Making the Most of a Different Looking Favorite Stop

 August 12 - 18, 2021

Ennis, Montana

The drive from I-90 along MT 359, then MT 287 into Ennis is lovely. Two-lane but lightly traveled and smooth roads. After just 112 miles we're back at Ennis RV Village, a place we recommend to anyone coming to this area. Large, level, 50 amp FHU sites overlooking the Madison River Valley is hard to beat. Light smoke surrounds us, but it will get much worse over our stay.

We've been looking forward to this front yard view overlooking the Madison River Valley.

Large sites with plenty of Tessa room.

It's the start of our birthdaypalooza with Ezra on the 12th and Bill the 13th. A few years difference in age :-) Three more before the month is over.

So fun to video chat with Ezra while he opens his presents. Seeing his excitement is much better than having to miss it completely. Wish we could be there for his party on Saturday!

For Bill's party we head to the Gravel Bar where we enjoy a tasty lunch with a few tasty cocktails while we participate in the fantasy football Gravel League draft! My first time (the fantasy football, not the food and cocktails), and it's really, really fast to pick all those players! But we have a great time and each get a good number of players we want. A fun and unique way to spend his birthday at the perfect spot!

Happy birthday boy!

Ennis has a decent market with a good selection of fresh produce. Still it doesn't have Tessa's food or decaf coffee pods (gasp!) so a trip to Bozeman is our adventure for one day. Hwy 84 takes us below rocky cliffs, along the Madison River, and through rolling gold and green ranchland. Sadly we're once again in thick smoke, and our views go from blurred to completely blocked. 

We do find a fabulous eatery, Stone Castle Cafe, with fun and friendly staff, and some of the best food we've had in a long time. Definitely recommended when you're in Bozeman!

The air is so gross that as soon as the few groceries are loaded we head back home. 

Thousands of tubers dot the Madison River on a hot August afternoon.

We spend more time inside than usual, but make the drive along Ennis Lake and Madison River on the smokiest day we've had. A few people are fishing before the 2 PM daily no-more-fishing-until-midnight deadline, and even fewer are playing in the water. Although it's hot, it's not pleasant to be outside. 

One goal when we went full-time was to see grizzly, wolf, bighorn sheep, elk, moose and mountain goat. All but one were crossed off the list in the first 2.5 years, and we were beginning to think we'd never see a moose! Certainly we never expected to see one crossing farmland, jumping fences :-)

Zoom shot from 100 yards, he is soooo huge!

Ennis Lake

The whimsical gate catches my eye in front of this cute cottage.

Madison River

Madison Dam

One of several large rock falls.

Several large Osprey nests have visible residents.

To the south, the gray smoke has turned a dirty yellow.

Hwy 287 to the north takes us through two restored mining towns, Virginia and Nevada Cities. Last time we stopped at both, and perused the vintage buildings. This time it's a slow drive through, and another 30 miles north. We make a few stops along Ruby River and at Ruby Lake (no rubies were found in the area, but the garnets were misidentified long enough for names to stick!), laughing at "Scenic View" pull-overs which are "not". 

Montana does several things really well, one of those being the Historic Markers along many of their highways. This area is rich in mining history and the markers tell the story in great detail.

We haven't seen much color this summer so this little scatter of yellow is a treat.

Unlike Ennis Lake, Ruby Lake is not at capacity. 

Winds are picking up and this spillway looks and sounds like a churning cauldron. 

Large bobbins of hay ready for the winter ahead.

Tuesday afternoon brings more atmospheric drama with brutal winds. By 5 PM we have all the slides in, and the rig is rocking. Fortunately we can access everything we need with the snug configuration of no slide space and go to bed with everything still tucked in. 

It rains overnight and our views are still obscured when we wake Wednesday morning - but rain clouds are so much better than stinky smoke! My attitude is instantly improved (lucky Bill). The winds have died down and the temps have dropped. From a high of 90 to a high of 57 in 24 hours! Slides out and heater on, it's like having traveled through time :-)

Not clear, but so much better.

Having a last day of no smoke reminds us why we love this area so much. A final drive through the countryside confirms we'll definitely be back. We see more wildlife than we have all week. 

A return to the Osprey nest at feeding time.

A small Antelope herd in town.

Don't you hate when your photo is taken while you're eating?

Diverse Llama herd

What?

Downtown art.

Next stop we hope to meet up with good friends in another beautiful place, where we also hope for continued clear skies!