As we headed west from Yellowstone and headed towards Bozeman, the weather and the terrain began to change. The temperature continued to drop and the white fluffy flakes began to hit the windshield. The trees seemed to get taller as well.
After driving about 2 1/2 hours, we arrived in Bozeman where the snow was coming down. On our way to the hotel, we came across a field filled with sandhill cranes that were migrating. These are the tallest birds in Yellowstone. They like open grasslands and fresh water marshes. They breed at 2 to 7 years old and lay two eggs, but normally only raises one. They can live up to 20 years old. They are 4 feet tall with a wingspan of 6.5 ft. The large wing span make them very skilled soaring birds.
It was getting dark as we pulled into the parking lot at the hotel. Bozeman's population is 52,000 with the county at 112,000. In 2010, the county population was at 89,500. So the area has grown in the past 10 years. It is home to Montana State University with an enrollment at 16,000. Bozeman is the most likeable place to live because of the fly fishing, hiking, mountains, biking, snow activities, hunting and Yellowstone is so close. Bozeman averages 63 inches of snow per year with an average of 188 sunny days per year.
The state of Montana has a population of 1.1 million. The capital is in Helena. Billings is the largest city with a population of 110,000. The downtown of Bozeman was adorable and so eclectic. We enjoyed a fresh and delicious dinner at the BlackBird.
After a good nights rest, we woke up to snow and 17 degrees. Even with the weather, we decided to take the backroads to Salmon. Google map showed that Salmon was 245 miles from Bozeman.
It was Sunday morning and it was quiet on Highway 84. There is something about driving in the snow and looking out onto the open roads and the Big Sky Country(Montana's nickname).
Looking at the Road Atlas, I knew that we would be traveling through several small towns. Virginia City is small with a population of 190 people. Back in the 1850s, gold was discovered near Alder Creek, so Virginia City became a boomtown. It was once the capital of Montana until it was moved to Helena in 1865.
Sheridan was a little bit larger with a population of 700. This lovely community is surrounded by seven majestic mountain ranges.
I can't forget about Twin Bridges with a population of 400. It is well known as the fly fishing Mecca for trout anglers. It was named for two bridges built by the Lott Brothers. The first bridge was built over Beaverhead River on the west side and the second bridge was built on the High Road over the Big Hole River.
Taking Highway 41 from Twin Bridges, we were approaching Dillion, Montana when this huge sign on the side of the road said "Special Event" with an arrow pointing south. What could this "Special Event" be? As we rounded the bend of the road, to the right of us was a maze and pumpkin patch. My husband continued to drive 80 mph. He wasn't planning to stop. Katie and I finally persuaded him to go back. We wanted to make some "memories" at the maze. Pulling up to the parking lot, a lady in her western attire approached us and welcomed us to their "special event".
I had just seen a Hallmark Movie about a family that built a corn maze into a snow maze.
The temperature was in the 40s, so we bundled up before climbing out of the truck. We purchased our tickets and proceeded through the maze. It was so much fun to hear children and grown-ups laughing and enjoying themselves as they tried to escape out of the maze.
After spending about an hour enjoying the event, we drove into Dillion and had lunch at a restaurant that was recommended to us. Mac' Last Cast was definitely a great suggestion.
Dillion is one of the largest cities in Montana with a population of 4,300. They city was named after the Union Pacific Railroad President, Sidney Dillion. The town served as a central location for transporting goods to nearby boom towns. While many of the gold mining towns around Dillion died, this town was able to thrive due to the railroad and talc mining in the area. Dillion was once the largest exporter of sheep wool in Montana. It is also home to the University of Montana Wester with an enrollment of 1,500 students.
Getting back into the truck after lunch, we knew we had about another two hours before arriving into Salmon, Idaho. To be continued...............
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