(I’m playing around with gallery images to figure out how to get them to appear in my newsletter…let’s see if this works 🤞 ~ Dragn)
Lincolns 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar | Haugan, Montana
I made it to Montana! And holy cow, what a windy, nerve-wracking, white-knuckle, steering wheel gripping drive! I needed a break to calm my nerves, took the next exit, and ended up at Lincoln’s Silver Dollar Bar… and it is sooo cool!
When first stepping inside, there’s a massively huge gift shop with a nice-looking restaurant to the right, and the bar is across the rear. Entering into the bar, the coins are downright blinding! They are everywhere…along the walls, counters, hanging from boards from the ceiling…everywhere! Oh, and slot machines…so random!
In 1952, to promote their bar, Gerry and Marie Lincoln punched a silver dollar in their bar top. It soon became a tradition for patrons to provide their own silver dollars with their names and hometowns underneath. Today, the number of silver coins at the 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar exceeds 80,000
After that fun surprise, it was time to get back on the road and to my destination for the night. Montana is truly beautiful to drive through, but so windy, I’m too busy trying not to get windswept off the road with a death grip on the wheel in a panic to truly appreciate the views!
I made my first stop at a Love’s Truck Stop to fuel up and take a break…I’ve heard plenty about here from VanLifers and CarDwellers, and can see why! Generally, they have RV dumps, dog parks, showers, plenty of space that looks safe to stay for the night, and 10c per gallon fuel discounts if you join their free app. My nerves were shot from the drive, and I really just wanted to keep going and get to my spot for the night, so made a mental note to sign up for the app later.
Last Spike Monument | Deer Lodge, MT
My relief when I turned off the exit towards my destination was immeasurable! As soon as I saw that golden spike, all my driving fears were instantly forgotten…it looked pretty cool from the road, and was marking my home sweet home for the night. YaY! First things first, I took Lincoln for a walk to explore the area, and there was a really nice walking path right along the river that was so pretty. Afterwards, it was time to check out this historical spike and find out what that’s all about!
Situated at the intersection of Conley Avenue and Main Street, this monument commemorates the last spike that was driven into the Puget Sound extension of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (aka, the “Milwaukee Road”) on May 19, 1909. The site also features a locomotive, an electric engine, and a train car all once owned by the Milwaukee Road. The monument was originally installed near the site where the lines met but was moved here in 2003.
I found this spot to stay in on iOverlander where others said it was free RV parking, and I checked the website directly to make sure as well. Still, it was a bit worrying, especially as night fell, that I was the only person parked here. It’s a small town, and it was looking pretty desolate. No weird feelings or fear, mostly just…”Hrmmm, this is interesting”. I put up my security cameras, locked up, made dinner and called it a night.
Today’s Driving Stats: 356 miles, 6hr 15min
Haugan, MT – World Famous 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar (roadsideamerica.com)
Golden Spike of Montana, Deer Lodge, Montana (roadsideamerica.com)