May 16 - 22, 2022 More Sightseeing and Setting up at Echo Lake for the Summer

Monday (16th) After getting around we made preparations to leave. We left Livingston  and drove to Butte. When we got to the continental divide - we were at a speedy 35 mph to get over the pass. 

Our first stop was Walmart for meds and supplies. Then we went on to Deer Lodge. We will stay here for 3 nights. 

Steve throwing a snowball at Georgetown Lake

Tuesday(17th) We left about 10 ish to go for a drive. Our first stop was Lost Creek State Park. They had the gate shut- the park is not open yet. We took a walk and the dogs really enjoyed sniffing around for stuff. Then we drove on to Georgetown Lake and took a nice walk at the fishing access site there. We saw two eagles on our way there. We didn’t tour the campground because it was also closed and the gate was shut. We drove on to Phillipsburg and Drummond and back to the RV. It was a nice drive and a beautiful day. 

Huge Rock at Lost Creek State Park

Wednesday (18th) After we got around we putzed a bit. About 11 AM we returned to Butte to pick the rest of my meds that were not available when we went through on Monday. the rest of our day was spent hanging out in the RV and making preparations to leave tomorrow. Thursday (19th) Today we left Deer Lodge at 9:20 and arrived at Echo Lake about 2:00 PM. It was a lovely drive. We stopped at Ferndale and filled the propane tank in the RV. After we unhooked the pickup we got the RV backed in to its spot. Then we hooked up the electricity. Shawn the maintenance guy showed up with the water filter - but we couldn’t get it to quit leaking. So we will just use our water in the RV tank until we get a new gasket.  

Ovando

Seeley Lake Area

deer

Temp when we went through Ovando

Friday (20th) We were up at 8:00 AM. After getting around and walking the dogs we turned on the water and let it run awhile. Then we put down our patio mat. Shawn brought down a wrench to try to tighten the water filter but that did not do the trick either. We need a new gasket. Next Tony Powell came down and brought us our cleaning supplies. We visited with him and he got the speed bump moved into place. he says it has to be moved in the winter so they can grade the snow away. He also told us we do not have to do Bigfork bathroom anymore. It has been transferred to Wayfayer State Park for cleaning. He also said it would be OK if Kristi puts up a tent when they come up. Also no hurry on the grass cutting/weedeating. And there is no need to put up the barrier at night unless we get complaints. WooHoo! Saturday (21st) We did all the routine things this morning. We did hook up the water today and did our chores. Next we put up the perimeter rope. We did a few more things to get settled in. Later we went to town for supplies. We had a nice fire and made S’mores to finish our evening. It got down to 29° overnight, brrr. 

Sunday (22nd) We hung out in the RV until it warmed up. Then we took a walk and picked up trash on the road. Later we did our bathroom cleaning chores and picked up trash in the parking lot. There were lots of folks here today. 

May 23 - 31, 2022 Getting Started on our Duties Here at Echo Lake, Montana

Monday (23rd) We got ourselves around and walked the dogs then did our chores. After lunch  JD and his wife from up on the loop came down in a golf card to complain about the loop road being walked on. I got Tony Powell on the phone and let them discuss it with him. I told them we wouldn’t walk there or tell anyone else they can walk the loop road. I had told two ladies the day before that it was ok. (My bad) I sent him a picture of the sign he had put up last year. 

Then we set up our trail cam. Later Shawn brought the gaskets for the water filter. But Steve had already been able to fix it. The game warden, Chuck drove by and I spoke to him. We don’t have Justin anymore - they moved his territory because he may be deployed as a member of the National Guard. We will miss him. Tuesday (24th) We did all the routine things this morning. Then we went to the parking lot and picked up some logs someone had left. Seth from FWP was out to spray weeds. I took a short nap in the afternoon. Steve was picking up sticks and rocks in the grassy area by the parking lot. He wants to try to use the lawnmower there instead of weed eating. On our way to town we talked with the two ladies and told them we were wrong about it being ok to walk the loop road. In town, we picked up some more groceries and gas for the lawnmower and weedeater. 

Three Deer we saw on our walk

Wednesday (25th) Today it was raining. So when the morning chores were done, we went to Walmart. After we got back home we put stuff away and then rested. 

Geese on the Lake

This was our 2nd RV! It showed up in my pics for May 245th - so I thought I'd add it to the blog!

Thursday (26th) It’s good Steve was up early today - Tony Powell brought us new shirts, caps and a jacket about 7:45 AM. I was still in bed. So after I got up we ate breakfast, dressed and walked the dogs. We did the chores and then did some weed eating around the rock in the parking lot and the triangle at the entrance. There were lot of folks after work. We had a campfire and listened to a podcast after supper. We like to listen to the Dear Bob and Sue Podcast. They discuss their visits to the National Parks and give tips for travelers. They also have three books that I’ve read. 

Buster- On Duty!

Friday (27th) We were a little slow getting up today. It was raining. After a few chores we gathered up our laundry and went to town. When we got back to the RV we saw Tony Powell putting in a post for the no parking /tow away zone here. He checked the curb stop that is missing also. We helped him a little and then took it easy. Later Steve was able to pull out the rebar from the missing curb stop so no one would mess up their tire. Saturday (28th) Today was a pretty nice day. It was overcast and 56°. We did all our routine things. We sat outside and listened to music. Tony P called and wanted to know how it was going. All is well here. Later we drove to town and got Rosa’s Pizza! It was yummy! 

Parking Lot

Sunday (29th) We walked and did our chores. Later we cut weeds on the road outside of the entrance gate. The game warden Nathan came by and I visited with him. We watched Nascar Races in the afternoon. That pretty much wrapped up our day. Monday (30th) Today is Memorial Day- observed. We got up and did our chores. The weather was partly cloudy with a high of 62 °. After making our rounds doing chores we sat outside and listened to music. Tony P called us again to check on us. A guy asked if anyone had reported hitting his trailer which was parked on the road outside the site. I said no. I took a nap and we tried to get a burger at Burger Town but they were closed so we made do with what we had at home. 

View to the north of our site

Tuesday (31st) We were up at 9::00 AM. After doing all the routine things, we did weed eating on the road. Shawn brought us a different lawnmower. The one that was here did not have oil and we sent it to the shop with our boss. So this mower they brought really helped us out and made the grass cutting much faster. In the evening, we drove to Horseshoe Lake so the dogs could enjoy themselves.

Deer from our walk

These are all pictures of Horseshoe Lake - Beautiful

May 8 - 15, 2022 Moving North and West While Exploring

Sunday (8th) After we got around this morning  I sent a lot of the women I know - Happy Mother’s Day Texts. We pretty much putzed around til after lunch. Then we were brave and went to Walmart. Boy that was fun! I made Chicken Vegetable soup for supper and we will have leftovers. Monday (9th) After we got around Steve drove the RV to the gas station on base and we filled it up. Next we attached the pickup and headed north on I-25. We stopped at the Wyoming line. The rest stop there is excellent. So we walked our dogs and relaxed a bit. We are always relieved to make it through Denver without too many problems. There was a lot of construction and traffic, but Steve did a great job driving. From the Wyoming line to Douglas -we had a very windy drive, with mostly a crosswind. It was a scary drive to me, but Steve kept saying it was OK. I kind of wanted to pull over but he said he could make it to Douglas and so we did. I was very thankful when we got off the road today. We filled our RV so we can move on tomorrow. When we got to the KOA - it was 44° but it felt like 39° - wind chill. Boy howdy I sure was glad to get set up and let Steve relax. We changed our route also - We decided to stick to the Interstate because my preferred route going through the Tetons and Yellowstone was going to be too much like winter! 

Carr, WY

Tuesday (10th) We were up at 8:00 AM. So we had our breakfast and got dressed. Then we walked the dogs and made preparations to leave. We were out of Douglas by 9:25 AM - pretty early for us. We had a smooth trip today through Wyoming to Billings, Montana. It was 325 miles. Today’s drive was totally opposite of yesterday. It felt like we were floating on a cloud today. We made a pit stop at Kaycee, WY where there is a nice rest stop. We walked the dogs and had a little lunch. 

Kaycee, WY

Decker, MT - Crossing into Montana

So glad it was a better drive today. We checked into Billings KOA and the satellite would not connect, so we called the office and asked to move. After that, Steve was coming back outside to help hook up utilities and unhook the pickup and he tripped on the tow bar stepping over it. He bit the dirt very hard. Of course it bled because it was his forehead that collided with the gravel on the ground. He did not get knocked out - but he was in pain for awhile. I bandaged it and we put an ice pack on it. 

Steve the day after hitting his head. 

They had a food trailer in this KOA- so we ordered hamburgers from it for supper. They used bagels for buns and the burger was good! Wednesday (11th) We were up at 8:15 AM today. We got ourselves together and then packed some snacks and the camera and binoculars. I am driving us to Lovell, WY to see the Bighorn Canyon Pryor Wild Horse Range. Again, this is a place you have to plan to drive to- It’s about 70 miles from Billings. I was going to try to get here last year but we stopped in Sheridan WY and the guy at the RV Park said we should go there from Billings MT. So today we made it. My first stop was at the Pryor Mountain Visitor Center and I bought a T-shirt. On our drive we saw 4 deer, 2 female Bighorn sheep and 5-6 wild horses. The weather was pretty good. We were gone from 10:15 to 4:30. It was a long drive but worth it! There is also a Bighorn Recreation Visitor Center where I stopped at, but didn’t get much information there.  

Wild Horses in the distance

Wild horses

The Reservoir

Ewing Snell Historic Ranch

Bench at Historic Ranch site

My t-shirt

Statue in Lovell, WY

The Bridger Cutoff- Old West Trail - Difficult but shorter-never caught on

We were pooped after we arrived back at the RV - so we ordered pizza. Thursday (12th) Tony Powell called us at 8:30 AM and said it might be next Friday before our site at Echo Lake is ready. We said OK, no problem. We are putzing around and doing some sightseeing. It was raining in Billings today so we stayed another night. Friday (13th) We left Billings about 10:30 or so and stopped in Laurel for gas in the RV then we had a nice drive to Livingston, MT. Pictures from our drive, right out the RV window.

Pronghorn - not a great pic

It was a little breezy with a head wind. But we arrived at our destination about 1:00 PM and set up at Osen’s RV Park. We stayed here years ago and this place has improved since then. We liked our site. After we got settled and had lunch we loaded up the pickup and headed south to Yellowstone. It’s a long drive (60 miles) to the North entrance. But we saw tons of Elk, some bison and 1 bear on our way out.

Elk crossing River

Elk in yard in Gardiner

Elk in Yard in Gardiner

Waterfall

Snow

Bison

 We got home at 8:30 PM. We ate supper late and since we were pooped went to bed early.

Bison trying to get a ride on the tour bus!

Pronghorn and Elk

Roosevelt Arch

Sign for Yellowstone in Gardiner, MT

Bison at the Inn

 Saturday (14th) After we got around, we loaded up some snacks and drinks. Then I drove us to Yellowstone NP. We stopped at Yankee Jim pullout and walked the dogs. We stopped in Gardiner to fill the pickup with gas. Then we toured the park. We saw lots of snow in the parking lots. We saw elk, deer, pronghorns, bison and 1 bear. Of course the bear jam was too big for us to get a picture of the bear today. Steve drove back and we went to McDonald’s to pick up burgers for supper. We were pooped! 

Yankee Jim River Access

Deer in Yard - same yard as yesterday.

Roosevelt Arch

Snow

38 °

Parking Lot Snow!

Pronghorn

Mail Carriers Cabin

Beautiful views all around! I love Yellowstone!

Sunday (15th) Today we got up a little later, like 10:00 AM. We walked our dogs and then got the laundry around and washed our clothes. When we finished the laundry, we found a car wash and Steve washed the pickup. For lunch we had leftover turkey chili and chips. Most of the rest of the day we relaxed. We did check the oil and transmission fluid in the RV and prepared to move on tomorrow. 

Great Laundry Room Decorations! They would make great Wedding presents or Housewarming gifts!

 

Dirty Pickup