Fourth Day: Alberton to Livingston, MT

Spent a lovely day crossing the mountains and valleys of Montana, from Alberton to Livingston.  I had to laugh at the Butte city slogan, “A great place to rest.”  That’s the best they could come up with?  I guess all the good slogans were taken. 

We ate lunch at 4B’s Restaurant in Deer Lodge—possibly the best commercial meatloaf ever!  Tasted like my own homemade meatloaf with rich brown gravy…wish I’d ordered it! (Rick gave me a couple bites of his.)

Big Sky country

Montana countryside

We didn't really have time to stop and see some things, but I was able to photograph the Anaconda Smokestack from the highway--once the tallest smokestack in the country. I was also able to get a glimpse of Our Lady of the Rockies outside of Butte.  We would have stopped, but climbing unnecessary hills with the transmission being the way it was seemed an unnecessary risk.

By evening we’d made Livingston.  It was fun to show Rick someplace he’d heard me talk about for years—from my first trip to Montana when I came with the Scott Community College Environmental Club in June 2004.  I wish we’d had time to go to the Valley of the Chiefs, or to see the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse herd, or visit Chief Plenty Coups homestead.  But we were determined to see at least some of Yellowstone. 

Downtown Livingston

Hotel lobby

Outside smoking area--I just liked the lines in this picture.

I sensed a ghostly elevator operator still at his post.

We drove through downtown, stopping at the Murray Hotel for dinner to go and a drink or two.  I immediately sensed the ghosts—three of them—attached to the old building.  I chatted with the front desk clerk about them, and she validated the details of what I was sensing.  Validation is always such a good feeling.  Then it was on to the motel we could afford—the Budget Host Parkway Hotel.  Very nice folks, inexpensive room, other guests were friendly.  We had a nice evening and a good night’s sleep to prepare for our excursion to Yellowstone in the morning.  It was good to be in Montana—I love it there, and hope we can visit again sometime.