OUR MAY VISIT WITH THE MONTANA TODDS
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The drive to our son's place goes through very remote areas. This sign describes the region as "Montana's last frontier." 
Across the "street" from Patrick's place there is a very small convenience/grocery store. The closest big grocery is in Dillon, about 45 minutes away.
To get to Patrick's you get off the freeway south of Dillon and then head west for about 25 miles.
The cows have the right of way. See the cowboys? There were a few dogs too. We stopped the car in the middle of our lane and let the cattle go around us.
About milepost 25 we turned north on Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.
The small motel where Patrick lives and works is about 6 miles up this road. Beyond the motel, the road goes over the mountain and closes for winter. Even in early May you can't count on the road being clear of snow and open. Patrick said the road is sort of maintained in the winter. More than plowed, it's "groomed" for the snowmobiles. Cars and trucks do the best they can.
Tuesday afternoon we drove to the “nearby” Big Hole National Battlefield/Nez Perce Park. From the park’s website - “On August 9, 1877 gun shots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of Nez Perce. By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 Nez Perce were dead along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there.” The Nez Perce won the battle, but eventually were conquered by the US military.
If you look closely, in the middle of the picture,
you can see teepee poles on the battlefield.
Jackson Hot Springs Lodge
Jackson is about 20 miles from Patrick's place. We've had dinner at the Jackson Hot Springs Lodge several times on our various visits. The food has always been excellent. The hot springs feed into a pool which is on the left side of the lodge pictured above. It's under the angled poles on the roof.
"Unleash your inner peace" - we'll have to bring our swimsuits next time
Beaverslides are unique hay stacking contraptions found just in this valley. Most of the hay we saw was in the round bales - newer technology.
Beaverslide on right. Round bales on the left
were made with a newer technology.
These haystacks were made with the beaverslides. Patrick said when he started visiting the area many, many years ago, these haystacks were throughout the valley and looked like giant loaves of bread.
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Click here and check out the bottom of the post for more pictures and a video about beaverslides.
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Other posts on this trip
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