Sitting in Buffalo, Wyoming

We were happy to say goodbye to Billings, Montana this morning - the stay has been prosperous for us, bought lots of stuff since there is no sales tax, but ugly due to the weather.  We have had the a/c running just about non-stop since last Monday, the temperatures hitting over 100 every day.  That's just not fun.  Thank goodness our scare of a couple of weeks ago for the a/c was just a scare - was really due to insufficient power at the box.

We found out that about 1/4 mile down from where we were camping at Yellowstone River RV Park was the original first KOA ever.  KOA was founded in 1962. Billings, Montana businessman Dave Drum got the idea to start the campgrounds while walking his property along the Yellowstone River and seeing travellers heading to the Seattle World's Fair. Dave Drum, along with John Wallace and 2 other partners, offered modest campsites on his property north of the Yellowstone River. They called it Billings Campground. For $1.75 per night, campers could pitch their tent on a campsite that included a picnic table and fire ring. This first campground also provided hot showers, restrooms, and a small store. Today there are over 500 KOAs in USA, Canada and Mexico.  Pretty cool.  We drove into the park a couple of days ago to see if there was anything special - and yes, talk about nice.  Most sites were 'super' where they were individually landscaped, had privacy fences between your neighbor and you, and had lots of tree shade.  But, we did not stay there because of the price.

We thought - sure, first?  But it is true!

During our stay in Billings we discovered why that town is called the Magic City.  There is so much expansion going on, the town never saw the recession of 2009 - 2012; no housing bubble; we did not see abandoned buildings or businesses, saw many new and luxurious homes.  They continue to grow big time.  There is also a joke in Montana - if you are in the plains area (east of the mountains) and your dog runs away, you can see the dog running away for a week.  Yep, it's that flat.

Goodbye Yellowstone River!

And goodbye refineries!

We left Billings this morning about 9am, traveled east on Interstate 90 all the way to Buffalo.  At one point we crossed into "Crow Country" meaning we were on the Crow Indian Reservation.  Passed through the Crow Agency, got into some very pretty rolling hills and saw the Big Horn Mountains getting closer as we traveled south.  Not a bad drive - we were on the road a little over 3 hours, traveled 165 miles.  At times the road was very twisty, hilly.  And very smoky in the distance from all the wildfires.  Passed the exit for Custer's Battlefield.  We have no plans on going there - just way too sad.

Near Custer's Battlefield 

Stopped in Sheridan, Wyoming to tank up the RV, realized it's quite a big city (smaller than Billings but bigger than what we saw throughout the rest of Montana). Temperature was hovering about 95 and was disgusted with the heat.  We did not drive with the a/c on the truck (RV) due to all the mountains we were going up and down.  Did not want to tax the engine.  Thankfully tomorrow it should only be 78, yeah!

Big Horn Mountains in the distance

Twisty, turny road 

Left Wyoming 5 weeks ago - we're back!

Pretty!

Tucked in at Deer Park RV in Buffalo, Wyoming and we know why - immediately saw a momma deer and her 2 fawns grazing right in front of us.  Should keep the cats busy as they stare at each other.

Grace says - I see you two

Will stay here a bit, weather is supposed to start dropping into the mid 70's now - a very happy thing for us.  We want to head back into the Big Horn Mountains for some sightseeing - I love the mountains.