Montana!

Last night in Buffalo gave us a Bierstad sky, even if I cannot spell his name!

Got an early start North to Montana and noticed the change in both the colors and the shape of the countryside.  The grasses are yellower, the trees further apart, and the hills seem lower and wider.  And the roads are windier!  We ran into a couple showers and one included really white knuckle winds.  But they both did not last long.  We passed Billings - too big!  We were headed to Bozeman and turned off at Big Timber and found a wonderful campground:  Spring Creek Campground  and Trout Ranch.   After we set up Hilda we decided to try fishing for our dinner.  The campground has you use their equipment and they are nearby to coach newbies.  Roscoe insisted I try my hand at this fishing thing - took 20 seconds to get a BIG bite and another five minutes to work him in.  

OMG - this is one big trout!!!  Weighed in at 7.75 pounds and 24" long.  I have been wishing for fresh trout since our trip out West last year - be careful what you wish for!!!  We found fresh bagels in town so after our dinner tonight we will have bagels and "trouty-cream cheese spread" for breakfast.  The rest?  We may have to knock on camper doors tomorrow and give it away.  

Platter is a bit too small for this monster!

The campground has two trout ponds and is on the Boulder River, a "Blue Star River" which I think means great fishing.  

Here are some of the scenic areas we passed on our way to Big Timber.  

Storm clouds gathering

Yellowstone River (and rain!)

First view of the mountains.  Now we have to learn what mountains they are.  We are presently hunkered down in Hilda with a major thunderstorm and heavy rain.  And the wifi does not reach our corner of the campground so even Google is not available!  Of course all the maps are in the car...

We stopped by an incredible antique/curiosity store in Big Timber and learned the town exists because of sheep and a platinum mine.  The town is very quaint with fewer empty storefronts than any small town we've passed through.  It even has a small hospital!  I would like to spend a little more time here but we are about 360 miles from Glacier - too far for a one day drive.  We plan to stop in Great Falls tomorrow - or wherever we find a campground spot.