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We are heading back to Panera for long-standing Sunday brunch event. Panera Bread is located on North Reserve in the same lot as Target. They have both breakfast and lunch dining options. We (Holtom) have eaten there several times and been very pleased with the food and cost. They do not have wait staff, so place your order at the counter as you enter. You may then take your drinks to the dining room, which should be reserved for us. Panera staff will bring you anything prepared in the kitchen. The room has a number of 4-top tables, so we won't be all sitting at a large table, but feel free to play "musical chairs" with fellow MASS members! I'm not really sure exactly how many we can seat comfortably, so capping at 24 until we get a feel for how well that number works. If we go back, that number may be adjusted as necessary.
Note the time difference from our recent trips to the Montana Club!
You must be fully vaccinated to attend.
- Roger & Linda H.
- Theron G.
- Brad M.
- 8 attendees
The Charlie Russell Chew Choo is Montana's only dinner train (unless you ride Amtrak's Empire Builder!). The train departs near Lewistown and travels 28 miles to Denton. You may recall Denton was essentially destroyed in a wildfire last year. The route travels through the Judith Basin, crossing 3 trestles and a tunnel. Speaking from personal experience, the scenery is spectacular, the food decent, and the trip is unforgettable! Please note that the date and time are approximate. The 2023 schedule will not be posted until early in January. After they post the schedule, I'll update the date. So this early posting on Meetup is to gauge interest, with specifics to follow later. This is a two day trip. You will need about 4 1/2 hours to drive from Missoula to Lewistown. Then check into your hotel room, and travel to the loading platform for the train, about 10 miles and 25 minutes from downtown Lewistown. The train return around 8:30 or 9:00, so traveling back to western MT is pretty much out of the question. There are several motels, lodges, B&Bs and RV parks in and around Lewistown. We stayed at the Super 8. Nothing fancy, your basic chain motel, but fine for the limited time you'll be there.
If you'd like to extend your stay, the area has several items of interest. The Bear Gulch Pictographs (see their website for details) is about 30 miles from Lewistown. The Central Montana Historical Museum is right in town. The Big Springs Trout Hatchery & Park is only about 15 minutes from town and is quite impressive. Nice place for a picnic lunch!
One warning when an actual date is posted and tickets go on sale: Jump on it immediately! The tickets go pretty fast, and every trip will be sold out! So no time to waste! We'll try to keep you updated via Meetup and the MASS newsletter. Please post your comments if you are interested so I can tell if any interest in this event!
UPDATE: The schedule has been posted. Good possible dates are June 10, July 15, or August 5. If you are interested, please post on Meetup what your preferred date would be. As soon as I tally the results, I'll post the final date. You may purchase either regular or VIP tickets. Please go to montanadinnertrain.com to see the differences in tickets. If you like, you can also post which ticket you'll probably opt for. Whether we have members desiring both ticket classes or not, be sure to indicate on your purchase that you are a MASS member and would like to sit at a table with other members, to the extent possible. It should be an interesting and gorgeous trip!
UPDATE #2: Okay, the final date is June 10! Go ahead and make your reservations! The VIP package includes a T-shirt, a free drink, and priority boarding, otherwise the same. Please make sure and mention you want to be seated with the MASS group, and you might also mention Nancy and Rob Karas, since they have already purchased tickets. We have stayed at the Super 8 in Lewistown, which is your basic motel. Clean, breakfast included. Make sure you arrive in time to board up to 1 hour before departure at 5:30. It is about 30 minutes from the motel to the boarding area. We can certainly car-pool to the train from whatever motels you choose in town. And if anyone wants to carpool from Missoula you might mention that in the comments. All aboard!
UPDATE #3: Big snag! I had checked Lewistown Chamber of Commerce and eliminated dates with big events, so we could find rooms easily. Well, never considered large weddings! Our first choice for lodging, the Super 8 is completely books, as are several other hotels. The B & B motel only has 3 rooms left and they are going fast! Not much close by to stay, trying to get to Great Falls or Big Timber is close to 2 hours from Lewistown, not a fun trip at 10:00! So tossing out the idea of changing dates to one of the other alternatives listed above. Those (including me) who have already made reservations can get them changed. What do you think? Please share your thoughts! Sorry about the confusion!
- Roger & Linda H.
- Maureen S.
- Janice W.
- 5 attendees
