Livingston, Montana
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by Barbara Cowlin
When we are out on a road trip and come to a town, one of the first questions that comes to mind is "Why is this town here?" Arriving in Livingston, Montana, the answer became apparent when we came to the Livingston Depot.
Inside this historic railroad station, which was designed by the same architectural firm that created Grand Central Station in New York City, is a museum full of displays depicting the history of railroading in the Rocky Mountains. We learned that Livingston was founded by the Northern Pacific Railroad which built the largest roadhouse between Minnesota and the west coast here. The depot was completed in 1902 and served passengers until 1979 many of whom transferred to the branch line that took them to Yellowstone National Park.
 Hint #1 for exploring a new town: take a walk on Main Street. Almost every town has a Main Street or Broadway or Center Street. When we walked down Livingston's Main Street we discovered that it is quite an arts town. Located just a couple of blocks from the Depot is the Danforth Gallery. It is run by the Park County Friends of the Arts and is a first-class space with very nice art and unique hand-made items for sale. I'm always on the lookout for the perfect bag to carry all my stuff-wallet, sketch book and pens, current novel I'm reading and my camera. I found one that is my new favorite. It is made from recycled materials by Montana artist, Tracy Isaly. Traci is best known for her figurative interpretations of the the human form using natural and found materials.
Hint #2 is to strike up a conversation and then see where it leads. Usually a simple question such as where is a good place for lunch will get things rolling. As it turned out, Suzanne Schneider, the volunteer on duty at the Danforth was a font of local information and lore. Suzanne, who used to own a restaurant in Livingston, told us about meeting Robert Redford when he was filming A River Runs Through It on the Yellowstone River. Subsequently, Redford used the back room of her restaurant when he was casting locals for The Horse Whisperer. Livingston and Paradise Valley to the south along US Route 89 have been part of many films because of the quintessential mountain and river scenery.
 We roamed around downtown Livingston to check out some other shops and galleries, then headed for Sacajawea Park which is where Suzanne recommended we go to enjoy our picnic lunch. This wonderful place would be easy to overlook, and what a shame that would have been. A meandering park alongside a lagoon off the Yellowstone River with gorgeous flower gardens, lovely places to relax and eat lunch and a limestone bridge that looked like came out of another place in another century.
After a leisurely lunch, we walked around the park and then climbed back into the Element to continue on to Yellowstone National Park. A bit less patience and curiosity and we would have missed another wonderful experience along US Route 89.
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Pelican Point
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by James Cowlin
On our last trip to Montana, we took a side trip to Helena to meet with Victor Bjornberg at the Office of Tourism. We left US 89 at Choteau and planned to pick it up again at Great Falls. On Victor's advice we headed north on I-15 and got off on the Missouri River Recreation Road to find a place to camp along the river. There are many fishing access points that we thought would work and we finally settled on one called Pelican Point.
I had always thought of pelicans as being shore birds since I had only seen them on the coast of southern California or in the iconic image of a pelican perched on a dock piling. As we found out, pelicans spend their summers along the Missouri River and many other waterways in the northern Rocky Mountains.
The evening we spent at Pelican Point was one of the best for landscape photography-beautiful light on the clouds and hills, spectacular reflections in the river and an occasional pelican to give it scale. Here are four of my favorite photographs.This short side trip helped us place the Missouri River in context with US Route 89.
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Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway
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 Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway has joined the US Route 89 Appreciation Society in support of our efforts to inform the world about the wonders to be found along highway 89. In a letter accompanying the membership, Richard Justis, the Byway Coordinator wrote: "I have for some time been of the opinion the US Route 89 is the most scenic highway in North America. We are pleased to be associated with a group that is committed to the preservation and careful presentation of its natural and cultural wonders."  Take a look at the Brigham City to Monpelier Road Trip Guide for more photos of Logan Canyon. And then visit the Byway's website for complete details on all of recreational opportunities that await your visit. |
Support the "Slow Road" Movement:
Join the US Route 89 Appreciation Society
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 You love driving the two-lane highways that keep you close to the edge of the road so you can see the land at a leisurely pace. You think nothing of stopping along the way to admire the view and smell the fresh air. You seek out unique places to eat where the special of the day depends on what's in season at the nearby farm. You already appreciate the opportunities offered by a journey on US Route 89.
You are not alone in your passion for a trip on a "slow road." There are many others like you. Together we can spread the word of the joys of leisurely travel. Join the US Route 89 Appreciation Society and you'll receive an official membership certificate and button to attest to your belief in the "slow road" movement.
General Membership: $5
Benefits:
· Membership Certificate
· Membership Badge
· Email Newsletter
· Invitations to all project events
Download the Membership Brochure in pdf format |
