MOSQUITO HAVEN

Our drive today was a long one, made even longer by the huge traffic jam in Missoula. We stopped for fuel and then when we got back on Highway 93 we spent about 30 minutes in bumper to bumper traffic. Kathe and Warren found a way around all the cars eventually because it looked like we would be stuck there for an hour. Finally we picked up some speed. Nerves were frazzled, but we came out on the right side of town and headed South. 

We are camped here in Sula, Montana which is a little more than a wide spot on the highway along the Bitterroot River. 

Kathe and I went out for a short walk and she was rewarded with two mosquito bites. Then after rubbing repellant all over herself she went out to take a couple of pictures for me. After a mosquito bit her on the forehead, she was back inside for good. Jim and Warren are setting up the "She Shack" right now to keep us from getting bit tonight.

The campground (they shouldn't  call it a "Resort") is very rustic. There is a  store and a restaurant, and a little fishing pond but not much else. The River is really beautiful and all, but our site is mostly gravel and dirt and Jim is having a fit every time some one drives by and throws dust in the air.  Don't be surprised if you don't hear from me every night, the Wi-Fi here is almost nonexistent. Should be an interesting three days!!

BUSMANS HOILDAY

Even though we have to drive 150 tomorrow to get to Sula Montana, guess what they decided to do today? Go for a long drive!

The Kathies thought it would be fun to drive all around Flathead Lake, a distance of about 100 miles. What were they thinking? We are staying at the southern end of the Lake and have just about seen everything on the west side. So, they started off to travel to the east side of the lake hoping that it might just be a little warmer and that they might see some cherry farm stands. It's really too early for cherries in Montana and the only ones we've seen have been in the Safeway and Walmart. Not good enough for my humans.

It was a very beautiful drive and they past many cherry farms and finally found one that was open. They bought a bunch of cherries and ate them right away to make sure that they were good. They stopped for a while in the little old town of Big Fork for some souvenir shopping and some ice cream cones, before heading back on the road.

As you can see the Lake is just as beautiful on the east side as the west.

THE EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLAR FISH

Unfortunately there was no fish. Unless you count the fish tacos that Warren is making for dinner tonight. Let me explain. First there was the $450 dollars for the boat rental. Next, another $350 for the two special poles and reels with lures and bait that was "almost guaranteed" to catch the 30 or 40 pound fish swimming around in Flathead Lake. Four hours on the Lake and not even a nibble!

They did, however, have a great time today on the Lake making it all worth it. The Lake is beautiful and so large it was almost like being in the ocean. In some places it was over 65 feet deep. There were some pretty big waves in the morning, but the weather was cool and the pontoon boat was really plush and comfortable. The Kathies enjoyed the sunshine, riding in the boat listening to music and reading. The guys had fun even without a that big fish to bring home.  

The fish stories that we heard from owner of the boat rental shack and the lady at the bait store made us think we were in for a big fish dinner. 

Oh well, after a couple of Margaritas, I'm sure the fish tacos will taste just as good.

WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM

Well, technically they are Bison not Buffalo. The adventure today was a trip to the National Bison Range which was about an hour away from where we are camped. There was some talk last night about all of five us going together in one car. We doggies didn't want to be squished in the back seat with the Kathies for 4 hours, so we declined the invite.

The National Bison Range is a 18,766 acre refuge located near the center of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The Red Sleep trail that they drove was a 19 mile loop, one way gravel road that takes about 2 hours and gains 2,000 feet in elevation. There were lots of switchbacks and 10% grades along the drive. Good thing they were in a Jeep.

They kept looking and looking and didn't see any of the over 300 bison that are roaming the preserve. Finally, they were just a couple of miles from the exit when herds of bison started coming down the steep hillside to cross the road right in front of them. 

The two very large herds were crossing the road to reach the river. They walked within feet of the Jeep.  It was very cool, and of course everyone was snapping pictures. It was very exciting. They weren't supposed to get out of the car, but some one did to take this close-up! 

 

MIRACLE OF AMERICA

While I was home sleeping, everyone else left for an excursion to the Miracle of America Museum in Polson. From what they told me, it's a miracle that anyone could collect so much stuff in one place. They paid ten dollars to enter and spent the whole afternoon wandering around. They certainly got their moneys worth! 

There were 40 buildings on the property and each one was filled with all manner of stuff, police and military vehicles, bicycles, snowmobiles, motor cycles and really old cars. There were entire buildings dedicated to washing machines, dairy equipment, fishing, hunting, and antique toys and games. They toured several little shops; a bank, a  shoemakers, saddlery, millinery, and even saw some space ships. You can't even begin to imagine all the things stuffed into each building. 

Of course the guys liked all the tools, weapons and vehicles and thought that the museum was amazing. The Kathies just walked around and marveled at room after room of the weird things that people collect. Kathe recognized the EASY washer that her Mom used in the basement of her house in New Jersey, sometime in the 1950's. That machine washed and wrung out the clothes and her Mom then hung them on the clothes line. Memories! 

In front of the museum there was some other interesting stuff, to get you excited to come inside. Here is a picture of a metal sculpture that they claim was "Messy" the Loch Ness monster of Flathead Lake. It was once used at the lumber mill to blow out saw dust. It's about 20 feet long. Now it's just gathering dust on the highway.
    

ALL ABOUT THE DRIVE

Today we had a wonderful drive from Coeur D' Alene to Polson, Montana. It was a bumpy ride and a very windy road, up and down the mountain passes, but oh, so beautiful. I know because I was standing up in my crate the whole way. That's the only way to balance yourself when the coach is swaying back and forth. 

We started out this morning on the I-90 then drove the State roads 135, 200, and 95 all of which have the dots on the map that mean they are the scenic highways.  It truly was the scenic route! Kathe tried to take pictures from the window to show you the drive, sorry that they aren't so great.

We passed lots of rivers, lakes, and pine forests all day long. We saw very few other cars. It was really a special day.

Our RV Park is very nice, the kind of place where people spend the whole summer. We are on Mountain time now here in Montana and its still light outside even through the clock says its 10:00. 

Time to get in my bed!

COEUR D' ALENE

So nice and cool here under the giant pine trees. No air conditioning needed at night, and the days are in the 80's. Our site is shaded and we are right next to a campers patio with a waterfall. It's a little crowded, but then again its summertime and everyone is traveling. 

Today was a shopping day. I wasn't invited, but I'm not much of a shopper unless we are going to Petco, where I can browse the lower shelves for treats.  They went into the town of Coeur D' Alene and walked up and down the little old town shopping area. Kathy T. is always on the look out for Christmas stuff and wasn't disappointed today. She brought home a box bigger than me! Jim and Kathe did some olive oil tasting and purchased some flavored oils and champagne vinegar for cooking. They topped off the afternoon with a Costco run, the first Costco they have seen in awhile. Not enough room in the freezer to make the trip worthwhile I'm told. As long as there is plenty of frozen chicken for me I'm a happy dog.

When they came back to the coach, Kathe and I went for a little walk. Then she talked Jim into  going down to see the Lake and taking pictures. 

They had pizza for lunch today so a little extra walking was necessary. It's really a pretty Lake and they watched people boating and swimming in the late afternoon. They even saw a baby moose! Don't think he wanted his picture taken.