9/04/2014

September 1-3, 2014 Leaving Montana and Heading West.

Monday, September 1st

Today was our last day in Glacier National Park.  We have really enjoyed ourselves here, especially being in the forest.  We just hung out doing odds and ends.

Our final campfire:

09-01-14 A Glacier NP Apgar (5)

The logs around the outside are drying out from all the rain we had.  They did eventually and by evening we had a wonderful fire.

Tuesday, September 2nd

Our treat as we left the park:

09-02-14 B Glacier NP (2)

We headed south to Kalispell and the rest of our day was busy, busy, busy.  Our first stop was Wal-Mart, where we unhooked the car. I went into the store to stock up (since there is no sales tax in Montana) and Andy did his errands (Lowes for some parts and another stop for propane).  From there, Andy took the motorhome to the Elks, while I went to the bank.

Once we settled into the Elks (nice campground with water and electric), I took off to do the laundry while Andy did a few repairs and made a few phone calls.  By the time, we were all done and everything put away, it was 4:30 and we were pooped!  We made a stop in the Lodge to register and we were hoping that they were serving meals but only on Thursdays and Fridays.  So we did a quick run for a pizza and settled in for the night.

We got a weather alert too – Winter advisory in Glacier Area – cold and possible snow at the higher elevations.  Oh My!

Tomorrow we continue our journey west.

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled: 36 miles

Routes Traveled:

Montana: Going to the Sun Road, US-2, Reserve Street; US-93; US-2

Wednesday, September 3rd

Today we continued our journey west.  Just as we started to hook up the car, the rain started and continued most of our trip. We traveled through national forests, past lakes, rivers, fields and farms – I am so much in love with  this part of the country.  For me, western Montana is a really close second to Alaska.  If I never get back to Alaska, spending more summers in western Montana would be just fine – Smile

Some pictures along the way:

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (4)

Sun, maybe:

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (9)

No – Sad smile:

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (15)

Cool looking barns:

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (21)

Libby, Montana had these interesting eagle sculptures throughout the town:

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (27)

And vehicles on pedestals:

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (28)

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (30)

We followed the Kootenai River to the Falls:

09-03-14 A Travel Kalispell to ID Border US2 (34)

And into Idaho:

09-03-14 B Travel Border to CDA ID US2-95 (2)

Still following the Kootenai:

09-03-14 B Travel Border to CDA ID US2-95 (3)

09-03-14 B Travel Border to CDA ID US2-95 (5)

Not sure if this was a restaurant or a hotel or ?? but it did look interesting:

09-03-14 B Travel Border to CDA ID US2-95 (8)

We made it to the Elks in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho where we are staying for one night – it is a very nice Elks campground with water and electric.

We set up, did a few things and then went into the lodge to meet up with Judy and Luke and Diane and Bill where we had a great time chatting.  We have known Judy and Luke for a few years and just met Diane and Bill. 

From there we headed to Texas Road House for a great meal.  L-R: Judy, me, Diane, Bill, Andy, Luke:

20140903_171328

Thank you Judy for the photo – Smile.

After our great meal and saying our “see you laters” to Judy and Luke, we headed back and the remaining four of us had a nice time getting to know each other back at our home.  Hopefully all our paths will cross again soon.

Tomorrow we head further west so stay tuned and enjoy today.

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled: 215 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Montana: 18th Street; US-93; US-2

Idaho: US-2; US-95; Prairie Avenue

IMG_6649535204497

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