With its wide-open spaces and stunning natural beauty, there is no better way to explore the American West than by motorhome. We've done several trips out west in a motorhome, but never to Idaho, Montana, or Wyoming. DW and I had been to Montana and Wyoming shortly after we were married (staying in hotels), but the kids have never visited Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks. As part of the negotiation process for DW to agree to visit Brazil (
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=137220.0), I agreed to go out west later in the summer. We had been looking for a one-way rental deal for months, similar to what we found several times in the past. However, we couldn't find any such deals for the route we wanted to take this summer. Things began looking quite grim, but we managed to find a deal with Cruise America out of Missoula, Montana, for a very reasonable $160 a night (under 2k total for 12 nights). Everything else was in the range of $5000 to $7000 for a 12-day rental, so the price was right. We rented a 30-foot Class C motorhome with a bed over the cab, a sofa that converted to a bed, a dinette that converted to a bed, and a queen bed out back. It was the perfect size for our family. Oldest Kid had skipped Brazil, so she was itching to get away and joined us on this adventure.
Information about the motorhome we rented can be found here:
https://www.cruiseamerica.com/rv-rentals/our-vehicles/largeThis was our first time renting from Cruise America, but unless the price is right, we really can't recommend this company. The motorhome we were initially given looked nice enough with 40k miles on the odometer. However, the turn signals didn't work and they couldn't fix it. I can't believe how this major safety issue was overlooked. We were then given a replacement four-year-old jalopy motorhome with almost 100k miles on the odometer and were told nothing else was available. The inside and outside were quite beat up, and the list of broken items was exhaustive. The deadbolt on the door didn't work, the electrical outlets by dining room didn't work, the bathroom exhaust fan started making a racket, the sofa got stuck and wouldn't convert to a bed, the latch on the refrigerator door was broken and needed two hands to fiddle with to get it open, and the kitchen faucet broke shortly before we were to return the motorhome. In addition, the motorhome was not equipped with a backup camera and the sewer hose was stored inside the storage compartment, instead of inside the rear bumper where it is usually located for El Monte rentals. It is quite disgusting to have to lug and coil the sewer hose for storage in the same compartment as your luggage. Finally, we weren't provided with leveling blocks or a bubble level. These are important when parking for an extended period of time on uneven ground, because the refrigerator will not work properly if the motorhome isn't level. DW was thinking about purchasing our own leveling blocks, but I told her if Cruise America doesn't care about their rig, then neither do I. Although some of the campgrounds we stayed at did not have level ground, we didn't notice any problems with the refrigerator or freezer. Luckily, all of the major systems such as the AC, heat, refrigerator/freezer, and generator worked. It was still worthwhile given that anything else would have cost thousands more, and this is why I'd never recommend Cruise America unless it was significantly cheaper than a competing company.
Here is the daytime and nighttime layout of our Class C 30-foot motorhome:
Cruise America - Class C Large 30 foot layout by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 1 - Planning and Preparation
Our route was somewhat fluid, and all of the campgrounds were booked last minute. We weren't even sure of the exact route we would take, except that we knew we wanted to visit several national parks. As we were underway, we decided on our route, which developed as follows:
Day 1: Fly into Missoula, Montana, pick up the motorhome, stock up on food and supplies, and overnight at Angler's Roost Campground in Hamilton,
Montana;
Day 2-5: Drive to Idaho, visit to Craters of the Moon National Monument and the EBR-1 Nuclear Reactor, and overnight at the KOA Journey
Campground in Arco, Idaho, for three nights (including Shabbos);
Day 5: Drive towards Jackson, Wyoming, with a stop at the Idaho Potato Museum (in Blackfoot, Idaho) and at Guns N Gear Shooting Range (in
Idaho Falls, Idaho), and overnight at Alpine RV Resort in Alpine, Wyoming, for two nights;
Day 6: Fly Fishing on the Snake River in Jackson, Wyoming;
Day 7: Visit Grant Teton National Park and overnight at Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch near Moran, Wyoming;
Day 8-10: Visit Yellowstone National Park and overnight two nights at West Gate KOA Holiday Campground in West Yellowstone, Montana;
Day 10-12: Drive towards Butte, Montana, with a stop at Virginia City (old west town) and overnight at the Butte KOA Journey Campground for two
nights (including Shabbos);
Day 12: Drive towards Missoula, Montana, with a stop at Philipsburg (for sapphire mining), and overnight at the Missoula KOA Holiday Campground;
Day 13: Return the motorhome and fly home.
Part 2 - Tips For Planning Your Own Motorhome Adventure.
I've previously posted about one-way specials from several companies, and if you are flexible, you should start your search there. However, if you cannot find a decent one way special that works for you, check all of the major motorhome rental companies and you will likely find a deal. In addition, there is no need to pay for the bedding package, which runs upwards of $60 per person. Instead, bring your own sheets (or buy at Walmart), and buy cheap pillows and sleeping bags at Walmart. We usually buy pillows and sleeping bags for each trip and donate them when we return the motorhome (or you can play the return shtick). You can find pillows for around $3 and sleeping bags for under $15 at Walmart. We also ask to remove all of the dishes, pots and pans, and utensils to create more storage space. In addition, it is a good idea to call the rental company and ask them to turn on the refrigerator a day before you are scheduled to pick up. This way, the refrigerator/freezer will be cold when you arrive. Before you take off, make sure all of the systems work. You don't want to be out on the road only to realize that the AC doesn't work or that the generator won't turn on. Finally, make sure you take a video of the exterior and interior of the motorhome to document any preexisting damage. If you are able, use a ladder (some locations provide you with one) and take a video of the roof as well. Be sure to closely examine the windshield for any cracks or chips, as it is quite common for rental motorhomes to have damaged windshields. If you spot any damage, ensure that the representative makes note of it on your rental agreement.
Part 3 - Day One In Montana
Our flight from NYC - there are no direct routes:
LGA - ORD - MSO by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After arriving in Missoula and the fiasco with the motorhome, we stocked up on food and drinks, purchased supplies at Walmart, and made our way to Angler's Roost Campground in Hamilton, Montana, about an hour away from Missoula. Since we had an early morning flight and were tired, we didn't want a very long drive ahead of us. Information about Angler's Roost Campground can be found here:
https://www.anglersroost-montana.com/Our campsite was adjacent to a river, and we observed fisherman, wild turkeys, and birds of prey from the riverbank:
Angler's Roost RV and Campground, Hamilton, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
One of the first things we did was to start a campfire and make a BBQ:
Angler's Roost RV and Campground, Hamilton, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Angler's Roost RV and Campground, Hamilton, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After a restful night, we packed out for the drive to our next destination - the KOA Journey Campground in Arco, Idaho, near Craters of the Moon National Monument. Information about this campground can be found here:
https://koa.com/campgrounds/craters-of-the-moon/Our campsite:
KOA Journey Campground in Arco, Idaho by
P Bryan, on Flickr
This campground turned out to be quite interesting. The next-door neighbor is a fierce patriot, flies the Israeli flag on his property, and he played the military Reveille (military morning roll call) at 9:00 a.m. and the national anthem every day at sunset. We didn't meet this fellow but were told that he allows folks who can't afford a campground to dry camp on his property for a night or two. We also met several interesting fellow campers, including a newly married middle-aged couple from Spokane, Washington, who for some reason were happy to meet New Yorkers. There was also an older couple from San Diego, traveling with their grandson, while exploring America along the way.
Part 4 - Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve
Craters of the Moon is a large lava field, created from a series of old eruptions. I personally didn't find it very interesting, as we had seen better in Hawaii, including active lava flows. However, for those who have never seen a lava field, it might be of interest.
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Looking out over the lava fields:
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
We went inside the Indian Tunnel lava tube, where we heard but didn't see any bats. We did, however, see pigeons inside Indian Tunnel, which looked just like NYC pigeons. I'm not sure how NYC pigeons came to live inside a lava tube in the middle of Idaho, but they're there. Photographs taken of Indian Tunnel:
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Craters Of The Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
It was quite hot on the lava fields and after hiking around for a bit and seeing more of the same, it was time to move on. We stopped by the visitor center on the way out, and met an interesting couple in their 70s on an Alaskan road trip. They were traveling in a home-built truck camper while pulling a cargo trailer. The husband had an old Harley which he put 170k miles on while traveling all across the country and he still wasn't done. In fact, he rode his Harley for the entire Alaska road trip while his wife drove the truck camper as his support vehicle.
Part 5 - Arco, Idaho and Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I)
Arco, the "city" where we stayed, is small and quirky. As of the 2010 census, there were only 995 residents and that seemed pretty accurate based on our observations. On July 17, 1955, Arco made history as the first community to be fully powered by nuclear energy. This proved that nuclear energy could be used to generate electricity. You'll see many t-shirts proudly advertising Arco as being the "First Atomic Powered City," but the t-shirts won't tell you that Arco was only powered by nuclear energy for 90 minutes, and hasn't been powered by nuclear energy since.
Arco is also known for the dates painted on the side of Number Hill, a tradition that began in 1920, which corresponds to the graduation years of Butte High School seniors:
Arco, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The nuclear reactor that briefly powered Arco in 1955 was the Borax III, but it is not accessible for visits. However, you can visit the Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), located about 20 miles outside of Arco. This reactor was the first power plant to produce electricity using nuclear energy on December 20, 1951, when it powered four 200-watt light bulbs. There is no fee to visit and they offer guided or self-guided tours. Information about EBR I can be found here:
https://inl.gov/ebr/They also offer virtual tours, for those who are interested:
https://inl.gov/tours/Entrance to EBR I:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The control room:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Pushing buttons in a nuclear reactor control room is lots of fun:
EBR I, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Turbine/generator that was connected to EBR I:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Top of the reactor:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Looking down into the reactor:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Always carry a flashlight because you never know when one will come in handy. Here we are shining a flashlight through 34 layers of lead glass, totaling 39 inches thick, with mineral oil filling the space between each layer of glass to provide clarity:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Behind the glass is the "hot cell" room which was used to visually inspect used fuel rods. The walls of this room are also 39 inches thick for radiation protection. Manipulators were used inside the room and were some of the first ever devised for handling radioactive materials. Mechanical “fingers” inside the hot cell duplicated the operator’s motions:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Someone had the wonderful idea to stick a nuclear reactor into an Air Force bomber, but as you can see, the reactors are quite large and thankfully the project never came to fruition. Since airplanes sometimes have a tendency to crash, you can imagine a nuclear-powered bomber crashing and scattering nuclear waste. Photographs of the two nuclear reactors constructed in the 1950's for use in Air Force bombers:
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR I), Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After an interesting visit to EBR I, it was time to head back to the campground to prepare for Shabbos. Our motorhome converted to Shabbos mode with the wheels covered:
KOA Journey Campground in Arco, Idaho by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Cooking potato kugel, using Idaho potatoes in Idaho, on our portable camp stove:
KOA Journey Campground in Arco, Idaho by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 6 - On the Road To Jackson Hole - Idaho Potato Museum & Guns N Gear Shooting Range
On Sunday morning, we packed out for the drive to our next destination, Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Along the way, we stopped at the Idaho Potato Museum. The museum discusses the origins of the potato, the history of farming potatoes in Idaho, and has exhibits showing tools and equipment used in farming. We learned that potatoes are not native to North America, but are originally from Peru, where they grow about 4,000 varieties. In any event, there were no potatoes in the old world before Columbus, and while this may come as a surprise to some, there was no potato kugel in the time of the Bais Hamikdash. Information about the Idaho Potato Museum can be found here:
https://www.idahopotatomuseum.com/Photographs taken at the museum:
Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
They have the world's largest pringle chip:
Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
And a model of the worlds largest potato:
Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
For all the Mr. Potato Head fans in the house:
Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Planter used in the late 1800's or early 1900's:
Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
1948 Farmall Club Tractor:
Idaho Potato Museum, Blackfoot, Idaho, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The gift shop sells lots of fun and quirky items and of course we had to buy potato themed souvenirs:
Idaho Potato Museum Souvenirs by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Since they take their Second Amendment rights seriously out west, and the girls have itchy trigger fingers, DW and the girls went shooting at the Guns N Gear shooting range in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Little One didn't want to shoot, so I stayed back with him in the motorhome. Information about Guns N Gear can be found here:
https://gngsports.com/Not wanting to bother with multiple kinds of ammunition, DW rented a rifle, pistol (Ruger Mark IV), and a revolver (Smith & Wesson), that all used .22 ammunition. In the past, she has shot both rifles and pistols, and was excited to try the revolver. She says the revolver was fun to shoot, but heavier than the pistol and harder to shoot than both of the others.
Having fun at the range:
Guns N Gear, Idaho Falls, Idaho by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Guns N Gear, Idaho Falls, Idaho by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After the girls had their fill of gunpowder, it was time to continue our journey to the next destination - Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Part 7 - Jackson Hole, Wyoming
We were undecided until the last minute as to the next destination - DW was thinking of going to Salt Lake City and seeing the Great Salt Lake, but we ultimately decided to skip it and try our hand at fly fishing in Jackson Hole. We found a campground in Jackson Hole, The Virginian RV Park, which would have been very convenient, but it was an insane $350 for two nights. Instead, we stayed at the Alpine RV Resort in Alpine, Wyoming, about 45 minutes outside of Jackson Hole. This campground was about three years old with excellent facilities, including individual bathrooms with showers. Information about Alpine RV Resort can be found here:
https://alpinevalleyresortwy.com/Our campsite:
Alpine Valley RV Resort, Alpine, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Campfire cooking:
Alpine Valley RV Resort, Alpine, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
At our last campground - the KOA Journey in Arco, Idaho, I met an interesting middle-aged fellow, who recommended Orvis for a guided fishing trip. This fellow, recently retired, used to sell armored car services to banks. He was on his second wife, had made and lost a fortune, and was now wandering around by himself in his pickup truck while tent camping. His wife was unwilling to go camping with him, so he took off on his own. You'll often meet some interesting people at these campgrounds, and you can be surprised at the types of folks you'll bump into. Now, back to our fishing story.
Orvis doesn't directly employ fishing guides but they do have Orvis endorsed outfitters, and their recommended Jackson Hole outfitter is the Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School, information about which can be found here:
https://www.orvis.com/product/jackson-hole-fly-fishing-school/3BHA.htmlI called the Jackson Hole Fly Fishing School on Sunday, and luckily, they had one drift boat tour available for the following day. Apparently, we were traveling towards the end of the busy season, and there was less demand for fly fishing guides. Since we were about 45 minutes outside of Jackson Hole, we met our guide, Austin, at the parking lot of Albertson's Supermarket in downtown Jackson Hole, where we were told we could leave the motorhome. Austin picked us up in an SUV while towing a drift boat, which costs approximately $20,000. The guides use drift boats because the Snake River is quite shallow and a propeller would be destroyed on the rocks. We were then driven to the Snake River, where Austin put the boat into the water:
Snake River, Jackson Hole, Wyoming by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Snake River, Jackson Hole, Wyoming by
P Bryan, on Flickr
This was our first time fly fishing, and I must say that I quite enjoyed the experience. Being on a drift boat, without a noisy motor on a peaceful river, was very relaxing. However, I was disappointed in not being able to keep anything we caught, as I had been looking forward to catching our own fish for a BBQ. Austin explained that you are not permitted to keep any native fish while on a guided trip, because there were 25 guides out on the water and they were concerned about depleting the river of fish. I asked Austin why we had to purchase fishing licenses if we couldn't keep any fish, and he just mumbled something about protecting the river and keeping the water clean. Even so, I did not regret the experience and would like to try fly fishing again.
DW, Middle Kid, Little One and I all tried our hand at fly fishing. Austin patiently instructed us as to the technique, how to spot if you hooked a fish, and how to bring it in. We also received a biology lesson about the four types of flies that the fish eat, the life cycle of these flies, and when to use specific flies as bait. Picture of Austin's box of flies:
Fly fishing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Oldest Kid was uninterested in fishing and spent most of the time studying for the GRE:
Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Little One ended up catching three fish and I caught one fish. DW and Middle Kid didn't catch any. All of the fish we caught were native Rocky Mountain Whitefish, which I was told were bony but very tasty.
Little One casting for fish:
Fly Fishing on the Snake River, Jackson Hole, Wyoming by
P Bryan, on Flickr
One of the Whitefish that Little One caught:
Fly Fishing on the Snake River, Jackson Hole, Wyoming by
P Bryan, on Flickr
And back it goes into the river:
Fly Fishing on the Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The one Whitefish that I was able to reel in:
Fly Fishing on the Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Enjoying a very serene and peaceful view:
Snake River, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
A benefit to silently drifting on the river is that we were able to observe a variety of wildlife. Here is a Pelican on the Snake River- Austin said they migrate between Wyoming and Central America:
Pelican on the Snake River, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Group of Common Merganser ducks:
Common Merganser, Snake River near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
A Moose munching on willow at the riverbank:
Moose on the bank of the Snake River, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Moose on the bank of the Snake River, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Osprey:
Osprey, Snake River, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 8 - Grand Teton National Park
Our next stop was Grand Teton National Park. It's not my favorite national park, and I wouldn't dedicate more than a day there.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
We asked a park ranger at the visitor center about hikes, and she recommended Taggart Lake, a 3.8-mile loop. We were thinking of visiting Jenny Lake, but the ranger said to skip it as it was insanely crowded and we probably wouldn't find parking. Walking along the trail on the way to the lake:
Taggart Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Taggart Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Taggart Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Arriving at Taggart Lake:
Taggart Lake, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After hiking around Taggart Lake, we visited Jackson Lake, which I didn't find very interesting. Afterwards, we made our way towards Schwabacher Landing to view the sunset. Along the way, we spotted a herd of bison. However, it was hard for us to get excited about bison as we've seen way better in the Dakotas (
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130610.0):
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
It was a little difficult getting the motorhome down the steep, windy, and partially rutted dirt road to Schwabacher Landing, but the views were worth it:
Schwabacher Landing, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Schwabacher Landing, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After sunset, we made our way to the Headwaters Campground At Flagg Ranch, information about which can be found here:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/258832Part 9 - Yellowstone National Park
When DW and I last visited Yellowstone, it was early July and the crowds were insane. I still remember the traffic jams whenever someone spotted some wildlife and parked in the middle of the road. I was dreading the crowds and traffic jams but surprisingly the park was not crowded at all. Although some popular spots had full or nearly full parking lots, it never felt crowded and we often had the place to ourselves. For once, we picked a good time to visit a very popular and usually crowded national park.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
As with many visitors, our first stop was at Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin:
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The Morning Glory pool was quite stunning:
Morning Glory Pool, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Morning Glory Pool, Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
We also visited the Lower Geyser Basin:
Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After our first full day in Yellowstone, we headed over to the West Gate KOA Holiday Campground in West Yellowstone, Montana, information about which can be found here:
https://koa.com/campgrounds/yellowstone-park/Our campsite for the next two nights:
West Gate KOA Holiday Campground in West Yellowstone, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
West Gate KOA Holiday Campground in West Yellowstone, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
On the following day, we visited Midway Geyser Basin:
Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
And the very beautiful Grand Prismatic Spring - one of my favorites and a must see:
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Afterwards, we visited Lower Yellowstone Falls:
Yellowstone Lower Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Then we stopped off in the Mud Volcano Area and saw the Dragon's Mouth:
Mud Volcano Area, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Dragon's Mouth, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
And finally to the Mammoth Hot Springs Area:
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After two full days exploring Yellowstone National Park, it was time to start heading back towards Missoula.
Part 10 - Virginia City, Montana
We began our leisurely drive back towards Missoula on the following day, with a stop at Virginia City, Montana, an old west town. The origins of Virginia City date to May 28, 1863, when gold was discovered in the area. Soon 10,000 gold seekers flooded the area, and Virginia City was born. The first Jews, who arrived during the gold rush, were miners, wagon drivers, merchants, freighters, hotel and saloon keepers, lawyers, and journalists. Some prominent Jews included Ben Ezekiel, chief clerk of the first territorial legislature, and Jacob Feldberg, a member of Virginia City’s first town council. There was also Lewis Hershfield, who opened a bank in Virginia City, the first to convert gold dust to currency. Other early notable members of the Virginia City Jewish community included Solomen Content, who in 1864 built "Content's Corner," a stucco building that housed the entire territorial government offices on the second floor. Photograph of Content's Corner, as seen in 1868:
Content's Corner, Virginia City, Montana, USA (Circa 1868) by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Another early Jewish resident, Samuel Schwab, opened a store in Virginia City peddling dry good to miners. Photograph of Samuel Schwab:
Samuel Schwab by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Unfortunately, we did not see or hear anything concerning the Jews of Virginia City during our tour, except for a Jewish cemetery on a hill which no longer contains any gravestones. Unlike Deadwood, South Dakota (
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=130610.0), which proudly displays its Jewish history, there is hardly any mention about the Jews of Virginia City.
One interesting tidbit of information is that the infamous Calamity Jane, who died and is buried in Deadwood, lived for a time in Virginia City. Calamity Jane was an army scout, drunkard, and claimed to have been married to Wild Bill Hickok (although there are no records to support that claim). She is said to have frequently returned for visits even after moving away from Virginia City. When Calamity Jane died, she left a balance on Goldberg’s Grocery’s account books, a Jewish owned grocery store in Deadwood.
So, it should not surprise you that there was also a Goldberg's store in Virginia City, albeit a clothing store. Goldberg’s wife, Helena, was said to be an excellent cook and was a prominent member of Virginia City’s Jewish community. The store in the center of the following photograph, later turned into the McGovern Ladies Clothing Store, is Goldberg's store:
G. Goldberg Store (McGovern Dry Goods), Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
We took a tour of Virginia City in a 1941 firetruck, and although it was sometimes difficult to understand the driver, he showed us the sights:
Virginia City, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
We drove past the Gilbert Brewery Building, which dates back to the 1880's:
Gilbert Brewery, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Gilbert Brewery, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
With the migration of lots of hard-working folks to Virginia City following the gold rush also came quite a few people who didn't feel like working. These folks - referred to as "road agents," would rob stage coaches, loot stores, and commit many murders. At the close of 1863, a determined group of Virginia City citizens decided they had enough and formed The Vigilantes. Jews, including Ben Ezekiel and Samuel Schwab, were among the leaders of The Vigilantes. On January 14, 1864, The Vigilantes hung five road agents inside an unfinished building in town. They were then buried at the Boot Hill Cemetery - the first cemetery in Virginia City:
Boot Hill Cemetery, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Boot Hill Cemetery, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The "Hangman's Building" still has the exposed beam and you can see where the rope was strung to hang the road agents:
Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Some of the other buildings dating to the 1860's:
Sauerbier Blacksmith Shop, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Sauerbier Blacksmith Shop, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
S.R. Buford & Company, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
S.R. Buford & Company, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
E.L. Smith Store, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
E.L. Smith Store, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
After a few hours exploring Virginia City, we continued on our way. We stayed at the Butte KOA Journey Campground for two nights, including Shabbos. Information about this campground can be found here:
https://koa.com/campgrounds/butte/Our campsite:
Butte KOA Journey Campground, Butte, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
On Sunday morning, we continued our journey back towards Missoula.
Part 11 - Sapphire Mining in Philipsburg, Montana
We took the long way back towards Missoula, and our first stop was at Montana Gems, in Philipsburg, for sapphire "mining." Montana is famous for its sapphires, and there are several places in Philipsburg that offer either outdoor or indoor mining, with bags of gravel brought in from local mines for you to sift through. Information about Montana Gems can be found here:
https://www.montanagems.net/We purchased two bags of gravel and tried our hand at mining. First step was washing the gravel to get rid of the mud:
Montana Gems, Philipsburg, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Afterwards, we carefully sorted through the gravel looking for sapphires:
Montana Gems, Philipsburg, Montana by
P Bryan, on Flickr
We didn't strike it rich but managed to find a few small sapphires. Here is my haul:
Montana Sapphires, Virginia City, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
From Philipsburg, we made our way to the Missoula KOA Holiday Campground, located a short distance from where we had to return the motorhome. Information about this campground can be found here:
https://koa.com/campgrounds/missoula/Our campsite for the night:
Missoula KOA Holiday Campground, Missoula, Montana, USA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
The location of this campground was a bit strange, as it was in an urban area surrounded by homes. Had it not been a convenient location to return the motorhome, I wouldn't have much cared to stay at this particular campground. However, it had quite a few amenities, such as free coffee in the office, a fitness center, and miniature golf.
And then it was finally time to head on home:
MSO - DEN - LGA by
P Bryan, on Flickr
Part 12 - Conclusion
Although DW thought that Brazil was a "stupid trip," I could say the same for some parts of this trip as well. I can't say that I enjoyed all of the places we visited, but some parts were certainly enjoyable and interesting. It was definitely worth the trade to be able to visit Brazil. Oldest Kid was hoping to do some "real" hikes, but was disappointed with all the boardwalks at Yellowstone. She said Yellowstone is not even in her top 10 National Parks. For those of you who are curious, Middle Kid received a proper birthday cake this year, as her birthday fell out between Brazil and the trip out west. In fact, she got her preferred birthday cake, a homemade cherry cake, which DW had every year growing up.
Thanks for reading and we hope you enjoyed this trip report.
By the numbers:
Flights taken (including connecting flights): 4 (For a total of 16 this summer)
Campgrounds stayed at: 7
Fights over sleeping arrangements: 0
Campfires: 7
Hot dogs eaten: Too many
National Parks and National Monuments visited: 3
Miles driven: 1325
Gallons of gasoline used: 121.24
Total cost of gas: $454.19
Average MPG for the motorhome: 10.92
