Missoula, Montana to Cooke City-Silver Gate, Montana

We had a long drive from Missoula to Cooke City-Silver Gate which lie a few miles east of Yellowstone National Park's Northeast Gate.  Along the way, we stopped at Fort Missoula to tour the historic frontier fort and visit some of the other local attractions.  The site of Fort Missoula is now a living history park and includes exhibits and artifacts covering the 125 years since the erection of the fort in 1877 to protect settlers in the area during the Indian Wars.  http://fortmissoulamuseum.org/

Shay-Willamette Engine Number 7

In addition to the military exhibits, early pioneer structures were moved to the site to create a small village.  A highlight of the exhibit was a rare Shay-Willamette Steam Engine.  This engine is rare because is it a geared steam locomotive and served in both the logging and mining industries.  The engine was built in 1931 but looks older due to the spark arresting smoke stack which was rarely found on these engines as all but this engine were fueled by oil rather than wood.  Oil burning engines greatly reduced the danger of starting a forest on fire compared to wood burning engines.

Another object of interest was the Tipi Burner which was a large furnace used to burn sawdust and other unwanted by-products of the sawmills which filled the Missoula Valley.  The flames in the Tipi Burners were extinguished in 1970 with the passage of the Clean Air Act.

Tipi Burner

Carla got a brief lesson on ax throwing from a member of the University of Montana Woodsman Team.  The UM Woodsman Team competes in inter-collegiate timbersport events such as axe throwing, pole climbing, log chopping, log sawing and log rolling.  Carla did pretty good for a beginner.  The axes are heavy and the right technique is the key to getting a good throw.

Ax Throwing

We made a brief stop in Deer Lodge to tour the historic Old Montana Prison which operated from 1871 until 1976.  The prison reminded us of the Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas which began housing prisoners in 1868.  Both facilities were built primarily with prison labor.  We were able to wander the facility and were amazed that much of it looked like people just left it as it was when they walked away the day the last inmate was moved to the new prison.  Some of the exhibits were quite interesting such as those highlighting various prison "characters" and a prison up-rising in 1959.  Conditions in the prison were spartan by today's standards to say the least.

Walking Down a Cell Block

The Montana Auto Museum was located near the prison and we couldn't pass up making a visit.
It is reputed to be one of the top 10 auto museums in the US with vehicles dating back to the 1880s.  Over 160 cars, trucks and tractors are on exhibit many of which are very rare among which was a Staude-a-Tractor which was built from a kit designed to convert a Model T Ford into a "poor man's tractor".  An "Amanda" water scooter was on exhibit which was an early version of today's personal water craft.  Dwayne found a Plymouth Road Runner which was very similar to the one he had back in the late 60's and early 70's.  We could have spent more time in the museum; however, we had to leave so as to arrive in Yellowstone prior to dark.

Plymouth Road Runner - "Beep-Beep"

We entered Yellowstone National Park at the North Entrance a couple of hours prior to sunset.  We were able to see many animals to include, Big Horn Sheep, Elk, Bison, and Mule Deer during our drive through the park on our way to the cabin which would shelter us for the next three days.  The number of Bison in the Lamar Valley was particularly impressive.  We had to take our time driving through the area to avoid hitting any buffalo as they grazed alongside the road.  At one point, a small herd caused us to stop while about 30 or so crossed the road heading to a place for them to bed down for the night.

It was a long day of driving but very rewarding.  We are looking forward to exploring Yellowstone during the next few days.