Gettin' Outta Dodge

We left Hamilton behind; hoping to find some respite from the smoke. Up and over Skalkaho Pass, the air was at least more breathable and less chewable. Main picture is Skakaho Falls...near the top of the pass. As an aside, the very narrow gravel road always proves unnerving for the passenger who dangles very close to the edge of the very steep cliff all the way to the top. GR's color returned when we crested the mountain. Extra photo shows view back toward Hamilton....very smoky.
We found just haze in lovely little Philipsburg...the extra photos. Wahoo! Blue sky! The venerable Broadway hotel pictured now houses a brew-pub that had to be visited. The top floors are still hotel rooms. The Gem Shoppe displays every kind of sapphire and in every color from the local mine. Also found here are rubies, garnets and a trace of diamonds. The Sweet Shoppe always brings a "Wow" to the first time visitor....one of the largest candy shoppes ever....all hand-made....with sampling and smiles. Lunch was at the Doe Brothers where GR had bison for the first time. We headed back to Hamilton via I-90 and, of course, had to stop at Rock Creek and explain what the Testicle Festival was all about. Rocky Mountain Oysters is what it's all about. And beer...lots of beer.