Today we are headed for Knox Ridge Road and a scenic byway. The sign just off the highway said "impassable when wet", and I wondered why none of the signs I had seen so far recommended a four wheel drive.
A two wheel drive truck would definitely have had some serious issues yesterday with all the mud and the steep climbs.
The road started out along a ridge and we were given a lovely panoramic view of the Missouri River. On the other side of the truck was a lovely view of the numerous coulees -- definitely deer country. We did see two mule deer on the side of the trail, but they quickly turned tail and ran. We also saw, what John thought were Vultures off in a field. What ever they were, they were Big!!
The road meandered this way and that and soon took us from a two track trail to a gravel road. Following the signs of Ridge Road took us to the town of Winifred, MT, where we fueled up, and stopped at the local bar. As we walked in, we were greeted with friendly smiles. On the wall, hung an antelope head and an elk head. I felt compelled to touch the antelope head and to my surprise, it was quite wooly, so I can understand how these creatures survive a Montana winter. One thing that John noticed right away, was the unique wallpaper. It was actually wallboard covered with a million signatures of what I imagine were from past and present patrons, some dating back several years --- a constant changing landscape.
Merrily on our way again, we headed for the ghost town of Kendall, once a thriving gold mining town. We stopped at the Pioneer Bar in Hilger, Mt - owned and operated by Jeff and Mary Hill. We were immediately greeted by their boxer pup, Buster outside the bar and he had no qualms escorting us inside.
We asked for directions to the ghost town but had to have a couple of cool ones before we headed there. It was happy hour you know!! It had started to snow so maybe that would be over by the time we were to leave.
Once you walked into the bar, the down home country feel of it encompassed you like a long lost friend. The smell was incredible. A wood burning stove provided heat for the place and, was that food I could smell? I later found out that Jeff and Mary always keep a huge pot of stew on the stove for anyone who feels hungry, and this, by the way is free of charge. Jeff told me that the next pot will be ham and beans. Gosh, it makes you want to stay just to see what else might be cooking.
The floor of the bar is chipboard but, is referred to as Montana hardwood. I was glad to see NO peanut shells on the floor. There were two huge sets of elk antlers up on the wall and I can only imagine the size of the elk that they had come from. There were a couple of rattlesnake skins mounted above the bar, complete with rattles!! Interesting, but I am not in any hurry to see another - dead or alive. And, what Montana bar would be complete without bullet holes in the roof?? The bar itself, Jeff told us, was well over 100 years old. The edges worn smooth by the thousands of arms, elbows and jackets of the numerous patrons it must have seen. The same for the boot rail, that too, has seen many and miner's or cowboy's boot. Not to mention the boots and shoes of numerous hunters and people like John and I. People who have stopped, just because.
I, of course, had a hundred questions. All were answered by Jeff, Mary and several other patrons at the bar. All were eager to answer what ever questions I posed. I found it to be quite informative because, enquiring minds need to know!!
We left to head to Kendall ghost town with the promise that we would return and enjoy some of the stew that kept tantalizing our noses.
It was still snowing and as we climbed further into the hills, the snow became deeper. Good thing we have four wheel drive. There was at least four inches of snow on the road and once we arrived in Kendall, the snow seemed even deeper. Their were remains of building left - sentinels guarding secrets of the past. We took some pics and headed back to Hilger.
Back at the bar and several refreshments later, we finally got a taste of that stew. I could have actually stolen the pot on the way out the door. We spent the evening chatting with Mary, Jeff and a few of the locals, George and Larry. What a friendly bunch and I urge whoever is in the area to please stop and say Hi! These folks couldn't have been more neighborly if they tried. This day will truly be one that both John and I will remember for a long time.
Headed back to the motorhome in a full fledged blizzard (thought I had left that crap at home). As coincidence would have it, there was another bar in the town of Roy, which was between us and the motorhome. Of course we had to check that one out as well. As we entered, we were greeted by this gigantic stuffed buffalo head. It just so happened that the owner of the bar was the one who had shot this beast. He said he got about a 1000 pounds of hamburger out of it and the rest was too tough to eat. He thought the thing would have been about 14 or 15 years old.
Finally back home and to bed. Tomorrow is another day!!
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