The Cure to Cabin Fever
Posted: under Day Trips, Family Fun, Montana, Outdoor Fun, Scenic Drives, Scenic Views.
Tags: 830 lb Grizzly, Aspen Sound, Day Trips, Hi-Country Snack Foods, Inc., Lincoln Montana, Outdoor Fun, Scenic Drives, Southgate Mall, US Ranger Station
A road trip is the best cure for cabin fever! With Missoula, Montana about 170 miles from Great Falls, it sounded like a great destination. We headed West on Hwy 200, looking for photo opportunities and things to write about. A few miles before we got to Lincoln Montana, we stopped to allow half a dozen Elk, including a nice buck, to cross in front of us. Up for a little off road adventure, we put the Jeep in 4-wheel drive following them a bit longer.
Once we were back on Hwy 200, we glimpsed a sign that said
something about Grizzly Encounter. A little further up the Highway, we turned off to the left at the Lincoln Ranger Station. In 2007 a grizzly was hit by a pick up truck. The huge 830 lb grizzly stood about 8′ tall, has been mounted and is on display there. Unfortunately for us, the Ranger Station is closed on weekends. I did place the camera up to the glass and take a couple shots of this enormous creature! We plan on going there during the week for a more up close and personal learning experience at the Ranger Station.
The town of Lincoln is about the half-way mark between Great Falls and Missoula, making it a required stop to stretch and shop at the High Country Trading Post, part of Hi-Country Snack Foods, Inc. The Hi Country Trading Post located across from the actual plant is, where you can taste a large variety of Jerky and Meat sticks to help decide which ones you can’t live without! They also sell the creamiest fudge in several delightful flavors, and gifts ranging from clothing to various items made in Montana.
Back on the road, beauty surrounded us. Again, we were on the look out for more wildlife. We saw several antelope and white tails, but none as close as our earlier encounter with the Elk. Once we were in Missoula itself, we did a little shopping. Our first stop was at Aspen Sound, located at 1300 W. Broadway. They have a great selection of car stereos and an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly staff. We left with an installed stereo and more $$ left over in our wallets than we expected.
We did a little shopping at the Southgate Mall and then deciding to venture on down the road to Hamilton and had dinner at a little Mexican spot called The Sundance Cafe, located at 900 U.S. Hwy 93. It was a great place to have a nice relaxing dinner before heading back to Great Falls.
The drive home after dark was beautiful. The star-filled sky encouraged us to pull over and take it all in a few times on the way home. Although I personally may never be completely cured of cabin fever, this road trip helped ease the pain!
Comments (0)
Mar 30 2010
