations up to 10,000 feet. The mountain scenery was very impressive.

We arrived in Ranchester, Wyoming late this afternoon and got Lucy a nice campsite at the Lazy R Campground. We got Lucy hooked up and headed back up into the mountains for some Moosing. We had two Moose sightings. They were both bulls, but it had gotten too dark for pictures. We drove back down the mountains to Ranchester in the dark which was a little unnerving.

We got back to Lucy at 9:30 and got settled in for the night as thunderstorms moved into the area.

Tonight's pictures:

- Brian and Larry at Larry's Ranch.
- Mountain scene on the highway out of Cody.
- Highway traffic in Ralston, Wyoming.
- !908 bank building in Powell, Wyoming.
- Lucy and Lillian showing off their wash jobs.
- The 1950 Hyart Theatre in Lovell, Wyoming.
- Approaching the Bighorn Mountains from the west.
- Into the Bighorns.
- Bighorn Basin. It is 100 miles by 140 miles.
- A hay baler working near Ranchester.

Brian

[Gene]

I love the Hyart Theater. Any idea how the name was created—the owner's name and a play on an artist's pallet? I think that kind of "modern" architecture is awful and so bad it should be saved. A great find.

[moosetags]

Originally Posted by Gene

I love the Hyart Theater. Any idea how the name was created—the owner's name and a play on an artist's pallet? I think that kind of "modern" architecture is awful and so bad it should be saved. A great find.

Hi Gene,

The Hyart Theatre was named after its builder and first owner Hyrum "Hy" Bischoff. Before he built the Hyart, Bischoff traveled the mountain states looking at other threatres. He modeled the lobby after the Villa Theatre in Salt Lake City. The exterior design was Bischoff's.

Brian

[moosetags]

We spent the morning around the campground doing some chores around Lucy. It had rained really hard early this morning and the campground was muddy. We got our chores done and got ready to go up the mountain.

We headed up into the mountains mid afternoon on a quest for Mooses. We hit some of the usual spots with no results, not a moose to be found. We did some back road touring to check out dispersed camping locations. Dispersed camping in the National Forest is back country RV and tent camping not in established campgrounds. Early this evening thunderstorms rolled into the mountains.

As the rain closed in, we headed back down to Lucy. We got back to the campground shortly before dark and settled in for the night.

- Bighorns scene.
- Some of the Forest Roads are somewhat rough.
- A dispersed camped travel trailer.
- After last nights rains, some of the roads had muddy patches.
- There are lot of cows still grazing in the Forest.
- Clouds moving into the mountains.
- More muddy Forest roads.
- Picturesque fishing stream in the Bighorns.

Brian

[moosetags]

Lucy is still camped in Ranchester. We drove into Sheridan for lunch and some shopping. Sheridan is only about ten miles from Ranchester. Sheridan is one of the largest cities in Wyoming with a population of 18,000. We know that doesn't sound like much, but the whole state of Wyoming's population is only 500,000. Wyoming is last in alphabetical order and last in population. Wyoming has only one US Congressman.

We had lunch at the Pony Bar and Grill on Gould Street in Downtown Sheridan. We had the very best hamburger on the trip. If you are ever passing through Sheridan, be sure to eat here.

After lunch we headed over to Shipton's Big R Ranch Store. We love looking around at all the "ranch stuff". As usual, we ended up buying a few things. We got a pair of ranch work gloves, some rivets, and large wash pail. From there, we headed over to the Walmart Super Center for some groceries, supplies, and a prescription.

We made our way back to Lucy in Ranchester. By the time we got Lillian unloaded, it was too late to go up in the mountains. We decided that a nap was in order. We got up in time to watch the new Hallmark Movie.

Tonight's pictures:

- Main Street, Sheridan, Wyoming.
- The Mint Bar has been at the same location on Main Street since it opened in 1907. It is said that the Mint operated pretty much as normal during Prohibition (1920 - 1933).
- The WYO Theatre is across the street from the Mint and opened in 1923.
- There are many sculptures throughout downtown Sheridan. This is a small one right outside the Pony Bar and Grill.
- Large sculpture of Sacagawea on a Sheridan street corner.
- The 1910 US Post Office and Courthouse in Downtown Sheridan.
- A very nice old painted building sign in Downtown Sheridan, Wyoming.
- Another view of Main Street, Sheridan.

Brian

[montana brad]

A visit inside The Mint Bar is an experience in itself.Sheridan is one of the cleanest small cities I have ever been in.Nice place.

[Antique Pedaler]

Originally Posted by montana brad

A visit inside The Mint Bar is an experience in itself.Sheridan is one of the cleanest small cities I have ever been in.Nice place.

Yup. Been there more then once.

[Julie-Bob]

If you guys get near Guernsey Wy just east of I 25. Stop in and see the Oregon Trail ruts that are over 4 feet deep in the rock from so many wagons traveling over it .

[Nelson428]

If you are there another day and need something to do try

https://thebrintonmuseum.org/

[moosetags]

This morning we moved Lucy to another site at the campground. We decided to stay here in Ranchester a few more days, and the campground asked us to change campsites because the one we were in had a prior reservation starting today.

After we got Lucy hooked up at her new campsite, we headed up into the mountains for some sightseeing and Moosing. The mountain scenery was quite impressive. The moosing was a bust though.

Rain showers moved into the mountains in the early evening. We decided to head back down to Lucy and call it a day. We were back at Lucy before dark and got settled in for the night.

Tonight's pictures:

- Interesting rock formations.
- US 14A westbound from Burgess Junction.
- Mountain scenery.
- View from 9,400' pass in the Bighorns.
- Back road scenery.
- A pair of Elk on the dirt road before us.
- Another Bighorn Scene.
- Rainbow during the rain storm.

Brian

[Gene]

It has been a scarce time for mooses. I don't recall any in Alaska and Canada. We saw a lot there. Colorado has mooses too—Jackson County (North Park) has a lot and Grand Mesa does too (hundreds in each place). I have been up on Grand Mesa many times and never saw a moose, but the Forest Service says they are there. We are leaving for Jumbo CG on Grand Mesa today for three nights, so if we see any mooses, we will ask them to look you up.

You may have to go to Newfoundland. I think there are about half a million there (one for every Newfoundlander) and if you don't see any there, it is time to try something new.

Julie-Bob, I'm trying to understand how Oregon Trail wheel ruts 4' deep would allow any wagon to get through without high centering. That would require wheels in excess of 8' in diameter and I have never see an old wagon that tall. A 4' wheel would be more likely and a rut somewhat less than 2' to allow for the axle not to drag.

[Julie-Bob]

Gene here are photos of the wagon ruts. The smaller rut on the left side of the wagon rut is caused by folks walking next to the wagons [ATTACH][ATTACH]