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.