Thursday, May 17, 2012

Billings KOA






Joe and I arrived in Billings, Montana last Sunday (May 13 ) for a week stay at the Billings Koa. As you can see, this KOA is the first KOA in North America. It all started in 1962. The current owners bought the park in 1977. They are celebrating the 50 year anniversary this year. Joe and I both agree that this is the nicest KOA we have ever visited. Our site is a delux pull-through with a swing, table, benches, and umbrella, another bench seat and fire ring. It is all on a very nice concrete pad with lots of trees and shrubs and green grass. The puppies love laying on the patio, playing at the doggie park, and taking walks. There is a great place at the back of the park for tent camping where the boy pups can play ball. The weather here has been so nice...mid 80s for the high. Joe and I have spent alot of time at home this week. Joe began making saddle bags for the Harley. All the pieces have been cut out and he will start putting it all together tomorrow. I have done some cross stitch, but mostly have played Scrabble or Word Soup on my Kindle (and caught up on the laundry!).


We did take a ride through Golden Valley County to Roundup, MT. last Tuesday. 

Downtown Roundup.......
A view of Billings from the mountain on the way back to town.....

Home Sweet Home!

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Red Lodge, MT

 Today Joe and I went to Red Lodge, MT. It is a 133 mile round trip from Cody. It was alittle chilly when we left, but by the time we got to Red Lodge, it had warmed up nicely. It was a very pretty ride to Red Lodge. We passed by a little cemetary....just out in the middle of nowhere. Also, lots of ranches....cattle and horse ranches.

We passed by the Smith Mining Disaster...it was the worst coal mining disaster in the state of Monatana. On February 27, 1943 an explosion ripped through the mine Of the 77 men working that day, only 3 got out of the mine alive.

Red Lodge started as a stage coach stop in 1884. Coal discoveries nearby transformed Red Lodge into a mining boom town by the 1890s. Red Lodge prospered and by 1911 had a population of 5,000.The mining days came to an end with the Smith Mining disaster in 1943. Today, the Beartooth Hwy. links Red Lodge to Yellowstone and it is a booming tourist center. It' s population is 2,125 people now and that's the way everyone we talked to today likes it!

Lots of crafts and hand-made things to buy...


but, Joe headed for Beartooth Harley.....


and I headed for the hand made chocolates.


Store fronts are original....


and notice there are NO traffic lights!


Great advice! I just had to get a picture of this sign.