Monday July 7, 2008 Helena, Montana

Monday July 7, 2008 Helena, Montana

Following a restless night, we got up and out early to begin our climb back up Norris Hill.  The summit was not very high, but it was the steep grade that we had to climb pulling our trailer that was of most concern. Praying for safety, we started out and had no problems other than speed. We decided that people who wanted to travel faster could simply pass…which is what they did.

Our GPS had plotted our journey down one path, but I decided to take a more scenic route along the Jefferson River. (Driver’s prerogative!)

Shortly after merging onto a back road we came across a cattle drive!!! It was completely awesome! The three cowboys and four dogs kept the Angus in a tight formation because there was no fence between the cattle and the road. As I crept along I could see that they were taking the herd to higher land for summer grazing. I stopped for a picture and to wave and then cautiously pulled ahead! Head 'em up, move 'em out!

The next site that we had was not so exciting. It was a huge truck and open trailer filled with moose and elk antlers. I’m not sure where they were going or why, but it was just sad seeing all of the horns.

The drive up to Helena along the Missouri River was beautiful. Rolling grassland became spotted with evergreen trees and steeper slopes. Suddenly ahead of me in the middle of the road, two magpie birds (Tuxedo Birds) were fighting over the remains of a road kill. One hesitated to take a last bite…which was its last bite!  With a bumpy “thump, thump,” I knew that I had hit one of the birds! Ugh! And to make me feel worse, I found out that the Magpie is the Montana state bird!!! Yes, I felt bad!