Robaix Lake

We found a little federal campground, Robaix Lake, to camp at for a few nights while we explore the sights.  We plan to go swimming there later this afternoon.  This is a view from a trail I rode that goes part way around the lake.

Sylvan Lake

We stopped at Sylvan Lake on the Needles Highway.  It was a beautiful lake, full of people, with a dam at one end.  We hiked on the trail that went around the lake.

Needles Highway Custer State Park

Eye of the Needle

Right before Eye of the Needle Tunnel

Little Devils Tower

Wow, this road is narrow---and the tunnels---a couple of them Larry and I could both touch the sides from our windows.  One of our side mirrors brushed the side.  I was driving during this portion, so Larry was nervous.

Mount Rushmore

Side view of Washington

The Hall of Flags has flags of all the states

Night-time view of Rushmore

It must have taken such perseverance to finish this massive project.  Pictures don't let me imagine how enormous Mount Rushmore is.  We walked the Presidential Walk to see all the views of the various faces of Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson, and Roosevelt.  After driving the Needles Highway, we decided to stop back and attend the evening ceremony at Mount Rushmore.

Bighorn Battlefield/Connor Battlefield

Monument and graves from Battle of Little Bighorn

Monument to all who died at Battle at Little Bighorn

Camping at Manchester, WY at the Connor Battlefield Campground

We spent a couple of hours walking around the Bighorn Battlehorn sites.  It looks like they're trying to present a more balanced presentation, giving documents and accounts from both sides of this battle.  There is now a monument for the tribe members who gave their lives to protect their families.  I'm glad to see that.

We found this little town off the highway that has a creek and hardly anybody in the campground...much nicer than the rest area last night.

Traveling Between Bozeman and Hardin

Last night it got dark before we could find a pretty camping spot, so we stayed the night at a rest area at Bozeman.  It was pretty noisy between highway noise and the generator from the motorhome next door to us.  It took me a whole 1/2 hour or so to get to sleep instead of my usual 5 min :)

Larry realized he didn't bring his sandals so our first stop was at Target for some sandals.  We gassed up at Billings and stopped at the WalMart to get a few supplies.  Now we're on our way to Custer Battlefield a short way past Hardin....15 more miles.  I'll post again after we stop by the battlefield.

On the road again, just so glad to be on the road again...

We stayed last night at Wilderness Gateway Camp in the parking lot.  That is a beautiful campground because you aren't right next to your neighbors and it is full of trees and greenery.  You hear the sound of rushing water from any of the loops.  We hiked around from 6-8:30 enjoying the trails, Boulder Creek  and the Lochsa.

This morning we stopped at the DeVoto Grove Cedar Forest, mature cedars (at least 500 years old).  Did you know that cedar trees can live up to 3000 years?  There's a cool walking path and picnic tables...but today forest service guys were removing some dead trees.

We were going to stop and hike at either Weir Hotsprings or Jerry Johnson Hotsprings, but they were both really crowded with cars...so we skipped them.  We'll check them out again on our return trip.

Lolo Pass has really improved their visitor center.  It is real nice with some nature trails that we walked on.  I tried to work on my blog, but the computer crashed.  I got it checked out in Missoula and the Computer Guy fixed it for me ($38).  I hope it stays working from now on.
We're traveling between Missoula and Butte right now.  Here are a few pics.

Boulder Creek--wish you could hear that rushing water

Boulder Creek

Lochsa River

Lolo Pass (5225 feet) visitor center

Darliss in front of the Lolo Pass Visitor's Center

The beach at DeVoto Grove

beach at DeVoto Cedar Grove