Downstream Campground, Fort Peck State Park

Some highlights of this trip were definitely in Steve's corner:) An interpretive center and a tour of the Fort Peck Dam Project. The project was part of the FDR New Deal work program. Started in 1933 the project was to build the Dam for flood control but as the need for electricity and technology advanced, the Dam became an important hydroelectric plant. The construction of the dam, the surrounding boom towns that cropped up and the massiveness of the project itself fascinated my bridge construction man:)
The interpretive center also had a very informative exploration of the dinosaur fossils found in this part of Montana. Of particular interest was the finding of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, 90 percent of its skeleton was uncovered! The interpretive center built a replica as one of its main attractions!
I liked all the discussions around the flora and fauna of the area, plus the families who came here to build the dam.
I also was very pleased to find a Hutterite Farm Stand, as one of our fellow campers at Glacier National Park recommended that we stop should we be so fortunate to spot one. The Hutterites follow the teachings of Jakob Hutter, a 16th century Reformation Christian. They live in agricultural colonies, producing high quality and organic farm produce, eggs, poultry, etc. They also make furniture.
I bought several fresh produce items, a chicken and some eggs. The freshly shelled peas were so delicious, we ate some raw for a snack. Tonight we have the chicken, sauteed fresh corn and peas, and a salad. YUMMY!
This was a nice campground, clean with clean showers. Our site cost the grand total of 8.00 a night due to our Golden Pass:):):):) Tomorrow we head for Lewis and Clark State Park in North Dakota. I'm really liking the State Parks and look for those first!

Highline Hike well named; Kayaking to get heart rate back to normal July 26th and 27th

Picture 1, 4 and 5 are from the Highline Hike at Logan's Pass. Two clues to me HIGH LINE! Another clue, great place to see mountain goats! Do you see the rope I am clinging to? That is because beyond the NARROW path is a straight fall off cliff. We were hiking on a ledge! The views (when I would look up, which wasn't often) were astounding. We DID see the Mountain Goats, so aptly named. I am not a mountain goat:)

Our last day was kayaking on Pray Lake and Two Medicine lake which were joined by a little tributary easy to transverse. The kayaking was the most amazing experience I have ever had. The whole lake was pure glass, the whole three hours we were out there. Bailey loved it! He rides like the captain of his little boat. It was about six miles of kayaking. So awesome!

Last Ranger Led Hike and Canada

Pics are 1) Fox with squirrel at rest area in Canada; 2) Grizzly bear marking on "rubbing tree" on Aster Park Hike; 3) evidence of rubbing by bears; 4) Black Bear marking, notice curved claws vs straight claws Grizzly Bear; 4) Maria and Steve at Aster Park Lookout; 5) Steve and Bailey at Canada Lookout

July 25/Day 10

Glacier National Park

Wildlife!

Yesterday we went into the Canadian side of the park for a road trip because the weather was blustery to say the least. We also wanted to see what crossing the border into Canada entailed. We had a pleasant hour and a half drive to Waterton Lakes National Park and just went into the Waterton Village. We had lunch overlooking the Waterton Lake, moseyed around town. In that process we saw a juvenile black bear run right past a family with two small children then disappear between two houses. One of our park rangers told us that in Canada they tend to put towns within their National Parks. She thinks that is a problem because the animals and people get too accustomed to each other. At a rest stop we also saw a fox with a squirrel in his mouth.!

It has been super windy here. The Park Ranger we chatted with today told us that the gusts were minimum 60 mph. The trailer was a rocking and a rolling!

Today is better but still windy.

Today was our last Ranger led hike. We went on the Aster Park Hike through many different wildflowers again. This time we played a game in which the ranger would tell the lead hiker the name of a plant and a fun fact about the plant, then that hiker would tell each passing hiker the information. We had about 10 hikers in our group, we did three rounds so identified around 25 plants. (Some of us were in pairs). It was fun and informative. I learned about a delicate little flower called the DEATH Camus because it is that poisonous. We also identified several different types of lilies and orchids -  yes forest orchids. The reason it is called Aster Park is because the meadows are covered with purple asters and assorted other beautiful nature’s pallet; i.e. Blue Harebane, Red Indian Paintbrush, Spyria (the pain reliever plant),  Yellow Columbine. Just beautiful. We have not seen any bear on the trail and don’t want to. We did see a tree that is a bear favorite, it had claw marks from both the Grizzly and the Black Bear (see the picture). It is also a “rubbing tree” that the bears use to scratch themselves.

Bailey had done super well with our schedule! He enjoys his window perches. We made him one particular perch that has his rug on it. He can look out on his yard and at the water. He likes looking at the water. He also likes watching people walk by and he doesn’t bark!!!!! Good boy, Bailey!

Nature's Pharmacy

July 22, Day 7

Upper Two Medicine Hike, led by Ranger Kelly, was very informative and beautiful.

The hike started with a ride across Two Medicine, about 25 minutes. The hike itself meandered through beautiful meadows filled with flowers that to the layman’s eye just demonstrated the bountiful beauty of Glacier National Park. However, Kelly pointed out to us that we were actually walking through Nature’s Pharmacy. The Blackfeet Tribe did and still does harvest many of the plants for medicinal purposes. I already can’t remember many of the names of the plants, but there was a different plant for most of our common ailments: pain relief, respiratory, chafing/skin problems. One of the most utilitarian was the Yarrow, a plant whose leaves immediately address bee stings (including anaphylactic shock!) and relief from itchy insects.

We also encountered waterfalls and of course, Upper Medicine Lake. It was all very interesting how the glaciers formed the valleys, how ongoing events affect the ever- changing terrain. There was an avalanche in 2003 that knocked out all the trees in its wake. Kelly said the force really comes from the air in front of the snow, then the snow buries the land until spring thaw. It was already well on its way to rejuvenation. I wouldn’t have known this occurred had she not told us. Probably the most important (and unsettling) news was that they predict that all the glaciers will be gone come 2020 to 2030 due to global warming.

I wonder how many global warming doubters actually visit national parks? No denying climate change when it is directly confronting you with evidence.

Day one in Glacier National Park Itinerary for the week

July 21/Day 6

We got up early this morning to ensure that we got a spot at Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park. I did quite a bit of research about the campgrounds within the park. The most popular is Many Glacier. It fills up early in the morning. There is a campground status site that tells you what hour the site fills up. I also read on trip advisor about the park in general and camping in particular. I learned that the “Road to the Sun” the main road through the park often gets congested and campgrounds are crowded. Many Glaciers is so popular that it is suggested you troll the campground early in the morning looking for people checking out, then put your tag behind their tag. No, thank you.

Two Medicine is more remote in the campground on the East Glacier Side. It is an hour from the Road to the Sun. It is BEAUTIFUL and filled with like-minded people that enjoy serenity and quiet. There are three parts to this lake: Upper Two Medicine Lake, Two Medicine Lake where the campground is and Lower Two Medicine Lake. We are on Two Medicine Lake, which is perfect for our kayaking needs. We can literally launch our kayaks from our site! We have awesome views from all directions. The mountains here are dramatic, jutting up into the sky right from the campground (it seems).

There are several ranger led hikes right from our campground that we plan on taking. Here is the agenda for the week (all of these are Ranger Led except for the Highlands hike):

Tuesday – Boat Trip and Hike to Upper Two Medicine Lake (cruise and 4.4 mile hike)

Wednesday – Rockwell Falls Hike (6.8 mile hike)

Thursday – We go on the Road to the Sun and take Highland Hike that a fellow hiker recommended (8 mile hike). It is level and down hill. We start at Logan Pass Visitor Center, follow the Garden Wall route and end at Granite Park Chalet. We can then take a shuttle back to our car. On this trail we have the opportunity to see the Big Horn Sheep.

Friday – Aster Park Hike to Aster Falls (3.8 mile hike)

Saturday – We are going to go to the Canadian side of the park. We’ll take Bailey on this drive. That is Waterton Lakes National Park. We are going to go to the Visitor Reception Centre. That will be the whole day. The coordination and alliance between the two countries to form this park is referred to as the International Peace Park World Heritage Site.

Sunday We will go into Many Glacier and explore a bit. Mainly to see the lodge and go on the Many Glacier Historic Hotel Tour

Old Friends in Kalispell, Montana

July 20, 2014/Day 5

Yesterday was a nice drive over from Kellogg, Idaho. Beautiful rivers "St. Regis" and "Flathead" marked our route. We also drove through ranch country and the Camas Plains.
Flathead Valley with Flathead lake as its centerpiece reminded me of Tahoe without the traffic. Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Kalispell itself is the largest little city in Flathead Valley with a population of 20,000+ that has experienced phenomenal growth since 2000. http://www.kalispellchamber.com/kalispell-montana/
No wonder as it is at the center of absolutely beautiful outdoor opportunities. Kalispell is also home to one of our oldest friends, Mike Wood and Hollie Wells.

It is so good to see them. Mike was our roommate back when Justin was 2 and a half and Margy was One Years Old. He is the same, warm, great sense of humor guy he always was. Mike is an avid golfer (he and Steve are golfing right now). 

Hollie is multi-talented. She makes and repairs jewelry, is a "Glamper" and tackles any project she is interested in. She remodeled her Vintage camper (The Glamper) which she takes camping all by herself whenever she feels like taking advantage of the beauty surrounding her in every direction. She introduced me to a new crafts project, that I think even I could do:

hypertufa

Basically it is a cement, peat moss mix that you can use just about anything as a form to make your own designed pottery, sculpture, stepping stones, you name it. Renee and Kathy, I think both of you would find this very interesting! We might have to try it!

Tomorrow we are off very early to Glacier National Park. I don't know if Techno Man Steve will be able to work his usual magic and keep us connected or not. If not, we will connect on the other side of this part of our trip. We plan on staying in the park for 8-10 days. We are planning on camping in 

Two Medicine Lake Campground as our base camp and tour from there. 

It has been somewhat rainy here but I see a break in the weather so I"m going to go for a much needed walk! 

Kellogg, Idaho/ Crystal Gold Mine RV Park

July 18, 2014
Today was a longer travel day. When we got to our intended destination of Wolf Lodge, they had lost our reservation so we had to move on (she later called and send she found it but too late).
We are at a little campground that's claim to fame is Crystal Gold Mine from mining days 100 years ago. It is a small RV park, 20 sites. Full hookups though for 25.00
Just an overnight stop and then on our way in the morning to Mike Wood in Kalispell, Montana.

There are fires raging in Washington and Idaho that is causing some hazy skies, but not too bad.
I spent most of the day today, while traveling, researching campground in Glacier National Park. We probably will stay in Apgar or Fish Creek inside the park for a couple of nights, then scout out which campground we want to move to for the rest of the time there. We plan on entering the park on Sunday after an overnight visit with Mike Wood. We plan on being there around eight days.

We have been setting up Bailey's pen that allows for our lounge chairs, table and room for Bailey to play. He has been a great traveller. He just rests/sleeps until we stop. He sits up and looks up once in awhile but pretty mellow. Steve used velcro to attach a little bed to the console between us. Perfect for Bailey and for us. As you know, he has to be right with us:)

This is a little bit of alright

July 17, 2014
We set out today at 10:00, determined to stick to the 300 mile rule. We used Good Sam RV finder on my phone and found this park, right about after four hours of driving. Here is the link to the park
Boardman RV Park

Keeping with our "be spontaneous" rule, we just came straight here. Bad news "We are full". Hopeful news "We have an overflow area". Steve said we would look at it. I was determined to be satisfied because we have to be flexible and I can't want "the best" every night.
WELL....This is the overflow area! We have a GREAT view of the Columbia River, a huge park all to ourselves, water and electric. It is amazing!!! First picture is the view from our "pen area" in which we have Bailey's pen with our loungers inside. The one with Bailey in the water at the Marina. The last was the swimming area. Yes we did go for a brief dip. It is super windy here, but AGAIN we have it ALL TO OURSELVES!!! There is a "sunset gazebo" that we will check out at appropriate time. Literally only the lawn geese and the Columbia River are our company. #AWESOME! OH? and the grand price of our stay? 20.00!!!

First day and not every day:)

So, I am new to this blog thing. We will see how it goes.
I want to say right off the bat, no one is obligated to read all of my posts. This is my journal that chronicles this trip and I'm sharing. No one needs to reply if they don't want to, or any of that. It just provides a window into our trip. I will probably blather, wonder, wander. I'm not going to edit for an audience. These are just my impressions:)

Our first day we landed in Sisters, Oregon. We realized two things. We can not travel as far as in a car and we are going to make a concerted effort to not be destination/agenda driven. This is a lovely city park that has a bike trail. We are going to explore said bike trail in the morning.

We are now thinking that 300/350 is our max mileage per day. The journey is the adventure.