First of all - a couple recent pictures:
Sheep on the road in Kootenay Natl. Park, BC
More sheep - a little ways away from the road - in Glacier Natl. Park, Montana
Bear that was right near the car and then walked off slowly while i got my camera ready. Marty took this shot right out of her window!
July 21, 2011
Yesterday we drove from Banff through Kootenay Natl. Park and down near West Glacier to a KOA campground that cost us $49.00 for the night! However, after being there awhile we didn’t complain too much – we soaked in a warm outdoor whirlpool tub and then took a very hot shower. We walked up and down all the rows of the campground and learned that they had an all-you-can-eat b’fast in the morning which we took full advantage of this AM. We used our Sr. Pass to get into the Natl. Park free, drove up “Going to the Sun” road (which only opened the first week of July because of record snowfall and a terribly cold spring and summer). When we got to the visitor center at the top of Logan pass there were still snow drifts over 5-6 ft. high and we couldn’t walk to see the brilliant tundra flowers because they were all buried.
Tonight we ended up having supper at a local restaurant in East Glacier – only the 2nd time we ate dinner out this entire trip. We are staying at the LazyR Campground which overlooks many of the mountains.
Our plan tomorrow is to leave here on time (8:30-9:00) and drive toward N. Dakota. I don’t know if we can get all the way to Teddy Roosevelt Natl. Park or not, but we do plan on a couple nights there and then make a “beeline” toward home. I think we’ve both had enough.
Marty has some absolute requirements for those considering this trip (camping):
1. Don’t take kids unless they love trees and mountains
2. You must:
a. Enjoy driving long distances without having another car within miles of you
b. Enjoy seeing occasional wild animals such as Wholly Marmots, Ground Squirrels, Black and Brown Bear, Moose, Deer, Antelope, Elk, Bison, Caribou, etc.
c. Enjoy reading the Milepost write-ups about the nearest Taj-Mahal only to get there to find a bunch of rusty farm vehicles, some rusted out cars that don’t run and a person greeting you with a grunt (although most were extremely friendly).
d. Enjoy “Parking lot camping” – on gravel lots that you back in to about 10 feet from the next vehicle….or, if that is not your cup of tea, and it was not ours, stay in Natl. Forest Campgrounds – most are beautiful and remote, but no flush toilets, showers, dump stations, etc.
e. Enjoy driving thousands of miles without ever seeing a billboard….YES!!!
3. Do this trip as soon as you possibly can – we are both healthy and enjoyed each other and the trip so much.
July 24, 2011
Today we are on the way home driving through N. Dakota. We hope to get into MN tonight and then drive home tomorrow. Today might be the first time we need our AC – we have had cold/cool weather this entire trip. Last night was the first night we slept the entire night without the sleeping bag over us – just a sheet and thin blanket!
Friday night we stayed in an Army Corps of Engineers campground at Fort Peck Dam in Montana. We got the last open site but could have stayed in several of the “tent” sites they had open. On Saturday we drove to Teddy Roosevelt Natl. Park and stayed in the North unit of the park. After picking our site and setting up our screened in porch, we went exploring driving the 14 mile park road. It’s a beautiful spot to visit – similar to the badlands in N. Dakota, but prettier with much more green.
Marty just mentioned that we are on I-94 and the speed has been cut down to 65 through the construction zone! She said she feels a little like she’s driving in AK because there is so little traffic.
Not sure if this is what you wrote in your little travel journals you kept when we took vacations but it's great to have a peek into your reflections from the road. Your voice is very pleasant, relaxed and observant. I appreciated mom's advice for other alaska adventure seekers.
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