9/11/12

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.

18 comments:

WoolenSails said...

I can just imagine kitties in a small space, lol, mine would be terrors. The view is beautiful, even with the storm, I love traveling on cloudy days.

Debbie

WoolenSails said...

Oh, forgot, we were looking at those pop ups, sort of like a tent trailer, but a hard top, so less weight. Wasn't impressed with the interiors and I want something I can just jump in.


Debbie

Denise :) said...

Montana is one of my favorite states. I have family there, too! We have the *exact* same upholstery on our pull out love seat as you have on yours! It was sort of weird to be sitting on it and seeing it in your pic at the same time! The cats look like they're managing the travels just fine. I was not too impressed with the pop-up RV either -- and there's a lot of work to set up and take down (from an interior point of view). Definitely wouldn't do for a full-timer! :)

Needled Mom said...

We loved West Glacier and stayed at the Belton Inn - old railroad hotel.

That Road to the Sun is a white knuckle ride with the steep drops and narrow road. Have a great time as the views are spectacular.

Rachel said...

Beautiful! Love Gracie /Smitty rivalry..Can't wait for the day you get to take a photo of them snuggled up together! I agree with an above commenter, not a lotta love for the pop up trailers, too much work.

NancyA said...

NO! Not huckleberries! Don't know what they are, but may not be edible. Great place in Hungry Horse, I think, where we had huckleberry pie WITH huckleberry ice cream! Delicious!
By the way, if you get to Seeley Lake, MT--SE of where you are now, there is a great quilt store! I think it is even better than Bear Paw Quilts.

ytsmom said...

Glacier Park, I would love to be in your shoes. Do you keep the cats in carriers when you are driving? DH & I would love to have an RV/trailer someday, but wonder about our cats. Still love the catio idea! Thanks

Anonymous said...

It's nice that you can take them with you. Hope you get nice weather for the rest of your stay. Have fun.

Sarah said...

Poor little Gracie - Smitty just wants to be friends. I love the story told with pictures - it almost doesn't need the words to see what is going on. I hope you'll post more pictures of the catio, he must love it!

Diane Wild said...

Glad to hear somebody is getting rain. Too bad it's on you, however. Beautiful scenery.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I used to love camping in KOAs! Missouri has some of the best state parks in the country, we authorized a special tax just for them so I'm pretty critical of other parks. Rocky Mtn Nat'l was really great. I'd love to see Idaho and Montana too!

Wendy said...

That's great that you're able to travel with your kitties! Once upon a time, when we had only one kitty (now dearly missed), we took her on a trip with us half way across the country. In a car! What an adventure.

I believe your berries are red currants - or something very similar, since those are currant leaves. The berries look a tad smaller, but that might just be the variety.

Kate said...

Love all the shots of the kitties. Poor Gracie, she does look so put out.

Enjoy your drive and hike.

Junebug613 said...

I hope the weather improves for you. Poor Gracie! She doesn't have as much space to be able to avoid Smitty in the camper. Maybe by the end of the trip, he'll have won her over. I'm really enjoying the trip so far!

heartsease54 said...

Barbara, I don't think those berries are edible. Huckleberries are a deep blue/purple and this time of year there wouldn't be any left down low to eat-they have all been picked. And the quilt store in Seeley Lake is terrific, it is Deer Country Quilts and they have a pretty varied selection and the prices are comparable or cheaper than in larger towns such as Kalispell. Also there is a really wonderful quilt shop on main street in Deer Lodge-totally blew me away with the selection.

kc said...

Looks like y'all are having loads of fun, especially Smitty!!

Don't know what those berries are, but everyone says not huckleberries, so probably best not to eat things you're not familiar with...

About that camper - we call 'em "hi-lo's" and the ends don't slide in or out...they just stay where they are and the top lowers down over the bottom, so it's only about half as high for travel. I believe they're hydraulic, so they're easier to manage than a pop-up, but like you & others, I much prefer my 5th wheel.

In the 5 years we lived in ours full time, our dishes never got the hang of doing themselves - what's your secret??

Snoodles said...

Did you ever try something with huckleberries in it? I'd love to know if you liked it! LOL
Love the photos of "attacker" and "patient Gracie".... :)

quiltzyx said...

Glad to see that Gracie finally got a bit of 'alone time' :)

I love that picture of the berries. From looking at google images, the leaves on huckleberries are singular & the berries are blue/purple. After reading Wendy's comment, I looked at currants, and they do seem to match more closely.

Hope the weather clears up for you!