On top of wanting to experience the legendary fall colors, this trip to New England marks the beginning of our RV adventures east of the Mississippi River.
In what started as an excuse to try out our then new travel trailer in 2013, we loaded up the kids and trekked out to Mt. Rushmore, with several stops along the way.We had such a good time, each summer since has included a road trip.By 2019 we had RV’d to every state west of the Mississippi, culminating in a 7300 mile trip that reached as far as New Orleans.
Blackwell Island RV Park, Coeur d’Alene, ID – All set up for the first of our 52 night trip!Blackwell Island RV Park, Coeur d’Alene, ID – Enjoying happy hour along the Spokane River, the primary outflow of Lake Coeur d’AleneMissoula, MT – Spearheaded by a local Missoula cabinet maker, Chuck Kaparich, A Carousel for Missoula opened in 1995 after countless hours of community volunteer hours, including assembly of the frame and carving of the ponies. Mr. Kaparich agreed to donate the frame and first 4 carved ponies on the condition that Missoula agree to never take the carousel apart.Montana Brewing Company, Billings, MT – We enjoyed a “small” pretzel snack at the local brewery…the pretzel is also known as the destroyer of dinner!
Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground, Billings, MT – Late afternoon sun on the banks of the Yellowstone River.
Chateau de Mores, Medora, ND – Now a museum, this 26 room summer home was built in 1883 by a French aristocrat in the North Dakota Badlands. The Marques de Mores established the town of Medora, named after his wife, as part of a failed effort to become a cattle baron, working off the idea of bypassing the slaughterhouses of Chicago and Kansas City, using trains to transport locally slaughtered, cold packed meat straight to market. The venture collapsed in just a few years due to drought, competition from the east, and the Marquis’ lack of business experience.
Chateau de Mores, Medora, ND – A view of the kitchen, the two story wood framed house has been meticulously restored and contains many of the original furnishings and personal effects of the de Mores family.
Chateau de Mores, Medora, ND – The Hunting Room. In addition to the standard parlor of the times, this less formal gathering place was used by both guests and the family for planning and reliving the day’s hunt.
Chateau de Mores, Medora, ND – A servants bedroom, including bathtub! With no running water or electricity…imagine the logistics of filling that thing up!!Medora, ND – The light of the setting sun over Medora and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We explored the National Park during our first trip to Medora in 2017. Shortly after our visit we learned from an astonished neighboring camper that we’d missed the famous Medora Musical. Well gee, I guess we better get it right this time!
Medora, ND – Overlooking the Little Missouri River from the hilltop venue of the Medora Musical.
Pitchfork Steak Fondue, Medora, ND – Prior to the show, the venue offers a buffet dinner featuring steak cooked in hot oil on a pitchfork…I’m guessing the name had already given that away.
Medora Musical, Medora, ND – One of the many, many musical numbers.
Medora Musical, Medora, ND – The big finale!
