Montana to Idaho

We left Edgewater, Lakeside, driving down US 93 to where it junctioned with US 12. We took US 12 South/West over Lolo Pass and down to Kamiah ID. That was quite a drive. It seemed that the grade would never end and there were enough turns to keep you awake. I loved it. But I was tired by the time we arrived at Long Camp RV. This is a nice little 22 site FHU campground right on the Clearwater river.

From this base we took several driving tours and visited many of the Nez Perce sites in the area. We had hoped to kayak but when we went to the Dworshank reservoirs Dent Acres  we found that the boat launch was quite steep and getting the kayaks back on the Jeep would be more than we wanted. So rather than retrace our route back to Orofino We took the route less traveled and soon ended up on a gravel road. The scenery was fantastic and we finally found our first stock, a lonely cow, on the road. We drove through Elk River, an old logging town which is now a, shall we say tourist, destination. Lots of 4 wheelers, folks riding in the bed of pickup's lots of campers tent and otherwise. Interesting country.

We stopped for lunch at what looked like an unmanned welcome area and decided to take the 2.5 mile drive to the falls. Another gravel road, some single track, to a parking area. We started to walk the path to the falls. After some distance we couldn't hear any falls and found that we had a 1/2 mile or more to go to the falls. We had left our water in the Jeep so we decided it would be be best to return to the Jeep and head home.

We made a stop in Kendrick and looked at the murals on a couple of buildings. After that short break we figured there would be an ice cream shop. Well there wasn't. We found a gas station where they sold ice cream so we stopped.

Then it was on home and time to sit in the river for a while.

Edgwater/Glacier 2

We took another trip to Glacier since we wanted to have some time at Logan Pass. So we just drove to the pass without stopping at any of the overviews since we did most of them on the last trip. Logan Pass parking lot is usually full by 10:30. We arrived early enough that there was plenty of parking. We took a little walk to some of the snow that was still left on the trails.

Along the way we again were reminded that you can't fix stupid. The picture below is about 1/4 mile after the loop in the Going To The Sun road. Well after the signs that state that vehicles over 21 feet should turn around. Either this guy couldn't read, couldn't comprehend, doesn't know what 21 fee is, ...
We didn't return the same route so I don't know if he got turned arround or not.

 As the following pictures show we spent some time at the Pass and just walked and relaxed.

 It has been a few years since we had stood on snow or made a snowball so that was quite a treat. Nothing like sun, shorts and snow.

Our next stop was Many Glacier to see the lake and hotel. When we arrived and were parked we decided to have our lunch. While eating I saw 2 couples come over the steps from the hotel. That looks like Ken I said. Ken who asked Suzette. From Sun-N-Fun, Faver. Can't be she said. When he passed I saw that his shirt had Siesta Key on the back, "Is that Ken" I asked. His head quickly turned and his wife Karen shouted. Yep is was them and another couple that we had played pickleball with Gary and his wife. Sorry but I don't remember Gary's last name. We had a nice visit and found that they were staying at Apgar. I gave Ken some information on the road work on 89 as we parted ways.

Time to visit the hotel. Very Impressive. I didn't take any inside pictures since I didn't figure I could do it justice. You can read more about the hotel and see pictures here.

We took a drive to the campground and ranger station. We toured the campground and think there are a few slots we could fit in but we don't think we will make that tirp in our Motorhome.

On the return trip we left 89 where it junctions with MT49. Length limit 24 feet. No problem for the jeep. Paved but rough in places however it was a nice drive and brought us to the village of East Glacier. We stopped at the train station to see what appeared to be a little museum but there was no one there. We Continued on to West Glacier and stopped at the depot there for a break. Then it was on home to Edgewater.

Edgwater, Glacier NP

Edgewater RV and Motel is a very nice and clean park managed by Fran and Richard. They have done an excellent job with this facility. Although it is an hour or so south of West Glacier it worked for us. We met some very nice neighbors who are also full timers, Patrick and Deb, who make Edgewater their summer home.

Our first outing was to drive to West Glacier and drive the Going to the Sun road. As we entered the park there was another mandatory watercraft inspection. Same questions, same answers, same inspection. Good to go.

We enjoyed the drive and made many stops for pictures and just enjoying the views.

We arrived at Logan Pass and the lot was full. So we made 3 loops of the parking lot and couldn't find a space. So we decided to continue to St Mary. A good decision a bad decision? After a few miles east of Logan Pass we encountered the paving operation. Slow going. Most of the pull off's were closed since there were being prepared for paving. Finally St Mary. Taking US89 to Browning to hook up with US2. That was good as far as it went. We didn't fully appreciate the construction sign we passed suggesting an alternate route. About 15 miles of US89 north of Browning is under construction. Dirt/gravel, broken pavement, one way road. Finally US2. Oh another watercraft inspection. Same questions, same answers, same inspection, good to go. The kayaks are coming off before our next outing.

Quick pull off. Mountain goats. We had to stop to watch for a while.

Finally back to Edgewater to meet with our hosts for a get together before dinner. Turns out it is Richards birthday and 8 of us went to Tamarack Brewing Co. for dinner.
Good beer, good food, good friends. A nice end to a great day.

7th Ranch to Edgewater RV

We left 7th Ranch to make our way to Edgewater RV and Motel in Lakeside MT. When we got to the rest area near Hardin MT we were required to pull in an have our kayaks inspected for invasive species. We had stopped there the previous day on our way to Pompey's Pillar. Same people, same questions, same answers. Yeah it's a pain but required to keep zebra mussels, and other nasty crap our of western fresh water lakes. We slabbed to Butte where we stayed overnight at 2 Bar Lazy H. It is an easy off easy on park about a mile from the slab. We didn't bother to unhook the Jeep so we just hung our in the rig.

The following day, Tue 23, we left to finish our drive to Edgewater. My what a drive. We took the slab, I90, to Garrison, X174, where we picked up US12 to Avon. Nice 2 lane road with very little traffic. Then we turned on MT 141. Again another nice low traffic 2 lane road. Then it was MT200 which we followed until it junction with MT82. At that junction we were again required to stop for water craft inspection. Again the same questions as at the last stop, same answers, same inspection. Free to go. Onward on MT82. What a nice drive. We found a couple of places to pull off and enjoy the view and have lunch. We drove on to Lakeside MT. This whole route was just fantastic. It was nice to get off the slab and enjoy the countryside.