A Day in Billings, Montana

 Billings is the largest city in the state of Montana.  It has a whopping 110 000 people.  I looked it up - there are more cows in Montana than people.  The city of Billings is not very pretty.  It's industrial with a very small downtown.  It takes 10 to 15 minutes to go anywhere.  Helena, which is the capital, has a population of only 32 000! 

There is lots to do in the area.  Today, we went to see the Pictograph Caves State Park.  Don't waste your $8 if ever you are in the area.  The good thing I guess is that you can go to any park for the day once you pay.  Don't get me wrong, it's a nice park.  If you think you will see lots of pictographs, think again.  You need binoculars to see them and there are only a few left (there used to be 100s according to the sign).   The walk is 1km long so it's a short visit.  There are beautiful rock formations as well... just no pictographs.🤣

We also did a couple of hikes - one on our way to the cave and one on our way back.  We did Larsen's loop and Four Dances area. Since it wasn't that hot yet, we got to see many birds in the small and scarce
trees.  Many lifers.  We also got to see a dead rattlesnake - quite large too.  

Petrol refinery

While on our hike, we got to witness (hear) the petrol refinery having some sort of drill.  A loud message came on to say multiple drills would happen during the week.  Then, some siren,  another message saying something about a fire, and another siren.  I guess they want the whole city to know about it?  

After our morning, we were supposed to go to the lake to paddle board but we ended up falling asleep and not waking up until 4pm.  That heat is truly horrid.  Takes everything out of you.  Paddling will be for tomorrow before we leave for Malta.

We had dinner at Montana's Rib Chop House.  It was the best chicken burger ever! 

Some of today's birds:  western meadowlark, rock wren, great blue heron, finch of some kind, grasshopper sparrow, cliff swallows, crow, lazuli bunting, spotted towhee, chickadee, 

Farm animals: surprise! cows! 

Wild animals:  rattlesnake, desert rabbit  

Tomorrow, we have a short drive - 3 hours to Malta where we will spend a few days to pick up Sophie on Aug. 2nd.

There is a magpie there - I promise! 

Poor fellow has seen better days.

western meadowlark - state bird of Montana -
also the bird Sophie is studying this summer.