Thursday, June 23, 2011

MT -– Paradise Valley, 9-11 June 2011

 

Map picture

The highlight of our Montana trip so far!

Our campsite was on the Yellowstone River between Livingston and Gardiner Montana just north of Yellowstone National Park.  It was an “RV Resort” in a great location which meant a higher price tag but it was worth it!

Paradise MT10 - 11 Jun 2011    Paradise MT11 - 11 Jun 2011

On our first full day, Arleen and I went on a 40-mile bike ride.  It was supposed to be a loop, but we had to backtrack about 10 miles when we were stopped by private property.  And those 10 miles of backtracking were all fairly rough dirt road.  It was brutal on our “touring” bicycles (no shocks, hard and narrow wheels, and stiff frames).  Many of the ranches were amazing.  Some were even for sale but for as much $1.5 million!  We took a much needed rest stop at Dailey Lake.  It was beautiful.  We want to experience the primitive camping at the lake, but don’t know how the trailer would do on 10 miles of rough dirt road.  That’s another lesson we’ll have to learn the hard way!!

Paradise MT 3 - 10 Jun 2011    Paradise MT4 - 10 Jun 2011    Paradise MT 10 Jun 2011

Paradise Valley MT bike ride - 10 June 2011

On our second full day, we drove up to a trailhead and went on a roughly 3-mile hike.  Our plan was to go up for 45-60 minutes and then head back.  At the 45-minute point we were in a beautiful meadow hemmed in by higher mountains.  Clouds nearby were darkening and the white cloud tops looked like growing cauliflower.  It was just a matter of time before they’d grow into thunderstorms so we headed back.  As I started up the truck, the sky let loose and thunder cracked loudly…our timing was perfect!  Sometimes, we weather forecasters get it right!

Paradise MT7 - 11 Jun 2011    Paradise MT6 - 11 Jun 2011   

Paradise Valley MT hike - 11 June 2011

This was certainly the most beautiful place we’ve stayed so far.  There is a lot to do and the campground was top-notch.  There is a cabin built above the guest facilities lodge.  The cabin has a second story deck that overlooks the Yellowstone River.  Ellen had this cabin for three nights and we grilled steaks up there one gorgeous Montana afternoon.  It was pretty close to perfect.

Paradise MT9 - 11 Jun 2011             Paradise MT8 - 11 Jun 2011

Even as nice it was, neither Arleen nor I could give it a perfect “5”.  The price would have to be much lower and it would have to be further from the road.  We’d go back in a heartbeat, but in the meantime, we’ll keep searching for that perfect camp spot.

  Paradise MT12 - 11 Jun 2011

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