July 21,2015 Tuesday People

Today we had an adult who snuck out two Jr Ranger Buttons while I was getting him change for his DVD purchase!  

I had another adult want to get one to mail to her grandson.  These are awarded to young people who complete the museum scavenger hunt, not really for adults! They aren't souvenirs either!  I guess we need a Sr Ranger button to award to some weirdo adults!

On our walk tonight it was a perfect temperature! Being out in nature makes me forget about the crazy people we come in contact with!  LOL

I read on Facebook that Glacier has a wildfire.  The campground near where we had our picnic last Friday was evacuated.  Hope it gets put out quickly!

July 20, 2015 Monday Brig Day

When we returned from the trip to Glacier, my back had a catch.  I have been trying to do some back exercises to get it out.  It seems better today.  Today started a little slow but we have had a steady flow of visitors.  It is now 2:00 PM and seems to be letting up for a bit.  It is still noisy with replacing the fence.  I called Walmart and re-filled my meds.  I even called my doctor's office to get one of my meds renewed.  We gave our Volunteer Coordinator, Errin a keepsake from Glacier, a benchmark.  She really liked it.  We saw two adult turkeys by the visitor center along with their 6 young ones.  

We went to Athol for pizza and then walked by the boat dock tonight.

July 19, 2015 Sunday Back to Work

Today we were back at the Brig.  We had a lot of visitors.  They streamed in at a very steady pace.  We had a lot of visitors from the fire camp across the street. The fire is 100% contained, some of the spots will not be out totally until there is snowfall.  Many of the fire fighting team are headed home.  They did love seeing the museum though.

Today was a noisy day, the host next to us was weedeating, out in the courtyard of the Brig museum one volunteer was replacing fence around the trucks.  And overall it was just noisy!  Some days it is very quiet in the museum. We were tired and ate leftover chili and cheese & crackers.  We walked the dogs and just watched some TV to finish the day.

July 18, 2015 -Saturday Return to Farragut State Park

Today we head west back to Idaho and Farragut State Park.  We got up and Steve and Kristi checked out our lights between the RV and the pickup.  It started working OK.  We will not be driving after dark today, so hopefully no one will honk at us!  Only one person has so far anyway, LOL.  

We got to West Glacier and Steve & I jumped in Kristi's SUV while they got in the RV and we went to the visitor's center back inside the park to exchange our T-shirt.  We got there and they did not have the same kind, of course.  Had to trade for a more expensive one.  Then we found out they have a store outside the park on this side also....ummmm that would have been helpful to know.  Oh well, back on the road, Logan rode with us to Kalispell.  We stopped in Kalispell because they needed a few supplies and we were looking for a tablet for Austyn for her birthday.  We were in luck this time, they had the tablet computer.  Austyn was thrilled to get it!  We said our good byes, shed a few tears, and we headed out our separate ways.

Later Kristi texted us that they stopped at a cherry festival. Steve and I were just enjoying the beautiful countryside in the area.  We love Montana!  It has beautiful water, mountains and Big Sky!  

We got back to our site at the Brig a few minutes before 5:00 and got the rig set up.  Then we rested.  Next, Kristi called us and said she had trouble with her vehicle.  The key was stuck and would not come out.  They had stopped at Pizza Hut in Butte and had trouble.  So we moved out to the pickup and parked by the logs to get a better signal.  We googled stuck key and told her what it said.  Of course she was having trouble with her phone battery going dead also.  She went inside and got some help from the Pizza Hut Driver.  He/she gave her a jump start and then her key worked.  She headed to Auto Zone to get a new battery.  That solved her problem!  So glad.  She was trying to get a room in Livingston, MT - no vacancy, she called about 40 motels/hotels in Billings, MT and still no vacancy.  They finally decided to pull into Cabella's in Billings and sleep in their car.  I have done that once many years ago (Labor Day week-end in Talequah, OK, Datsun pickup).  That is not fun!  That is the great thing about having an RV - you always have your bed with you!

July 17,2015 - Friday Driving in Glacier National Park

We got a pretty good start today.  We packed our lunch and some snacks and drinks so we could picnic in Glacier National Park. We started our drive on the Going to The Sun Road (west to east).  We stopped at McDonald Falls and took pictures!  It was fabulous.  

There was an artist there teaching people how to paint landscapes.  I spoke to one of the students and she said the artist was from Ontario and gave great lessons that were not too expensive.  He has a website: improvemypaintings.com.  I will check it out when I have more time/better internet connection.  

We stopped at several pullouts and took pictures!  There is still quite a bit of snow on the mountains!

While we traveled through the park, I helped Logan with his Jr. Ranger book.

We went through the tunnel - but did not get a good picture.  

When we got to Logan's Pass, we bought some souvenirs.  The kids got sworn in as Jr. Rangers.  I found out why it is called Logan's Pass.  Captain William Logan was the first superintendent of Glacier Nationa Park (GNP) and I am wanting to find out more about him when internet access is better.  The Ranger who swore the grandkids in said he (Captain Logan) and his group of soldiers were the first group to come upon the Battle of the Little Bighorn after it was fought.  It was 40 degrees on top of Logan's pass and it was raining!  Pretty darn cold.  Glad I had my Eskimo Joe sweatshirt!  I let Kristi borrow my Idaho parks sweatshirt!  Bonus:  Logan is so excited that there is a Logan creek here and a Logan Pass - he thinks they are named after him.

We stopped at the overlook for Jackson Glacier and read the sign.  They predict that all the glaciers will be gone by 2030, in 15 years.  Logan will be 25 years old and Austyn will be 28 years old.  If you want to see these glaciers, you better come soon.

We kind of snacked at lunch time because it was cold and rainy.  After Logan's Pass we went on to St. Mary's Lake (named after me of course! LOL).  We decided we could picnic here, but first we looked at the Lake.  Near the shore, we spotted some scat (poop).  We though it might be bear scat, so I took a picture.

 We later confirmed with the park ranger that it was bear scat.  We took some pictures of the grandkids and Kristi near a down tree!  Nice Pictures!

Next we stopped at the St. Mary's visitor Center and got a few more items.  I got Austyn a book and Logan the Bana (head gear).

Then we drove to Many Glacier to see the hotel and Swiftcurrent River.  

It was very nice.  Now we are pooped and headed back to RV.  We got one wrong turn and headed back to Browning -turned around and got lined out.  We stopped at East Glacier and looked at the marvelous hotel.  Kristi and Steve found and purchased some fudge! YUM!

Then we continued on Highway 2 west to get to the RV.  It was getting late and we were all hungry.  So we stopped at the Snow Slip Inn.  Had a good supper and went to the RV.  We were pooped.  Next morning we have to leave - Kristi and kids are heading home and we will return to Idaho to our volunteer museum host job.  I checked out my T-shirt purchase for Steve & I and found out that I had picked up shirts that were too small at Logan's pass.  Darn!  They were put in the wrong size cubbyholes.  We figured out a plan to take them back tomorrow and exchange them.

OK-all of us were tired and slept hard.

July 16, 2015 Thursday Slept In and Glacier NP

Since we had such a late night, most of us slept in.  Kristi got up first and straightened out her car.  After a late breakfast, we decided to go into Glacier.  It was very cool, overcast and sprinkled a little on us. 

 We took a picture of the kids at the entrance sign.

We drove a little ways up Going to the Sun Road.  First we stopped at the Visitor's Center and picked up Jr. Ranger books for the grandkids.  Steve sat in the pickup with the barking dogs.

  We drove along and then stopped at the Trail of the Cedars.  I stayed in the pickup with the dogs and the rest of our party walked up the trail.  After they got back, Kristi went with me and we went a little ways then turned around because it started raining more.  

Since everybody was kind of tired we left the park and went back to Hungry Horse to look at the Huckleberry Patch for some souvenirs.  Then we picked up a few food items and ice at the grocery store.  We had soft chicken tacos, beans and corn.  Later we made microwave S'mores because we couldn't have a campfire here either.  Fire bans are in effect in many of the norwestern states this summer.

Great day! Tomorrow we plan to get up early to get into Glacier NP early!

July 15, 2015 Wednesday Volunteer Staff Meeting; Drive to Glacier

Today we got up and started packing up the RV to head out to Glacier after our Volunteer Staff Meeting with pizza.  First thing, we had trouble getting the awning to retract properly.  Steve had to borrow the ladder from the Brig and do some adjusting!  What a mess.  It is always something!

The kids got the air out of their floaties and packed up all their stuff.  We brought up the jack and put in the slides.  We disconnected the water and sewer, but left the electric on for awhile.  

Steve and I attended the Volunteer Staff Meeting and had a slice of pizza.  The staff meeting was basically a BIG thank you to all the volunteers that helped with the fire and an incident review.  Most of the campground hosts had to man stop/checkpoints at the park entrances.  Some had to bring the park's pumper truck to the viewpoint, in case it was needed to put out embers or possibly fires.  Most of the volunteers worked very hard during the fire.  We basically just manned our radio and worried.  We offered to help any way we could, but they did not have an assignment for us.  We did suggest that we could help answer questions at the visitor center in the future if this happens again.  We also suggested sharing the results of this incident review with volunteers in the future.

We took a few pictures of the kids by the fire truck before we left.

When we finished the meeting, Steve and I returned to the RV, unplugged the electric and pulled out the RV and pickup.  Well guess what!  The lights from the RV to the Pickup did not work properly!  So Steve and Kristi were out in the HOT sun trying to get that going and I was inside operating the lights.  Finally we got them going about 2:45.  Kristi stopped at Athol and got gas and her receipt said 3:00 PM - so that is when we left Athol, ID.  Logan rode in the RV with us and Austyn rode with Kristi.  

We went through Sandpoint, then Bonner's Ferry. We stopped at Bonner's Ferry for Steve to walk and get more awake.  He was just a little too tired.

Then I put on the music and he started feeling better and got in his groove driving.  Next we went through Troy, MT, then Libby, MT!  The scenery is stunning here.  The road is Highway 2, most of it is pretty good, but some is very narrow with not much shoulder. 

 We finally got to Kalispell, MT about 8:30 Idaho time, 9:30 Montana time.  We wanted to eat Pizza, but the place had closed.  So we found Wendy's and ate there.  I call the campground where we had reservations and told them we would be late but were still coming.  They said it would be fine, they are open until 11:00 PM.  We arrived at the campground at 11:04 PM and they had a guy walk us to our site.  It was set up screwy, because the utilities were on the wrong side.  We just hooked up the electric and called it a night.  I had remembered this campground from our first trip here in 2003.  This is our 4th time to see Glacier National Park.  Previously we have stayed at Hungry Horse Canyon RV Park and at Glacier Meadow RV Park.

July 14, 2015, Tuesday - Celebrate Austyn's Birthday Early

Today we worked at the Brig!  Tonight we went to Coeur d'Alene (CDA) to celebrate Austyn's 13th birthday.  It isn't until July 31, 2015- but they won't be here then, so we are celebrating early.  We ate at the Texas Roadhouse in CDA.  We waited 30 minutes for a table and another 45 minutes for our food.  But, the food was good! 

Next we went to Walmart to look for birthday presents and a few more supplies for a short jaunt to Glacier National Park.  We struck out on the main present, but were able to get the make-up she requested for her birthday.  We got back to the RV kind of late and we were all pooped.

We are all going to Glacier National Park tomorrow!  Woo Hoo!

July 13, 2015, Monday

Today was a busy day in the museum-Lots of visitors.  We found out today that the fire is 60% contained and there are over 500 personnel working with the fire teams.

After work was over, the day was still cool so we went to walk the Highline Trail.  Steve wanted to make sure the kids got to see Buttonhook Bay.  It is a pretty smooth walk until you get to the bridge over a mountain stream.  Then is starts going down, down, down.  It gets pretty steep.  Then you go up and down again!  I had already done this, so Zoey and I waited at the bridge for them to return.

As you know, what goes down has to come back up!  My hikers were pretty stoked with the hike though.  Steve and I had bought a couple of cheap hiking poles at Walmart and they were very helpful for the hike.  Logan and Austyn both seem to be pretty good hikers!  

Next we went to Spirit Lake and had pizza and gelatto.  Everyone had said the pizza there was really good.  We enjoyed it and the short drive.

No Pictures today, not sure why.

July 12, 2015 - Sunday

Today it was back to work at the Brig.  We also decided that laundry needed to be done before long.  Steve and Kristi went to Bayview and did Laundry, I hosted the museum by myself while they were gone.  The kids entertained themselves with TV in the RV!

Steve and Kristi got back pretty quick from the laundry.  Then the kids went swimming and Steve helped me in the museum.  It was a regular day.

July 11, 2015 Saturday Rainy Day

Today was rainy.  A nice break from the sun and heat!  We played cards with the kids.  One of the games of Uno went on forever!  Finally after the rain let up we all went on a hike.  We hiked the Squirrel Cache Trail.  

It is an interpretive nature trail.  We really like seeing the signs that give information on the flora and fauna of the area.  There are some huge rocks on this trail, including one that has a peephole. 

Not a lot of other excitement for the day.

July 10, 2015-Friday Round Lake State park

We all went to Round Lake State Park about 15-20 miles north of here.  Steve & I and the dogs walked a bit and the kids fished.  I sat in the pickup with the dogs some, because the dogs go crazy barking when other dogs are around or very many people are nearby.  

We got hot and returned to the RV.  I guess I played out, tried to read, but kept falling asleep.  Some days you just need a little rest and a down day.  

Kristi and the kids were brave and continued to fish. They came home with their fish and Steve demonstrated how to clean the fish.  Each one of them cleaned their own fish!  What a great experience, catching, cleaning and eating the fish you caught!  It was pretty interesting for them. 

July 9, 2015 - Thursday

Today Steve and I washed the front of the RV and got the bugs off, I sprayed down the gravel and we put the awning back up along with a screen in front of it.  Kristi and the kids went to Round Lake state park and fished.  

They returned with 6 fish.  We took their pictures with the fish.  It was good, because they all caught some fish and it was a first for Austyn and Logan to catch their own fish!  They were extremely excited! 

Steve and I also drove into Athol to the post office.  We noticed the park is still pretty smoky on our way back.  We can see the smoke on Cape Horn Mountain.  More areas of the park were re-opened today and camping was back in full swing.  

 Today would have been my Mom's birthday, I still miss her!

July 8, 2015 - Wednesday Still Smoky!

Today we re-opened the Brig Museum!  I think we had 12 visitors.  It is still smoky in the park.  Time passes slowly in the Brig Museum when we don't have many visitors. While we worked at the Brig, Kristi and the kids drove to Round Lake State park to check out the fishing. 

 After our work day was over, we drove down to the Boat Lauch ( which also opened on Wednesday) and checked it out.  Our friend Rachel was coming to the swim near the boat launch and she encouraged Kristi and the kids to join her.  So we drove back to the RV and the kids puton their swimsuits and went swimming.  Steve and I walked the trail where the double fireplace is located. It is a flat trail and not too tiring.

I see purple berries and wonder if they are huckleberries, but they are not, they are Oregon Grapes - SOUR!

Also on this trail are some huge trees and the view of the lake is nice! 

Tuesday, July 7, 2015 Still no news

Well this situation with the fire is very disconcerting.  It seems the park has no news and there is little information being given out.  Ranger Randall (The Park Manager) came by this morning and told Kristi that it was fine for us to come and go as we needed toward the park entrance, just not to drive into the park further.  He also said they will let us know tomorrow, if the Brig will be open or if any other day use areas will be open.  More uncertainty.  So the kids took showers and we loaded up and went back to Hayden for groceries again.  We also ate lunch at McKinzie's River Grill.

When we got home we put away the groceries.  Kristi and I walked the dogs and looked across the road at the Fire Camp.  It is HUGE!  

We could not believe how many tents, vehicles, porta potties and other support stuff had been moved in!  It was mind boggling. 

We had supper.

Next up was a walk from our spot over to Camp Bennion.  This made about a  mile and a half long hike.  We were pooped when we got back.  I got in over 12, 000 steps today!