Driving the Great Northwest - Western Hospitality, Montana Style

After some sightseeing along the Missouri River in Great Falls (click here to read the story), and dinner at the Cattleman's Cut Supper Club, Stijn's buddies showed us some more Western hospitality by taking us out on the town. 

So off to the "O'Haire Motor Inn"  we went to have a few drinks and listen to some music.  It just so happens that the World famous "Sip'n Dip Tiki Lounge!"  is located upstairs just off of the lobby.

Now let me tell you, this place was standing room only!  It took us a little while before we could even get a seat.  I'm sure you're asking yourself, "What is the attraction that makes the Sip'n Dip so popular?"  Well let me tell you.....while your sipp'in on your fancy little drink with the umbrella in it you can watch the mermaid swim behind the bar and listen to "Piano Pat" sing a few of your favorite songs!

I'm not kidding!!

The best way for me to express just how popular this place is, is to let you see this video I took.  Just try to endure it for a little while.  The music in the background is "Piano Pat" playing her keyboard and singing away!


Okay stop laughing!

I do have a video of Piano Pat, but I won't do that to you.  But here is a picture!

I felt quite honored to have been able to experience this World famous entertainment.  I know, I 've said it twice now "World Famous".  Well in my research it seems that GQ magazine listed the Sip'n Dip among the top 10 bars in the World!  It's true!  You can read about it here.

For Stijn, it sure was  a great place to have a drink and share some laughs and reminisce about good times with good friends!

Driving the Great Northwest - A Day in Great Falls

During our stay in Billings this past April we took the drive up to "Great Falls" to visit a couple of Stijn's high school buddies from when he was an exchange student in Billings.

It was a beautiful drive through this part of the State on Hwy 191 and Hwy 87 to Great Falls.  I love seeing wildlife and we saw plenty of Pronghorn Antelope along the way.  Sorry no pictures, but Click here if you're curious about these beautiful animals.

After we arrived Cliff and Jared took us out to see the "Great Falls" of which this city is named for when Lewis and Clark arrived here on June 13, 1805.

There are five falls along this portion of the Missouri River.  Today we were were able to see a few sites while following the Lewis & Clark Trail along the Missouri River.

The first stop we made was at "Black Eagle Memorial Island". 

This is actually a man made island and is located downstream from "Black Eagle Dam".   It opened to the public in the summer of 2005 and has a 1,500 foot path that links to a viewing area at the tip of the island.

When then headed downstream to "Giant Springs Heritage Park".

Rather then me trying to explain the beauty of this place, I will let you read what William Clark wrote  when he first laid eyes on this spring.

.......the largest fountain or spring I have ever Saw, and doubt if it is not the largest in America ever known, this water boils up from under the rocks near the edge of the river and falls immediately into the river 8 feet and keeps it's colour for a mile which is immensely Clear and of Bluish Cast....

......William Clark

There is a concrete walkway in which you can take a stroll right between the Giant Spring and the Missouri River.   

  

Here you will also see the shortest river in the country.  The Roe River ranks as one of the shortest rivers at 201 feet in length, flowing into the longest river in the country.  The Missouri River is  2,540 miles long, 200 miles longer than the Mississippi River.

It is entirely way to cold and windy on this day to endure too much more.  But we did get a glimpse of one more site along the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Trail.  This folks "Is" the Great Falls!

 

I can just imagine what ol' Lewis and Clark thought when they saw the waterfalls in Oregon!

If you would like to see more pictures of our day just Click here and then click the album "Great Falls"