8/13/12 Monday - To the Forest

We did the usual morning routine plus straightening, unhooking from utilities, hooking up the pickup then headed south on 89 to the forest campground, Many Pines near Neihart, MT. We got to the campsite (#12) about 12:30 PM. We backed in the RV and had a sandwich for lunch. Then we walked down by Belt Creek and mosied along. After that we drove to King's Hill and went to the Fire Lookout. Some forest people were there working so we didn't tarry long. Then we saw a big deer on our way back to the highway. Next we went to Steve's old campsite (forest Road 267) and checked out 2 or 3 places and walked by the creeks there. It was so pretty. The water runs clear and sparkles in the sunlight and the trees are gorgeous! After that we returned to our campsite,made a fire and cooked steak and potatoes--yummy!! Later on we made S'mores for National S'mores Day. Great Day in the Forest!

8/12/12 Sunday -Nothing Special

We got up a little late and just goofed off--decided not to drive to Ft. Benton. We will save that for another trip. Went on base and got groceries at the commissary, washed our sheets and I read a book and caught up the blog. Tomorrow back to the forest for two days then start the trek home. Some other things we didn't do: Eat at the salad place again, eat at Prime Cut; failed to go back and feed the ducks, didn't make the Paris Gibson (founder of this city) Museum, and didn't check out the Charles Russel Museum for a second time. This will give us things to do next time we return!! Have a great day!

8/11/12 Saturday Westward Ho and Car Races

After we got around today we put cold drinks in the ice chest, gassed up the pick-up and washed it and headed to Augusta, MT. It is touted as a Trailhead to the Bob Marshall Wilderness. We had hamburgers at Chubby's (in Augusta). As usual there are at least three bars (Saloons) in this small town. We think people in Montana might drink a lot!! Not sure - we haven't really seen any of them falling down or anything. We drove toward the Nilan reservoir and a few miles past it- got near the base of the mountains but not to the trees because it was about 2:30 PM and we wanted to come back to town to the car races. We saw 6 or 8 deer and some antelope on this drive. There are huge ranches and some irrigated farmland (hay) out here also. We saw one place where there wer3 8--10 huge John Deere tractors parked. Also saw a big Charolois Cattle ranch. We got back to town and went to the Car Races at Electric City Speedway. Steve loves the car races sine he had a race car and raced when he was stationed here. It was a great day!!

8/10/12 - Friday

Took it easy this morning because Steve had a headache. Did some routine chores and just piddled around. Always walk the dogs several times per day. Then in the late afternoon we did laundry and got that caught up again. Just really didn't do anything special. Sometimes that is nice.

8/8/12 Wednesday

Woo Hoo!!All of Steve's meds arrived!! I think we just stayed around the camp site til evening. The went to town for some souvenirs to take home. We did walk the trail from our campground to the Middle Fork of the Flathead River (dogs not allowed). It was steep going downhill and back up but we made it. Saw some rafters on the river. Good Day.

8/7/12 Tuesday - Glacier Wildlife

After doing chores (Steve cleaned air conditioner vents and cleaned out the pick-up) we left for Glacier National Park. We packed a light lunch and cold drinks to take along. National Park food is expensive and not always the best tasting. So we headed to Glacier. It was sunny and pretty warm til we got into the trees by Lake McDonald. After driving we finally found a pullout where we could eat lunch on the tail gate of the pick-up. We drove on taking lots of pictures of the falls and mountains. About the time we got to Two Dog Flats we saw a coyote, but didn't get a picture. Then we went out the St. Mary's entrance/exit and got ice cream. By then it was about 4:30 PM so we headed north to Babb, MT and Many Glacier. When we turned off the hiway toward Many Glacier we saw a young black bear cross the road. He was so hot, he was panting like a dog. Also NO picture - because we were too slow or he was too fast. Then there were free range cattle in on spot. After that there was BEAR jam. A momma Grizzly with a cub eating huckleberries. She put her head down and grazed on them like a cow would graze on grass. We sat quite awhile and Steve took pictures with his camera -- but my Iphone did not get a good close-up. I had been driving and we finally finished our tour of Many Glacier and drove back to St. Mary's entrance. Since I was driving the pickup got up to 70 MPH twice today!! LOL When we got to Logan's pass we saw the mountain goats. We took several pictures as they had babies that were cute. They did not mind the tourists taking pictures -- in fact it seemed as if they were posing for the best shot. I have pics of these I will have to add later. We got close to home and ate pizza at Glacier Grill and Pizze at Coram MT. Then home to the RV about 9:30. No closed gates. I was not dizzy today. Great Day!

8/6/12 Monday - Back to Missoula

We called the VA first thing this morning. Talked to someone who said all Steve's (oral) meds were sent to the RV Park at Missoula, MT. I had called the RV Park Saturday and they said there was nothing there for Steve. So I called them back today (Monday) and they said yes he had 2 packages there. After we shampooed the carpet in the RV we drove back about 140 miles one way to get them. Took us most of the day. At least the drive was pretty and on the way back we stopped at Museum of America near Polson. Steve really liked it and I did too. It would take about 3 - 4 days to see all the stuff they have there. It is quite a collection. When we got back to the RV we ate soup and Cheese & Crackers. The we watched our Yellowstone DVD and went to sleep. Also I was not dizzy today - Yea! I have quit taking Claritin every day to see if that helped and I believe it has.