We left the rainy Seattle area on the morning of July 5th and headed for Idaho. As soon as we crossed over Snoqualmie Pass the rain stopped, the clouds broke and glorious rays of sunlight filtered through. We figured we'd only seen that golden orb about 6 days in the past 6 weeks. It felt good to need our sunglasses again. The terrain changed from lush green mountains to dry high desert land. What a dramatic contrast! The sagebrush and brown tufts of grass stretched for miles. Later that day as we neared the Palouse area, the desert turned to beautiful rolling farmland. The hillsides were a patchwork of many shades of green, gold, brown and yellow. Neat farmsteads dotted the landscape. The "amber waves of grain" were rippling in every direction.
Our next stop was Moscow--Idaho that is. We settled in on the University of Idaho campus, which was to become our home for the next two weeks. Bright and early on 7/6 we were back in school. We became students in Dick Reed's RV Driving School. For the next two days I learned to use mirrors effectively, turn corners without jumping curbs or clipping cars, back straight, back crooked (I mean around curves), drive in city traffic and on the highway. The school was mainly for me, but Tom came along and picked up a few tips, too. It was a good investment of time and money. Now I'm qualified to share the piloting duties. However, the backing will probably remain Tom's domain for a while yet...
We had a few days off before the U of Idaho 'Life On Wheels Conference' kicked off the evening of July 12th. One day we headed 30 miles south to Lewiston, ID, for a delicious lunch and friendly visit with my cousin, JoAnn Bjerke, and her family. Her husband, Bob, has a room set up with a fascinating model train set. He has replicated a great deal of the Union Pacific Railroad line in exquisite detail. Their daughter, Amy, and son, Rob, joined us for lunch. We enjoyed getting to meet them, too.
We met some great folks who had also come early for RV Driving School. We enjoyed getting to know each other. One evening we went to the Moscow Rendezvous in the Park and heard Kate Campbell and James House perform. On Sunday, July 12th, we took off exploring with our new friends, Charlie & Norma Cooper, and Jim & Paula Gillmore. We headed east about 50 miles to the Elk Creek Recreation Area. We hiked several trails for the next 2-1/2 hours and frolicked near the Upper, Middle and Lower Elk Creek Falls. After the great fresh air and exercise, we headed for Elk River. Our destination was Huckleberry Heaven. What a treat was in store for us there. We had warm huckleberry pie topped with huckleberry ice cream. Yum, Yum!! It lived up to its heavenly reputation.
The Life on Wheels Conference began Sunday night and lasted through Friday. We attended classes about propane systems, solar applications, diesel tow rigs, braking systems, workamping, boondocking, writing, travel adventures, etc. Monday evening we attended a salmon barbecue and Shakespeare outdoors. Tuesday evening we participated in a potluck dinner that started with 8 people and grew to 37! Thursday evening we saw an award winning slide presentation on RVing in Alaska-something we hope to do in a couple of years. On our last evening, Friday 7/18, Tom & Jim went to Rendezvous in the Park to hear Cajun and bluegrass music, while several of the rest of us went to a great musical comedy on campus called "Chaps." At the end of the week it was hard to say goodbye to our new friends, but we know we'll meet up again on the road.
On Saturday, 7/19, we headed east through Idaho on scenic Highway 12. The road follows the curves of the beautiful Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers.
That evening we pulled into our parking spot at the Lake's Glacier View Farm near Ronan, MT. We had met Don & Bernie Lake in Arizona, and we took them up on their offer of hospitality. The Lake's Glacier View Farm is a 2,600-acre seed potato and seed grain operation located in the beautiful Mission Valley just south of Flathead Lake. Don & Bernie made us feel right at home. They took us out for lunch at a lodge on Flathead Lake. We watched the people and boats enjoying this watery playground. We looked over the lake to the backdrop of mountains-what a setting to enjoy a meal. Then we headed up the east side of the lake to get fresh cherries, straight from the local orchards. We bought 10 lbs. (which only lasted 5 days). Yum, yum!
Don & Bernie took us to a restored church at St. Ignatius where beautiful paintings adorn the roof and walls. We explored the National Bison Range, saw buffalo, deer and antelope--plus a spectacular sunset!
Our favorite day of exploration was spent at Glacier National Park. We drove the 'Going to the Sun' highway and hiked to the Hidden Lake Overlook. Everywhere we looked, the views were spectacular. As we hiked the trails, we spotted lots of mountain goats, ground squirrels, hoary marmots, and even a grizzly. Snowbanks and glaciers dotted the landscape. We even saw a couple mountain goats cooling off by lying on the snow. Baby mountain goats frolicked in the sunshine. They weren't disturbed by our presence at all. It was delightful to be so close to them.
As we spent time in the park, an ever-changing scene greeted us. In the morning we watched Mother Nature pull a blanket of clouds up one side of the mountains and down the other. It was like a river of white just flowing over the surface. We saw the huge Jackson Glacier and many others whose names we didn't learn. Clouds drifted in and out of the area creating lacey patterns against the blue sky. It was a perfect day.
Our visit to Montana was a short one. We know we want to come back next year and spend more time in these special mountains. Don & Bernie shared their home, their land and their hearts with us. Their family was warm and friendly, and they all made us feel very welcome. We look forward to seeing them again.
Our next travelogue will cover our adventures in Colorado where we went to visit my brother, Bruce, and his wife, Mary.
Kay & Tom
