Montana

After spending several nights in Yellowstone, I traveled north to Helena, where I rested and planned my trip through Montana. The following day I drove to the Gateway to the Mountains, where I had planned to camp, only to discover that the campground is accessible only by boat. I did see a bald eagle at the lake, though, so the drive was worthwhile.

I decided to drive a bit farther north than I had originally intended, and I eventually found a campground on the banks of the Blackfoot River.

I built a nice fire, read a book, and drank some cold beer. The next morning I drove north to Seely Lake, which looked like a nice stepping-stone on my way to Glacier NP. I gorged myself at a tiny drive-in burger joint, and then I hiked along the banks of the lake and took in the views.

The Seely Lake campground is nestled among some giant trees.

Apparently, this area serves as a breeding ground for many, many, many mosquitoes. Way too many mosquitoes. As Percy lay around the site, the bugs swarmed around her, and I had to put her in the tent for the rest of the evening…

…and after my patience ran thin, I also sought refuge inside the mesh, and I hit the sack early.

I packed up camp early and quickly the following morning so as to avoid the swarms, and I was on my way to Glacier NP.

As I set up camp at Glacier, deer strolled through the campground.

That afternoon I drove the Road to the Sun and gawked at the scenery. This is the lake near my campsite.

Initially, the road paralleled a blue-green glacial river.

Giant and jagged peaks appeared in the distance.

The road took me up into the mountains…

…and even through some cascading snow run-off.

After 20 or so miles the road was closed due to heavy snow.

Here Percy experienced snow for the first time. She sprinted in circles, rolled over and over, and dug her nose into the snow.

The drive back to the campground offered some more beautiful views.

After leaving Glacier NP, I drove west along the Kootenai River until I arrived at some falls on the Yaak River in far northwest Montana, where I set up camp. I was surprised by the heat, and I baked in the sun on the banks of the river for an afternoon. The following morning I drove a few more miles and crossed the border into Idaho.

Since then, much has happened, but it'll be a few days before I upload the stories and pictures from Idaho and NE Oregon. For the time being, I am alive and well in Washington, and I'm eager to transition from mountain roads to the 101.