Great Falls Montana

August 26-27, 2016 – Days 7 & 8

After an unsettling night – trying sleeping 50 yards away from a very busy train tracks – not such a smart idea. We groggily got up and headed to Great Falls, MT. Luckily it was a fairly short drive, but we did have some road construction that kept Mike on his toes – sort of like slalom runs – narrow single lanes, changing from right to left and back again. Arriving safe and sound to our location for the next 2 nights we stopped at the KOA Campground in Great Falls. It was nice to have hook-ups and a nice big laundry room to take care of some necessary clothes washing. We also spent the afternoon cleaning the rig (traveling with 2 furry critters brings along a lot of dust and fur). Our evening was a relaxing one – barbequing some chicken, enjoying a campfire and taking it easy.

We slept in enjoying the quieter sleeping conditions. We set off to do some sightseeing of Great Falls.  1^st stop was the interesting interpretive center describing the Lewis and & Clark Expedition. The museum is located right on the Missouri River – the Great Falls being the 5 falls that the party had to portage their canoes, supplies and themselves around in very difficult terrene. We learned a lot about the Missouri River; the longest river in North America 2,341 miles from N.W. Montana to St. Louis MO. The Corps of Discovery as the adventurers were known made their incredible journey to the Pacific Ocean and back 1804-1806.

We ate lunch at the Sip n’ Dip Lounge in Great Falls – a very kitschy place in a sort of 1950’s way. Mermaids swim in the pool above the bar; they serve $28.00 fish bowl drinks to complete the experience. We took it more conservative and enjoyed a cheeseburger and M a beer and K a coffee. We were too early for the real show, but were entertained by hotel guests trying out their mermaid skills. Did a little more touring of the town, much larger than we imagined, and returned to the campground.

We go into Canada tomorrow and may or may not be blogging for awhile.