Our trip down thru the state of Montana today was just one post card scene after another, Montana is very picturesque. We traveled south on Hwy 93 from Glacier National Park and just south of Flathead Lake we happened upon a roadside attraction that surely will be one of this trips most memorable stops. At first glance the “Miracle of America Museum” just south of Polson looks like a scrap yard, but we could see helicopters, old cars, and a boat, so we had to turn around and go back for a visit.
The museum is a collection of all things American, everything from household gadgets to implements of war, there is also a treasure trove of historical posters from WW2, a lot of them publically incorrect in the “don’t offend anybody” America of today. One poster urged factory workers to keep producing until “all the murdering Japs were killed!” There is also an extensive collection of antique farm equipment, everything from hand tools to steam tractors. The museum has too much to try to list here, jump in your car and drive out here to see it for yourself.
One helicopter held special interest to me, an old beat up Bell “B” model gunship like the one I flew aboard in Vietnam and Cambodia. We old aviators always have a warm spot in our hearts for the aircraft of our youth, and I felt a kinship to this one. I could tell it had been in combat by the numerous patches riveted to her. Sitting in her today brought back a lot of memories.
When we were leaving, the founder Gil Mangels was at the entrance counter and we spoke with him for a bit about the museum. He said their mission is to instill a sense of pride about all that America has accomplished. I think he and his museum are doing just that.
After spending much more time in the museum than we planned, we rolled down the road once again. More spectacular scenery and a couple hours later and we stopped for the night. We are in a small RV park behind a convenience store/gas station. Situated in a valley, we can see to the mountains that ring the horizon all around us, this surely is Big Sky country.
Tomorrow we drive to The Little Big Horn National Battlefield.
PS: We broke the 7000 mile mark of our trip today.
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