Ride along with the Chang Gang: July 2023

RIGHT NOW-The Summer Series..

The Wandering Adventure...

I'm listening to a memoir by Matthew Perry (yes, from Friends) titled Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. Now, I can't really say I am an avid fan of the show Friends- but sure, back in those early days (mid 1990s), I was inclined to set up my schedule so as to watch Thursday night "must see" TV and spend the evening with Chandler Bing. His memoir is a rough one to listen to- and while only about 60% through all I can think of is- "he's lucky to be alive" as his addictions (both alcohol and opioids) is pretty significant.

How does this tie into setting aside time for a slightly over due blog update? Well, I'm am surprised that despite his drinking- at least in the book- he seems to recall chapters in his life with great clarity. How is that possible- I'm lucky if I remember yesterday- much less what was going on in 1996...

That of course was a reminder- that perhaps I should dust off the blog and provide a quick recap- if just for my own memory.

I'm loving Retirement!

When I last updated the blog- I had just officially retired. I wondered- would I feel any different- because my work schedule always gave me 8 weeks or so off in the summer. But, let me tell you- it has felt different. Sure, I've done a lot of the same things I always do- such as extended camping trips, visits with friends "back home", lunches with the ladies and quiet afternoons curled up with a good book (or three).

What is different is the sense of peace that comes with life in general. If it doesn't happen today- tomorrow is a new opportunity to tackle a project or two...

What about those extended camping trips? Let's take a look back...

In June- I joined up with Hubby and our friends the Zs for some long overdue camping. I would fly into Spokane WA and meet up with hubby- who has been traveling with our friends and the RV since 12/26. Yes- as in since December-

Anyways- back to the story...

Over the years, hubby has worked hard to break me of my need to over plan a trip. This trip would involve no set plan, no reservations (at least nothing reserved before I left CO)...just a general desire to wander off the beaten path of northern Idaho and NW Montana before working our way home.

Initially- we thought we'd continue into Canada- but as we talked it out- we realized that would be a lot of windshield time with no real return...not to mention, we wanted to stay off the beaten path- and well, that wasn't likely if we headed towards more popular destinations within British Columbia.

First stop was a small campground operated by the Army Corps of Engineering- called Albeni Cove. For just $12.50- we had this lakeside spot!

from here...we would head further north and spend a few days exploring the northern border of Idaho.

Robinson Lake Campground- operated by the NFS.

Dry camping (which means no water/electric) at the site- but yeah can't beat the price at just $7.50/night).

Just around the corner- from this town- first made famous in a 1970s clip on HeeHaw

where- yes, a very good burger can be had for a not-so touristy price tag (always a plus!)

While staying here, we decided to take a little "day trip" into Canada.At first, we were just going to "dip our toe" into BC, but the Canadian Border agent suggested we continue a little further and travel up to at least the Kootenay Ferry

timing was off for getting anything to eat-

and coffee and side-cars aren't a good pairing- but their potties were super clean.

We'd travel along Kootenay Lake in BC...stopping at this little quirky gem

The Glass House- built in 1952- by a man named Mr. Brown- uses over 500k glass bottles that he and his colleagues had accrued in their work as embalmers.

You'd think that would give it a creepy vibe-I mean really- a house built by a the undertaker- but nope-not at all- we found it to be quaint, charming and totally worth the cost of admission to wander the grounds and take in the scenery! I love that the family-or descendants of Mr. Brown continue to operate this home-some 70 years after it was first built.

We'd continue our side car trip until we reached the Kootenay Ferry Terminal. From here, we accidentally discovered a true hidden gem. A short hike to the Pilot Bay Lighthouse. We chuckled as we noted that the Canadians were far more trusting than what one would find in the US. This lighthouse was unlocked, unattended and open allowing us to climb all the way to the top (ok, it wasn't a tall light house but still-).

My overall impression of this stretch of British Columbia was lovely- and I would certainly be open to wandering through this area again.

Next, we'd leave Idaho and head over towards MT- and spend a few days at Dunn Creek Campground- along the east side of the Kootenai River, just outside of Libby MT. Another campground operated by the Army Corps of Engineers- this one was free! (again, no services, very weak if any cell coverage- but you really can't complain about the price or the views!)

While here, we'd enjoy peaceful evenings...

Some campfire shenanigans

Probably fueled by whiskey?

in the company of Chris..

and Lori Z.

there would be a picnic lunch before our tour of the Libby Dam..

and a hike through the wildlife preserve- where apparently- I would be the only wild life spotted

Oh well- it was a nice trail, with few if any bugs...

and of course- no adventure is complete without me checking out what Roadside America notes is in the area- hence the very underwhelming "Paul Bunyan's fry pan".

One evening- while chatting fireside, it was shared that neither the Zs had ever stopped in Glacier NP- Hubby and I had been- and hence, Glacier wasn't part of our original plan (as unstructured as said plan was). We'd been back in 2011- and as such- didn't have a strong desire to return- we also weren't really ready to part company with the Zs so we decided to tag along and spend a few days in Glacier.

With a camp reservation in place- we headed towards Glacier. This experience would be a little bit like Goldilocks- were nothing was quite right...

The campsite (B-61-Fishcreek) would be too narrow, very slanted, and tree in the perfectly wrong spot..

the weather started out very hot, very humid and let's not even talk about the bugs...

the views were first too hazy...

and then too drizzly...

Pie not as tasty as I recall (where'd the flaky crust go?)

But in the end- just like Goldilocks- we would find the sweet spots...

the calm before the rain on Lake McDonald right outside of Apgar Village

Glacier beauty along the Trail of the Cedars near Avalanche Lake

Improving our selfie skills-one pic at a time..

and asking a stranger to snap a picture of us..

solid shelter to enjoy our picnic lunch after the rain rolled in..

and of course..liquor, laughter and love ..with our chosen family..the Zs

Thanks- Glacier...

in the end, we were glad we stopped...

We would now begin to head south- still with no set plan.

It was here at Seeley Lake that I truly fell in love with MT.

Big Larch Campground site 33

Sure, Colorado has a lot going for it- but there is simply no where in Colorado that you could roll into a campground, on a Saturday afternoon, without a reservation- and have choices, lots and lots of choices as to where to camp for the next few nights. In Montana- as long as you aren't fussy about where you stay and are ok with dry camping options- there are so many wonderful places to stumble across.

And stumbling down towards home is exactly what we would find ourselves doing..

We'd tour the MT Prison Museum

my review- ho-hum-consider the WY territorial museum instead-better curated-

along with the MT Auto museum

(another ho-hum experience- it felt a bit like a couple wives got together and said "get these cars off our property" and so the obedient spouses bought a warehouse in Deer Lodge and slapped a sign on that said museum. Don't get me wrong- it had a lot of cool cars to look at- all in better condition than the next- but in general- the museum just didn't do a lot for me.