Muellerstuff II

Big Mike @ Museum of the Rockies

This place is worth a stop or even a detour. The only bad thing to say about Bozeman is that Ted Turner has recently opened a restaurant there in the Hotel Baxter. Even with that black mark, they do serve pretty good food, especially if you like buffalo or bison I think they call it now. Sort of like Native Americans instead of Indians. Ted's Montana Grill is what they call it.

The dinosaur section of this museum, on the edge of Montana State University, is very well done. I especially like the way they have displayed these creatures, or what is left of them, together with notes on how they did it and where, something on the scientific method and what the significance of these findings are. For young people it is probably worth a day away from their usual schools.

Rimrocks Above Billings Montana USA

“In beholding old stones we may feel our anxieties about our achievements–and lack of them–slacken . . . Vast landscapes [and seascapes] can have an anxiety–reducing effect similar to ruins, for they are the representatives of infinite space, as ruins are the representatives of infinite time, against which our weak, short-lived bodies seem no less inconsequential than those of moths or spiders.”

—Alain de Botton in Status Anxiety

Grandsons @ Custer Battlefield

This is a really well done National Monument or whatever Uncle Sam calls these historical places when he takes care of them. The boys and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. The place was crowded on a weekday in the summer time.

They are growing quickly, aren't they? Nic, soon to be 12 years, will be in 6th grade in September; and Zac, soon to be 9 years will be in 4th grade. Both above average, of course.