Sunday – August 31, 2014 Sunny & breezy – 53 degrees
It took us most of yesterday to drive north from Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming to the city of Great Falls, Montana.
Morning on the Missouri River
We found a comfortable all-suite motel and decided to spend two nights in Great Falls. We had been on the go in Yellowstone Park for four days and it had been a long tiring drive north. I also wanted to do laundry. When I travel, I always pack one small suitcase regardless of the length of the trip and that means stopping for laundry.
Entrance to the Charles M. Russell Museum
Great Falls, Montana was the home of western artist C. M. Russell and a large museum was built to honor their most famous citizen. No photography was allowed in the museum, so I couldn’t take any pictures. I learned he was a prolific artist who painted more than two thousand paintings in his lifetime. We spent more than two hours there until Jeff said he had seen enough western pictures to last a lifetime.
Quote in the Lobby
The most interesting part of the museum was the Native American exhibit on the first floor. It contained an extensive collection of contemporary and historical artifacts created by several local tribesmen and women.
Russell’s Log Cabin Studio
Charlie & Nancy Russell’s House
Missouri River
In the afternoon we drove along the river to see the Lewis and Clark exhibit. This region was the place that presented some of the greatest obstacles to the explorers. They had to portage their boats and heavy supplies across the land because of several large waterfalls along the Missouri. Stephen Ambrose’s book: Undaunted Courage was a good account of the expedition.
Lewis & Clark Interpretation Center
We learned there are several broad waterfalls along this section of the Missouri River. Today, the largest ones provide electricity for several states.
Rainbow Falls
Black Eagle Falls
We stopped at the large old Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Station which was converted to office space, but it was a reminder that the railroad helped to build the city of Great Falls, Montana.
Old Railroad Station
After passing vast wheat fields and huge silos, we found a giant General Mills grain elevator next to railroad tracks in Great Falls. Now I know where my Wheaties comes from.
General Mills Grain Elevator & Storage Facility