My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
- Start date
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Foy.....I'm curious this morning.....did you by chance stop at the Cultural Center when you were in Big Sandy, Montana ? I purchased a book there that I believe you recommended to me more than a year ago. I had forgot about that book until I opened their door and it was the first book I saw.....
ITTOG.....the wheat fields are stunning this year.....add a Golden Retriever and it's difficult to post only 8 pictures (I would imagine people are thinking one would have been sufficient).....
Up early as always.....I've noticed a change that has come over me this year.....I never seem to miss a sunrise and I seldom see a sunset anymore.....
Early morning clouds and cool temperatures.....and a changing environment.....
.....gave way to clearing skies and warmer temperatures as we began to make our river crossing.....
The Virgelle Ferry would be our second Missouri River crossing.....why ? No idea.....
But I can say that I was happy that we came here.....the lady pilot was charming.....and we were able to make some good trouble during our brief visit here.....
ITTOG.....the wheat fields are stunning this year.....add a Golden Retriever and it's difficult to post only 8 pictures (I would imagine people are thinking one would have been sufficient).....
Up early as always.....I've noticed a change that has come over me this year.....I never seem to miss a sunrise and I seldom see a sunset anymore.....
Early morning clouds and cool temperatures.....and a changing environment.....
.....gave way to clearing skies and warmer temperatures as we began to make our river crossing.....
The Virgelle Ferry would be our second Missouri River crossing.....why ? No idea.....
But I can say that I was happy that we came here.....the lady pilot was charming.....and we were able to make some good trouble during our brief visit here.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
My guess is that these ferry rides last more no than several minutes.....maybe several hundred feet is the river width here.....
Unlike the last river pilot that we had encountered, this river pilot had no problem with me exiting my vehicle.....
I did choose to leave the dogs in the truck.....
This woman.....she was just so pleasant as she showed me around her place.....what a difference this experience was compared to the last.....
I asked her about those eggs for sale and that's right about when all hell broke lose.....
When I went to get my wallet from the truck, the dogs made the big break.....
Trapper she dove right off that ferry and had herself a swim in the Missouri River .....the pilot lady was as gracious as could be.....she didn't seem to have a care in the world.....we loved her almost immediately.....as you can see one of her dogs jumped right into the fracas.....
I made the purchase of two dozen fresh eggs, we talked for much too long, and eventually we went on down the road.....
Unlike the last river pilot that we had encountered, this river pilot had no problem with me exiting my vehicle.....
I did choose to leave the dogs in the truck.....
This woman.....she was just so pleasant as she showed me around her place.....what a difference this experience was compared to the last.....
I asked her about those eggs for sale and that's right about when all hell broke lose.....
When I went to get my wallet from the truck, the dogs made the big break.....
Trapper she dove right off that ferry and had herself a swim in the Missouri River .....the pilot lady was as gracious as could be.....she didn't seem to have a care in the world.....we loved her almost immediately.....as you can see one of her dogs jumped right into the fracas.....
I made the purchase of two dozen fresh eggs, we talked for much too long, and eventually we went on down the road.....
Riversdad
Active member
Those dogs sure do keep your life interesting don't they?
Jerry, we arrived in Big Sandy at around 9:30 am on a Sunday and if anything was open, we didn't find it (and, as you probably realize, ain't anywhere for an open business or center to hide in Big Sandy). We hooked a U turn at the highway rest area in town, toured the bathroom facilities (perhaps attached to the culture center?), and doubled back the short distance to the MT 236 junction at the edge of town, where we topped off the diesel tank at the unmanned pump there.
I'm sorry I don't recall a book recommendation I made, but there's at least one prime suspect inasmuch as I often recommend it: "God is Red", by Vine Deloria, Jr. It's a terrific read which tells the story of Native American religion with comparison/contrast to Judeo-Christian religion. It was the textbook for a Philosophy of Religion class I took in my freshman year of college in 1974. As much as I loved my geology major classes, the class in the Department of Philosophy and Religion Department stuck with me just as thoroughly. I took the class when the aftermath of the events at Wounded Knee were still much in the news, so the whole experience was an introduction to Native American experience for one particularly curious Scots-Irish youth from North Carolina.
I can hardly wait to see what came after the Virgelle Ferry ride!
Foy
I'm sorry I don't recall a book recommendation I made, but there's at least one prime suspect inasmuch as I often recommend it: "God is Red", by Vine Deloria, Jr. It's a terrific read which tells the story of Native American religion with comparison/contrast to Judeo-Christian religion. It was the textbook for a Philosophy of Religion class I took in my freshman year of college in 1974. As much as I loved my geology major classes, the class in the Department of Philosophy and Religion Department stuck with me just as thoroughly. I took the class when the aftermath of the events at Wounded Knee were still much in the news, so the whole experience was an introduction to Native American experience for one particularly curious Scots-Irish youth from North Carolina.
I can hardly wait to see what came after the Virgelle Ferry ride!
Foy
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Riversdad.....indeed they do.....I was reminded of a prison break in that particular instance.....that type of escape had never happened before (as best that I recall anyhow).....I guess that the pull of the river was just too much to handle if you're a Golden Retriever.....
Foy.....Old Jules by Mari Sandoval.....I had just completed Crazy Horse by the same author and maybe it was you that recommended Old Jules also by Mari Sandoval (and maybe it was early this year that the recommendation was made) which I am currently reading.....and enjoying.....also, I left Big Sandy, Montana on a Sunday morning maybe a bit earlier than you but I can confirm that nothing is open.....
Just up the road from the ferry is the almost nothing town of Virgelle, Montana.....
The general store I guess would be the star structure still standing here.....
My curiosity won me over and I went inside to have a look.....seems like more of an antique store than a mercantile.....
There's an old state bank building here.....also crammed packed with more antiques.....and then some other various weathered buildings.....
Our stop here lasted no more than 15 minutes at most.....then back on the road continuing north.....
The Bear Paw Mountain Range to the east of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation and Big Sandy, Montana.....
Tell me that's not a smile on Trappers' face as we drive north.....nothing like a good adventure.....
Next up.....the not bustling city of Big Sandy, Montana (population approximately 600).....home of the world's largest tractor.....
Foy.....Old Jules by Mari Sandoval.....I had just completed Crazy Horse by the same author and maybe it was you that recommended Old Jules also by Mari Sandoval (and maybe it was early this year that the recommendation was made) which I am currently reading.....and enjoying.....also, I left Big Sandy, Montana on a Sunday morning maybe a bit earlier than you but I can confirm that nothing is open.....
Just up the road from the ferry is the almost nothing town of Virgelle, Montana.....
The general store I guess would be the star structure still standing here.....
My curiosity won me over and I went inside to have a look.....seems like more of an antique store than a mercantile.....
There's an old state bank building here.....also crammed packed with more antiques.....and then some other various weathered buildings.....
Our stop here lasted no more than 15 minutes at most.....then back on the road continuing north.....
The Bear Paw Mountain Range to the east of the Rocky Boy Indian Reservation and Big Sandy, Montana.....
Tell me that's not a smile on Trappers' face as we drive north.....nothing like a good adventure.....
Next up.....the not bustling city of Big Sandy, Montana (population approximately 600).....home of the world's largest tractor.....
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AbleGuy
Officious Intermeddler
Your posts, adventures and beautiful, evocative photos continue to inspire. So few people take the time to deeply explore the back roads like you have been sharing with us. Rural America is still often a magical place, somewhat frozen in time and one can experience a sense of living history while exploring here, as you have continued to share such with us.
Your numerous pictures of green fields, snow capped mountains and flowing and expansive waters provide such a wonderful emotional respite from these too hot, too dry 100°+ days here in the droughty desert.
Your numerous pictures of green fields, snow capped mountains and flowing and expansive waters provide such a wonderful emotional respite from these too hot, too dry 100°+ days here in the droughty desert.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
AbleGuy.....this trip has turned out to be much like a float trip down the river.....we pretty much have had no idea as to what would be next, we've had no expectations, and we've pretty much had no plans. It's been a slow one like a river with no rapids, sometimes bordering on being boring.....yet, when you look a little deeper each day you find that gem that keeps you moving along.....and thank you.....
BIG Sandy, Montana could easily be exactly what I was referring to in my reply to XP member AbleGuy.....there probably shouldn't have been anything here that would interest US (I use caps on US to emphasize that what we found in Big Sandy, Montana actually interested all three of US).....
No, it was not the world's largest tractor that interested the three of us.....on a Saturday afternoon we walked the streets of Big Sandy, Montana.....the streets were pretty much void of people & cars.....
There was lively music coming out of the one of two bars in town.....
I wasn't sure if this was decor or maybe it was the real deal......I mean it is cowboy country.....
The only mural I saw in town tells the visitor what's important here.....
We left the rig at the grain elevators.....that would eventually be our campsite for the night.....
.....and also where we were reminded of the things not to do.....I couldn't help question if that was just for Big Sandy, Montana or if maybe it was a general statement.....
Anyhow, back on Main Street.....
BIG Sandy, Montana could easily be exactly what I was referring to in my reply to XP member AbleGuy.....there probably shouldn't have been anything here that would interest US (I use caps on US to emphasize that what we found in Big Sandy, Montana actually interested all three of US).....
No, it was not the world's largest tractor that interested the three of us.....on a Saturday afternoon we walked the streets of Big Sandy, Montana.....the streets were pretty much void of people & cars.....
There was lively music coming out of the one of two bars in town.....
I wasn't sure if this was decor or maybe it was the real deal......I mean it is cowboy country.....
The only mural I saw in town tells the visitor what's important here.....
We left the rig at the grain elevators.....that would eventually be our campsite for the night.....
.....and also where we were reminded of the things not to do.....I couldn't help question if that was just for Big Sandy, Montana or if maybe it was a general statement.....
Anyhow, back on Main Street.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Sometimes in my travels people will say to me if you want to meet the locals, you've got to go to the bars.....maybe.....but I don't drink & I don't much care for the atmosphere.....on this Saturday afternoon there was a craft show and a community yard sale.....and I was right in there.....and yeah, I met some good people around town.....
Big Sandy, Montana.....well, it's really beginning to show it's age.....I wouldn't call the buildings weathered.....I'd call them nearly falling down.....
Late afternoon.....maybe it was 4:00 p.m. when the town began to rock.....compare the number of vehicles in this picture to the one in the last post.....it seemed that everyone was headed into that tavern.....and everyone had a thirst.....
.....but maybe not the Odd Fellows.....
And finally I share with you the Big Sandy, Montana Cultural Center.....it was the "Free Books" sign that attracted my attention.....and this is the place we found interesting in Big Sandy, Montana .....
When I turned the door handle to enter, I was certain that it'd be locked.....not a single light was turned on. I stepped inside (without the dogs of course) and within a few seconds an old man steps up and excitedly says "Come In !".....and almost immediately he says "Come with me. Let me show you around !" (I was only searching for a free book I remind you).....
So this place was massive and it was filled with all kinds of interesting stuff.....the old man was building his own interactive museum.....the only problem was that nobody would come. He told me that I was his only visitor that entire Saturday.....he said it's typically no one.....
And the next picture is Doug.....the 85 year old curator of the Big Sandy, Montana Cultural Center .....he showed me around the entire complex.....he insisted I get the dogs and let me tell you the dogs absolutely loved adventuring in his place. We had cold bottles of Root Beer together, he told me his life story.....he proudly posed in front of a picture of his uncle, a writer of many books.....
About 2 hours later we finally left.....and now I had yet another new best friend.....and six new to me books.....
Big Sandy, Montana.....well, it's really beginning to show it's age.....I wouldn't call the buildings weathered.....I'd call them nearly falling down.....
Late afternoon.....maybe it was 4:00 p.m. when the town began to rock.....compare the number of vehicles in this picture to the one in the last post.....it seemed that everyone was headed into that tavern.....and everyone had a thirst.....
.....but maybe not the Odd Fellows.....
And finally I share with you the Big Sandy, Montana Cultural Center.....it was the "Free Books" sign that attracted my attention.....and this is the place we found interesting in Big Sandy, Montana .....
When I turned the door handle to enter, I was certain that it'd be locked.....not a single light was turned on. I stepped inside (without the dogs of course) and within a few seconds an old man steps up and excitedly says "Come In !".....and almost immediately he says "Come with me. Let me show you around !" (I was only searching for a free book I remind you).....
So this place was massive and it was filled with all kinds of interesting stuff.....the old man was building his own interactive museum.....the only problem was that nobody would come. He told me that I was his only visitor that entire Saturday.....he said it's typically no one.....
And the next picture is Doug.....the 85 year old curator of the Big Sandy, Montana Cultural Center .....he showed me around the entire complex.....he insisted I get the dogs and let me tell you the dogs absolutely loved adventuring in his place. We had cold bottles of Root Beer together, he told me his life story.....he proudly posed in front of a picture of his uncle, a writer of many books.....
About 2 hours later we finally left.....and now I had yet another new best friend.....and six new to me books.....
Totally forgot about the "Old Jules" recommendation. Mari Sandoz was a fine, fine writer, and her father Jules Sandoz was a mad genius (and by mad, I mean miles beyond eccentric, complete with violence inflicted upon his family and many others). I expect you'll enjoy "Old Jules". Try and find "The Cattlemen" by Mari Sandoz. Another fine read.
Our traverse from Big Sandy to the McClelland Ferry had us looking for "Big Bud 747, world's largest tractor" at a huge spread on the edge of the Bear Paw Mtns. The Williams Brothers Farm was home to Big Bud for long enough for it to merit a place name on the Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlas we had on board.
Foy
Our traverse from Big Sandy to the McClelland Ferry had us looking for "Big Bud 747, world's largest tractor" at a huge spread on the edge of the Bear Paw Mtns. The Williams Brothers Farm was home to Big Bud for long enough for it to merit a place name on the Benchmark Road and Recreation Atlas we had on board.
Foy
How I long to get back to the Crazy's. The land all around us a checkerboard of USFS and private. On going negotiations to make trades for trails and roads through the private land. Numerous arrests for hunters with permits in areas that they couldn't get to without stepping on a corner of private land or a portion of their body. I saw a map somewhere.
On another note the flooding took its toll on the Main Boulder River. My cousin still hasn't been able to get into his cabin. The garage had 2' of water and my guess water severely damaged the first floor.
On another note the flooding took its toll on the Main Boulder River. My cousin still hasn't been able to get into his cabin. The garage had 2' of water and my guess water severely damaged the first floor.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Foy.....I'm still enjoying Old Jules but it's a tough read.....I take it in short spits.....
JD.....that whole checkerboard thing is outlandish.....for the life of me I still can't understand how the federal government let that happen.....
ITTOG.....I actually went the opposite direction of the world's largest tractor. Even though Big Sandy, Montana is the home, the actual tractor is 30 miles away.....
I think we did make Doug's day and I know he was grateful to have someone to share his life stories with. I knew when I went to retrieve the dogs and returned to see the cold bottles of Root Beer, that it would be an extended stay. We had nowhere to be and occasionally I'm a good listener.....
tgil.....you'll have to get a bit more remote than that to stump me.....I hope you guys enjoyed the climb.....love the pup.....
fisher205.....I found these books at the Big Sandy Cultural Center and based on your recommendation I'm looking forward to some good reads.....
For no good reason that I can think of, we decided to take a drive through the Rocky Boy's Reservation of Montana, which is located just to the northeast of Big Sandy, Montana.....
Now at this point we're just wandering around (actually at every point).....it was a Sunday morning, and we stopped for a pee break at a random parking lot.....and then just like that we had some plans.....and eventually even more plans.....
While we were stopped here an old Suburban pulls up with two tribal members inside.....they ask if we're OK, we begin to chat, and before I know it I have an invitation to help build an enormous teepee which is being constructed for an upcoming event.....
These are the things that I live for when I'm out wandering around.....
And it wasn't just a teepee that was being constructed.....there were numerous ceremonial items decorated with hawk feathers plucked from wings, special wooden tools were being made with hatchets.....it was fascinating to see their craftsmanship and to speak with the tribal members.....still practicing the traditions of their forefathers.....traditions that have lasted for centuries.....
I was basically useless here.....nothing more than a spectator that envied & respected their way of life.....two of the tribal elders came by to visit with me.....the one on the right is the chief.....the one on the left is the former police chief as well as a tribal chief.....and they both welcomed me with open arms.....
JD.....that whole checkerboard thing is outlandish.....for the life of me I still can't understand how the federal government let that happen.....
ITTOG.....I actually went the opposite direction of the world's largest tractor. Even though Big Sandy, Montana is the home, the actual tractor is 30 miles away.....
I think we did make Doug's day and I know he was grateful to have someone to share his life stories with. I knew when I went to retrieve the dogs and returned to see the cold bottles of Root Beer, that it would be an extended stay. We had nowhere to be and occasionally I'm a good listener.....
tgil.....you'll have to get a bit more remote than that to stump me.....I hope you guys enjoyed the climb.....love the pup.....
fisher205.....I found these books at the Big Sandy Cultural Center and based on your recommendation I'm looking forward to some good reads.....
For no good reason that I can think of, we decided to take a drive through the Rocky Boy's Reservation of Montana, which is located just to the northeast of Big Sandy, Montana.....
Now at this point we're just wandering around (actually at every point).....it was a Sunday morning, and we stopped for a pee break at a random parking lot.....and then just like that we had some plans.....and eventually even more plans.....
While we were stopped here an old Suburban pulls up with two tribal members inside.....they ask if we're OK, we begin to chat, and before I know it I have an invitation to help build an enormous teepee which is being constructed for an upcoming event.....
These are the things that I live for when I'm out wandering around.....
And it wasn't just a teepee that was being constructed.....there were numerous ceremonial items decorated with hawk feathers plucked from wings, special wooden tools were being made with hatchets.....it was fascinating to see their craftsmanship and to speak with the tribal members.....still practicing the traditions of their forefathers.....traditions that have lasted for centuries.....
I was basically useless here.....nothing more than a spectator that envied & respected their way of life.....two of the tribal elders came by to visit with me.....the one on the right is the chief.....the one on the left is the former police chief as well as a tribal chief.....and they both welcomed me with open arms.....
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Since I was pretty much useless when it came to constructing teepees, I decided that the dogs and I would take a walk and check out our surroundings.....first off was the spot where the tribal members have their PowWows.....
You can't help but wander around here and envision the festivities that take place here.....
To experience another culture without getting onto an airplane is truly a blessing.....I was grateful for this experience and I certainly loved it here.....
From here we wandered into a small valley and up onto a hill.....
I don't know what I was looking at here.....they (there were 5 of these) had the feel of a sacred place.....but maybe that's just my ignorance being expressed here.....
When I returned to the teepee, the tribal members asked me if I'd like to stay for a tribal gathering that began that evening at 5:00 p.m......I agreed to return but said that I wanted to spend the afternoon hiking in the Bear Paw Mountains.....they said that the mountain lions in those mountains were unpredictable, always looking for a meal.....unpredictable.....much like life is what I thought.....
You can't help but wander around here and envision the festivities that take place here.....
To experience another culture without getting onto an airplane is truly a blessing.....I was grateful for this experience and I certainly loved it here.....
From here we wandered into a small valley and up onto a hill.....
I don't know what I was looking at here.....they (there were 5 of these) had the feel of a sacred place.....but maybe that's just my ignorance being expressed here.....
When I returned to the teepee, the tribal members asked me if I'd like to stay for a tribal gathering that began that evening at 5:00 p.m......I agreed to return but said that I wanted to spend the afternoon hiking in the Bear Paw Mountains.....they said that the mountain lions in those mountains were unpredictable, always looking for a meal.....unpredictable.....much like life is what I thought.....
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