Who We Are

We sold our home in June, 2007, and spent the next 7 1/2 years traveling full time in a Cross Roads Fifth Wheel. (We had been traveling during our summers for several years before going full time.) We loved the full-time lifestyle! Each summer we spent a month or two volunteering in State Parks, first in Indiana at McCormick's Creek State Park, near our family, then in later years as the grandchildren got older, at the Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico. We spent 6 months each winter at Cactus Gardens RV Resort in Yuma, AZ, where I worked mornings in the park office. The remaining months were spent on the road, seeing this great country of ours. Our favorite places are our National Parks. Anita loved photography and the freedom of digital photography, taking sometimes hundreds of photos in a day. We hiked as much as our legs will allow. We also really enjoyed square and round dancing as we travel across country, and meeting all the wonderful people who dance and/or travel.

But as in all things, there comes a time for change, and we decided it was time to create roots once more. In the fall of 2014, we purchased a home in Cactus Gardens, and in the spring of 2015, sold the 5th wheel. Anita also retired in the spring. We will continue to travel each summer, but for a shorter period of time. We hope to continue blogging about those trips, but it will obviously be on a more limited basis than in the past.

Please explore our past posts if you are interested in traveling this great country. You'll find an index in the left column. We hope you enjoy our blog, and appreciate all comments

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Hiking in Glacier National Park

The best way to see any National Park is to hike its trails.  Previously in Glacier, we had hiked the Hidden Lake Trail, so Ron and I decided to return to the park today to hike on the Highline trail.

We left the truck at Apgar (entrance to the park) and took the shuttle bus to Logan Pass. 2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1001The Highline Trail begins there and runs north, following the Continental Divide for a total of 20 miles.  We decided to hike until our legs grew tired, then return.

The trail hugs the mountainside along the area known as the Garden Wall.  The views are fantastic.  2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1019We were hoping to spot a bear, although I would not have wanted to meet one face to face on the narrow trail.  2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1017

No bears were around, but we did meet up with the largest marmot I have seen, 2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1041spotted a herd of mountain goat, 2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1074and were entertained by a playful chipmunk.  2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1067

The wildflower display was beautiful, with many different varieties in bloom. 2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1027 We cut the hike shorter than we had planned when we encountered a waterfall on the wall created by the snow melt.  It was spraying across the entire trail, and we would have gotten wet if we continued.  We decided the day was cool enough that we didn’t want to spend the rest of it in damp clothing, so we turned around.  2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking Highline Trail 1057Since we hadn’t hiked as much as planned, we decided to try the nearby Hidden Lake trail.

A boardwalk runs along the first mile or so of the hike, keeping the hikers from damaging the fragile arctic plant life nearby.  We could not believe the amount of snow still lingering. 2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking the Hidden Lake Trail 1013

Just as we neared the end of the boardwalk, we realized there was no longer large patches of snow, but a snowfield that covered the trail as far as we could see.  I spoke with some hikers returning from the lake.  They related that the snow continued, and that the alpine wildflower meadow was covered with snow.  2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking the Hidden Lake Trail 1020Not wanting wet feet, we decided to return to Logan Pass and our shuttle ride. 

What a contrast to the same hike in 2004.  That day, there snow was almost non-existent, and the wildflower meadow was in full bloom. 2004 Trip (280) [50%] 

We did have a visual treat on the return hike, however , when we came across several bighorn sheep grazing.  2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking the Hidden Lake Trail 1024One ram seemed to enjoy posing, classically silhouetting himself against the mountain.2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking the Hidden Lake Trail 1037

Our pedometer measured 5 miles for the two hikes.   One more treat was in store.  On the way down the mountains, our driver spotted this small bear alongside the road. 2010-07-28 -1- MT, Glacier National Park - Hiking the Hidden Lake Trail 1040 For more photos from the hike,

 click here.

If you would like more information on these two hikes of Glacier National Park, Take My Trip.com is an excellent resource. 

Monday, July 26, 2010

Return to Glacier National Park

P1060183One of our favorite, and most spectacular, National Parks is Glacier National Park.  This was our third visit to the park, and each visit has been unique.

Our first trip in 2004 (before the creation of our blog) left us awestruck.  Occurring on our first trip west of the Mississippi, we had never before seen such vistas. 

The second trip, last year with Hoyt and Bernice Odom, was still fascinating, but quite different.  The day was overcast, cold and foggy.  The mountains were often hidden by the clouds.  To take a look at that day, go to this link.

The amazing factor in today’s drive through the park was the snow!  In the previous 2 trips, we saw the glaciers in the distant, and in 2004, snow along the hike at one point, but otherwise the ground was clear.  Not so today.  Several “snow bridges” lined the edges of the road. P1060364 Streams and waterfalls were cascading with the melt. P1060201P1060411 Despite the snow, the weather was warm, making the snow even more surprising.  We enjoyed a picnic lunch at the Rising Sun stop on St Mary Lake.P1060455b The great thing about our National Parks is that you can return again and again, and find new experiences each time.

For a slideshow of our favorite shots of the day, click the picture below.slideshow

Glacier

St Mary to Hungry Horse

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Along the east edge of Glacier National Park

We took Highways U.S. 2, S.R. 464 and U. S. 89 to move from Cut Bank to St. Mary, MT.  It rained during the night and the day started out overcast, but the blue sky began peeking through as the morning went on.

S.R. 464 was up one hill and down another through the open land of the Blackfeet Reservation.

2010-07-23 -2- MT, On the Road - Cut Bank to St Mary 1001

2010-07-23 -2- MT, On the Road - Cut Bank to St Mary 1002

The Montana wildflower display is stunning. 

We are camping for 2 nights at Johnson’s of St.Mary, a complex with RV sites, cabins, and cafe.  We had heard good reports about the cafe, and we arrived just in time for lunch.  We each chose the special of the day, Open-faced Pork Barbecue on thick slices of freshly baked bread with a large bowl of Beef and Barley soup. Ummm, good!

2010-07-23 -3- MT, St. Mary - Johnson's Cafe 1001

After lunch, we decided to take a drive to East Glacier, stopping to look around at Two Medicine Lake.

2010-07-23 -4- MT, Highways 89 and 49 along Glacier National Park 1002

2010-07-23 -4- MT, Highways 89 and 49 along Glacier National Park 1004    2010-07-23 -4- MT, Highways 89 and 49 along Glacier National Park 1016 2010-07-23 -4- MT, Highways 89 and 49 along Glacier National Park 1019

2010-07-23 -4- MT, Highways 89 and 49 along Glacier National Park 1025

2010-07-23 -4- MT, Highways 89 and 49 along Glacier National Park 1026

At the Two Medicine Grocery and Supply store, we each had a dish of Huckleberry Ice Cream.  Every grocery, souvenir store and restaurant in this area features delicious dishes made with local huckleberries.

2010-07-23 -4- MT, Highways 89 and 49 along Glacier National Park 1029

At East Glacier, we took a moment to look at the grand East Glacier Lodge, with its huge timbers.2010-07-23 -5- MT, East Glacier Lodge 1002

A stop at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier was fascinating.  As we walked through the establishment, we marveled at the huge logs used in it’s construction.  Built in 1913, it contains 60 Douglas Fir columns 40 feet tall, and ranging from 36-42” in diameter.  Each column was brought in by rail from the Pacific Northwest.The floor plan is patterned after early Christian basilicas.  It is quite impressive.

2010-07-23 -5- MT, East Glacier Lodge 1005

Today’s drive from Cut BankCut Bank to St Mary

Our Afternoon drive to East GlacierSt. Mary to East Glacier 

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Waterton Lakes National Park

There are places that neither words nor photos can adequately describe;  Waterton Lakes National Park, the Canadian side of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is one.

The drive from St. Mary to Waterton is a beautiful drive through farming country on the east and the mountains on the west.P1050712

This was our first journey into Canada.  We crossed the border with no delay at Port of Chief Mountain.

 

P1050722

P1050720

Upon entering Waterton Lakes National Park (one of five Canadian National Parks), we decided to take the Red Rock Canyon Drive.  Grazing beside the road were two reindeer. P1050769

The park is the only protected corridor for wildlife moving between the U.S. and Canada.  We were told a grizzly was spotted along this road the day before, but we never found it.  The scenery, however, was great.P1050778Back on the main route into the community of Waterton, the icon that catches your eye is the famous Prince of Wales Hotel, perched high above the lake.P1050814   P1050813

We had to have a look inside.  The interior was not as opulent as I expected, but the view from the lobby is fantastic. P1050830P1050829 

A room here will run you between $200 and $300 per night, depending on the view; a suite runs $800.  Keep in mind that’s without air conditioning , bathtub, or TV  you will be “experiencing a stay here as our guests did in the thirties”.

It is interesting to read how the hotel was built; if you’d like to do that, click on this link.

We next took the scenic Akamina Parkway, winding through the mountains to Cameron Lake.

P1050876

For lunch, we chose the Glacier Bistro; the dining room overlooked the lake, and the food was delicious.P1050949

P1050918

I’ve definitely added Waterton to my list of Favorite Places. 

We completed our day with a circular drive through Canada, re-entering the States at Carway.

For a slideshow of more pictures of the day,

Click here.

St.Mary to Waterton

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Through the Windshield

Sometimes the view through the window is so awesome, you have to try to capture it, even though the lighting and movement may not be conducive to photography.

On I-90, from Belle Fourche, SD to Sheridan, WY, we had our first glimpse at the snow-crowned Rockies.

2010-07-18 - WY, On the Road , I-90 to NW to Sheridan 1012

 2010-07-18 - WY, On the Road , I-90 to NW to Sheridan 1017 

From Reed Point, MT, we continued west on I-90 and had even better views of the mountains.2010-07-21 - MT, On the Road - Reed Point to Helena 1008

2010-07-21 - MT, On the Road - Reed Point to Helena 1009 At aptly named Three Forks, MT, the Missouri River is formed at the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers.2010-07-21 - MT, On the Road - Reed Point to Helena 1010

  A couple days later, we were headed north from Helena,Mt on I-15.  The Interstate roughly parallels the Missouri River and goes through some fantastic landscape.

 2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1005 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1007 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1008 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1010 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1014 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1015 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1019 2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1028 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1031 

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1032Then, almost before you realize it, you have pulled away from the mountains, and returned to farmland.

2010-07-22 -1- MT, Helena to Cut Bank via I-15 1037

Very seldom do you see the landscape along Interstate highways as outstanding as it has been for us the past few days.

As I write this, we are camped at Cut Bank, MT where the curiously named Cut Bank Creek River has cut a winding gorge.  We camped here last year in August for several days.  If you would like to see the blog posting for that visit, CLICK HERE.

Cut Bank