DAY 22: GREAT FALLS, LEWIS & CLARK

Once again, we packed a light picnic lunch, and headed out for the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center up by the Missouri River. We took the "Scenic Route", the ByPass, which took us out toward Malmstrom AFB and then back toward Giant Springs area.

The Center was located on a bluff overlooking the River. Paying your fee ($8/person for age 16 and up), you could wander about the Center for the entire day. The first movie was "The Portage", so we watched that, in awe of what L & C and their men had to do to get around these falls (an 18 mile portage). A second film was offered, Ken Burns' Lewis and Clark: An Introduction. No need for us to go see that one, as the entire video is in our home library.

Donna Summer 2016 Montana 4 011 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

There were some repeated items from the two L & C Centers that we have already visited on past trips (Independence/KC MO, and Fort Mandan ND), but a lot of displays centered on the Natives that inhabited this area of Montana.

Donna Summer 2016 Montana 4 010 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

After spending over 2 hours in the museum, we were ready to be outside. We left the building to the scenic viewpoint outside of the center, then headed to the vehicle for an "in-truck picnic" (a must since there were no picnic areas near the center itself).

It was a beautiful afternoon for hiking. It was partly cloudy, not too hot, a good breeze was blowing - lucky us! We headed upriver first, towards the Black Eagle Falls, hiking first on the L & C Nature Trail, then on the River's Edge Trail (a paved hike/bike trail that goes on both sides of the river).

Donna Summer 2016 Montana 4 032 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

We didn't get too close to these Falls by hiking, and after the issues with the truck and antennae, driving near anything with the name "Black Eagle" was to be avoided.

Back to the Center, we got in the truck and headed toward Giant Spring State Park. Finding out that it was for the purpose of a trout hatchery, we moved on down the road to find some scenic viewpoints. At one, the Lewis & Clark Overlook, an interpretive sign made us about cry - the falls have been almost decimated by the addition of all the dams.

Rainbow Falls as they once were.
Donna Summer 2016 Montana 4 040 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

Rainbow Falls as they are, after the addition of the Rainbow Dam.
Donna Summer 2016 Montana 4 043 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

Crooked Falls as they once were.
Donna Summer 2016 Montana 4 049 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

Crooked Falls, on this day.
Donna Summer 2016 Montana 4 052 by jeanniesisters, on Flickr

Total mileage on the feet, for the Center and the hikes, was well over 4 miles -- two 2-mile round trip hikes.

Our Super 8 had a couple of restaurants nearby, not a huge amount of choice, but JB's was one of them within 3 blocks. I always enjoy going to a JB's when we find one, but any more, their locations are dwindling. The food was good, enough of it, and the price was very reasonable. After dinner, we hit Big Lots and now have an extension cord as part of our motel "necessities".


Donna