The air was cool this morning as we headed north to Great Falls. It was a wonderful drive through big open country…I keep thinking about what they call Montana…”Big Sky Country’ which is so apt. Passed a huge windfarm on a ridge, over a hundred towers and we were surprised at how close they were. Stopped in the small town of Stanford, a real small west town and had a coffee in the old mercantile store. These little towns have a real character about them, they are just surviving and are important for their small local community.
Continued through to Great Falls with a population of over 50,000…seemed strange to be in such a big city. It is on the upper reaches of the Missouri River, and checked out the falls that is named after but quite disappointed as they have been diminished by the power schemes.
The afternoons heat up to the mid 30’s, so a good time for a little bit of retail therapy late afternoon before heading north to Fort Benton. More wonderful open prairie country with a lot of wheat being harvested.
Fort Benton is the earliest longest continually settled town in Montana, as it is at the upper end of the navigable Missouri River. We look forward to checking out the town in the morning, as we stopped at this little public campground on the way in.
Met Steve from Bozeman who is doing a short trip on his bike, and he joined us for a few drinks…and a bit of dinner. Another real balmy summers evening.
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