HBGALLAVANTERS

 On our way to Polson, MT, we stopped at Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site. It’s right on HWY 90 as you are traveling E/W in Montana.  This ranch preserves the lifestyle of the American cattle rancher from the late 1880s. The ranch has a restored main house and over 80 out buildings but alas, like many places we have encountered, the park service is short staffed and not all locations are opened.  The ranch explains the cowboy rancher and how he was able to get cattle to market.  It’s a great location for kids. 

 We set out to visit this National Battlefield because it was only about an hour from our campground and there was a stamp. The drive through the mountains was beautiful and very sparsely populated. More cattle than people. The skies were very dark and the whole time we were driving we were waiting for the downpour. We went over a mountain pass that was over 7,000 feet. We finally arrived at about 3:00 pm just as the rain started.  This battlefield is not like others we have been to. Much of the park sits on Native American land and because so many Native Americans perished at the battle here it is hallowed ground. There is no driving tour. You must hike the trails. Since it was pouring and there was lightning and we had the dog who was not allowed we opted for just looking at the visitor center. Another major factor was the sheer number of mosquitoes.   The center tells the story of the battle of Big Hole that took place on 8/9/1877 when the US ARMY was sent to move the Nez Perce onto

 After our two days in Brigham City we set out for Idaho Falls, ID.  We try to follow the rule of 3 when traveling in the RV. 1) travel no more than 300 miles a day, 2) stop every 3 hours and take a break and 3) arrive at your destination by 3) so you can start happy hour. Today was a short drive - less than 300 miles so we look for interesting places along our route to stop and visit. Today it was the Idaho Potato 🥔 Museum.   We use an app called ROADTRIPPERS to help us find points of interest along the way.  It usually does not disappoint.   When in Idaho what better place to stop than a museum dedicated to the state’s number one export.  What a fun stop.  First off it had a place for us to park our 33 foot RV that has a jeep attached to the back. That’s always a major consideration. We usually call to check before we show up.   The museum itself is small but mighty. You can peruse all the exhibits in about an hour. It is packed with lots of tater facts.  It has some interesting exh

 By pure dumb luck we discovered that Janet’s summer home near Logan, UT was only 30 minutes from Brigham City. Janet and Dean invited us to their place and they were kind enough to take us on a driving tour of the area. We visited some amazing overlooks that looked back toward Brigham City and then they drove us through the campus at Utah State University which is the agricultural college in the state. It also offers seniors one week classes throughout the summer.  Dean and Janet take advantage of those classes and have had lectures on such diverse things as local history, bird watching and coming up this summer -chocolate making. We even visited the on campus chocolate shop - on National chocolate day. And tried some of the chocolate made by the students - really good. Then Dean drove us around downtown Logan and showed some of the LARGE historical homes as well as the many theaters and opera house.  Not a bad place to spend your summers.  

 After our great lunch we set out to find some local thrift stores. Blocks are very long in Brigham City. Our map took us by the beautiful temple in the center of town.  It has very manicured gardens all around.  There were many fruit trees. We saw fully ripened cherries and Granny Smith apples. Sure hope they harvest all that fruit and donate it somewhere.  The architecture reminded us of what we saw in Prescott and Flagstaff, AZ.  Lots of brick buildings built in the 1890s.  Some remodeled and some that need some serious attention. But overall Brigham City is a very well kept city.  We didn’t buy anything at the thrift stores.  

 Several years ago I acquired a book called ROAD FOOD  by Jane and Michael Stern.  It recommends interesting places to eat around the country.  Surprisingly it had two places in Brigham City that were recommended.  We chose Idle Isle.  Open since 1921 it is on a Main Street and comes highly recommended.  We were not disappointed. Phil had a pulled pork sandwich with amazing homemade potato salad and I had a BLT. All delicious. But we came for the idleberry pie. Described in the book as “a sultry, dark extravaganza that resonates with the booming fruitiness of blueberries, blackberries, and boysenberries.”  It was delicious.  Well worth a visit if you are in these parts.  

 Got up early and set out for Utah. We passed through Arizona before finally making it to Utah.  Then we drove on Highway 15 all the way up the state to Brigham City. I’m using the “Royal” we as Phil does all the driving of the Beast.  We passed through St. George which has more than doubled since we passed through in August 2020.  Then rather than turning toward Lake Powell we stayed on 15. We had never really driven this way before. It is beautiful.  We made it through Salt Lake and then into Brigham City.   We had planned for two nights here so Phil could have a rest day. We spent the morning exploring the fascinating Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.  So when you think of Utah do you think pelicans? Sea gulls?  Not me but boy were we surprised. This is largest salt water lake in America and it is protected for all the migratory birds that pass through this area. We visited the visitor center and did the driving tour. So worth it.  Great way to spend a morning  

 Come join us as we travel to Montana, Wyoming and Utah. We are traveling as fast as we can to get to Flathead Lake in Polson, MT.  We stopped at one of the newer rest areas on HWY 15.  You never know what you can see or learn at these rest areas.  We made it to the far Northeastern tip of Nevada.   We spent last night at one of our favorite weigh stations when we go to Lake Powell - the Casa Blanca Resort and Casino. This time we stayed in their new RV Park.  It’s nothing to write home about but it has electric hookups and we could run our two air conditioners.  And when it’s 105 outside that is worth a lot. We made it there to late to take advantage of the pool but I’m sure we’ll be back.  Tomorrow we make our way to Brigham City,Utah.