East Glacier NP on fire, or why we went to Canada for the day.

The wildfire in the east side of the park continues to burn and expand.  Mike knew that the Waterton Lakes National Park on the Canada side was accessible from where we were and off we went.  There is a grand old hotel in the park where we had lunch.  

Our route took us past the east entrance to the park and we could see the flames and smoke.  It was not unbearable to be there.  However, when we returned several hours later, we had to divert to a road farther east by 10 miles and from where we were, we couldn't even see the mountains for the smoke.  This could be very bad.  

This morning:

Waterton Lakes National Park

Just as beautiful from the Canadian side as this area is from the US side.


Prince of Wales Hotel

Had an average lunch with a spectacular view at the Prince of Wales.  Historic old building which has been beautifully maintained.

On to Glacier National Park and Environs

We left Garryowen and headed north and then west, stopping at Great Falls MT.  Found the park and got settled and then on Tuesday (7/21) drove around Flathead Lake south of Kalispell.  Absolutely beautiful lake and much larger than I realized.  Took most of the day to circumnavigate it.

Flathead Lake

At the south end, town of Polson.

Had planned to drive over the Going-to-the-Sun Road today, supposed to be one of the most beautiful drives in North America.  A wildfire started just west and below Logan Pass and the Park Service closed the road and evacuated people at the lodges and campgrounds.  One poor tourist's car was burned so maybe it's just as well we weren't up there today.  The ranger said the fire may burn for weeks before it is contained and the road is opened again.  Drat!  

Glacier National Park is breath-taking.  I took lots of photos but many of them are very hazy due to the smoke.  

Planning an excursion to Canada tomorrow.  I didn't know there is a Canadian national park which abutts Glacier and the two parks are considered one.  There's a famous old hotel, the Prince of Wales, which offers a great view.  Stay tuned for more photos.

Another Item Struck from the Bucket List

Little Big Horn Battlefield

I have been reading about this battle since I was a senior in high school.  In fact, I wrote a term paper for Kathleen Norfleet about it.  It has only taken 50-some years but I finally got to travel the battlefield in person.  

Last Stand Hill

George Armstrong Custer, his brother Tom, his brother-in-law James Calhoun, and two nephews all perished at Little Big Horn.  George and Tom died within feet of each other on Last Stand Hill, James a mile or so away.  

 A interesting fact about Tom Custer:  he was a two-time recipient of the Medal of Honor for service for the Union during the Civil War.

The officers' bodies were removed to eastern cemeteries a year or two after the event, the enlisted men are buried together under the memorial.  Rank has its privileges, I guess.  GA Custer is buried at West Point.  

Many of you know of my lifelong love of horses.  Nice to see someone appreciated the horses who were sacrificed in a last-ditch attempt to provide some kind of cover against the attacking warriors.  Soldiers shot their mounts and used them as breastworks since the hill is absolutely barren of anything to hide behind - no trees, no rocks, no nothing.

Of the 600 men Custer had, 263 died.  The Native American losses are estimated at 40-100.  The US Army was soundly trounced.  The only reason they entire contingent wasn't destroyed was that the relief column was on its way and the Indians knew they needed to flee quickly.

Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Moab UT

Found the park in Moab without a problem.  We got settled and the next morning left for the Arches National Park.  We were early enough that the traffic through the park wasn't terrible (yet).  There was a huge tour bus full of Japanese tourists going through the park when we did.  The driver felt he could stop in the middle of the road blocking traffic while his clients piled out for photos and hiking.  The nice park rangers "explained" to him that he could not do that.  On a side note, I have been surprised at the number of Japanese tourists who obviously have rented cars and are touring the country without a guide.  I wouldn't have expected that.

Arches is stunning scenery but for my money, Canyonlands National Park (20 miles away) is at least as beautiful and a whole lot less visited.  See photos of both parks below.

Arches

Arches

Note how small the hikers are in this photo.

Mary Anne at Canyonlands

The drop from where this kid is sitting to the bottom of the canyon is probably 800-1000 feet.  You will note the person who took the photos is 'way back from the edge...

We left Moab and stayed one night in Rawlins, WY, where the wind just about blew us away.  Glad we weren't staying any longer.  Next night in Casper, WY, and now we are in Sheridan, WY.  Friday we will be in Garryowen, MT, preparing to spend two days at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.  George Armstrong Custer is an interesting character...wrote my high school senior history paper on him and have been reading about him since.

More to come.

Whew! Too many states...

Left Pineville, MO headed west.  I don't like doing one-nighters but this required it.  Made it to OK City the first night, then Tucumcari the second night, Bernardo NM the third night.  My traveling companion (Mike N.) came up from Deming to join me.  We left for Albuquerque a day or so later and spent the Independence Day holiday with my son Wyatt, his wife Michelle, and their two girls, Taylor and Madison.  

On July 5, we left Albuquerque headed for Durango, CO.  About halfway to Durango, the right rear tire developed a SERIOUS leak.  O great...it's hot, the highway is busy, and we are pulled off the road in a minimally acceptable place.  Mike changed the tire and put the "doughnut" spare on the truck.  This is only supposed to be good for 50 or so miles.  Hhhhmmm, let's see...we are 90 miles from Durango, it's Sunday the Fourth of July weekend, and there is nothing open.  Mike talked with a state trooper in Cuba CO who told him the spare "should" be okay to Durango.  He said to run slow. 

We were very relieved to arrive at the park in Durango safely.  The next day, Monday, July 7, we spent getting the tire issue resolved.  We had planned to visit Chaco Canyon National Historical Park that day; we scratched that.  A trip for next year. 

 The next day we went to a park in Cortez, CO, parked the rig, and went on to Mesa Verde National Park.  See photos below.  

I had binoculars with me and looked for any evidence of safe paths to/from these dwellings.  The mortality rate for the clumsy or the young must have been considerable.

Next stop:  Arches National Park, Moab UT.

Pineville MO and Points West

In seventh grade, I met Dana McLeran and we have remained friends since.  I knew Dana and her husband Jon Copeland lived close to my path through Arkansas so I sent her an email. An invitation to stop over for a visit was promptly returned.  

I found my way to Pineville (just off I-49 and the AR border).  I pulled into a Dollar General store to pick up a couple of items and when I returned to the parking lot, Jon was waiting for me!  He had seen my RPOD with NM plates as he was driving to Walmart so he stopped and waited.  Couldn't possibly be two RPODs with NM plates in Pineville, a tiny little town.  So Jon escorted me to their house which sits above the Elk River on several acres.  Perfect to park the Jeep/RPOD.  

Dana had made an outstanding chicken salad for my arrival and I promptly devoured a large sandwich.  We talked and talked and talked, remembering old times.  (Jon is also from Coffeyville and knew two of my brothers.)  They have a border collie named Jake who tried, unsuccessfully, to herd Lola and Muppet.  Both my dogs were exhausted by the time we left the next day.

Dana and Jon treated me to an excellent dinner at a local restaurant which overlooks a stretch of the river.  The scenery,the food, and the company were outstanding.  I hope to get back to this area in the future and I will look forward to another visit with them.

Now odd to NM and prepare to go to Glacier National Park.  Stay tuned.