I am currently at the confluence of the Mo. River and the Yellowstone. Incredible place! Lots and lots of history here. Getting a few days break. Mo. River Interpretive Center here. Ft Buford and Ft Union to explore.
Ft Buford was where Sitting Bull surrendered his rifle to Major Brotherton.
One man lost to obscurity another an amazing legend.
I would encourage everyone to learn about the legend and life of
Sitting Bull
In Montana the beauty is just extraordinary!
So all Sunday night it stormed like crazy. I was fortunate to be camped on the Turnbull ranch (fascinating story itself will write it later) Thanks Turnbulls!
I had to pump water out of canoe, and sand as well that fell into it when the tops of the sandbanks kept collapsing into it. Wet, wet everywhere. Was up most of the night worried the canoe would float away even though I had two lines on it.
Regardless, got it taken care of and got going down river. Great day to paddle. Overcast and temps in the 70’s. Really felt great.
I later found us a place to camp on a cool sandbar. So I got out of the canoe and got too concerned about charging this phone off of the solar chargers.
Hmm what do you think happens next?
For the first time since I can remember I don’t stick with my routine and tie off the canoe, or stick by it.
Starting to get it?
So I am fiddling around with this phone and a charger when I look at Zeusy just as his ears go straight up with a Scooby-Doo, “Huuhh! ” expression ! He is looking right into the river.
Got it now don’t you !
I look up to see the canoe turn into the current.
I foolishly wandered myself behind a large pile of driftwood that I have to run around to try and cut the canoe off.
Now I have chased a lot of things and people down but this became the most important pursuit of my entire life!
I drop the phone and the charger in my first few steps as I start saying to Zeusy “We got to get that! ” over and over again.
Zeusy was right by my side the whole way. I don’t even remember my feat touching the ground as I flipped off my hat and sunglasses.
“We got to get that! ”
I tore the raincoat from my body as I reached into every pants pocket tossing anything out. Knife,glasses, hand sanitizer, trash and gum, all making a nice trail as I kept my eye on my target as it picked up speed and went further from the shore.
“We got to get that! “
I approaching a 5′ sandbank with my loyal buddy by my side as we both jumped into the river.
Down we went into the water and you wouldn’t believe it. It was only ankle deep with a sand bottom.
“We got to get that! “
Only my momentum saved me from a perfect Youtube slow-mo faceplant.
So we ran until it was to deep and time to swim . In we went. We were so close. Then we were in the current and with a huge grab and…
I GOT IT !!!!
As I twist to change directions I look for the man and he is still with me! Swimming like an Olympic champ!
“This way Zeusy! ” ” Come on buddy, come on” and we both swam as quickly as we could over to the bank.
I finally got to where we could stand and I pushed and shoved the canoe back to a good spot. I was drenched. It was about 65° by now as I started to shiver.
In no time I had changed and tied the canoe down with TWO lines as I went to gather all I ejected while I was running.
I noticed it was more distance than I thought it was and I did break the cord on the charger.
A small price to pay for what would have been a very long walk to town. And yes town is on the other side of the river!
Yes your right ! I really goofed!
And I do know what the dog thinks of the whole affair!
Zeusy picked this campsite! Look at all those sticks and logs woo-hooo! Go crazy big dog! Go crazy!
Happy 4th to all my family,friends, and friends who are like family! And everyone I have met in Montana! I love this country because I am sitting in a canoe with my dog, and I am traveling across it! What freedoms we have!
Near Brockton,Mt.
Smoke from forest fires in Canada
(While waiting the week to get around Ft Peck lake )
Roy, Montana ! What a town !
Roy, Montana is about 28 miles in a southerly direction from the James Kipp Recreation Area and if you are serious about great little towns in America then this a place to experience !
A kindly gentleman took pity on this water logged river traveler and drove me into Roy. For that I am grateful to grab a few things, and had cell service to text and check in. It had been 10 days and I took the opportunity to call or text those wondring where on Earth I could be.
As we drove into Roy, we were in the Charles M. Russel National Wildlife Refuge. The Charlie Russell my new freind called it. Finally after years of dreaming I made it here is what I called. Over a million acres of refuge. Home to every wild thing Montana has to offer. Pronghorn Antelope, Elk, geese, pelicans, cranes, prairie dogs and so much more. I have read about the “Charlie Russell” for ages, finally I am here.
As we pulled into Roy’s main street I was instantly impressed the the street was no longer than the city block I had called home for nine years. But Roy had something the 5000 block of of Oleatha did not. And that is character. Roy had its own distinct one of a kind personality.
Our first stop was Roy’s grocery. As we puled up I noticed something that was a working part of history. A working telephone booth. Once the only way to call home when out and about. Taken over by cellular technology. But there it was. The blue colors was a bit faded and it was missing a few panes of glass. But I giggled happily at setting my eyes upon it. Roys grocery had everything I needed and then some ! Everything you can imagine is sold here. Sandwiches to plumbing, what a great place!
Next stop “The Legion” Bar and restaurant. Tammy took care of us at the bar with a fine burger and fries. Met Steve who advised against paddling Ft. Peck lake. As the diner hour drew near, a couple of parents with their children came in for dinner. One gentlemen came in to discuss with Steve about getting concrete work done for the local preacher. You see the preacher was in the hospital after having a stroke. They were going to get the concrete work done for no charge. No sense in burdening a man in the hospital.
Fantastic talking with everyone.
Roy is one of those places I neber forget. Like Lone Pine, Ca, Cloudcroft, Nm and many others.
Very special are these amazing places
Roy, Montana is one of those special places in America because last years graduating high school class of five is an example of how small Roy is. But Roy has more character than most big cities I have been in. Much more!
A place I won’t forget, some places just do that !
In The Middle of Somewhere 