DAY 27 - GREAT FALLS, MT
JUNE 9, 2014



Our day started when we met our guide and bus driver.  The guide, Don, proved to be very knowledgeable and full of information.  The bus driver, Douglas, proved his worth when he did a perfect 27-to-30 ( I actually lost count) point turn with the bus in a parking lot. 

Guide Don.  He knew a lot and said even more.

We visited the portage route used by the Corps of Discovery to bypass the 5 falls on the Missouri River.  It was seriously uphill at the start and rolling grades in the middle before dropping back down to the river.



Could you drag a log canoe from the creek down there to the plains
up here, by human power?  Even worse, there was no road!



After the canoe was up on the plains, it's a long way back to the river.



Sure looks like fun!

Snakes, what snakes?  I'm not afraid of snakes, I have this stick!

Following the portage route, we stopped at an interpretive center and then travelled to the Great Falls of the Missouri for a picnic lunch.  The Great Falls are still beautiful, even though there has been a power dam and generation plant constructed there.



We tried for a group photo, this is the best we could do.



Above the trees!



The Great Falls of the Missouri.
Picture it without the dam.

Downstream of the dam.
Looks like the wind might blow here sometimes.

Six at a time, please.

After lunch, we visited the National Interpretive Center for Lewis and Clark.  Two movies are available, but we only saw one of them.  The exhibits at the Center are wonderful.



Up, Up, and Away!



Ryan Dam, downstream of the Great Falls.

 We had another exciting day.  By night, our missing members (the RV left in Havre) arrived in Great Falls.  Their motorhome is in the shop for repair, and their towed vehicle is at a dealer for repair.  It was good to have them with us again, but we're sorry they missed today's activities.

As a point to consider; "Lewis preferred dog meat to venison, while Clark never developed a taste for it".

Must have shared his cookies.  He's still holding the empty package.

I always feel better after the Ranger shoots that dart.

Joan and Clif