We really enjoyed exploring British Columbia and Alberta, Canada the last couple of months. We are back in the USA at West Glacier, Montana. The border crossing was quick, easy and uneventful. The storage locker we rented worked out very well, despite the horror stories told to us by other RV’rs regarding theft. The storage locker we chose was gated, fenced and had 24 hour surveillance. After watching a couple seasons of NatGeo Border crossing nightmares, we not only left our guns and ammo in the USA, but also exceptional bottles of single malt whisky and medications in excess of our 6 week stay in Canada.
West Glacier
Being back in the USA we needed to stock up at Costco in Kalispell since we let our supplies dwindle very low, even though there was a Costco in Kelowna, Canada. It was great to see lower food and gas prices again. While in Jasper National Park, Alberta, we sustained a windshield chip to our Jeep because they “tar and chipped” the roads. Safelite did a great job. It was difficult to find the original crack.
Glacier Distilling Company
We drove past this distillery numerous times in Coram, Montana and finally decided to check it out. They make a variety of spirits including; whisky, gin, vodka, rum and liqueur. After sampling their booze, they had a nice cocktail selection to enjoy indoors or on their patio. Their Mule Kick was infused with jalapeños, garlic, and black peppercorn, yum!
KOA West Glacier
KOAs are easy to schedule online, have expected amenities and are conveniently located, but tend to be overpriced, crowded, near highways and/or trains, and are not luxurious. This KOA, without question, was the best KOA we ever stayed at. The sites were large, private, landscaped and surrounded by mountains. They had a privately operated grill offering salmon, steak or ribs. Not the usual coffee and pancake breakfast offered at some KOAs.
A hiking trail through pine trees was a great opportunity to let Jake run off leash everyday.
This KOA was extremely unusual, even for a luxury RV resort. There was a private adult only pool heated to 82 F and two hot tubs. The spas were uncrowded and very clean. There was a separate pool for families with kids to enjoy.
Glacier National Park
There was a fire burning for over 2 weeks at Howe Ridge in Glacier National Park. Access to the Going to the Sun Road was blocked from the West Glacier entrance.
We drove from the west side of Glacier to the St. Mary’s entrance on the east side to Logan Pass. A bit out of the way, but we had no option because of the fire if we wanted to visit the National Park again. The weather was less than cooperative. Cold and misty.
Unfortunately, the air quality was awful but at least part of Glacier National Park was open.
Trout Creek, Montana
It’s rare that we will drive the motorhome more than a few hours in a day. We were on our way from West Glacier to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and needed a place to explore for a couple of days instead of doing a long drive. They had 30 amp service, water, sewer, too many trees for satellite, but good internet. There was also a train nearby.
Two fawns and a mother hung out in front of the motorhome. Great images considering they were photographed through a bug splattered windshield. Jake enjoyed watching them eat rosehips. There was also a farm bordering the RV Park with lots of chickens and turkeys. Walking Jake near the fence, the turkeys would come running over to see him. They obviously thought I had food for them but I told Jake they came to see him each day. It was pretty funny.
Kootenai Falls
A short hike to multiple water falls. There were metal stairs with spikes to get to the falls. Jake refused to walk on them so Michael had to go take pictures without us. We enjoyed hot dogs at a street stand but had to walk quickly in circles to eat because yellow jackets wanted our food. That satisfied the hot dog craving for another year.
Ross Creek Cedars
What a beautiful and peaceful grove of western red cedars over 8 feet in diameter and some more than 400 years old. Jake loved the smells of an old growth forest.
