Category: Montana

#98 Finlen Hotel in Butte, MT

11/2/2015

The Fine Finlen!

There is something eerie and wonderful about this grand hotel in the heart of uptown Butte. Don and I were pretty delighted when we spotted the building and roof sign, high on the hill. There was no need for Mapquest, we just let the car head upwards through the curious city... towards that fine sign!

Right Here Since 1889!

Well, this building wasn't here that long ago, but the old McDermott hotel was built on the spot in 1889. James Finlen bought the hotel in 1902. By the 1920's Butte was booming with over 100,000 people. By 1923, Finlen had grander ideas and tore down the old hotel to make way for this 9-story beauty.

Since Don knows a thing or two about roofs, he was most impressed with the copper shingled roof, crowning this French Second Empire style hotel.

More Changes

I love historic hotels, but I also am a fan of retro motels. So, how fun that a 32-room motor inn was added to the complex in the 1950's. Some would find the combination odd, but I appreciate all kinds of hotel & motel history. I loved the sleek bi-level structure built around the convenient parking lot.

Renovated Lobby

Butte has suffered the woes of many mining towns. Many of their gorgeous, historic buildings need some tending. Luckily the Tarras Family knew a good thing and bought the hotel in 1979. They have done my favorite kind of renovation, which means you can still feel the history when you walk in. The lobby with chandeliers and copper leaf columns was pretty stunning.

Retro Reminders

The modern furniture and the mirrored Coffee Shop sign allowed me to imagine the hotel in the 1940's when there were 200 rooms at $2.50 each. It was fun trying to picture Charles Lindbergh when he stayed, or JFK as a senator, staying as a guest, or Vice President Nixon.

Chandeliers

I took a peek in the Treasure State Ballroom to see the crystal chandeliers hanging above the original maple dance floor. Why don't I ever get invited to shindigs in places like this? Then I took the impressive staircase up to the second floor for a view of the lobby chandeliers.

A Different Look

I guess all chandeliers don't look the same. This made me want to learn more about the evolution of the chandelier. The one thing I do know, is they are difficult to clean. I helped my mom once. It is not a fun chore.

Ionic Columns

The sitting area on the second floor allowed for a great view of the ritzy columns.

I first got curious about columns in my high school Humanities class. I always liked the ionic style that reminded me of curled up cinamon rolls. (especially if I missed breakfast) But the columns I remember viewing during those endless slideshows, were mostly stone ones from ancient Greece or Rome. Never once did I spot a column painted with copper leaf! I wouldn't want one in my house, but I loved being surrounded by them in the hotel.

Third Floor

We had elevator options, which was nice, since we were on the third floor. There are actually only two floors for hotel guests. The upper floors are now apartments.

Don and I have stayed at a couple eerie hotels that have long term boarders. There can be something uncomfortable about guests and residents sharing a building. But we pretty much didn't see anyone in the building at all, so no problems there. Unless being alone in a hotel makes you feel uneasy.

Our Room

There are only 24 hotel rooms and we lucked out with 313A, which was a spacious 2-room suite. For $115. we had a quiet corner room with fresh paint and carpet, microwave and fridge and TV. We had 4 windows in our 2 rooms and a total of 6 doors... which amused me.

More...

The extra room, that we weren't expecting, was a little odd. This couch would have been handy had one of us suffered insomnia in the night and needed another room to read.

The small extra room had its own door to the hall and an odd closet, that held a sink. The bathroom was nothing special. No granite, or fancy fixtures but it was all grand luxury to us. We were on day 12 of a road trip and many of our stays had been at National Park lodges or historic inns, with odd and aged bathrooms.

Quite the View

One window had a view of the street below, with a few neon signs. But I loved the window, next to the fire escape. In the day you could see the small city spread out below, with mountains in the distance. In the early morning, the lights twinkled like Christmas.

A Couple of Lounges

The main hotel entrance was on Broadway. Further down, the hotel had two more doors, to the Cavalier Lounge and the Copper Bowl. There was something intriguing and almost daring about retro lounge doors.

We hadn't quite figured out the uptown vibe yet. Was this area safe? Who might be the regulars at a bar like the Cavalier? As it turns out, the Copper Bowl is now a renovated art deco space, available for rent. We didn't get to have a peek. But the Cavalier was open for business.

Cavalier Lounge

So we gave the Cavalier some business. What a hoot this place was with the green padded bar and sleek stools. Who knows when the last renovation was, but I found it pretty deluxe just as it was.

Martinis with a Sword

Sam, the bartender served us each a martini with a plastic sword and classic cocktail napkin. He even used the old cash register to make change. He told us he'd been working the bar for 10 years. I liked his pleasant relaxed manner. He laughed when I asked what bartenders prefer being called these days. "I don't really care. Just don't call me a Mixologist!" He shook his head, "It's not rocket science back here." Sam went on to talk about his appreciation for the renovation of the old hotel. He talked about 9/11 (since it was September 11) and he talked about his concerns over latest clashes between police and youth. These weren't conversations that ever took place in this lounge in the 1940's or '50s.

The Finlen and Butte

It's important to note that when you stay at the Finlen, you get Butte right along with it. It didn't take long to feel comfortable. I loved walking from the lobby, right onto Broadway. In less than 24 hours, we enjoyed 3 meals in historic restaurants. We visited the miner's memorial and we shopped at the Saturday market on Main Street. It's a town with huge potential and I hope more of the city can be renovated.

What's Notable?

Initially I felt like The Finlen dominated the small city. Butte no longer seems large enough to support a grand hotel. But in this photo, the hotel is clearly just a part of the curious old mining town. I will always remember our stay here as a mysterious mixture of hotel and town. There's something so intriguing about the history of this area and the hotel, that it just makes me keep asking questions. I'm so rooting for Butte and The Finlen! There's a lot worth preserving here!

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#97 Lake McDonald Lodge

10/28/2015

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Glacier Park Montana in September 2015

This was our second night in Glacier National Park, at our second lodge. We had to grin. "It's another Swiss style lodge!"

"Going-to-the-Sun-Road"

Getting there was half the fun. The drive from one lodge to the next included a spectacular drive on a scenic road, with a curious name...winding around Swiss style mountains, of course!

Check-In

The staff was quite welcoming and let us check in early. That was a nice surprise since all the lodges are pretty well booked this time of year.

Swiss Cottage with a Bit of Old West

The lobby was not quite as large as the one at Many Glacier Hotel, but to me it was more impressive. It extended up to the 3rd floor with rustic railings and log support beams. The lantern style light fixtures with their colorful Native American symbols dangled from the dim ceiling like some sort of modern Calder mobile.

Cozy Everywhere

The rustic décor of the lodge felt homey. The fact that guests just sat down and played the old piano now and then shows how "at home" people felt. It even looked like the mounted animals were enjoying the music. If only the massive fireplace had been lit! Although maybe they were trying not to draw attention to stonework with primitive carvings. Maybe they get tired of explaining to people that the swastika symbol belonged to the Native Americans long before Hitler adopted it. This hotel was built over 100 years ago.

A Perfect Corner

On day 11 of our road trip, Don and I were getting pretty good at lugging our stuff upstairs. I hardly minded the chore, since we got to enjoy this unique stairway, tucked into the corner.

When John Lewis built this hotel in 1913, I imagine he was pretty delighted with how this stair structure turned out. The natural burled log element made me feel like I was a character in a fairytale. I could have been Goldilocks tiptoeing up those sliced log stairs!

Two Beds

There was nothing loggy about our room, #313. You have to pay bigger bucks at most lodges to get the "original style rooms". But there were 2 beds for Mama and Papa Bear and Baby Bear would have loved the doors that opened to a sweet little balcony with a (slightly) pine obstructed view of Lake Mc Donald!

A View and a Bath!

The warm fall weather allowed us to open the doors and let in the beautiful view. The bathroom was pretty much what I've grown to expect from National Parks. But how can you complain when you think about what those rich Easterners endured on their travels to the lodge in 1913. And then they had to wash up in shared baths down the hall!
Sink Note: It was a little amusing trying to wash my face. The thin glass shelf above the sink prevented my water-filled hands from reaching my face... if that makes sense.

Wandering

The third floor balcony gave us a good peek at the critters that John Lewis once trapped and hunted. I would never be able to kill one of these beautiful beasts of the west, but I admit I did love studying their sweet faces. You don't ever get to be up close and personal with animals like this, not even in the zoo.

Being up on the third floor also gave us a good view of the light fixtures. They were acquired in 1960 from the beautiful Prince of Wales Hotel, on the Canadian side of Glacier. I still don't know how old the are.

I also liked the people watching abilities from high above. Like I've said before, park lodge travelers are a different bunch, especially in the fall. Where else do you see so many people reading real books? Better yet, reading books with the glowing lamps strapped onto their heads? We saw a few.

The Lodge's Best Face

The back of the lodge, that faces the lake is the prettiest! Our room was on the upper right side, above the stucco... where you see the brown clapboard and carved, white trim.

DeSmet Boatride

From our room we could see the old wooden boat touring on the lake. The weather was ideal, so we bought tickets for the 3:00 tour.

Full Boat

I stayed on the boat till the passengers departed to get a shot of the old wooden bench seats. During the ride, the seats were filled. Our Ranger/Guide told amusing and interesting stories while passengers shuffled around, shifting seats and levels for new views, now and then.

Disturbing the Glassy Water

There was limited room in the outside areas and on the upper deck. It was worth waiting in line for an upstairs visit, to see the glassy water, twisting behind the boat.

So Still

Even our guide seemed impressed with the lack of wind. These boat rides can be pretty chilly on gusty days. We lucked out, once again!

Best Time of Day

The back patio, with hanging flower baskets and and massive log furniture was ideal for an evening glass of wine and beer. I snatched a rocker and was in heaven as I gazed down the hill towards the water. I did have to make a dash down the stairway at one point, for a photo! Then it was back to my rocker and time to chat with the others who were also enjoying the view. There were such interesting people, from far away places, sharing the lodge.

A Dining Adventure

How can you not have a great dinner in a room that looks like this? But I knew we'd be having some extra fun, since I was traveling with my vintage cookbook, put out by Ford Motor Company. The book usually promotes a little fun.

Ordering

The dining room was busy, so I didn't want to distract our server, Breezy about the book. I just asked, "Do you have Beef Steak Stroganoff?" which was clearly not on the menu. She laughed and said she wished they did. I told her I was really surprised they didn't have it, but I would order Bison Meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and beans. Don had a smoked trout and all was delicious!

Then...

By the time we finished, the atmosphere in the room was relaxed with diners finishing desert and sipping coffee. Breezy seemed less rushed so I showed her why I'd expected Stroganoff. She was properly amused.

Breezy rushed over to share the cookbook with the hostess. They studied the lodge photo and recipe and couldn't believe such a book existed. We told them we have a few of these old Ford Books and have made a game of visiting the places that haven't disappeared. Breezy posed with us in front of the old fireplace.

What's Notable?

There was cozy mix of 3 worlds in this lodge! The Swiss chalet, the Old West Ranch and the Native American Theme, all blended perfectly for me. It was the right size and cluttered with comfy reminders of the past. One of my favorites!

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#96 Many Glacier Hotel 2015

10/26/2015

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Is this really Montana?

How can this even be in the U.S.? This Swiss-looking scene greeted us as we headed down the stairs from the upper parking lot. The staff at the desk welcomed us with much enthusiasm. Many spoke with European accents, which added to the international feel of the place. Were they always in such high spirits? Maybe, but a few admitted they were pretty excited about seeing the mountains without smoke. We lucked out and arrived on the first day of clear skies in weeks.

Across the Lake

To get a good feel for the size of this massive hotel, you can hike the 2.6 mile trail that loops around Swiftcurrent Lake. It's just amazing to look across the lake and think about this stone and wood superstructure being built in 1914! It's easy to see why this lodge became known as "The Gem of the West".

Love the Uniform

My friend here was a good sport, posing outside by the flowers. He and the other bellhops and desk help admitted they didn't love wearing the lederhosen. One showed me an old photo of a bellhop nearly 100 years ago. "See, they didn't always have to wear this uniform!" I wondered if it got cold in the winter? But then I learned Many Glacier was getting ready to close for the season. Maybe that was another reason for cheery spirits?

The American Alps

It was early September and the air already had a brisk feel of fall. The dusting of snow on some of the mountains made the stone chimney look extra inviting. I loved the Swiss Chalet look of the balconies and painted trim. It was hard to believe we arrived at this wonderful place without using a passport!

Interior

The lobby was comically large. Rows of balconies surrounded the open space which was scattered with cozy seating areas. The most coveted couches were centered around the circular fireplace at the north end. The arrangement allowed for more seating, but I was frustrated that they never used the enormous stone fireplace near the front entrance. I was also frustrated that many people took naps around the fire. Yes, fires make you drowsy, but they should have put a time limit on that prime seating!

Hall of Information

The long hallway connecting the lobby and dining rooms was actually quite entertaining. It was also often congested with people standing and enjoying the old photographs, maps and history that lined the walls. You have to love the folks who stay at historic lodges. They all carry big cameras and read anything that's posted.

Doors and Windows

I appreciate a good door and ours to Room 222 was quite memorable. Not only did it have a snazzy Swiss shield presenting our room number, but it had a quaint, no-frills barn look about it! As for windows, we lucked out with two windows in our tiny corner room. Both had spectacular views, but especially the lake-facing window.

Tiny Room, Tiny Bed

Don and I never expect luxury on our lodge stays. But we think it's funny when they try to trick us into thinking the bed is large and luxurious by pillow placement. Luckily Don can fall asleep easily anywhere... and he stays asleep! If he tossed and turned that 6'2" frame as much as I do, we'd both be in trouble.

Animals Encounters

It's often the people encounters that make an overnight memorable for me. But animal encounters can rank pretty high. Don was intrigued with the curly-horned friend we found parked outside the gift shop. I was more interested in the live animals, particularly the horses. Horseback riding was one of the original attractions for the lodge, when the wealthy visited 100 years ago. I wish I'd had the time... and the wealth to enjoy.

Animal Non-Encounters

I can't believe I'm giving photo space to these tiny specks on the mountainside! (And I zoomed in as far as I could!) But these photos make it clear I did not have a close encounter with a brown bear or a white mountain goat.

Enjoying Our "Boat"

When evening came, the temps dropped and guests moved inside. Don and I took a little wine to the lower deck and waited for the clouds to break up. There was a steady breeze that made me long for a blanket. I had to keep reminding myself, as I looked at the lake over the railing, "I'm actually not on a boat."

Glow on the Water

The sun peeked out just a bit as it got ready to lower behind the mountains. Then they called us to our table for dinner.

Who cares about food?

We got a lovely table in the Ptarmigan Dining Room, which was a lot more crowded than when I took this photo.

I was so distracted by the window, I couldn't concentrate on the menu. I kept popping up to check on the sunset, acting like a squirmy 4 year old who should have been left with a babysitter. We did enjoy a lodge-worthy, "Loose Elk Sandwich" with salad, later.

Enjoying with Strangers

Luckily we were surrounded by tourists and waitstaff who were also distracted. It was pretty sweet, stepping out the door and onto the steps to share the sunset giddiness with strangers.

You would have thought the employees would have had enough photos by the end of their 4-5 month season. But when I saw a few taking selfies together... and offering sentimental hugs... I realized it was like the end of summer camp for them. Most were headed back home to Eastern Europe.

Morning

We slept well and woke to a beautiful sunrise. The mountains that were reflected in the the smooth water were clearer than the real thing!

Those Aged Early Risers

There were quite a few folks roaming around with cameras, bright and early. I should have guessed, since the lodge and it's 215 rooms seemed sound asleep by 9 pm the night before.

Maybe that's because there are no TVs and hardly any wifi and cell abilities at the lodge. Or maybe it's because National Park Lodge guests are pretty outdoorsy and exhaust themselves hiking. Or maybe it's because the fall guests are all so dang old. At least that's what Don and I chuckled about, until we realized they were pretty much our age.

Acting Our Age

So we embraced our age and did what retired folks do. Don fished that morning. He got the idea from a couple we met in Three Forks, MT who said we should pick up a cheap rod at Walmart on the way to Glacier. "You don't have to have a license to fish!"

Me?

I did the thing I always thought retired folks did.

I sat. But I was looking out over the most amazing views... and I was watching my husband fish.

Nothing Wrong With That

There really is nothing wrong with that, since the image of Don fishing was rather intriguing. it's hard to tell in the photo, but those are not trees beyond his green jacket. I was shooting downward and that's actually lake water in the background... reflecting the green mountain.

What's Notable?
Many Glacier Hotel takes you back in time... and I love time travel!

The old Red Jammers and the tour boats still shuttle tourists just as they did back when National Parks were a new thing! Even sitting on the deck chairs looking at the lake over the railing, made me feel like I was on an old ship seeing a world I'd never seen. The charm of the old lodge, boats and cars does take you back. But the isolation of this idyllic location is what completes the package!

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#95 Boulder Hot Springs Hotel

10/21/2015

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Boulder, Montana

We spotted this colorful sign before reaching our hotel. It made us very curious about what we were really getting ourselves into. Could it really be all those things at once?

Less Colorful

The rambling earthy complex, was certainly large enough to be many things! And I was actually pleased to see all the browns and tans, blending into the foot of the mountain. This was much more intriguing than the bright little sign suggested.

Such An Odd History

Miners and ranchers came to this site as early as 1863 to enjoy the saloon and bathhouse. By 1890, there was a large Victorian addition with a veranda. There had been a number of renovations even before this 1920 photo was taken.

Today

We found the hotel under partial renovation when we arrived in September 2015. Sadly, this end of the hotel was closed to guests. I wish we could have explored this part, with the grand lobby and veranda.

Rockers

There were about 50 rocking chairs with a great view. I do love a porch, so It was a little frustrating that we weren't exactly invited to use this area. It also seemed a bit eerie to see all these unoccupied chairs kind of energized by the breeze.

Peace Valley

The front of the hotel had a lovely view of Peace Valley. The valley has long been considered sacred, due to the healing waters of the hot springs. We spoke with a local in nearby Boulder, who shared stories about the valley. His great grandmother came as a young woman to the festive gatherings between the Indians and folks from town. They sold and traded goods and participated in games... and left all weapons outside the valley.

Stucco

Originally, the hotel had clapboard siding and typical porch railings. The stucco came along later to resemble the California Mission Arts and Crafts style. Our room was in the newer wing, on the left. Newer... meaning built about 1910.

Finding Our Way

There was a bit of a boarding house feel when we checked in. We stepped up to a desk in the same building that housed the bath house. Then we took our key and headed to our building where we climbed the stairs to the second floor. I will admit, the air seemed a little stuffy in that stairwell. The odor was conjuring up memories of visiting a great aunt in a nursing home. But when we opened the door to Room 202, I smiled.

Dang Cute

Some people wouldn't get it, but I was delighted with our corner room. Not only did we overlook Peace Valley with the pond and cows and horses, but we had mighty fine covered wagon decoration, sitting on the shelf-covered radiator. There was an old desk, some comfy chairs and a brass bed and quilt. I even liked the shade with the finger loop for raising and lowering. I haven't seen one of those in a while.

A Sink Here, A Bath There

There was a decent sized bathroom with a window for light, as well as a sink and mirror near the door to the hall. This would have been a lot of luxury back in the day. There was a lace covered pitcher for water and 2 goblets. I thought maybe they were trying to tempt us, because I had read some rules about the "center" being smoke and alcohol free. Those glasses looked like they were begging us to fill them with some of the wine that was traveling with us.

Wall Decor

Alcohol was not allowed, but evidently weapons were. We had a nice sturdy axe displayed on the wall, along with some other antique tools. Since our road trip included so many hotels that had stories about hauntings, this could have made me feel a little uneasy. But I found it somewhat empowering, to know we had a weapon to defend ourselves! Another decorative feature, was a little higher on the wall. Check out the copper pipes for steam heat!

The Bath House

This building with the upper windows running down the center, holds the bath house as well as kitchen and game room. The weather was far too nice to stay inside, but I did have a peek.

Ladies Steam Room and Plunges!

The women's locker room and spa was actually a lot eerier than our guest room with the axe. Since it was empty I invited myself to take a few photos. There was a steam room and 2 tiled "plunges" making good use of the mineral-laden pure geothermal waters. Don and I compared notes after exploring and we were surprised that the men's side required bathing suits, while women had a choice. But we later learned that "Family Bath and Pool Nights" are a regular thing and the mens' side becomes co-ed.

The Outside Pool

We made good use of our hotel robes to hike to the pool. (I did step on mine a couple times) There was a heated sidewalk, which would be handy for winter... and that was about it for luxury. We noticed an "S" or two, engraved in the pool deck. They must have added the outside pool in the 1940's, when the hotel became "Diamond S Ranch" for 35 years. I'm sure it was quite the place with big smorgasbords that served 400 to 500 people per night. There were no crowds joining us as we soaked in the warm water, which stays at 96 to 100 degrees.

View

It was odd that they needed a chain link fence around the pool when we seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere. But the fence allowed the flowers a nice place to climb. And the flowers reminded us to take a peek at the land surrounding us. It really was like a piece of heaven.

Barns

I love barns and there were a couple on the property. To me the sight of worn wood and red roofs in a rural setting, is about as relaxing as soaking in mineral waters.

I believe these barns do serve some kind of purpose, even if it's just for housing the chickens that were clucking about. There was a vegetable garden and a sweet kitty roaming around. That made it seem like a real farm.

Morning

Don and I played by the rules and saved our drinkin' for town. We ate dinner in Boulder's Windsor Bar. (Which was a hoot, by the way) And slept surprisingly well in our double bed. In the morning we sat in the family/game room to use a little internet. It was peaceful, but the shelves of games reminded me how different the atmosphere must be when the pools and bathouse are open for family nights! What a treat for these locals in the middle of a long winter.

A Peaceful Breakfast

There was another couple eating breakfast when we sat down. They spoke to each other in a near whisper as they sipped their coffee. Were they just quiet people or were they feeling intimidated with the philosophy of the Retreat Center, like I was? I had read the words earlier. "Honoring, Conserving, Recycling and Healing". It's not like they had a rule against laughing, but I am about respect. What if people are coming here to grieve or meditate? I tried not to giggle over my breakfast.

Food

The cook served us orange juice, coffee and a bowl of fresh fruit right away. When we claimed we had no allergies, she scrambled us some eggs and served them with blueberry French toast and tons of sausage! It was delicious, but I couldn't eat half. The words "conserving" and "recycling" were making me anxious. I asked for a box, even though I knew we had no room in our tiny cooler. I'm still suffering the guilt of later wasting the food AND the to-go containers!

Good-Bye!

After saying good bye to our sweet room with the lovely view, we ended up chatting with the other breakfast couple in the parking lot. They were delightful, sharing photos of the sunset we somehow missed the night before. No they weren't quiet people who only spoke in whispers, they were a lot of fun and if we'd all had another night at the hotel, we might have broken the rules and shared a little wine on those porch rockers.

What's Notable?

Of all our stops during our month trip, this hotel to me was the most mysterious and curious. It didn't fit any mold and I was never sure what the real purpose was... even though there were rules and statements posted. But most of all I delighted in all the surprises!

Over and over again, I found myself grinning and pointing. I was pleased to spot the sweet horses in the field or the collection of old hotel dishes on a shelf, or the old Granny "glider-chair" in the guest room. I will have to keep an eye on this place and see happens with the renovations. There could be many more surprises.

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#94 Sacajawea Hotel

10/17/2015

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Three Forks, Montana

Last month I couldn't wait to get to this old hotel. I'd read that it sits at the heart of the Big Sky State... and I kind of love that image.

The 100+ year hotel will always have a place in my heart... which is maybe not a great image.

But why do I love it? Because it has great porches.

I HEART PORCHES!

Why We Stayed

This image of the front of the hotel, shows the big porch that caught my eye when I saw it on a Facebook post a couple years ago. I had never heard of the hotel, but my FB friend raved about it. CJ is one of those people who posts comments and thoughts that make me take notice. I read her post and nodded, "Yes!" The hotel went right onto my "Want to Stay There" list!

The History

Having lived in St. Louis for many years, I'm pretty familiar with the tales of Lewis & Clark. I thought it was intriguing to just stay in an area where the young Shoeshone woman, Sacajawea helped guide the famous explorers. I've heard enough about her hardships to imagine how much she would have appreciated sinking into a warm hotel bed. But there were no hotels when she was in this area 200 years ago.

Bad News...Leads to Good

Don and I almost had to rough it like Sacajawea when we arrived last month. Our reservations didn't show up on the computer and we panicked. It turned out to be a good thing. They weren't booked and the young woman behind the desk offered us a package with a room upgrade plus $50.00 for dinner... for less than we had expected to pay for our smaller room!

I'll Toast to That!

Then she poured us each a complimentary glass of champagne and used some tongs to grab heated towels from a crock pot. That's a first for me! I didn't even feel silly standing there scrubbing off a day's worth of road trip grime before moving to the porch for a little sipping and rocking.

Don tends to be less of a rocker than me, so he was pretty delighted to have a choice! What a treat with the late afternoon sun warming the porch, just enough.

Exploring

It was fun wandering around trying to imagine this hotel when it was built in 1910. The inn catered to wealthy travelers who were headed to Yellowstone, so it was considered more refined than your typical western hotel. It was also pretty trendy, moving away from the lacy clutter of the old Victorian's. The renovations in 2010 preserved the original Arts & Crafts style, keeping the dark spruce beams and light fixtures.

Room 204

Our room wasn't huge, but it was a corner room, which I love. And old doors! Why do I love them so?

The View

Corner rooms give you more windows. The side window looked at a gas station, but the front window gave us a good view, if you ignored the roofs. The distant mountains were a plus and the little garden with the statue of Sacajawea, was a nice touch.

This and That

There were lots of nice little extras. The towels and shower curtain and even the terry robes had paper "seals" that made them seem extra fresh. The bathroom was a perfect mix of old and modern and it smelled lovely, with nice bath products. There were chocolates and bottles of water, earplugs (not needed) and even a little spritzer of lavender for the pillow! Yay! I love treats.

Extra Places

There was a great courtyard with umbrella tables and even a side yard with lots of grass and a set up for horseshoes.

I was pretty curious about the red sign that invited us downstairs to the Sacajawea Bar AND VFW Club. You know you're in a small town when the hotel caters to travelers as well as the local VFW. We did check it out and enjoyed a chat when the busy bartender wasn't hustling to serve food and drinks to lots of local families. I got an answer to my #1 question. Yes, I have been pronouncing Sacajawea the way the locals do. (Not the fancy way they say it in the National Geographic documentary)

Pompey Bar and Grill

The bar and restaurant started getting pretty lively as the evening progressed. We chatted with quite a few guests who were from Montana and had lots of

travel suggestions for us. "Fishing licenses aren't required at Glacier National Park. You should pick up a cheap rod at Walmart!" And "Pick up a hitchhiker. It really adds to your travel adventure!" We ended up following just one of those suggestions.

Dining

After some socializing, we were ready to slide into a booth and focus on food. Our shared Scotch Egg with Local Potato Sausage was pretty darn tasty. Don's Maple Farms Smoked Duck with Huckleberry Sauce was interesting. And my Blu's Chicken Relleno with Anaheim Chiles was perfect. But all would have gone down much better without the sounds of the John Goodman Look-a-like guy at the bar...hollering out stories over his martinis. Oh well.

What's Notable?

The hotel felt classy, but homey at the same time. The champagne, hot towels, restaurant menu and robes made it feel like a big city hotel. But the buffalo and picnic tables on the side yard tell it all. It's just a big ole country house with shade trees and grass! They don't make a big deal out of pointing out the fact that an old house (built in 1882) was actually used as the core of this hotel. But I'm pretty sure the homey spirit of the place comes from that. Well... that and the porches! Yay, I love porches!

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#93 Grand Union Hotel

10/16/2015

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Fort Benton, Montana

I think it's pretty grand that this hotel has been standing here since 1882. That was about 36 years after Fort Benton was established. That's an old town, for out West!

Old Town, Old Hotel

The hotel was built during the grand steamboat era, on the Upper Missouri River. Fort Benton was at the height of prosperity at that time. There were no private baths, but each room had its own coal burning stove for heat. But the town suffered once the railroad was completed. Then there was prohibition and the Depression and drought... the hotel suffered as well.

Saved Many Times

The Grand Union was sold, abandoned and refurbished many times in its 130+ years. The hotel looks pretty fine now, after its elegant restoration in 1999.

Details

The view before entering was impressive. The old fireplace chimneys are gone, but the lovely brickwork remains.

Check In

You can tell a lot about a place, just by your check in. The desk staff was surprisingly professional for being in a small town, (1,500 or so) kind of in the middle of nowhere.

The young woman who checked us in, stepped behind the glass to attend to the computer. It would have been much more entertaining if she'd handled our check-in through the curious little opening.

Lobby

The lobby felt sleek and classy. It wasn't until we climbed those stairs that we really felt the age of the place.

Upstairs

After reaching the second floor, we wandered some more to find another set of stairs. Then we found the rounded hall that lead to our room, #303. That hall was built with a curve, but there were quite a number of curves, slants, bumps and lumps in the walls and floors that I'm sure came with age. I felt a little woozy as I walked on some of those uneven floors.

Our Little Brown Bathroom

The room was a little on the cozy side, but at least we had our own bathroom. Back in 1899 when the hotel got electricity for the first time, there was 1 Men's room and 1 Women's room on each floor. I was pretty delighted with our tan tile, brown woodwork and porcelain doorknob!

Missouri River View

The view out our window was the treat. The other side of the building looked across Front Street, with a view of some rather run down bars and storefronts. I am confused that Forbes mentioned Fort Benton in their list of 15 Prettiest Towns in America. Besides the river and the hotel, I didn't see much pretty in Fort Benton.

Dining and Wining

I took these photos of the Union Pub and Grill before 5:00. Things started to get pretty lively by the time we came down an hour later. By then, the cozy booths and river-view tables were beginning to fill with hotel guests. Don and I made dinner reservations and took a seat at the old bar where our delightful, young bartender served us, until he became our waiter... later.

Excellent Food

We were impressed with the sweet and spicy, Fire Cracker Glazed Shrimp. We tried to make the scallop, served on a bed of lentils last... but it disappeared quick. How is it possible to get such a sophisticated chef in a tiny town like this?

Window at Night and Morning

There was still a glow on the river when we were first seated for dinner. It wasn't until morning when they set out a buffet of breakfast treats, that we got a good view of the patio and river. We were equally impressed by the window itself! You have to study the windowsill for a moment to enjoy the amazing slant that's going on!

What's Notable?

I will always remember this hotel stay as a little oasis on our month-long road trip. The Grand Union, on its riverside property was picture perfect. Even the guests and staff seemed sort of special, as if they all had intriguing stories to tell. The whole stay felt classy and relaxed.
I so hope the little town can get a boost of some kind to keep the hotel out of danger. I hate the thought of those tall windows ever getting boarded up again.

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#92 Calvert Hotel

10/14/2015

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Lewistown, Montana in September 2015

This odd little hotel has a curious history. In fact our whole stay at the hotel was odd and curious.

We found the recently renovated 28-room hotel tucked into a neighborhood. There were flowers to greet us and a nice awning which covered the stairs going UP to the lobby and DOWN to the bar & grill.

The Lobby

This is how the lobby once looked with curved archways. Before it became a hotel in 1928, it had been a dorm for high school students. In 1917, the county built the "Fergus County Improvement Corporation Dormitory" to house students who lived in the country, too far for daily busing.

Today

This view across from the very modest lobby desk, shows the original archway.

There are still two sets of stairs leading up from the lobby, to the same second floor hall. At one time girls were housed upstairs and boys were down. Then after the building was enlarged, the boys and girls were separated on east and west sides of the second floor. Each had their own stairway. Don and I dared to use the same stairs!

I'm glad they kept many of the original details. Even the new hexagonal tile is in keeping with the period. But I didn't care for some of the framed artwork, which looked like it had been purchased at one of those "Kirklands" stores at the mall.
Our Room

Our "King Spa Room" was comfortable enough, but there was an unfinished feel. The sheer curtains opened to an odd bricked in space. From the front, you can see the "new addition" built over the awnings. I'm not sure why they added that little "porch", because there wasn't really room to sit out there and make use of the windows. There was a portable-looking steam room at one end, but it had an "out of order" sign taped on the door.

Long Ago

This is what our guest room might have looked like, back in the day. Then we could have at least looked out the window from the room.

From our windows on the spa porch, we could see the elementary school across the street and a nice mountain range in the distance. All was quiet on a Saturday evening.

What was nice?

The bed and linens were actually very comfortable and the TV and bathroom were decent. I thought maybe we would feel more at home once we went down to the lobby and

chatted with the young woman at the desk. She might fill us in on the town and hotel history.

What's the History?

I tried to strike up a conversation with the girl at the desk, but she was too young to be interested... and she was new to town. The biggest disappointment was finding out that the Onyx Bar & Grill was not open.

Closed?!

How could the hotel restaurant be closed on a Saturday night? We saw the sign down the street and the Onyx name on the door under the awning.

The girl at the desk had no ideas about where we could eat in town. She offered up some soup that she had cooking in a crockpot. What?

A Basement Tour

We noticed a woman with keys opening the door to the basement restaurant. She happened to be the owner and was heading down to the restaurant kitchen to cook her husband some dinner. (I kind of hoped to be invited) She was sincerely apologetic about not having a chef anymore. She explained how impossibly hard it is to keep a good chef in such a small town. She let us go down and have a peek.

The courtyard was now enclosed, with a skylight and seating. The native brick was impressive and it looked like it would be festive to sit there at night with strings of lights. Darn.
The Onyx Bar

The basement bar and grill felt comfy with the glowing onyx and sconces. There was an old cash register and a colorful vineyard wall mural and cozy booths underneath the copper ceiling. What a sad waste.

Even without the onyx bar, it would have been a a fun atmosphere...with the old southwestern decor. So we sighed at what we couldn't enjoy and then felt incredibly lucky when another man came to check in. He had once lived in Lewistown and he recommended the only place he thought might be open... The Wagon Wheel Drive In. Our "wagon wheel" burgers and tots went well with our wine and beer, back in the room. Oh my.

What's Notable?

Our room was clean and comfy enough, but there was something missing. The hotel was lacking guests and warmth. There was history, but no one was offering it. Usually it's the run down towns and hotels that remind me of a Twilight Zone episode. How odd that you can get that Twi-Zone feeling in a nice little hotel, in a nice little town.

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Ninety Notable Nights

My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains.

I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years.

The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding!

#98 Finlen Hotel in Butte, MT

#97 Lake McDonald Lodge

#96 Many Glacier Hotel 2015

#95 Boulder Hot Springs Hotel

#94 Sacajawea Hotel

#93 Grand Union Hotel

#92 Calvert Hotel

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