C.M. Russell Museum | Great Falls, Montana

Sunday | 29 July 2001 | Shelby, Montana: The wind calmed a bit over night and we woke to a nice, warm day with just a few clouds. DT wanted to go for a run on the bike path that runs along the Missouri River in downtown Great Falls. We put my new folding bike in the back of the BC2 - and while he ran five miles, I rode with him! Fun and a pretty ride. The "Great Falls" must have been turned off because they were just down to a trickle - the river is seriously dammed in town. I spoke with a local woman picking choke cherries along the river - she said they should change the name of the town to "Great Dams, Montana". I agree! Huge, white pelicans were plentiful in the waters below the dams, and we saw several bunnies along the path.
 
The River Trail in Great Falls a flat path, so DT is the only one who had a real workout... AND BUMMER - my pedometer does not operate correctly while I am on the bike! It was a fun time together and good exercise just the same.
 
After our bike path exploration, we packed-up Goldie and headed back into Great Falls. We parked at the C. M. Russell Museum and went inside to enjoy the art. Charlie M. Russell (1864-1926) is known as "America's Cowboy Artist", and his fine portrayals of the vanishing era of the Old West live on at the museum. His home and studio are also on the museum grounds, at their original sites. The museum owns the most complete collection of his works and memorabilia in the world and at this time a visiting exhibit is showing Russell paintings from nine private collectors.

The Russell Home


The artist's studio (with my artistic inspiration on the porch)

Unlike most "Western" artists, Russell actually lived in the West. He was born in St. Louis and moved to Montana when he was only 16 years old - because of a keen interest in the 'cowboy life'. He worked on ranches as a cowhand before becoming a full-time artist. Russell was one of the most successful artists of his time.
 
The Russell Museum is quite lovely - roomy, well lighted and a great gift shop! We spent nearly three hours looking through the paintings, sculptures, the house and studio. After a quick tour of downtown Great Falls, we continued north on Interstate 15.
 
The wind was again beginning to blow hard again and DT was not having fun driving, so we pulled over about 35 miles south of the Canadian border at the Lewis and Clark RV Park in Shelby, Montana. Shelby is a very small town - just over 2,000 people - home of the Coyotes, according the sign on the high school. The proprietor of the Lewis & Clark RV Park says this wind will last for 36 hours. (Last night the official reading was 75 mph gusts in Great Falls.)

Big Sky Country: the sunset from the Lewis & Clark RV Park in Shelby, Montana

As the wind kept blowing, the little campground kept filling-up. It seemed all the drivers were over-tired and it was a quiet evening in Shelby! Tonight we will enjoy a home-made pizza, salad and watch all my favorite shows on HBO. Needlepointing will occur.

RV Park: The Lewis and Clark RV Park