Where The Deer and Antelope Play

As summer ends, and life gets busier with school, new jobs and other activities, we decided to head to Big Sky Country.

We drove to Hot Springs, Montana, and stayed at the Symes Hotel and Hot Springs. It has some natural mineral hot springs to relax and soak in and a pool. It is a wonderful mix of retro old hotel, new age hippie types, antiques, gourmet food in the dining room, and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
There is Cabin 5 where we stayed, with our green van in front. Saturday night we were treated to live music in the dining room from Spokane singer/songwriter Cheryl Branz. Find more about her and her music here.Today we drove to the National Bison Range in Moiese, Montana. It is a two hour drive that lets you drive and see all kinds of wildlife. In the parking lot of the visitor's center, there is this diplay of different kinds of antlers.
We saw a few buffalo. The girls broke out into their own version of "Home on the Range". It did feel like we were where the deer and the antelope play.
Here are a mother mule deer and her little one. We missed seeing a mama bear and her cub by just a few minutes.

Here are a couple of Bighorn Sheep. Below is one of three antelopes that were grazing on the side of the road. We also saw some elk down by Mission Creek, and below is one of them. We also saw lots of golden eagles flying overhead.



Our day ended driving to Plains, Montana and having lunch at Benji's, then driving back to the Silver Valley through Thompson Falls, and over Thompson Pass. Above and below are views from the top of Thompson Pass. This was a wonderful adventure, and not far away. There are many other things to see in this area, including the St. Ignatius Mission, also built by the Jesuits, who built the Cataldo Mission here in the Silver Valley. The Mission Valley isn't really touristy and the accomadations are very reasonably priced. I'd highly recommend the area for a great weekend get away.

So would The Princess, Kiki Aru and Z2.