After leaving Dead Indian Pass we traveled through the switchbacks, canyons and climbing again, we entered Montana (Big Sky Country). We passed quite a few campgrounds and checked a few out for future ‘adventures’. On each campground signs were posted warning: this area is known to have Grizzle Bear “use”.
We may reconsider remote Campgrounds! Adventurous yes, stupid NO!
Cooke City, MT was a mining town that dates back to 1869. “Early mining exploration began in this vast and remote mountain region in 1869 when four trappers/prospectors found galena deposits in elevations of over 7000 feet. The township of Cooke City became the major camp for prospectors and investment companies… The New World Mining District was organized and with incredible determination claims were staked, roads and smelters were built and massive mining equipment appeared on these mountain slopes.” (Taken from the Cooke City Montana Museum website.) Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfide. It is the most important ore of lead and an important source of silver.
Cooke City boosts a population of 140 (as of the 2000 census), yet when we arrived, there were easily 400 – 500 people wandering the streets and restaurants (Main Street is about 2 blocks long). Most of the ‘wheels’ that lined the blocks were of the 2-wheel variety. Motorcycles en route to Sturgis, SD for the 75th annual Motorcycle Rally. I can only imagine riding a motorcycle along the Beartooth Highway (much steeper with more switchbacks than the Chief Joseph Highway). Beartooth Highway connects Cooke City to Red Lodge and then on to Sturgis.
After our long road trip from Cody we went in search of food… There were numerous culinary choices most with a long wait.
We, however, were ravenous and could not wait, so instead, opted to partake of the cuisine at the Miners Saloon. Now usually we don’t tend to eat at ‘saloons’ but hunger overtakes common sense at times.
This saloon looks like it dates back to the 1860’s, don’t know if that is true or not, but that is the feel one gets upon entering this establishment. The music was so LOUD we could hardly communicate even though we were sitting right next to each other. The walls and ceiling had memorabilia posted and hanging from ‘years-gone-by’ i.e. cross-country skis, canoes, ‘stuffed heads’, traps and slot machines in the adjoining room in case anyone felt lucky.
This ‘palace of the past’ had no wait time, so we sat down. The menu was not extensive and boosted of buffalo and beef burgers (we are in he-man country, after all), salads, garden burgers as well as tacos. I decided on Smoked Trout Tacos and Patti had the Garden Burger. Neither of us was, in the least bit, disappointed!!! This eating joint also has gluten free options, go figure, in the middle of ‘he-man’ country no less. It just goes to show that you can’t judge a book or restaurant by it’s cover or facade! Again we encountered a ‘cash-only’ policy and it was lucky we did have cash on hand or we would still be washing dishes. LOL! As we travel through Montana we will definitely have to have cash on hand or eat in Rosalita, as this is the second ‘saloon’ that required cash. Maybe it’s just saloons… that require cash.
After partaking of our lunch we wandered around the town, which was overflowing with flowers, helmets and leather chaps.
A play on words?
We enjoyed our visit to Cooke City very much but alas the dogs will be needing out soon (Booker T and Kona) so we will make our way south again to Cody.
Till we meet again…
gypsyroadgallery 