Friday 14th July

We left Whitehall, Montana after some DIY with the curtains to ensure the boys actually went to sleep.

We grabbed breakfast and learnt that one man at had 19 grandchildren and Nate was called “the light of the world” I think the man meant all children, not just Nato Potato.

We hit the road for a short drive up to the Lewis & Clark Caves. Not much between the hotel and the caves, but we did start climbing and reached 5,300 feet.

Strange part were the caves are named after Lewis & Clark even though they had nothing to do with the caves. It was deer hunters who found them, limestone quarry owners who blew them up with dynamite and the US government who now look after it.

We met our tour guide Jim “Jimbob” Stern. Ex primary school teacher turned cave guide who just celebrated his 75th birthday. Jim liked children and corny jokes, it made for such an entertaining tour. We had folks from Washington, Montana and New York on the tour. Jim nearly fell backwards when Elliott proudly stated England!

We ventured into the historic caves which are amazing to look at and feel the temperature. Natures air conditioning. We took jackets as it drops to 9 degrees down there.

Jim dropped a bunch of historic and geological information and fielded a bunch of questions from a group of several young children. Time went very fast, but Jim’s stopwatch kept us on track. Elliotts favourite part was when Jim told us that the cave doors need to be closed in sequence otherwise people were being thrown into the cave walls due to the winds.

Jimbobs advice to us as we left was “keep talking funny” to which Daddy said “The Kings English” agree to disagree etc

We headed into Butte, Montana a larger town with a striking granite quarry that dominates the scenery as you drive in.

We knew of the Wop Chop Shop from Man vs Food (we researched the places we were passing). One lady seemed to be running everything from the bar, food service and payment. Unfortunately the Wop Chop we a little underwhelming, but the restaurant was authentic and still had a pay phone in the back.

The bill came in at $28 (which we thought was a mistake) this also included a coke for $1 which is the cheapest we have seen for the whole trip.

The next stop was Three Bears Alaska. Daddy had researched it was the only Three Bears outside of Alaska. It was an interesting mix of Factory Shops, Costco and a Gun Shop.

Turn one aisle you are looking at pharmacy or nappies, turn the next and your face to face with pistols and $2,000 rifles.

Elliott desperately wants to go fishing and after talking to the man in the shop, the rivers here need permits and licenses to fish. We found a local tour that will take us but it’s $700 for the full day. We plan to fish in Michigan once we have some time with Stacey and Trevor.

We also saw our second mullet of the trip. Little Memphis trying on sunglasses with Nate.

We filled up – England needs the tiny clip on the petrol pump for hands free pumping!

Daddy was disappointed that Hong Kong Harry’s wasn’t open.

We headed to Bob Wards Sporting Goods store to see if we could grab Nate more sunglasses. Bobs again had over six aisles dedicated to guns and hunting.

We are becoming local celebrities. After asking a man where the toilets restrooms were, he pointed to the left. When Daddy returned 12 seconds later with the second child, Daddy overheard “I couldn’t believe it, I started talking and he was British!”

Daddy picked up some light reading.

We knew about a local park and water slide place called Stodden Park. We didn’t pay for the water park, but the boys enjoyed the nearly brand new equipment and swings.

Mummy and Daddy talked about if it was possible to move to Butte, Montana. Larger town, more going on, outdoor lifestyle, good climate. It’s been our favourite place so far.

After wearing the boys out in the playground we had a short 1hr (by Montana standards) drive to the hotel.

The hotel operates an air conditioning via a giant industrial fan policy. It’s not super hot outside so it’s fine, but if the temperature would creep up it would be uncomfortable. We eat dinner at the Hitchin Post, literally the only place to eat in town. We were told the nearest Safeway supermarket is 1hr 15mins away.

Immediately after walking into the only bar in town, Elliott is telling three fishermen from Utah about his 10 week trip and National Park badges. They are here to fish and fish the lake for rainbow trout.

We are in mosquito heaven, Daddy headed outside to grab Elliotts cream and around 30 mosquitoes left the sanctuary of Daddy car. We also saw Nate’s dream car on the way back.

We decided to leave the Montana Folk Festival and the Bannock historical family day out and have a chill day. It will be the first one since Orlando and we are all slightly unsure what to do!

Saturday 15th July

Saturday. Chill day. The only thing planned for today was too chill and play with the boys.

We lucked out after Mummy spoke to the lady on the front desk that Ken (the owner) sticks the sprinklers on at 10am every day. The boys spent the next few hours running through the maze of 7/8 sprinklers.

Next on the list was cornhole or cornbag or cornbags or bean bag throwing. An American game, but quite simple and lots of fun.

Daddy tried to read some of his Montana Hunter Education manual, but unfortunately Nate spilled his drink all over the book. Daddy laid the book out in the Montana sun to dry. Daddy started to learn about how to harvest a carcass in bear country, when the boys interrupted wanting to play football, tag, volleyball, anything.

One fact Daddy got from the book was – 30% of hunting related injuries happening in turkey hunts. This is due to the hunters dressing in full camo and using a turkey whistle to attract the birds. Problem is the other hunters think that’s a turkey and end up shooting each other.

Seemed like most folks had rented ATVs and headed off to fish the river. We were completely alone for the most of the day surrounded by enormous motor homes.

Conversations throughout today:

• How much do these motor homes cost? Montana (branded) ones range from $85,000 at 38 feet to $140,000 at 48 feet.
• When does the train go past?
• How do you play volleyball?
• What temperature is it in Polson tomorrow?
• Why is the mortgage rates in the UK so high?
• Why do people live in Melrose, Montana?
• Is there “big game” in the UK?
• What is in Jungle Spray?
• Shall we book another holiday!

We headed to the Hitchin Post for a Groundhog Day meal with the same waitresses and same people seated near us. As we were leaving Elliott saw his fishing buddies from Utah, next thing we know he’s on a FaceTime call with one of the fishermen’s family!

Tomorrow, we are hitting the road and driving 3hrs up to Polson. We have a few interesting stops along the way before arriving near Glacier National Park. Exciting!

Sunday 16th July

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