Oesch Wild West Adventure Part IV

Part IV begins with our drive from Rapid City, SD to Bozeman, MT. This was our longest leg of the trip. But before leaving South Dakota we stopped off in some great western towns. First up, Sturgis, South Dakota...home of the motorcycle rally. We missed the big bike events by about one week- probably a good idea with a 2.5 year old. But thanks to some of my dealer customers I got to see some great pics prior to arriving in the town.

legendary bike bar

We then traveled a short way to the town of Deadwood...a small gambling town.

the drive to Deadwood

main street strip



We stopped in Spearfish for a diaper change because then we were off for Bozeman and our day long expedition in the car.

the wide open road in MT

Occasionally we would pass through very small towns. This one in particular was an Indian reservation and they were due for an upcoming election.

As we got closer to Bozeman, the landscape begin to be less barren and more plentiful with streams.

We checked into our hotel in Bozeman, grabbed a quick bite to eat in downtown and then returned to get a great night's rest...as tomorrow we were taking the trip through Big Sky to the Western entrance into Yellowstone National Park.

I loved the open wide spaces of the west. this was on our drive down to the Park entrance. something so classic abut a red barn.

Rett dreaming of fly fishing

the view from Big Sky

Emma fell asleep from Big Sky to the Park entrance so we hopped out quickly to take these pics.

she woke up just in time for our first stop in the Park

we found a great picnic area for lunch

after lunch we "hiked down to the stream

one of our favorite family pics

the heat of the water mixed with the changing colors of the rock and water was an amazing sight

As we continued to drive through the Park, we were trying to spot wildlife...we hadn't seen much until...

odd that he was away from the herd but amazing to see

walking through the town at the North Entrance of the Park



exiting the Park for the day

the town of Gardiner; it sits at the North Entrance

Parks' Fly Fish Shop- Rett and his Dad fished with them when Rett was a boy

The adventures in Montana and Yellowstone continue...