Floating Down the Missouri River

Monday, June 8
This morning we climbed on our tour bus and drove to Mid-Canon (pronounced canyon) and boarded inflatable rafts for a two plus hour ride down the Missouri River followed by a picnic lunch - our opportunity to see the river as the Corps of Discovery did.  We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day with clear blue skies and temperatures in the low 90s.

The first step was for our tour group to break up into groups of seven, gather by one of the six inflatable rafts, put on our vests, and get last minute instructions from our "driver."   Here is our group with our raft behind us.

We were then the first group to take off for the journey

We were quick to spot eagles swooping through the air, resting on tree tops or rock outcroppings and one on its nest.  In total we spotted twelve different eagles.

This being spring, we saw lots of geese with their little ones

We also saw several beaver dens

This common merganser and her chicks were sunning on a rock

And these magpies were gathered on  tree keeping an eye out as we went by

In addition we spotted a mule deer, ducks, red winged blackbirds, and ospry and on their nest. Along with the wild life, we enjoyed just soaking up the beauty of our surroundings including these beautiful purple Dame's Rockets.

To give a perspective on the size of these cliffs, here is a picture with several of the inflatable rafts holding members of our group.  They look like little ants!

Our bus driver enjoyed watching us from the road along the edge of the river choosing to stop every once in awhile in a shady pullout area

This bridge was in the movie The Untouchables as the border between Canada and the US.

At the end of our float adventure we pulled out to find a long food laden table ready to feed our hungry crowd.

Then we were off again on our bus and very knowledgeable guide, Don Peterson, so see some more of the countryside and here tales of adventures Lewis and Clark and their experienced in this area. For instance he pointed out this area on the Medicine River where Lewis and his smaller group spent the night while exploring the area on their way back in 1806.

He also pointed out the pass the men used to begin their trek through the mountains and regaled us with stories and journal entries about various other spots within this area.  It was here in the plains that they found their first substantial food after crossing the Rockies and coming close to starving to death.

Don is also an expert on Montana history so we enjoyed stories about the names of towns we passed through, about experiences locals have had with grizzly bears that are plentiful in the area,  and about the wonderful huckleberries that grow in this area. He also pointed out the remains of an old fort, a big stone barn, and a home and outbuildings that go back to the earliest settlers and is still in use today.  

After our travel meeting that followed our day's travels, we joined our Florida friends the Christians and Foulkes as well as one other couple we've all been enjoying, Steve and Connie Pacheco and went out for dinner at the local South of the Border restaurant.  

Then Bette Foulke and I enjoyed a game of pegs and jokers with Dave and Barb Seaberg in their motorhome before calling it a night. 

Tomorrow we are off to Helena, Montana.......