We entered Montana and changed time zones. This area is mostly National Forests following along the Kootenay River. Montana is a large state and we will most likely be four or five days here.
At Yaak we stopped for the night at a Rec area along Hwy 2 – there are two small Rec sites here, one on each side of the river and it is a self pay system, $16 per night. As we walked around to look for a good site we noticed some trucks had their hoods wedged open with a piece of wood (hmmm. it is known in the RV world that doing this deters animals from nesting in the engine). We picked a site with access to the river and parked the van. A small animal scurried into the bushes catching Cedar’s attention, but it was too fast. We walked back to the gate to pay our fee and on the notice board we saw a paper that explained the engines wedged open. Never heard of a wood rat, but that is what we saw.
The water is shallow and fast flowing with slippery rocks but we managed to wade in a little and cool off, and Cedar managed to prevent a few sticks from floating away. We saw a camp host driving a golf cart over the bridge between the two sites – always good to have a host checking on things.
We drove just a short distance in the morning before stopping at Kootenai Falls. There are two large parking areas right off the highway, a small shack selling snacks and coffee is available and a well marked trail map. A great way to start the day and tire out a puppy before a long drive. After crossing a train bridge covered in a chain fencing like a cage (it creeped me out because it reminded me of the scary bird cage bridge in the movie Jurassic Park) we walked a trail to the falls and saw an amazing display of water carving the landscape.
We have been musing a bit as we drive along (near the Canadian border) how names of places are similar to their Northern counterpart, but spelt or pronounced differently. Okanogan/Okanagan, Kootenai/Kootenay
Another trail leads to a swinging bridge. The bridge is narrow with a wooden slat walkway, sits high over the water and it definitely swings. At the opposite side there is a platform with 4 sets of stairs – Cedar did great crossing the swinging bridge, but didn’t like the spiky metal on the stairs – he gingerly made his way down. We walked to the edge to get a different view of the falls, but the sand wasps were too agressive so we didn’t linger.
Another couple hours driving and we were in Kalispell where we found our Boondockers Welcome host for the next two nights. Ron’s home sits on a 6 acre lot surrounded by farmland. Because of recent surgery, he had a couple helping out with the hosting, and we were greeted right away and shown to a nice spot to park our van beneath shade trees. They offered us to fill up on water, and we could have hooked up to electricity if we had wanted to. Ron came to chat later when the weather cooled off which we were told is his daily routine.
We dropped Cedar off at a doggy daycare with plans to drive the Going to the Sun Road, but unfortunately we were turned around for not having a vehicle permit for that day. We had thought we could get to the visitor center to park and take the free shuttle, but no such luck. The website was not clear on these rules, so we were a little disappointed with this news. However, with a whole day ahead of us, we got some maps and did a nice hike to a lake, took in some distant glacial views, then went early to collect Cedar. A quick search on google maps found us a dog friendly beach in nearby Whitefish.
As it was my birthday, Chris had bought some bubbly and prepared a delicious steak dinner on the BBQ. We enjoyed a quiet, peaceful evening.
Route 2 goes through Glacier National Park from the West to the East entrances, so although we didn’t get to drive the Sun Road, we were still able to get a glimpse of glaciers in the distant mountains as we drove through the park. There is only one high pass which gradually climbs and descends making it an easy enjoyable drive.
Once into the valley we immediately entered the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and the terrain changed quickly to prairie. For miles once again we see only farms and prairie grass while passing through tiny towns.
At Shelby we stopped for the night at a Comfort Inn Hotel and RV Park. There we are tucked in among many much bigger rigs. The building in the center is the laundry/washroom/shower facilites. Thankfully we had electric hook-up and water if we had needed – it is so hot.
We had access to the hotel pool area if we wanted. The comfort station was cleaned by hotel staff and it was immaculate, with individual toilet & shower rooms, like a hotel. What a treat !
We are now on day two of “nothing but desert”. Hot, hot, hot, and dry and dusty. We met a couple ladies at a rest area. They were travelling Hwy 2 the opposite way and informed us that we had two or three more days of the same (oh no).
Trying to find a place with water for Cedar to swim, we booked at Fort Peck State Park for a couple nights. The dam, of the same name, forms a large reservoir on the Missouri River. It is hugely popular with boaters, and we had hoped for a beach area – there were none within walking distance. We found one beach but it was in sorry shape. The dam though is a unique feature to explore. Started in 1933 it took 7 years to build, It is the largest hydraulically filled dam in the US and creates the fifth largest artificial lake, 210 km. long and 61 metres deep, with 2,450 km. of shoreline. The dam and lake are owned and operated by the Army Core of Engineers.
Fun Fact: In 1936 ‘Building the Fort Peck Dam’ was LIFE magazines first ever cover story.