Montana: Have a Dinosaur Adventure in Makoshika State Park in Glendive

The largest state park in Montana, Makoshika sits on 11,538 acres located just east of Glendive, Montana, in the eastern part of the state on Interstate 94. Follow the signs through Glendive to get there – it is well marked, but does involve a couple of turns in residential areas.

Pronounced Mah-koh’-shi-kah, the park draws its name from a Lakota phrase meaning “land of bad spirits” or “badlands.” The rock formations of this beautiful landscape are well worth the stop.

Visit in summer for Shakespeare in the Park, a summer youth program, or Buzzard Day. Or follow our lead, and go when the park is quiet, to enjoy the real untouched feel of the Montana wilderness. Pack a picnic, or head back into town for reasonably priced eats.

This part of the country is well-known for dinosaur discoveries, and this spot is a great one to learn more about that. Ten species have been found here, and one highlight of the displays in the visitor center is that all of the fossils on display were actually found right there in the park. What a terrific way to spur the imagination! Check out the visitor center, and then head off to make your own discoveries. Imagine yourself as an archaeologist, finding the bones of Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops.

As with all state and national parks, it is important to remind children of the adage: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.” No souvenirs for the road, and the park does ask that you leave your metal detector at home.

There are several options for enjoying Makoshika, including a six-mile loop of scenic roads, dotted with great spots to pull off and take breathtaking photos. Hiking trails abound, so be sure to bring along sturdy shoes and a bottle of water. In addition, there is camping, and adisc golf course, which is how we chose to spend our afternoon.

Looking for wildlife? Makoshika will not disappoint. Depending on the season, you might find sage lizards, bull snakes, rattle snakes, coyotes, bobcats, muledeer, and turkey vultures.

Read More

Montana: Family Fun at Billings Brew & BBQ

We checked out the Billings Brews & BBQ festival at the Metra today – what a great family event. Yes, I said family event. There were families hanging out on the grass enjoying delicious treats and live music, plus there was a great variety of local beers. Learn more about the annual event here.

Held annually, the festival brings together brewers from all over the region to share their brews. It is a great place to roll out something new, but there is also lots of old standbys and favorites to enjoy.

Attendees purchase a glass (come early – they ran out this year!) and ticket package, and then exchange one ticket for each drink sample. It isn’t just about beer, either. Brewers brought along meads and handcrafted sodas, too. We tried several different versions of a Scottish ale from brewers around the state, and really enjoyed comparing the complexities of each. Is that mint I sense? What a surprise!

It wouldn’t be a festival without a variety of great local food, so follow your nose over the check out some juicy, slow-cooked barbecue, or opt for other choices from Subway to hot dogs to funnel cakes.

Local music and some great vendors rounded out the fun next to the lake on the Metra grounds.

To put this fun event on your calendar for next year, check out the Metra Calendar of Events. And don’t forget to drink responsibly!

Read More

Montana: Geocaching - Wolf Point Bridge

Grandma and Grandpa have been getting into geocaching lately, so we joined them on an adventure today, on the way home from paying some Memorial Day respects with the extended family.

Geocaching is a great family activity. It's like a treasure hunt! How fun is that? The kids have a great time combing the countryside, looking for some special little trinket.

The closest spot was near the Wolf Point Bridge (about five miles outside Wolf Point, Montana), so we trekked over there to see what we could find.

I have to admit, I was surprised at how beautiful the area was! I have driven by it thousands of times, and never stopped to take the time and notice this pretty little spot along the Missouri River.

In this case, we were looking for a magnetic key holder stashed near the bridge. 

Once we zoned in on the coordinates, we read the hints. We decided "en guard" meant it was probably on the guard rail. But after over an hour looking for it, we couldn't find it!

We decided it must have been moved (all the hints called it "easy") and decided to go on to the next location, which was in Poplar, Montana. Now that we had the guard rail trick figured out, it was no time before....Success!

What a great way to spend an afternoon hanging out as a family.

Read More

Fort Union National Historic Site

Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, 23 miles from Williston, North Dakota on the Montana border, is a beautiful and educational place to spend a fall afternoon with the family.

We made the trek over on Sunday afternoon with our four children and had a good time exploring the buildings, checking out the displays in the Bourgeois House, and roaming through the grounds.

A trading post that operated from 1828 to 1867, Fort Union was one of the most vital on the Missouri. Seven Northern Plains Indian tribes traded furs for goods such as cloth, blankets, guns, blankets, cookware, and beads. The post traded over 25,000 buffalo robes and $100,000 of merchandise each year of its operation.

The post has been partially reconstructed, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. It is a great way to remember a period in American history where two cultures found common ground.

Park rangers are on hand to share the history of the site, and the location is often home to a variety of reenactors. (Check it out in June when history buffs converge on the area for the Rendezvous!)

After we climbed up the stairs to the lookout at the top of the fort wall, two of our daughters looked out over the Missouri River. 

Learning about the buildings that once stood in this part of Fort Union, which was made up of stores for a variety of purposes.

As we have mentioned in other posts, the Passport to National Parks has been one of our favorite investments. Here are our stamps from the visit -- one from Fort Union and one representing Lewis and Clark.

The view of Fort Union from the pathway up from the parking lot.

Walking through the front gate of Fort Union, looking at the flag pole and Bourgeois House. The area in between this door and the next one is a trading room, which allowed for trading without bringing outside people into the fort itself.

Williston Vacations

Read More