Great Falls Montana

This is our first real post about one of our many adventure, and I am not really sure why I picked Montana. It was so pretty and relaxing. We stayed with family on a ranch outside of town. They were in the middle of harvesting, so the boys got to play on and clean the combine. We drove into town just past dinner time. We were coming from Idaho on the I-15 and took HWY 87 toward Great Falls. Now let me tell you, we joke around about this being in the middle of nowhere. I mean come on...we live in DFW... This is the middle of nowhere.

Well, it was just past dinner and the boys were so hungry, so we tried to stop for a quick meal. Ha! First of all, there were hardly any exits, lead alone cell phone coverage to map a fast food place. So we just took each exit as they came. The first had a "burger shop" It would have been so great to eat there if the owners were home. (You see it was their backyard, and they served burgers if they were home grilling.) But no one at that whole exit was home, all four houses were vacant. We ended up two more exits down at a bar/casino, yes with the kids.. called Driftwood.... they were so gracious and made the boys chicken nuggets. While we were there someone asked who we were visiting, because he knew we weren't from there. (that kind of small town) It was pretty neat walking into what seemed like a movie; where you expect everyone to know everyone else.

Once we got to our families home. We had such a great time. We visited all 5 of the falls that make up the dams in Great Falls. They hold the Missouri River and span about a 10 mile distance. This is where Lewis and Clark walked up river to make their way to Oregon. Along one of the sections of the Missouri River is a natural spring fed river. It is just a tiny little off shoot, if you didn't know you'd think it was just a side of the Missouri River. However, because it's spring fed on it's own it is the Roe River and the smallest river in the US. (which over took the D river in Lincoln City as the smallest river) The colors are so pretty and beautiful, it is clear green!

This is Carter sitting on the edge of the Roe River

 Carter, Chase and Caleb at the edge of Roe River

 Check out that beautiful water. The spring bubbles up from down there. 

 The waterfall made by the spring in the Roe RIver

We spent a whole day at the Lewis and Clark visitor center. The boys were so into the "old" stuff and exploring. It's a great place to take kids. They can take part in a hike where they learn to use a compass, explore the wild life in the water and they get to try their hand at what it takes to pull a canoe up and over hills and mountains.

One day Grandma wanted to take us all around her property and do the usual checking of fences and cows. While out and about we came up to a secluded portion of the Smith River. The boys really hesitated getting in at first, but within about twenty min, shirts were off and running through the water like native Americans. We were right below an old buffalo jump too. (That's where natives would lead buffalo, in order to fall to their death, so they could have food to eat) Caleb did get a leech on his hand, not pictured, because it was kind of a panic moment for him. But we got it off and he's all good now, but ask him about it and he will sure tell you all about the leech sucking his blood.

Grandma and her gator

Smith River

When visiting Great Falls, you must get a car and visit all 5 of the falls, the drive is awesome, through fields and fields of wheat, as far as you can see. As well as up and down the sides of hills and mountains. Such an adventure.
You must visit the Lewis and Clark visitor center and the Roe River.
However, if you are driving in and not stopping in the "big" city of Great Falls and just staying outside of town.... bring a sandwich.

Please see our YouTube Chanel video of Great Falls.
https://youtu.be/O6Q1sq062io


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We are working on getting better video footage and editing. We are still learning but having so much fun! Thank you for visiting! have a great day Dreaming and Wandering!

Wandering Knapps