West Glacier, Montana

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Yesterday we crossed the Idaho panhandle and over the state line into Montana.

It was a beautiful drive along scenic highways all the way.  Once we crossed over into Montana, we drove a good portion of the way along Flathead Lake.  The weather could have been nicer.  We had storm clouds all the way.

I wish there had been more sunshine so that you could see the lake better, but there you go. 

It didn't rain until we pulled into the campground where we planned to stay for the next few days.  This is always the way it happens.  When you have to get out of the car to help in the backing process, or to go into the office to register, the skies open up into a drenching downpour.  We were able to wait this one out a little, and so not too much damage was done.  No damage, in fact, except to my hair.

Our plan had always been to camp inside the park, but we found a nice KOA just outside the west park entrance.  The campgrounds inside the national parks are always lovely.  Sadly, however, they do not have hook-ups.  While we are not opposed to "dry" camping, having hook-ups is much preferred.  With this KOA being so close to the entrance, it seemed a better choice.  

On the drive to West Glacier, we saw sign after sign after sign about huckleberry this and huckleberry that.  Huckleberry ice cream and huckleberry pie, for example.  Then when we pulled into our campsite, we were greeted by this bush.  I'm guessing these might be huckleberries.  What do you think?

Gracie and Smitty have been riding like champions.  Gracie always uses the first half hour or so after we arrive anywhere to take care of her grooming needs.

Toe jam has been especially bad this year.

But she has to keep a weather eye out for that crazy cat Smitty.  It's as bad as being a mother to a toddler.  She can't even go into the bathroom without him following her.

If he isn't attacking her,

he's thinking about attacking her,

following her around,

and strategizing about his next attack.

It's enough to drive a grandma cat like Gracie crazy.  Fortunately, he's easily distracted

by his cat toys and things walking by outside.  Woofies, for example.

But we all sort of wondered about this:

It's parked across the way from us.  We haven't seen an RV like this one before.  We sort of think the back end slides forward, and the front end slides backward, and then the top half slides down, making a tidy little towing package.  We considered asking the owners to demonstrate it for us, but then thought better of it.  Smitty wanted to ask them.

He briefly considered jumping on Gracie some more, but then decided to take a nap in Mom's lap.

Riding in the trailer all day can make a guy really tense.  It's hard to relax.

But Gracie badly needed some peace and quiet.  Ahhhhhhhhhh.

This morning the weather has improved.  I would welcome some beautiful white puffy clouds for my photography inside the park.  Our plan  for today is to go to the park visitor's center and pick up a hiking book of some kind.  Then we're going to drive the scenic Going-to-the-Sun road, which is around 50 miles and makes a loop through the park.  Then tomorrow, after we've had a chance to study some of our literature, we'll plan a hike somewhere in the park.  Pictures to follow.