Head 'em up, move 'em along

This evening we are in Great Falls, Montana, where the "mountains meet the plains" and the posted speed limit is 80 mph - it's great to be back in the U.S. and, we even had a pleasant experience going through the border crossing. The Chief Mountain border crossing, that we used two weeks ago going into Canada, closed for the season on September 30, so we had to travel further east to find one that was open, just south of Cardston, AB. 

Driving south out of Cardston we were able to see Chief Mountain again and...

the mountains peaks of Glacier and Waterton Lakes National Parks.

Just before the border crossing at Carway, AB, we encountered this cattle drive. I talked to one of the men and he told me it is a Thanksgiving tradition - bringing the herd in to wean the calves. I wished him at Happy Thanksgiving. He returned the greeting, but I told him we had another 6 weeks or so. He said he knew that because they also celebrate Thanksgiving again, when we do. Good deal!

The few vehicles that were on the road were all stopping to take pictures so we did too. 

Starting them early.

Another view of Chief Mountain with the plains in the foreground.

The border crossing - no waiting.

Just as we crossed the border we entered the Blackfeet Reservation and headed to Browning, MT. We have seen these sculptures at other highway entrances to the reservation - there was one outside of St. Mary, MT when we were at east Glacier. I like this picture that Frederick took because it shows Chief Mountain, bison grazing on the prairie and the Blackfeet sculpture.

As you might be able to see, the sculpture is made of "found" materials.

We stopped for lunch at a roadside historical marker - maybe 10 vehicles went by during the 1/2 hour or so that we were stopped. Right behind the historical marker was this center-pivot irrigation system.

Here's the historical marker commemorating the Lewis & Clark Expedition and the only hostile encounter with Indians that the expedition experienced. (Click on the picture to make it bigger and more easily read.)

Shortly after lunch we came up behind this slow-moving truck hauling a swimming pool and a tank of water - heading south for the winter, I guess.

When we got to Dave's RV Park we didn't un-hitch so we decided to walk to the supermarket about 1 mile away. There in the parking lot was another tank of water in a home-made trailer. 

Next to the supermarket was a Michael's craft store so we went in to get the fall decor for the Airstream. There's Rivet (hand-made by my talented sister-in-law, Josie), enjoying the ride. 

This cheery little fall bouquet fit in the crack between the dinette table and the wall. Saves space on the table; no need for a vase.