Billings, Pig Races, Windshield Karma and More!
Today’s plan was to head into Billings, about 45 minutes east. We hoped to check out the Strawberry Festival downtown and then explore a few roadside attractions Lynn had on her list.
Lynn started her day early at 05:30 and Kirk was up around 9:00. After breakfast in the RV, we left for Billings around 10:30. It was already 91°, so the day was off to a toasty start. Once we reached downtown, we circled the area several times trying to find parking. After three or four loops with no luck — and with our truck being a beast that doesn’t squeeze into anything — the only options were long walks in the heat. Neither of us felt like melting our way across downtown just to buy things we didn’t need (and couldn’t buy perishables anyway), so the Strawberry Festival was officially scrapped.
With the festival off the list, we headed to the Indian Motorcycle dealership. Naturally, we picked up dealer‑specific T‑shirts. Kirk even scored a free promotional one, which felt like a small victory!
By noon, we were off to see the “Shoe of the World’s Tallest Man.” It was… exactly what it sounds like. A size‑32 shoe in an acrylic box inside a shoe store. Quick stop, a bit underwhelming, checked off. Next was the nearby Cattle Drive Sculpture, which was also a bit underwhelming — especially compared to the Land Run monument in Oklahoma City. Another checkmark for the list.
By 1:00 p.m., we were hungry and stopped at Santiago’s. The tacos were crispy, the burritos were huge, and lunch was pretty good for a ‘fast food’ type of place.
Another roadside attraction Lynn wanted to see was the Bearcreek Pig Races, held at Bearcreek Saloon and Steakhouse about an hour away in Bearcreek, MT. Reservations were recommended, and the only available time was 8:30 p.m. While on the road, Lynn booked it — Saturday (today) was our best option, and they’re only open Thursday through Sunday.
Around 2:00 p.m., we headed back toward Columbus — and that’s when we caught a rock in the windshield. Construction on I‑90 near Billings kicked up debris, and a big rig sent a rock straight into the glass. Crack achieved. Maybe our sarcastic comment yesterday about the “Avoid Broken Windshield – 30 MPH” sign really was karma coming full circle! A little after 2:00 p.m., we were back at the RV, resting before dinner. We’ll address the windshield crack later.
We left for Bearcreek at 7:00 p.m., and the drive was beautiful — winding through Joliet and Red Lodge with plenty of roadside entertainment. We spotted a cow casually wandering in the road, turkeys holding court in Red Lodge, the dramatic rise of Bear Hill, and the somber remains of the Smith Mine Disaster site. The 1943 explosion killed 74 men and remains Montana’s worst underground coal mine tragedy. A striking reminder of how much history sits quietly along these backroads.
We arrived a bit early, around 8:00 p.m., which gave us time to watch a few of the pig races that run every 15 minutes. We made our “bet” for the next race — though calling it a bet is generous ($4/square – we bought 4). It’s more like picking random squares, Super Bowl‑pool style, and hoping your pig number gets assigned after the fact.
Dinner was good. Lynn ordered the filet and Kirk the flat iron — both solid, nothing life‑changing. Afterward, our scheduled Race #11 at 9:30 p.m. ran. No winnings for us, but the races were fun to watch. They’re actually a fundraiser: winners get half the pot, and the rest goes toward scholarships. Not really gambling — more like cheering for speedy pigs for a good cause.
By 9:45 p.m., we were heading back for the long drive home. The sunset was gorgeous, and we spotted a herd of deer along the road, though it was far too dark for photos. They were just silhouettes slipping through the fields.
We wrapped up the day at 11:30 p.m., still a warm 79°. A long day full of exploring, pig races, roadside oddities, and one cracked windshield — Montana definitely kept things interesting.
Weather – High 102*, Low 62*. Winds 3-9/18 mph. No rain, no humidity.
Traffic – Not much. Some construction. Got hit with a rock and cracked the windshield!
Food – Bearcreek Saloon & Steakhouse.
Notable – Broken windshield, Pig Races! Wildlife.
