Home of the Great Montana Sheep Drive - Sunday, June 21, 2020

Today we said good-bye to Devils Tower. Our two days there were wonderful with warm weather during the day and rainstorms at night. Our breakfast at the KOA was so-so. Our over-medium fried eggs arrived over-hard, the "hashed browns" were fast food potato patties, and the service was very slow. The bacon was good, though.

We drove 6-1/2 hours combined in Wyoming and Montana today. We made a brief stop in Billings, Montana, to fill the truck with diesel and have lunch at Arby's. Below are photos of our scenery as we made our way northwest on I-90.

Wyoming - scenic views for miles.

The landscape on our drive today consisted of the foothills of the Bighorn Range; lots of ups and downs. The sky was dramatic. We could see thunderheads to the north, but we only had a couple of short rain showers on the very southern edge of the storm. 

Entering Montana from
Wyoming on I-90.

Wyoming on I-90.

Wyoming on I-90.

Montana on I-90. 

Montana on I-90.

We arrived at Old West RV Resort in Reed Point, Montana, at 4:00 p.m. This small RV park is one block off the freeway and very easy to maneuver in. The gravel roads are wide. 

Susie greeted us when we pulled in and gave us our paperwork with wi-fi code, cable channels, and explained how to get to our site. (There are only about 20 sites.) The sites are nicely spaced and there is a well-kept grass lawn between the sites with a picnic table (no fire ring).

Street entrance to Old West RV Park.

Old West RV Park, site #5.

The office at Old West RV Park.

The row of sites at Old West RV Park.

I asked Susie where Bob could ride his bike. She suggested that he go down the main street of town, out across a bridge, and turn right into Indian Fort Fishing Access Site and Campground. The road is alongside the Yellowstone River. 

After we set up the 5th wheel, Bob took off on his bike to explore the Indian Fort Fishing Access Site and Campground. When he came back, he was very excited and wanted to "kidnap" me. Unfortunately, he found tired, grumpy Susan who wanted to relax and stay in the 5th wheel for the evening. 

Since we don't have a fire ring at our campsite, he wanted to take the hot dogs and fixings, tablecloth, paper plates, plastic silverware, firewood, axe, matches, drinks, and S'more fixin's to the park, make a campfire, and cook dinner there. I wasn't on board with that idea.

He talked me into it (it is Father's Day, after all) and he dragged me whining and sniveling from the RV. It took five minutes to drive there from here. When we got there, we quickly made a fire. I believe that's the fastest we've ever made a fire and cooked on it. It was super windy, but we got the fire started in the fire ring. We had to get back to the 5th wheel in one hour to give Sunnie his insulin.

I have to say, I'm glad he convinced me to go. The location was lovely next to the Yellowstone River. Because it was so windy, there were no mosquitoes.

This is where Bob brought me.

Bob next to the Yellowstone River
in Reed Point, Montana.

The road from Indian Fort Fishing Access
back to the main road.

The Yellowstone River. 

Eating hot dogs at Indian Fort
Fishing Access park & campground.

The campground at Indian Fort is pretty basic. It is for boondocking along the Yellowstone River. There are pit toilets, but no hookups in the sites. The cost is not stated and there is a seven-night limit. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. The road into and through the campground is dirt and gravel, rough, with potholes. The reward is the beauty of the spot and if you like fishing, this could be the place for you. The river is very wild and flowing fast and high right now. 

Anyway, it was a good "kidnap." We made it back just in time to give Sunnie his insulin.

You ever know what you're going to find in these small towns (population of Reed Point is about 185). Bob looked up Reed Point, Montana. Their claim to fame is the "Great Montana Sheep Drive" in September. 

Sheep sculpture in town.

Hundreds of sturdy, Montana bred woolies charge down the six blocks of Main Street. In addition, 1,500 people (plus or minus) swell the size of this town. About 70 vendors set up in town as well. There is a parade with a Shriner's Band, floats, antique cars, covered wagons, horse groups, and more. There are Children's Rides and a Petting Zoo, log sawing contest, sheep-shearing demonstration, car show, and a lamb cook-off. At night, a street dance is held. 

These little towns can have more than meets the eye! Fascinating.

Tomorrow, we finish our journey to Helena, Montana. We are meeting another Volksmarcher (Diane) there. Helena is her last capital as well. We will walk together and hopefully celebrate together afterward. We're also planning to go on the Gates of the Mountain Boat Tour. Weather in Helena is expected to be in the 80s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Diane and I have never met before. We're excited to get to know each other. This is a great example of American Volkssport Associations' motto: "Fun, fitness, friendship." 

Today's blog was a short one. We're getting back into populated areas with better cell service, so I want to write the longer blogs about all our adventures. Stay tuned.