6-2-13 Our day in Great Falls, MT

June 2, 2013

Had lots to see so headed to the Great Falls in the morning since it was sunny and clear.  When Lewis and Clark were making their way up the Missouri River looking for the direct waterway to the Pacific, the Great Falls nearly did them in.  They found out there were 4 other falls as well, and what they thought would be a day portage, became 2 weeks!  The falls now have a hydroelectric plant at the Ryan Dam.  Even though the falls are beautiful now, from the pictures, they were magnificent before.  Definitely aptly named!!  We also went downstream to the Morony Dam, getting more electrical power eeked out.   As it clouded over and started to rain, we went to the Charles M. Russell museum and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

Russell studio, note the snake skin on the wall 

The house and studio were the actual ones lived in and used.  Just that when the museum was to be built behind it, the fire marshall recommended that the studio be moved a little farther from the house.  If one went up if flames, they would both go up.  We loved the way that everyone talked about “Charlie” this and “Charlie” that.  We get so caught up in an artist’s work that we forget that they really are just regular people to somebody.  There was also part of the Russell collection from the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth, and that gave us a little bit of home.

It was at the Lewis & Clark center that Joy decided, Bob was the fast one, they were medium, and I was the slow one through the exhibits.  But I figure, I’m here, this may be my only time here, and besides it was raining so I’d rather be here than sitting in the motorhome.   Lol

I’d forgotten how few men there were and what the trip had involved, really some hard times for those men.

We had hoped to go to Glacier National Park tomorrow, but checked on the roads and found out the park would not be plowed and open until June 20^th!!!  Oh well, so much for that part of the trip.