Day 3 – Moving Day to Big Timber
We experienced our chilliest morning yet when we awoke Wednesday, following rain that dropped temperatures in the middle of the night. For the first time, I started my workout outdoors wearing a sweatshirt!
We pulled out shortly after 7am since this day was a moving day, traveling from Hermosa, South Dakota to Big Timber, Montana.
Of all the places we’ve traveled, Montana and Wyoming are my favorite places to drive through…the mountains, the rolling hills, the plains, the darker shades of green in the valleys, the rivers, the red barns, many breeds of horses, sheep herds with sheep dogs guarding them, a variety of wildlife- it’s all so beautiful to see!
We did day 3 of school, peppered with naps by almost all the kids who are dealing with various stages of a head cold.
Around lunchtime the only place we could find to eat was in Lame Deer, Montana, at a small cafe inside Chief Dull Knife College, which we later learned is almost all Cheyenne. We met some of the locals and enjoyed visiting with them some about their culture.
We kept driving and arrived at Spring Creek Campground and Trout Ranch located on the Boulder River around 5pm. Our 12 year old immediately went to the river to fly fish, and I began marinating skirt steak for fajitas. Nick and Pappaw and one of our boys went into town for some charcoal and the rest of us set up chairs and the picnic table. The weather was perfectly and slightly chilled and we enjoyed spending the evening outdoors. My younger three all played in a small creek until the chill forced them to change clothes, and scooters and bikes were ridden through the park. My 10 year old whittled for a while, and played his Pappaw in cornhole. This was my favorite RV campground so far! The aspen trees and river made it so peaceful.
Day 4 – Moving Day to West Yellowstone, Montana
We enjoyed a slower departure on this morning since we didn’t have as far to drive to our next destination. Nick, Pappaw and the boys made a 7am tee-time at a local golf course for 9 holes of golf, while the girls slept in a bit and the rest of us enjoyed a slower morning. I didn’t mind one bit since this park was my favorite so far. Karis kept asking to “take a little walk” and we continued enjoying the peaceful river and aspen tree sounds and sights around us.
We drove less than two hours before arriving in Bozeman, where we stopped for gas and ate leftover fajitas for lunch in our RV, Nammaw and Pappaw joining us. Then we finished the final bit of our drive through Big Sky, Montana (my favorite scenery so far!) to our next RV Park- Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. This park is large and very nice, and our spot is near the playground.
I spent the afternoon doing laundry, while Nick and Beau found a local gym and then grabbed some groceries we needed. He then grilled steaks and I made garlic broccoli to go with our meal. A brief rainstorm passed by right before dinner, bringing with it cooler temps and wind, so we didn’t hang outside too long after dinner. Knowing we had an early start and full day ahead, we all made it to bed fairly early!
jami lee gainey 