Red Lodge, MT

The first stop was the Visitor Center in Red Lodge and one of the first questions was “Is there a quilt shop in town?"  The man behind the counter didn’t know but Linda was lucky as the woman that was on the phone interrupted her call to point us in the right direction. 

Outside the visitor center was a bronze of Crow Chief Plenty Coups.

After a stop at the Post Office we went in search of the MUST visit in every town.  The quilt shop was located in the old Roosevelt School building and was a fantastic shop.  The owner told us that the building is still owned by the school district but the town is working to convert it to an arts center.  She had a long arm machine with rolls that were at least 10’ across that the machine traveled over.  It is also computerized as her work volume was such it was too much strain on her shoulder doing it manually.  I think doing quilting, teaching classes and doing retreats was the bulk of her business although she had a well stocked shop.

With the quilt shop craving out of the way we wandered Main Street and all its shops, restaurants and bars.  This is a motorcycle friendly town and they were everywhere.   The real bikers are likely over in Sturgis, SD for the annual motorcycle gathering. When I say motorcycle I mean Harleys in Sturgis as I think other brands aren’t particularly welcome by the Hog crowd.

There are as many motorcycles as cars in town and on the surrounding roads.  It appears that most of the riders are professional people dressed like bikers and a lot of retired people checking items off the bucket list.  Some may be trying to recapture their youth or just always wanted to ride a motorcycle.  Many were the new CanAm three wheelers (two front wheels) as well as a lot of the traditional tricycles.

Red Lodge has two motorcycle shops/stores, one for Harleys and one for all the other brands, below is the Harley Davidson store.

Red Lodge is an old mining and lumber town and has many historic buildings.  One in particular is the Pollard Hotel that is still a first rate hotel, restaurant and pub/grill.  It is listed in some of the fine inns of America books.

We are now in Cody for the next few days.  Maybe we will see Wild Bill.  The large Cadillac convertible with Texas long horns on the hood and blaring speakers advertising the Cody Rodeo just drove through the RV Park.  Linda informs me there is at least one quilt shop in Cody; Friends & Company.  We'll check that out tomorrow.