LONG, NOT SO SCENIC DRIVE

We left Lemolo Lake this morning and it was very smoky due to a fire now raging in the Yreka area on the California/Oregon border. Seems like every summer there is a fire somewhere to worry about. We could smell smoke in the air, even though the fire is miles away from us. Hoping that they get it contained soon.

We traveled down highway 138, which is the Umpqua Scenic Byway, but it wasn't very scenic most of the way. Due to the recent fires, a huge area of the forest was completely destroyed. So many trees lost, so sad to drive down the highway and see nothing but the skeletal remains of thousands of pine trees.

Eventually we reached Rosburg and highway 42/99 and made our way to the 101 and the Oregon Coast. It's very cool here, about 67 degrees right now, and the sky above us is blue. No smoke here except from the campers next door. We're looking forward to a cool night's sleep without air conditioning.

We haven't done much because we arrived so late this afternoon, but tomorrow we are going to explore the Lighthouse and the beach. 

DIAMOND LAKE

We are only a few miles from Diamond Lake, so Jim loaded the bikes on the Jeep this morning for a ride around the Lake. We have our own lake here at the campground, but there is no bike path, just a dirt and wood chip path down to the water. They do have boats to rent here, but Jim really wanted to ride. 

It’s still pretty hot here but a bike ride in the shade around the lake appealed to both of them. The ride was really very beautiful most of the way, but the recent fires in this area left its mark. Of course, Jim rode longer and farther than Kathe, but she waited for him by the lake under the pine trees. This is a shot looking down the bike path.

Tomorrow, we leave for the cooler Oregon coast. I’m sad to leave the chipmunks, but I’m ready for a change of scenery.

BIG CRATER BIG LAKE

 

Ok here goes, another blog written on Kathe’s tablet. No internet AGAIN! 

Today they went looking for adventure. Crater Lake National Park is just a few miles from Lemolo Lake. They decided to take a picnic and leave me home to watch the chipmunks. We are camped in the middle of the forest, there are lots of tress, and lots of wild and crazy chipmunks. Sad to say, the area around here had a devastating fire recently, and so many of the trees were burned. The road into Crater Lake would make you cry to see how much it’s changed since our last visit.

Crater Lake itself is still beautiful, the deepest lake in the world, and so very blue. Once you get into the National Park, there are still lots of green pine trees and lots of tourists. Kathe and Jim spent the whole day driving around and checking out the overlooks, and of course checking out the giant campground. There are tons of campsites, but I don’t think we will ever camp there. No water, no power, not our style.

IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE

We are camped in a KOA at Lemolo Lakes Oregon. We had to drive into the place on a 5-mile pothole road to a dirt road and the campground.  It's a good thing Warren and Kathy couldn't get a reservation here. Gianni and Bella would not like this place at all. Trees and dirt, and more trees and dirt. Of course, Jim loves it, and I do too. I haven’t seen these many chipmunks, in forever! Kathe didn’t like going outside in the dark, but that’s okay with me.

After getting set up, which took a while due to the excessive slope, they decided to visit four of the six waterfalls this area is known for. Here is a picture of Clearwater Falls.

I have to write using Kathe’s tablet because we have absolutely no internet in the park.

STILL REAL HOT

This morning we had to move from site 72 to another site on the other side of the RV park. Seems that Kathe made a mistake on the reservation and we only had site 72 for 2 not 3 nights. Luckily, the park had a cancellation and we were able to move this morning to site 40. A closer site to the Taylors, but not as nice a view, but we are able to stay another night. It's closer to the dog walk which makes two of us happy.

It's still blazing hot today, the paper says there's a record heat wave in the Northeast. We know! It's 103 in the shade. I'm just glad we have 3 air conditioners running, and a nice cold tile floor to curl up on.

The humans went to the Mill District for lunch today. This area was once a lumber mill in Bend right on the Deschutes River. Now it's a shopping mall with some really nice restaurants. You can see the people floating in tubes down along the River and keeping cool on a hot summer afternoon. 

Tomorrow we leave the Bend/Sisters and head toward the Crater Lake area. We're staying in Lemolo Lakes, a new adventure for us. The Taylors will be going to Seven Feathers Resort as they weren't able to get a reservation where we are staying. We'll meet them again on the Coast in a few days.

SO HOT

It's been about 103 degrees all day today.  Too hot to do anything strenuous. It's just starting to cool down enough to walk outside now, but it's almost dark and time to go to bed.

Jim went for a bike ride this morning, but no one would go with him. He looked beat when he returned. Who wants to exercise in such extreme heat? I stayed home and helped Kathe work on her needlepoint in the air-conditioned motor home. Kathy T had a sales meeting and worked until well after lunch time, while Warren took a nap. My humans aren't usually this lazy, but the heat has gotten to all of us.

Later this afternoon they finally left the RV Park and went for an excursion to the Tumalo Waterfall in Bend. It was a 97-foot waterfall with a short uphill walk from the parking lot to the top of the falls.

 It was much cooler there and worth the walk. Will it be cooler tomorrow, I sure hope so!

BEAUTIFUL SISTERS

Well, last night was too much fun. We reunited with Kathy and Warren and my pals, Gianni and Bella. They were supposed to spend more time with their relatives, but they missed us so much that they came back to camp with us a week early.  All anyone did last night was talk, eat, drink and play cards. Nothing very blog worthy in my opinion. But it was really fun to get out in the grass with my buddies, I missed them!

This morning we drove about 140 miles to the beautiful Bend/Sisters RV Resort. We have been here before several times, and we love it. So many pretty trees and flowers, and large grassy lawn areas. This is a picture looking out our front window at one of the lakes. There are lots of rules and regulations for doggies. Kathe and I tried to follow the "no dogs on the plants or grass" rule, but the pavement was so hot I was doing the hot potato dance. Finally, I made it to the "official pet walk," only to be sprayed by a million sprinklers. Why in heavens name would they water the dog walk area in the middle of the afternoon. Kathe and I got SOAKED!  

Guess what, we aren't following their stupid rules anymore.

ADVENTURES IN PEACH BEACH

Not too far from Peach Beach is the St. John's Monastery, a Greek Orthodox women's monastic community. They have a bakery and gift shop with amazing Greek food and baked goods. Kathe and Jim made that their first stop this morning. They bought some cookies, biscotti for themselves, and a large spanakopita to serve tomorrow when Warren and Kathy come to join us.

This afternoon Kathe and Jim went to the Cascade Cliffs winery in Wishram, Washington. They have a beautiful setting on the cliffs overlooking the Columbia Gorge. Apparently, the wine was pretty tasty as they came home with six bottles. Outside, from the vineyard you could see Mount Hood. It's so large that it was hard to take a picture with Kathe's phone.

At the winery they asked about the unusual logo on the wine bottles. It seems it was a taken from a group of petroglyphs at the nearby Horsethief Lake State Park. 

You know my humans, of course they had to explore and find them. These petroglyphs were saved during the construction of the John Day Dam. The rocks have been returned to the area and are displayed in large pieces in the State Park.

JUST PEACHY

We arrived here at Peach Beach RV Resort in Goldendale, Oregon early this afternoon. We were greeted by the campground host and given a bag with a fresh peach and nectarine from the orchard. The orchard is right here next to the Resort. What a nice welcome!

Our campsite is on the shore of the Columbia River and there are several people wind surfing out in front of us on the river. It's so beautiful here and cool. It was 97 When we left Yakima this morning and it's in the 70's here, with a nice breeze. Didn't even need the air conditioning at all, we just opened all the windows.

Kathe and Jim walked to the Peach Orchard Farm Store and came back with more peaches and some blueberries, but that was the excitement of the day. 

I like to watch the big doggies that are camped next to us, they are playing Frisbee on the lawn and swimming in the river. I'm just going to relax with Kathe and Jim in the shade.

OUT AND ABOUT IN YAKIMA

 

It's still too hot here for a hike or a bike ride, so Kathe suggested that they find something to do indoors. After checking the 10 best things to do here in Yakima, guess what? This campground and the park surrounding it was number 3. So, they found something else on the list.

First, they went to the Yakima Valley Museum. We've been in Yakima before, but we never visited this museum. It really was a nice afternoon. Lots of information on the farming and orchards with interactive stuff and videos. Kathe enjoyed the couture exhibit of the work of Carolyn Schactler. Beautiful gowns with unusual fabrics that were very colorful.

Jim enjoyed the antique cars and especially the steam fire engine. There was also an exhibit devoted to honeybees and an interesting area about the long history of the production of apples in the Yakima Valley.

After the museum, they went to Johnston Farms. Normally they would have had a u-pick cherry orchard here, but this year the crop yield was down 20%. In the farmers market they purchased fresh apricots and nectarines, as well as a blueberry and apricot mini pie.    

NOT MUCH DOING TODAY

It's really hot here! 94 in the shade! Kathe didn't want to do anything, but unfortunately, I had a grooming appointment, so she had to leave the air conditioning long enough to drive me to Petco. I looked great when she picked me up, but I fixed it myself by rolling around on the carpet. At least I still smell good.

While I was getting my bath, she spent some time in Costco and Safeway. Her excuse was that the next two places we are going are so remote that we might run out of food. Like that's ever going to happen!

Jim went for a bike ride this morning and spent the afternoon repairing the backup camera. He fixed it a few months ago with tape and string, but today he made a permanent repair. Cross your paws that it works. Oh yeah, he also washed one side of the motorhome. We could use the rain; it might help cool things down.

Tonight, Jim barbecued a steak and some vegetables. A really delicious dinner, but we couldn't eat outside.  Last night we were eaten alive by the mosquitos and the biting flies! Ah, the great outdoors.  

MISSED A NIGHT

Just in case you didn't notice, I forgot to blog last night. After that exciting day at Grand Coolie Dam, there wasn't anything else to do worth writing about. Soap Lake was a nice park if you like a gazillion kids, and bikes, scooters and skateboards. Not much for me and my humans to do. Besides, I wasn't feeling all that great for the last few days, and with the heat, all we wanted to do was relax.

This morning we left Smokiam Resort and traveled down to Yakima. Lots of farming. Corn, beans, and onions. Interesting, on one side of the highway was desert scrub, and the other side, healthy green vegetables. The difference? Water from the Columbia River flowing down from the Grand Coolie! 

Jim wanted me to post this picture of the bridge when we crossed the Columbia.

Here at Yakima Sportsman State Park, there are lots of big trees but not much shade. At least Jim is happy, they don't turn on the sprinklers here. The last two places the sprinklers would come on just when I wanted to go outside in the middle of the night. It's like raining upside down. Not fun!

It's very strange not to be with Warren, Kathy, and Gianni and Bella. We almost don't know what to do with ourselves. Kathe is cooking, but it's more fun with our buddies along. Can't wait for them to join us next week at Peach Beach.

DOUBLE DAM

After that hike yesterday, Kathe wasn't going anywhere! It's just too hot to do anything strenuous. Jim suggested a scenic drive up to Grand Coolie Dam and that sounded like a good idea to her. As long as the air conditioning was on full blast! She packed a picnic lunch and off they went.

Only a few miles from where we are camped is one of the greatest geological wonders in North America. Carved by Ice Age Floods, Dry Lake Falls was once four times larger than Niagara Falls. The huge "dry waterfall" remains a clue as to the floods power. It's 3.5 miles wide and 400 feet tall. Imagine how that falls would have roared.

Next, they drove along scenic highway 155 to Grand Coolie to see the Grand Coolie Dam. Wow, they were impressed. The dam is 550 feet high and 5,223 feet long. Compare that to the Hoover Dam, which is 726 feet high, but only 1,244 feet long. It took only 3,250,00 cubic yards of concrete to build the Hoover Dam and the Grand Coolie Dam needed 11,975,521 cubic yards. Grand Coolie generates more than 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Power from the Grand Coolie Dam is supplied to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Canada.  

SOAP LAKE

We said goodbye to the Taylors this morning and headed out on our own to Smokiam Resort in Soap Lake, Washington. Kathe wanted to take highway 2 rather than the Interstate because she wanted the more scenic route. All went well until the city of Davenport where they closed the highway for some sort of a parade. Only one problem, they didn't mark the detour very well and we ended up on a dirt road in the town cemetery. Had to unhook the car, back up, turn around, hook back up and find our way back to the highway. 

Not fun! Made it to Soap Lake in plenty of time to have lunch and take a hike to the Lake Lenore Caves. A hard, hot hike uphill on the rocky cliff to a disappointing hole in the rocks. 

Seems there was a better view of the caves from the highway. The Smokiam Resort is a large family campground with lots of things for kids to do. There are even several Tipis that can be rented and lots of tent camping. Looks like there is plenty to do here, and if it ever cools down, I might even let Kathe take me for a long walk around the campground. Right now, I'm happy to stay inside with the air blowing full blast.

NISHINOMIYA TSUTAKAWA GARDEN

This morning we woke to a thunderstorm with rain which quickly turned into a hailstorm. The hail was only pea sized, but it sounded like bullets on the roof of the coach. After about 10 minutes it stopped, then it started thundering again and we received more hail. Then a few minutes later the sun came out like nothing ever happened. Quite an experience, luckily no damage except to out sleep!

Today was our last day in Liberty Lakes, and our last day with the Taylors, Bella and Gianni for a while. We are leaving them tomorrow as they will be going to visit family for the next two weeks. We will meet them again on the Oregon Coast later this month. 

This afternoon Kathy T. found a beautiful place right in the middle of a Spokane City Park. The Nishinomiya Japanese Garden was amazing, and today it was enjoyed by many people as well as my humans. It was a quiet place to wander or sit and admire the trees and Koi ponds.  The park was in the middle of a neighborhood of small craftsmen style homes. 

Tomorrow we will head to Soap Lake, Washington, a new adventure just the three of us. 

RIVER TALES AND TRAILS

 

I told you they would find something fun to do today, and they did. There is a very long bike trail here that runs from the Spokane Valley to Coeur d' Alene. All they had to do was find the entrance this morning and they were off on an adventure. Once they got some information from a local bike rider, they began the biking on the Centennial Trail for a 10-mile ride. It was really nice riding along the river on a path with wildflowers and pine trees.

Jim rewarded Kathe with a fish and chips lunch after the ride. Then it was time for a walk for me, a short one because the pavement was so hot. I let Kathe carry me back to the air-conditioned motor home so I could continue my nap.

After lunch, Jim drove all the humans into Spokane to see the Downtown Riverfront area and the Spokane Upper and Lower Falls. What a site, right in the middle of the City. There were two walking bridges over the Falls, so Kathe got some good pictures. One of the large brick buildings on the Riverfront was once a flour mill that has been transformed into a shopping mall and a restaurant with a balcony over the river.

LIBERTY LAKE, NO LAKE

A long and very bumpy, winding road to get here today. Imagine our upset after driving all that way to find out that Liberty Lakes RV Park is nowhere near the Lake. Nor is there the Golf Course that's pictured with the smiling water skiers on the website.  The park has concrete sites with large grass areas between the sites, but it's in the middle of the city. Cross this one off your list of places to stay next time you drive through Idaho into Washington.

We are going to make the best of the situation, even though we are parked nowhere near the Taylors. Gianni and Bella went for a long walk with me to the area they call a dog park, but don't get me started on that subject. There is no need to go there again.

Guess we are all tired tonight and hopefully things will look brighter in the morning. We're about halfway between Coeur d' Alene and Spokane so I'm sure we will find plenty to do.

By the way, this is a picture of Liberty Lake. Kathe and Jim found this afternoon using the GPS. It's about 11 miles away from the RV park!

LAST NIGHT IN MISSOULA

Well, the plan this morning was to take a tour of the Smokejumper facility here in Missoula. However, it's closed until Thursday, so plan "B" was a tour of the historical old town of Missoula. My Kathe printed out a map of the 10 most historical buildings, but I think it was just an excuse to go shopping again. Luckily it was very hot in town today, in the high 90's so they were back home after a couple of hours. They did see some interesting buildings, like this Art Deco Hotel. There were also lots of little shops with crafts and jewelry. I only saw a couple of shopping bags, but I guess the ladies had some success.

Back home in the motor home my Kathe did some laundry. Note to doggies: When all the laundry is done, look out, it is probably bath time for you. I didn't really enjoy it, but I guess I was getting pretty stinky. Now, I'm beautiful again.

Speaking of beauty, this park is really amazing. there are so many places where they have planted flowers and sculptures that it's a pleasure just to go for a walk. They have 5 full time gardeners and there are flowers everywhere. Kathe took a bunch of pictures.

HISTORICAL FORT MISSOULA

Looking today for something different to do and Kathy T found the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.  It was only a few miles down the highway from our campground and there was so much to see in the 32-acre park. Lots of walking and exploring.

They started at the Historical Museum building and learned that Fort Missoula was established as a permanent military post in 1877 after the local townspeople requested protection in the event of a conflict with western Montana Indians.  The fort was not completed before there was a major conflict when the Nez Perce refused to settle on reservation land in Idaho. One of the interesting historical facts about the soldiers stationed at the Fort was the creation of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps in 1888. It was a regiment of black soldiers and white officers that were chosen to see if bicycles could replace horses in the military. At one time they rode 50 miles a day from Missoula to St. Louis before the project was abandoned.

Once outdoors, there were many historical buildings to explore. There was a fully restored library train that was used as a bookmobile for loggers throughout Missoula County from 1921 to the late 1950's.

There was the first Montana Catholic Church, a schoolhouse, a forest lookout, a steam operated sawmill, and many military buildings. Sadly, Fort Montana was also used as an internment camp for the Italians and Japanese during the World Wars. 

GARNET GHOST TOWN

About 30 miles away from Missoula is a ghost town called Garnet. The humans packed a lunch and headed out for an excursion this afternoon to see this abandoned gold mine. In the early 1860's a strike on the Bear Creek first brought prospectors to the area. The discovery of a 32-ounce nugget area brought another wave of miners. During the boom years the town had 4 stores, seven hotels, 3 livery stables, barber shops, a butcher shop, a candy shop, drugstore and numerous miner's cabins. Many of those buildings are still standing. There are also artifacts and interesting pieces of furniture and belongings on display.

The Bureau of Management and the Garnet Preservation Association recognized this area as one of Montana's most intact ghost towns and secured title to the properties and stabilized this important part of mining heritage.

They spent the whole afternoon exploring the area enjoying the trees and cool mountain air and the beautiful wild lilac bushes. Kathe and Warren found lots of places where there were wild strawberry, blackberry, and huckleberry growing, but it's too soon for any to be ripe. Bet it would be a great place in the late summer, especially for the bears.

RED RED WINE

This morning we said goodby to all our visitors and headed to Missoula, Montana. It was a really nice drive all the way around Flat Head Lake, and down to Jim and Mary's RV Park. Flat Head Lake is HUGE! The road was quite tippy all morning, and we sort of went rocking back and forth for many miles. 

So, as soon as Kathe started to set things up, she noticed red spots everywhere. Seems the stopper in a nearly full bottle of red wine popped its cork and spattered red wine all over the place. On the floor, the kitchen table, the wall, the carpet, and most alarmingly the upholstered dining chair. 

Boy was Kathe upset. She tried to get the polka dotty stains out with all sorts of products. I thought she was going to break down and start crying. Eventually she was able to get things sorted and hopefully when the chair dries it will look better.  She's feeling a lot better now that Kathy T brought her a watermelon margarita.

Okay, so about the RV Park, it's fabulous. There is a beautiful flower arrangement between every site.  We have grass all around our 80-foot-long site and the internet is excellent. They even have a doggie park with green grass, the first one Gianni, Bella and I have seen since California. I could stay here forever, or at least 4 days.

LAST DAY AT GLACIER

Seems like we have been here a long time, especially since we can't access very much of the park. We were hoping that the road conditions would have changed by now, but it looks like nothing will change until late July.

We have made the best of the situation, and today it my humans were trying to think up something new to do. Unfortunately, Gerry had an emergency trip to the dentist, I'm sure that wasn't fun. Kathy T and her sister Sharon went to the historic town of old Kalispell, and Warren took a long hike all the way to the Apgar Village. 

After a long discussion about another bike ride or a nice easy hike, Kathe Jim and Carol decided to hike to Avalanche Creek on the Trail of the Cedars. Good choice! 

Beautiful ancient cedar trees on an easy path that was a little over a mile long. So quiet and peaceful in the middle of a forest and a bridge across the fast-moving Avalanche Creek.

Tomorrow we will say goodbye to all our friends, and we will travel on to Missoula, Montana with the Taylors. Carol will drive home to Idaho, John and Gerry will continue their vacation and head back to New Jersey, and Sharon will fly back to California. What a great time we had together. 

BIRTHDAY RIDE

Today is Jim's birthday, so, he got to decide what we were going to do today. Of course, he chose a bike ride into the park. With the rain last night, it didn't look too promising this morning, but Kathe, Jim, Carol and Warren were going to ride, rain or shine. Luckily, the sun peeked out and they started out on the bike trail into Glacier. The bike trail was fabulous once they got started. They rode through the forest of ferns and Lodge Pole pines noticing a few piles of bear scat on the trail. Soon, they saw a group of riders quietly standing on the side of the path. Seems there was a black bear about 75 feet into the forest partial hidden by the foliage. In the picture all you can see is a bear butt on the lower left, but it was exciting to see one this close to the bike path.

They rode up to McDonald Lake in a slight drizzle but stopped to take a picture of the mountains across the Lake. It was a really amazing ride, and the most amazing part was that Kathe stayed upright almost the whole ride. There was a tiny little unplanned trip into the bushes, but she didn't fall. All and all a perfect day. 

And it's not over yet, Warren is cooking Jim's favorite dinner tonight, pork chops. Kathe is making the potatoes, and Gerry is baking the beans. There is even apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert.

HIKING THE MCDONALD FALLS TRAIL

What a production this morning. Seven humans talking and no one could decide what they wanted to do today. They sat around drinking coffee for a very long time. I sat behind the big chair and listened to the discussion until I finally fell asleep from boredom.

Then at about 11:00 everyone left my house and went in different directions. Jim and Warren went to Kalispell to pick up the tow bar part at the UPS store, and then went to the supermarket. Kathy T, Sharon and Aunt Gerry went souvenir shopping. My Kathe was trying to arrange a hike for the afternoon to show Carol the beauty of Glacier Park.

Finally, after lunch Kathe, Carol, Warren, Jim and Uncle John piled into the Jeep and drove into the park to the trailhead for a hike to McDonald Falls. It was a really spectacular hiking trail right along the fast-moving McDonald Creek. Hard to explain how beautiful it was, but maybe these pictures will help. Another perfect day.

PARTY TIME

Sorry I'm late tonight, but Kathe was partying again, and I don't have the password to start the blog without her.

This morning all of the girls went shopping in Whitefish, Montana. Whitefish is about 30 minutes away with all kinds of nice touristy shops. Kathy T and her sister Sharon bought presents for each other and some really cute pajamas. Gerry bought a few pairs of pretty hand-crafted earrings, and my Kathe bought a hat with an LED in the middle of it. It's embarrassing enough to walk with her in the mornings in her pajamas and slippers, now she's added a ridiculous red hat with a high beam sticking out of her head to the outfit.

While the girls went shopping, Warren, Jim and John went for a long bike ride into the park. They had a great time together and rode all the way to Fish Creek and back on the electric bikes. 

This evening my humans had a party potluck dinner for fourteen. Carol arrived this afternoon from Idaho and Maryn, Roger, Paul and Jean drove over from their campsite in Hungry Horse. Looked like the food was awesome, but I wasn't offered anything. They cooked steaks and hamburgers. There was a whole lot of food and wine served along with the barbecue. After dinner they had a roaring campfire and enjoyed themselves until the mosquitos arrived, sending everyone back home. 

NOT GOING TO THE SUN ROAD

They should but a black X on the T-shirts that say, "Going to the Sun Road", because you can't! Everyone is very disappointed that the road is closed, and you can't past Avalanche Creek. With the road closed, there isn't much to see or do at Glacier. I pity the people that came from other countries for that once in a lifetime experience.

My humans are making the best of the situation. Today they drove up as far as possible and took pictures of the raging waters of McDonald River. They stopped at all of the overlooks and took pictures. They were trying to see if they could book a scenic cruise on McDonald Lake, but that was overbooked because there's nothing else to do except shopping. 

Jim is dying for a bike ride, but it's been raining cats. Kathe made me do outside last night when it was pouring. I got so wet that I ran back into the coach before she could catch me. So much for my nice hairdo, now I look like a drowned rat. And more rain is predicted for tonight.

Right now, Warren is cooking up some beans and barbecued ribs for a Fourth of July feast. John and Gerry are bringing the huckleberry pie, and Kathe made some corn bread and slaw. Sounds good!

MSSED A DAY

I tried and I tried to post my blog last night, but everyone must have had the same idea. There was no way I could get onto the internet.  Our long drive here was really scenic with the snowy mountain in front of us almost the whole way.  We finally we arrived in West Glacier at our beautiful RV Resort in the late afternoon. By the time we got set up, met Uncle John and Aunt Gerry and Kathy T's sister, and ate dinner with everyone it was 10 o'clock. So, after about an hour of trying to get the computer to work, I gave up and went to bed. Today I'm getting an earlier start to let you know what we did today. Don't worry if I miss a day, it's not my fault if Kathe is partying till the wee hours.

After watching it rain for a few hours this morning we finally went outside for a walk around the park between the raindrops. Because of the snow and damage to the Going To The Sun Road much of Glacier Park is closed. And you need a special pass to drive on the parts of the park that are still open. 

Since not all of us had passes today we chose to take both Jeeps up to the Polebridge, Montana, just outside of Glacier. The road was mostly unpaved and very muddy due to the rain. It was a really pretty drive and at the end of the road was the Polebridge Mercantile. Delicious pastries for everyone!

Here is a picture of Jim's Jeep after the drive. It's supposed to be silver, not brown. Now he's trying to find a car wash.

GETTING READY FOR GLACIER

 

A short trip today up the I-15 to the small town of Shelby Montana. Nothing but wheat fields all the way for about 2 hours. Boring! Tonight, we are camped in a very small RV Park on the way to Glacier tomorrow. Not much to do here although there is a casino within walking distance which made the Kathies eyes light up. Keep your paws crossed that they get lucky.

Jim washed the motor home today, a sure bet that it will rain soon. Not too much excitement today, but I did get a dunking in the kitchen sink in preparation for seeing my aunt Gerry and Uncle John tomorrow in Glacier. I look pretty darn good. 

Last night after dinner everyone jumped into the car to search for the Great Falls. Guess what, there really was a Great Falls. Lewis and Clark named it on their Discovery Voyage. At one time it must have been quite a sight. In modern times they built a dam across the falls and that changed everything. Funny, most of the people at the campground didn't even know there was a waterfall here. Kathe took this picture at sunset last night; it was pretty spectacular place. Just imagine what it looked like before they built the dam.