Blog 309: Byways, Bison, and Bears
Jordanelle
It was a short and easy trip from Dead Horse Point State Park to Blue Cut RV Park in Helper, Utah. Not much going on in Helper, but it was a chance to regroup and plan the next legs of our journey. After two nights, we headed north again to spend five nights at Jordanelle State Park north of Heber City, Utah (about 30 miles east of Salt Lake City).
During our stay I had a quick gig in Irvine for a few days with a great bunch of people.
After Jordanelle, it was another easy journey to Pocatello, Idaho, where we spent one rainy night at the Buffalo Meadows RV Park, a part of the Ft. Hall Casino.
Dillon
Next, we travelled to the Countryside RV Park just outside of Dillon, Montana. We have stayed in the Dillon area in the past, and it was enjoyable to come back to this picturesque area. I had planned a day trip that would take us on the Pioneer Scenic Byway through the Pioneer Mountains. We headed west on 278 and north on 73 through Polaris and up to Elkhorn Hot Springs. The plan was to continue all the way to Wise River, then head west on 43 through Fishtrap, at Wisdom take 278 east to Jackson, and then back to camp. Unfortunately, the road was closed at Elkhorn Hot Springs, so our only choice was to backtrack the way we came to our campground.
St. Regis
Continuing our northward journey, we next went to Campground St. Regis, a gorgeous and tidy place to stay next to St. Regis, Montana.
National Bison Range Day Trip
One morning we drove the picturesque 51 miles to the National Bison Range, with most of our journey on the National Bison Scenic Byway that parallels the Flathead River.
We had visited this national wildlife refuge a few years earlier and really enjoyed it. This trip was to prove even more impressive, as the heavy winter snowfall and the abundant spring rains kept everything a vibrant green that proved a brilliant contrast to the wildflowers and the snow-white peaks of the Mission Mountains.
Our prime goal was to see critters, and we were well rewarded. We saw bison, of course, pronghorn, deer, and a momma and baby bear. Mitzy enjoyed herself, as always, pointing out the different species to Jack. Especially fun was that Jack had his first bear sighting—he was in total awe as he speechlessly stared wide-eyed like a toddler opening Christmas presents.
We were extremely pleased with our critter findings, but there was more. The hills and valleys erupted wildflowers. It was like hoping for a pair, and drawing a full house.
Arrowleaf balsamroot covered the valleys like the golden robe of a Bishop giving high mass. We saw prairie smoke, shooting stars, penstemon, Rocky Mountain iris, lupine, Solomon’s plume, serviceberry bush, chokecherry, desert parsley, wild geranium, giant hyssop, baby tansy, and more, that shined like the multicolored jewels of a pirate’s treasure box. All the while, as we meandered up and down and over and across, we were serenaded by meadowlarks. Wonderful trip.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks from Montana.
That ends our “post-Texas holiday.” Now it is time for our next adventure.