Rediscover the West

"Back Country Byways open doors to new experiences. Following a Byway can take you back in time, allow you glimpses of things you've never seen, and provide you with a variety of recreational opportunities. Each Byway has exceptional values whether scenic, recreational or historical, and provides a unique encounter with the land." 

~ Interpretive Sign, Circle, MT

Today we encountered thousands of hay bales,  hundreds of miles of rail track, and dinosaurs of concrete and fossilized properties. We drove by where Chief Joseph surrendered to the American army, and where Butch Cassidy et al pulled off the most expensive rail heist in Montana history. We went to Glasgow, Malta,  Havre and ate at an Irish Pub. 

In Lindsay we saw hundreds of rail cars, seemingly abandoned on an overgrown railroad. Approximately 1300 cars have been stuck here since a decline in grain export in 2017.  Miles and miles. 

In Circle, we stopped at a historical monument where we found the info about the Back Country Byway. We also read one of the most confusing signs of the trip that may have had something to do with cattle and  the BNSF. The concrete dinosaur display was an unexplained, and thoroughly amusing bonus. 

Definitely my favorite pic of the trip!

When we turned off on 13, 24, 47...I have no idea (thank you Siri), we switched drivers because it was bumpy, and one of us is...sensitive. ;) And then that same driver got B O R E D ! ! !

And she turned down a road of questionable signage. She thought it said there was a creek. But as you can see below, there has not been a real water source here for a while.  But it was a dirt road, where the best of adventures are made. This driver turned around after a good amount of standing gravel. Apparently that's not a common phrase, but I thought it explained the experience well. Perhaps "deep standing gravel". ;) Anyway, we ended up having a car picnic in this delightful spot. 

And then for the actual stop of the day. This one was a real gem. The Fort Peck Interpretative Center is amazing.  One part is about the building of the Fort Peck Dam (Missouri River), which opened in 1940. Fun fact, its spillway was on the first cover of Life! 

The second part of the exhibit was about Peck's Rex and all his buddies. Peck's Rex is a T-Rex found here (Hell Creek Formation) in 1997. I think it's one of the most complete T-Rex skeletons. And maybe the first to feature the 3rd "finger"? Sorry - my dino knowledge is even sparser than my Lewis & Clark knowledge, so I started at basically ground zero at the beginning of the exhibit. Even so, this exhibit is seemingly in the middle of nowhere, and such a fun stop!

The Fort Peck Reservoir provided a much needed sight of water, complete with seagulls and pelicans! 

And then, obviously, we watched the Opening Ceremonies. You know I love me some Olympics! In the Parade of Nations, I loved the women's Serbian dress with the asymmetrical hemline. Doesn't everyone have a favorite outfit? And during the actual ceremony part, my favorite was when the pictograms came to life. Will be excited to watch what happens over the next two weeks!