Ty and Ida On the Road: Wisconsin to Montana

Friday, June 16, 2017

Wisconsin to Montana

Crabapple Blossoms at Wildlife Sanctuary

Leaving Wisconsin and recalling the many days of Spring, we headed west into Iowa and stopped at a Riceville park for lunch and were entertained by a Bald Eagle fishing successfully several times.

We then drove on to Spirit Lake and stayed the night at a small State Park. Another day of driving brought us to West Bend State Recreation Area in South Dakota on the Missouri River. There were many birds in the park and we caught a Common Nighthawk sleeping until evening.

Common Nighthawk

Orchard Oriole

Heading northwest we went into North Dakota and found a nice RV Park in Dickinson. Next morning early, we went to Theodore Roosevelt National Park and spent several hours on the auto tour looking for birds, bison, wild horses and hundreds of Prairie Dogs.

Prairie Dog

Prairie Dog pups wrestle

Lazuli Bunting

American Bison

Wild Horses

Yellow-breasted Chat

We were going to spend the night but found we had a problem with our back slide that is our bed. Time to move into Montana and seek help with repairs. We went to Billings and made an appointment but for the next 3 nights we slept on our pull out couch. A little crowded, but it worked. After everything was fixed including an air conditioner fan that broke during that hot weekend, we were off to our destination of Livingston.

Looking toward Paradise Valley from Livingston

Violet-green Swallow

Our main reason for coming was to spend time with Ty's brother Daryl and his wife Vicki. We planned the trip when we found out that Vicki was going through cancer treatment, through this time there has been much prayer from throughout the world and good news is that she is now cancer-free. So we are here to help celebrate her life and God's goodness.

Osprey nest at Sacagawea Park

Mule Deer

We have gone on walks and rides exploring the beautiful area of Paradise Valley and Livingston area seeking out birds and wildlife.

Black-headed Grosbeak

We spent one rainy day visiting the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Our favorite area was all the dinosaur exhibits of the bones that have been found in Montana. Very nicely done!

Pronghorn and baby

Marmot

Daryl took us on an adventure to the National Forest below Livingston Peak. We drove through grasslands where Long-billed Curlews nest and Pronghorn Antelope roam.