Beartooth Scenic Byway

Called America's most beautiful road and with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation including Granite Peak at 12,799 feet.  Beartooth Scenic Byway is Montana's highest paved primary road.  Opened in 1936, Beartooth Scenic Byway roughly follows the old Sheridan Trail, laid out in 1882 by Yellowstone protectionist Gen. Phil Sheridan.  The byway has spectacular views which in my opinion competes with Yellowstone National Park.

Sunset close to Twin Bridges, MT

Floating Beaverhead River Aug 25

I got the opportunity to "float" (as all the locals call it) down the Beaverhead River.  Beaverhead River is famous for its fishing and it's a known fact that Beaverhead produces more trophy-size trout per mile than any other stream in the state! Although we did not fish, Spence and his granddaughter, Molly were the best of guides and I even got a picture of a blue heron.

God's Country

I know why they call it God's country.... Montana is absolutely beautiful!!! 

     

 

           

               

   

Gates of the Mountain Aug 14

On the Missouri River, not far form present day Helena, Montana the members of the Lewis and Clark expedition toiled to move upstream.  Rock embankments made towing the shore impossible, and the deep channel forced the men to row. Suddenly from both sides of the river, limestone cliffs rose to a spectacular height of 1200 feet.  Lewis wrote that the rock looked like it would tumble down and at each bend of the waterway, stone walls seemed to block the passage, only to open like giant gates.  So he named it "Gates of the Mountain."

  

I took a two hour boat tour on the Missouri to see the Gates of the Mountain.  It was very pretty and the last part of my trip I saw a bald eagle that was young and had not developed the white head and tall yet.  

On my way home, there was a gorgeous sunset right outside Butte, Montana. These two shots are on the side of the road!

Helena Montana July 24, 2010

I went to state capital of Montana, Helena, which is about 2 hours away.  In 1864, gold was discovered in Helena and by 1888 more than 50 millionaires lived there which made it the richest city per capital in the US. Although, I did not find any gold I did have great ice cream at the famous Parrot candy store.

  

Downtown there is a nice walking mall with lots of shops and restaurants.

While driving home I saw this cute church out in the country so I had to stop and take some pictures.

  

             

July 17th Mary C & Chance Baragary's Wedding

My adventures began when my first flight was severely delayed.  I landed in Salt Lake City 2 minutes before my departure time for St. Louis.  I ran through 3 terminals with my backpack at a full sprint.  The whole time thinking to myself, thank God I wore my tennis shoes and not my flip flops and I just ran 3 miles last night... I should be in shape... then why am I so out of breath!  I arrived at my gate and my plane was still there but the ticket agent had already left.  So I went to another gate and demanded that the agent help me!  I'm not sure if my pleading, begging, or my asthma attack that convinced the agent to help me get on the plane!  But I made it to St Louis!  Shocking but my bag did NOT!  With no chance that my bag would arrive before the wedding (and yes I pitched a fit with the Delta representative that I needed the bag for the wedding).  Saturday morning with a 2 hour time restraint, my mom and I went shopping for a dress and shoes!  No pressure!!! We found a black dress and silver shoes and Delta happily reimbursed me for it!!!  So this is my Delta Dress!

 

The wedding was wonderful and the bride, Mary C looked more radiant than any southern belle including Scarlet O'Hara!  After a wonderful ceremony, a couple of pictures, everyone had a great time at the reception!  People ate too much and danced until midnight.  All in all the wedding was fabulous!! Congratulation Mary C and Chance!!