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!