Days 38 & 39- July 6 & 7

Off again to places unknown.  This part of Montana is beautiful as we travel through the green valleys with their streams meandering through bringing life to the landscape.  One side of the road looks dry and covered with sagebrush, while on the other side, lush fields of grass grow to support the herds of cattle growing fat on the summer bounty.  We passed by ski slopes that are awaiting winter snows as we traveled over the mountain passes.  When we arrived in Missoula late in the afternoon we decided a little city life would be interesting for a couple of days.  We stayed at the KOA campground where we took advantage of the pool for our first swim of the summer.  On Thursday we headed downtown to see the sights.  Missoula is a very nice city that appears to have a strong community spirit.  There are many parks that encourage their citizens and visitors to enjoy the outdoors.  Along the banks of Clark Fork  river at Caras Park there is a beautiful carousel that the community worked together to build for the children of Missoula to enjoy.  The school children actually raised enough pennies to pay for four of the intricately designed animals on the carousel.  Adjacent to the carousel is a dragon themed playground that is beyond the imagination.  Just outside of the downtown area there is a memorial rose garden dedicated to all of the men and women from Montana who have lost their lives in foreign wars or in service to their citizens as law officers and firefighters.  It is a very moving tribute to the memory of these dedicated citizens. Our day in the city was extremely relaxing and just what we needed for a change of pace.


Kayaker playing in the rapids of the Clark Fork river as it flows through downtown.



Children and adults enjoy the carousel they worked so hard for.

Reaching for a ring from the dragon's mouth.

The Library Dragon.   To clarify: Me and the Library Dragon.

The children had a role in helping to design this fun filled playground.

Stately old court house in the historical area of town.

Some very large trout in Caras Park.

The roses were a fitting backdrop for the memorial park.

One of the inspiring monuments dedicated to those lost in the Korean war.

Many of the rose bushes have been planted in memory of loved ones.

The Vietnam Memorial.