Joining Tyler on this adventure are: Grandma Vickie, Papa Duane, Kailey (Sister), & Andrea (Mommy).
The first pit stop on the journey from Spokane to Yellowstone was in Missoula, MT. Missoula is home to the University of Montana and an old friend, John. John and his son Jack (5) met us at the local McDonald’s. We enjoyed a quick bite to eat, soft serve ice cream, and catching up with our old friend. Unfortunately, we had to cut it short because we still had many hours of travel ahead of us.
The next destination of interest was Anaconda, MT. It might have been a town that we would have missed accept in the distance there was a tall tower that stood out like a sore thumb against hills. I (Andrea, The Mommy) quickly pulled out my phone and “Googled” it. It turned out to have a great amount of history and tale to tell. Here is a quote that I found from one site:
an abandoned smoke stack towers over the foot hills, interrupting the landscape proudly like a giant middle finger to the environment. The smelter which once employed ‘the stack’ was demolished in the 80′s and the stack was going to go with it. However, the folks of Anaconda didn’t want to see their beloved stack die with the mining operations and they came together in a glorious display of passion and love and saved the stack from demolition.
It is, undeniably, quite an impressive structure. I’ve read that the Washington monument could fit nicely inside of it. It is also the tallest free-standing masonry structure in the world and was the largest masonry structure of any kind at the time that it was built.
Their efforts were rewarded and the stack is now a state park. Unfortunately, the area around the park has been found to be slightly poisonous and toxic. It’s full of arsenic and other wonderful things. Thus, the park may only be viewed (and not entered) from a less toxic viewing area that is situated in the center of the town. Just as well, I like my parks best when I’m not allowed to enter them for fear of poisoning.
After our stopping in Anaconda to use the restroom and snap a few photos we set our eyes on getting to our final destination. This was mostly accomplished, with the exception of a few more restroom breaks.
Once we were into Yellowstone National Park that’s when the excitement really started. A majority of our sightings were of Elk. They were easier to spot because they were traveling in large herds. We weren’t sure that they were Elk until we confirmed with others and, of course, the internet. Our giddiness came from spotting a Grizzly foraging in a field. He (or she) was difficult to spot at first, but then we realized it was something other than a rock when it started moving. Finally, it’s hump-back gave it away as a Grizzly. The last creature we may have seen is a Buffalo or Bison. It was dark, so I could not confirm or deny if it was real or a statue. We’ll drive past the same spot tomorrow and get confirmation.
So, we’re here. Snuggled into our condo. I should close with saying that snuggling in is necessary as it is snowing like crazy tonight. We are thinking we’ll be lucky if the streets are clear in the morning.
We are so fortunate to be on this adventure! Seeing God’s beautiful country is truly amazing!! Blessed beyond measure, we truly are.
Good night,
Andrea, The Mommy
