Red Lodge, Montana

We have been busy with visiting and exploring the area, so I'm a little behind on the Blog. The visit to Red Lodge (Tuesday) ... An awesome trip up and much to talk about. But first, note that the initial "reason" for the trip to Red Lodge was to have breakfast at the incredible Regis Cafe, and to stop at the Whispering Pines antiques and gift shop to purchase two more, matching, highball glasses for our RV, found on the last trip here; both places were closed Mondays and Tuesdays! Arrrrrrrgh!

We did find another excellent breakfast spot called Prindy's Place, where the motto was "Morning meals done right" ... and they are! We were early but the place quickly filled with locals and a few others passing through, like us. An excellent, basic breakfast. Oh, and if you weren't a Trump supporter, best talk quietly during your visit.

Anyway, a short background on Red Lodge. The area was a place of worship, food and protection for the Crow people when it was theirs. Plenty Coups, Chief of Crow, knew that it was a special place and that others would come and covit it ... and they did ... and it was lost. A plaque at the entrance to the town, near a statue of the Chief, asks us to respect it and love it as the Crow Nation did.

After breakfast we decided to go further into the Rockies on the great Beartooth Scenic Byway. I've read about this highway, and wished many times I could make the trip by motorcycle, as so many others have ... but a car would have to do this trip ... So, up we went. These few pictures will not do justice to this beautiful part of Montana and Wyoming.

Blue skies, dry road, and remnants of deep snow still piled along the roadway.

And, we made it to the top ... without oxygen!

At one of the many pull-outs, we ran into 21-year residents of Red Lodge, showing the area to a widowed-friend, who now lives with them. OMG, it was like talking to a tour-docent ... He knew so much about the area and history, we had trouble cutting him off. 

He told us of a lake that he fishes, bordering Wyoming, that when you cast you can actually cast into Wyoming ... Wyoming game wardens watch closely and if you cast too far, they are quick to cite you for fishing Wyoming without a license ... This really pisses him off! Too funny, hey?

Oh, and near the top, there is a chair lift and "E-rated" ski slope down into one of the canyons. You can ski down, and if you don't die, you can get on the chair lift back up to your car ... or an awaiting ambulance, your choice!

So, that's all this post, but plenty more to come ... So, stay tuned!