MONTANA TO THE PACIFIC 

Stayed on Flathead Lake in Montana.  We had access to electricity and internet!   Nice walk along Flathead Lake - a lake that is 39 miles long and many miles wide, nestled in the middle of the mountains..  Walked past Wayne Newton’s vacation home.  No Wayne sighting, however.  

Wayne Newton's infamous vacation home - at least to the residents of Rollins, Montana

Cool Wayne Newton treehouse

Paul thought he heard Wayne singing "Danke Schoen"

Drove into Idaho through probably the prettiest area we’ve seen yet.  The Clark Fork River runs through a few small towns in the mountains, one of which is Paradise - and it is.  Took the scenic mountain highway to the interstate with only one wrong turn and a long driveway to back the trailer down, and then into Idaho.  Sadly, we took no pictures of Paradise.

Once in Idaho we stopped at Lake Killarney for camping.  It was like we had a private lake to ourselves.  The campsite is part of the Bureau of Land Management, so cost was only $10 per night. Sat outside both nights and watched the ospreys fishing. 

Killarney Lake in Idaho

Quincy Lakes outside of Moses Lake, Washington:  Heed the “Mosquito Alert” sign, even if you are from Minnesota.  Chased out by 6:00 a.m. with mosquitos clinging to our screens.  Never packed up so fast! No time for pictures.

Drove through the Cascade Mountains and stayed 3 nights at a National Forest along the Tieton River. 

Mount Rainier

Drove the scenic byway to Mount Rainier National Park.  Stayed in the National Forest campground called La Wis Wis - odd name but we were lucky to get a campsite at such a great location right at the base of Mount Rainer. Huge Douglas firs! 

Finally made it to the Pacific Ocean.  We walked on the beach at Ocean Shores, Washington. Exciting to finally get to the ocean.  

Took off the next day for the Hoh Rainforest at Olympic National Park.  Unreal, Sitka spruce trees about 200 feet tall.  Nice hiking right out of the campground.

Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park.
Like being in Jurassic Park

East and West Glacier National Park

Things We've Learned:

1. Get gas when you get to 1/4 tank!  Otherwise, you will be very nervous.

2. Leveling blocks are mandatory.

3. Propane refrigerators are cool (no pun intended).

4. Wifi is a luxury!

5. Stock up on groceries when you can or you will be eating hot dogs for 

days.

6. The podcast “Serial” from This American Life is binge-worthy.

Fort Peck Dam

Spent one night at Fort Peck Dam on the border to Montana.  Big site on the Missouri River.  Again, super friendly campground hosts, which seems to be what we’re starting to expect.  Crossed over into Montana the next day.

Fresno Reservoir

Stayed at a donations-accepted campsite owned by the local Walleye Club.  Fresno Reservoir was a super friendly place to stay outside of Havre, Montana.  The host shared her wifi and let us charge up our laptop.  It was a treat to have wifi access for a night!  Spent our evening on the internet.  Big plus, cleanest bathrooms we’ve seen.



GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Glacier National Park (East Side):  

Pulled into Two Medicine Campground in Glacier and found a great site. The sites are numerous but each seemed so private.  Every way you turn is another fantastic view of the mountains.  Struggled a little with trailer leveling (well actually it was an hour or more).  Spent three nights here checking out the area.  Took a drive on “Going to the Sun Road”.  More spectacular views.  Wildlife we’ve spotted so far:  antelope, elk, buffalo and very tame deer wandering around the town in Glacier.  

Two Medicine is much less touristy than other parts of Glacier we visited. It was our favorite area in what we saw of Glacier National Park.

Two Medicine Campground

Retired guy on a bench at Two Medicine Lake

View from our campsite

Campground General Store

St. Mary Lake - Going to the Sun Road

Running Eagle Falls
Named for a prominent woman warrior
of the Blackfeet tribe

Glaciers on the mountains

Glacier National Park (West side):

Just a 57 mile drive from East Glacier to West Glacier.  Totally different climate on this side.  Warmer, less windy and not as rugged.  Camped at Fish Creek Campground in the National Park for two nights.  Nice campground but much less private, but this was easy to overlook as they have free hot showers, unlike the other sites we’ve stayed.

Did a short drive to some landmarks - McDonald Lake Lodge in Glacier since 1914, which looked like a great place to stay, but what could beat the Nomad.

Avalanche Creek

Lake McDonald Lodge

Inside McDonald Lake Lodge

Hold, please...

Sheyenne Grasslands - our first stop for a night.  We were the only campers in the Hankinson Hills campground.  Our neighbors were cattle in the pasture next door.  Never knew cows could be so noisy in the morning.

Hankinson Hills camping Sheyenne National Grassland

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

We spent our second night at the state park on the Missouri River.  After driving all day in flat farming and grazing land bucking the headwinds, it was a welcome relief to see some trees and a river.  Pretty park and interesting historical sites.

Mandan Indian dwelling at Fort Lincoln State Park

Paul and June on break

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Our first National Park on the tour.  Great views from the campsite.  We took a couple of hikes and drove the Scenic Drive route around the park.  Great views everywhere!  We ended up staying here for three nights it was so beautiful and relaxing.

Our campsite at Theodore Roosevelt Cottenwood Campground

"Is this thing on?"  First time using our solar panel.  Yes, it was on.

Thanks, Jenny and Kathryn!

Happy camping

Scenic Drive through the park

Wind Canyon hike in Teddy Roosevelt

Off we go, Montana bound!

READY TO ROLL

Our first time camping in the Nomad at Jay Cook State Park

The Nomad is packed and we are ready to get this show on the road.  We will be heading to the Sheyenne Grasslands for our first stop, just over the North Dakota border.

We are looking forward to starting our trip, though not so sure that June feels the same.