Western National Parks & More - Fall 2015

[Pmount]

Saturday, September 12
Start: Afterbay Campground, Bighorn Canyon NRA, Ft. Smith, MT
End: Medora Campground (private), Medora, ND

Another quiet and cool night, great for sleeping. After breakfast in camp, we made our way north
to Hardin where we stopped at the Big Horn County Museum, right off I-90 at exit 497. This is
one of the best pioneer museums we have ever visited. The exhibits inside and outside are
great. The pioneer buildings and grounds are well-maintained. Most were open to walk inside
for additional exhibits. It is free and well worth a visit.

Big Horn County Museum, Hardin, MT






We cut north on MT 47 and picked up I-94 heading east towards North Dakota. It was getting
warmer, mid-80s and nothing but Big Sky as we drove across Montana, following the broad
Yellowstone River. We stopped in Miles City for gas and a snack. At McDonalds they were
advertising $11/hr for day shifts. The lobby and drive-through were packed at 1:30, looks like
we are in gas/oil country.

At the North Dakota border on I-94 we saw the best gas prices in quite a while, $2.49, so we
filled up. We reached Medora late afternoon and got a campsite at Medora Campground. Turns
out it was their last night open for the season, all sites were $20. We still got a non-electric site
so we would have a bit more space and have no one on our outer edge. While I took a much
appreciated shower, my husband went into town to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park visitor center and scoped out dinner possibilities. We decided to eat at the Little Missouri Saloon and Restaurant. The YELP reviews weren't stellar, but we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and our meal. The bartender, who also acted as waiter for the saloon area, was amazing. He kept the bar going and was out taking orders and delivering food in the saloon area. Before we left town we got a set of smashed pennies and were lucky enough to see a Washington, DC plate! Only Rhode Island left to complete seeing the license plates of all 50 states, plus DC!

Little Missouri Saloon & Restaurant


Even though the day had been in the upper 80s the evening cooled off quickly and nicely,
another good night for sleeping.

Budget at end of week 3 was still holding at $500/week.

Passport Stamp
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
- South Unit
- Elkhorn Ranch

Wildlife Sightings
Pronghorn
Cottontail Rabbit
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog

Wild Turkey
Turkey Vulture
Common Raven
American Robin
Mourning Dove
Western Meadowlark
Red-Tailed Hawk
Black-billed Magpie
Northern Flicker