Kalispell, Montana, October-November 2017
October 3-4, 2017: Arrival
AlteCocker is afraid it's another case of what AlteCocker calls "AlteCocker Went on Vacation." The Going to the Sun Road in Glacier Park is mostly closed due to fire danger--never mind taking one of those famous red buses. AlteCocker is going over to the East side tomorrow to see what she can see. She saw the bad news in the home exchangers' house book and it only got worse when she spoke with Tourist Information in Kalispell. Another portion of a secondary road closed due to snow. Well, AlteCocker cannot fix that and will just make the best of it. Waterton Lakes on the Canadian side is pretty much the same story.
And so it begins with bad news. The good news is that she is here and the house is very nice and clean. As some of you who are regular readers know, AlteCocker has had it with slobs who leave their homes in total disarray and wallowing in dirt. That is The Nasty Side of Home Exchanging. It took some doing to actually find the house last night because, well, no one can find it because it is on a road that sort of turns on itself to get into the driveway. It was quite a scene with the taxi driver. A neighbor finally came out to tell us how to navigate in the pitch black darkness when AlteCocker arrived. Perhaps AlteCocker will buy a gift for those neighbors. We even had to call the home exchangers who AlteCocker thought were in her house, but, no, they had just arrived in DC and were in a taxi. Ha! When AlteCocker finally got into the house, she was relieved.
As is usual, not much was planned for the first day. Also, as usual, AlteCocker got off to a roaring start. She is in a relatively rural area where the Starbucks is definitely not down the street. The house has a Kalispell address but is closer to Whitefish--the next town North of Kalispell. She used her Google Maps to look for a breakfast restaurant, but the one she chose was a hamburger stand. No. Not there. She ended up in Julie's Cafe in Kalispell. If you turn the menu over, they have smaller portions for seniors and she had a Denver omelet with 2 eggs instead of 3. It was more than sufficient. She also met a local woman named Nancy and ate breakfast at the same table with her. You are never alone when you travel alone.
Other stops were made at the small local Hockaday Museum. It is in an old Carnegie Library and had a small collection of Western art on display and some stunning photographs. Unfortunately (or fortunately for AlteCocker's budget), copies of the photos were not on sale. There was one of aspens in the snow that she could have bought. They also had a DVD on Glacier Park that was playing while AlteCocker was there. She watched about half of it as it was over 100 minutes long. Then it was over to Tourist Information to pick up brochures and get the bad news about Glacier and Waterton Parks.
There was still plenty of time left in the day and Nancy had recommended a drive around Flathead Lake. So, she went around Flathead Lake. It is an area where people put their boats in the water and rent a cabin for a week or two with the kids. Most of the stuff was closed for the season but the lake was still pretty. The West side road (Rte. 93) has much better scenery than the East road if you only want to do it one way.
Then it was time to just go home, relax and do the blog. AlteCocker really wasn't hungry for dinner, so she skipped it. It will be an early to bed night as she recovers from jet lag and the sheer exhaustion that airplanes always induce.
And so it begins with bad news. The good news is that she is here and the house is very nice and clean. As some of you who are regular readers know, AlteCocker has had it with slobs who leave their homes in total disarray and wallowing in dirt. That is The Nasty Side of Home Exchanging. It took some doing to actually find the house last night because, well, no one can find it because it is on a road that sort of turns on itself to get into the driveway. It was quite a scene with the taxi driver. A neighbor finally came out to tell us how to navigate in the pitch black darkness when AlteCocker arrived. Perhaps AlteCocker will buy a gift for those neighbors. We even had to call the home exchangers who AlteCocker thought were in her house, but, no, they had just arrived in DC and were in a taxi. Ha! When AlteCocker finally got into the house, she was relieved.
As is usual, not much was planned for the first day. Also, as usual, AlteCocker got off to a roaring start. She is in a relatively rural area where the Starbucks is definitely not down the street. The house has a Kalispell address but is closer to Whitefish--the next town North of Kalispell. She used her Google Maps to look for a breakfast restaurant, but the one she chose was a hamburger stand. No. Not there. She ended up in Julie's Cafe in Kalispell. If you turn the menu over, they have smaller portions for seniors and she had a Denver omelet with 2 eggs instead of 3. It was more than sufficient. She also met a local woman named Nancy and ate breakfast at the same table with her. You are never alone when you travel alone.
Other stops were made at the small local Hockaday Museum. It is in an old Carnegie Library and had a small collection of Western art on display and some stunning photographs. Unfortunately (or fortunately for AlteCocker's budget), copies of the photos were not on sale. There was one of aspens in the snow that she could have bought. They also had a DVD on Glacier Park that was playing while AlteCocker was there. She watched about half of it as it was over 100 minutes long. Then it was over to Tourist Information to pick up brochures and get the bad news about Glacier and Waterton Parks.
There was still plenty of time left in the day and Nancy had recommended a drive around Flathead Lake. So, she went around Flathead Lake. It is an area where people put their boats in the water and rent a cabin for a week or two with the kids. Most of the stuff was closed for the season but the lake was still pretty. The West side road (Rte. 93) has much better scenery than the East road if you only want to do it one way.
Then it was time to just go home, relax and do the blog. AlteCocker really wasn't hungry for dinner, so she skipped it. It will be an early to bed night as she recovers from jet lag and the sheer exhaustion that airplanes always induce.
October 5, 2017: If you try hard, You eventually get to Glacier
Well, today was one exhausting day. AlteCocker began the day by going to West Glacier. On the way over to West Glacier, she passed through a town called Hungry Horse and various businesses advertising rafting, horseback riding, etc. There are lots of advertisements for huckleberry this and that in Hungry Horse. Huckleberries are a local specialty. AlteCocker stopped at The Huckleberry Patch looking for breakfast. The restaurant was closed for the season. Breakfast turned into a piece of huckleberry pie and a coffee. The place was also a souvenir shop and AlteCocker did buy a funny t-shirt, huckleberry jam and a Montana themed calendar. It's pretty much all over for the season with all the businesses on the way to West Glacier. One place was still doing horseback riding. With AlteCocker's back problems, that is one thing she definitely cannot do. Such is life as an AlteCocker. If AlteCocker is unsure about doing something, she takes a pass. If she knows it will hurt, it is also off the list. Horseback riding is over for the duration.
The only thing open at West Glacier is one hike to a viewpoint and the Visitors' Center (the hike is banked for later). Going to the Sun Road is being resurfaced and is closed until next spring from West Glacier. So, there was only one thing to do--which was to drive around to St. Mary on the East side of the Park--a 2 1/2 hour drive. So, AlteCocker forged ahead taking a lot of photos. It was a gorgeous fall day and it was hard not to stop constantly. At one point she got out to take a photo of scenery and 3 guys were waiting in a line for a train to pass. They were train nuts. AlteCocker likes trains but is not one of these people who runs around to take photos of specific engines. Since the train was passing, however, AlteCocker got the train nut photos too.
Then it was on to Glacier. At Browning, AlteCocker took what looked like a short cut. It turned out to have a major road construction project--one of those where you have to wait for the guide truck to lead you and, of course, AlteCocker just missed the previous truck. When she got to St. Mary, it was clear there was no GPS signal. At one point she ended up in ranger housing. She turned around and exited, and soon found herself at the park entrance. Good news at the entrance: The Going to the Sun Road had been open for 11 miles. The just reopened it to Logan Pass for 17 miles, but, remember, this was only from the East side.
Of course, AlteCocker did the entire available route. St. Mary Lake was gorgeous. It is obvious that the glaciers are disappearing. While the road was partially closed, the good news that the park was almost empty. There was plenty of parking everywhere. Unfortunately, knowing she had the long drive back to Kalispell, AlteCocker did not do the hike to the waterfall--or anywhere else. This was an in and out visit. She was there for about 2 1/2 hours finishing at Logan Pass and then turning around and retracing herself to the East exit. More photos, of course.
AlteCocker crossed the continental divide once on the road into Glacier and again in Glacier. There is one peak in Glacier (one for the superfit mountain climbers were water goes not only east and west but also into the Gulf on Mexico and then into Hudson's Bay.
Please note: Aside from the small grocery store, everything was closed in St. Mary as of October.
Returning, AlteCocker stopped in Browning, which is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She had a sub from Subway (not authentic Indian food but she did not have time to seek that out). She watched two horses line up at a traffic light as though they were cars. Unfortunately, she did not get her camera out fast enough. Opposite the Subway is an Indian Trading Post. She would have stopped if she had time, but she didn't. Besides, she has plenty of Indian jewelry, pottery, and even a rug from previous vacations in the Southwest. So, it was probably good she missed it. She would have bought something she really did not need. She was the only white person in the Subway, by the way.
Then it was the long ride back. She got back just after 8:00pm totally exhausted. Too much driving in one day.
The only thing open at West Glacier is one hike to a viewpoint and the Visitors' Center (the hike is banked for later). Going to the Sun Road is being resurfaced and is closed until next spring from West Glacier. So, there was only one thing to do--which was to drive around to St. Mary on the East side of the Park--a 2 1/2 hour drive. So, AlteCocker forged ahead taking a lot of photos. It was a gorgeous fall day and it was hard not to stop constantly. At one point she got out to take a photo of scenery and 3 guys were waiting in a line for a train to pass. They were train nuts. AlteCocker likes trains but is not one of these people who runs around to take photos of specific engines. Since the train was passing, however, AlteCocker got the train nut photos too.
Then it was on to Glacier. At Browning, AlteCocker took what looked like a short cut. It turned out to have a major road construction project--one of those where you have to wait for the guide truck to lead you and, of course, AlteCocker just missed the previous truck. When she got to St. Mary, it was clear there was no GPS signal. At one point she ended up in ranger housing. She turned around and exited, and soon found herself at the park entrance. Good news at the entrance: The Going to the Sun Road had been open for 11 miles. The just reopened it to Logan Pass for 17 miles, but, remember, this was only from the East side.
Of course, AlteCocker did the entire available route. St. Mary Lake was gorgeous. It is obvious that the glaciers are disappearing. While the road was partially closed, the good news that the park was almost empty. There was plenty of parking everywhere. Unfortunately, knowing she had the long drive back to Kalispell, AlteCocker did not do the hike to the waterfall--or anywhere else. This was an in and out visit. She was there for about 2 1/2 hours finishing at Logan Pass and then turning around and retracing herself to the East exit. More photos, of course.
AlteCocker crossed the continental divide once on the road into Glacier and again in Glacier. There is one peak in Glacier (one for the superfit mountain climbers were water goes not only east and west but also into the Gulf on Mexico and then into Hudson's Bay.
Please note: Aside from the small grocery store, everything was closed in St. Mary as of October.
Returning, AlteCocker stopped in Browning, which is on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. She had a sub from Subway (not authentic Indian food but she did not have time to seek that out). She watched two horses line up at a traffic light as though they were cars. Unfortunately, she did not get her camera out fast enough. Opposite the Subway is an Indian Trading Post. She would have stopped if she had time, but she didn't. Besides, she has plenty of Indian jewelry, pottery, and even a rug from previous vacations in the Southwest. So, it was probably good she missed it. She would have bought something she really did not need. She was the only white person in the Subway, by the way.
Then it was the long ride back. She got back just after 8:00pm totally exhausted. Too much driving in one day.
October 6, 2017: Some Local Museums
This was going to be a relatively slow day. AlteCocker did sleep in and did not get out of the house until noon. Lunch was at The Split Rock Cafe--just a hamburger and a side salad--nothing fancy. Then it was off to the Conrad Mansion--which turned out to be fabulous. A successful businessman--and one of the founders of Kalispell built a sort of castle out of wood. Unfortunately, no photos inside. She then went to the Schoolhouse Museum--a museum of Kalispell and the general area built in an old schoolhouse. The schoolhouse reminded AlteCocker of the one in which she spent her elementary school years in Stamford, Connecticut.
After the museums, AlteCocker headed for an ice cream at the local ice cream place, Sweet Peaks. She had a dark chocolate flavor with chocolate chips. Yum! The last act of the day was to take in an an early movie at the local muliplex cinema. She saw "Victoria and Abdul." Judi Dench put in a great performance as the elderly Queen Victoria.
Then it was home to do the blog. Lots of difficulty loading photos!
After the museums, AlteCocker headed for an ice cream at the local ice cream place, Sweet Peaks. She had a dark chocolate flavor with chocolate chips. Yum! The last act of the day was to take in an an early movie at the local muliplex cinema. She saw "Victoria and Abdul." Judi Dench put in a great performance as the elderly Queen Victoria.
Then it was home to do the blog. Lots of difficulty loading photos!
October 7, 2017: Oktoberfest in Whitefish
The weather today was cold with rain on and off in the morning. When AlteCocker finally got out of the house, she headed for Whitefish--which is closer to the house than downtown Kalispell is although the house has a Kalispell address.
After finding a parking space, AlteCocker went first into the Stumptown Marketplace--a small shopping area with local crafts. She had a chocolate croissant and coffee before heading over to the Oktoberfest tent in Depot Park. Yes, there is a train depot in Whitefish! Trains from Chicago to Seattle stop there every day.
The Oktoberfest action was surprisingly brisk despite the "iffy" weather. AlteCocker had an elk bratwurst and apple crumble. She did not have beer because she is not a beer drinker. It is not because she is a puritan. She is fine with wine. They had an oompah band and AlteCocker watched a beer holding contest. You had to hold the glass steins with your elbow straight out. The last one standing won a free stein of beer. AlteCocker was not a contestant. Then there were some polkas. Everyone appeared to be enjoying himself but AlteCocker stayed maybe an hour.
After Oktoberfest, AlteCocker visited the Whitefish Museum in the train depot. It was only one room but it was free. While there a Whitefish native who now lives elsewhere walked in and offered to donate 10 CDs of his music to the museum for sale. The music is inspired by the area and AlteCocker purchased one. Music makes a nice souvenir when you play it back home.
After sort of "doing" Whitefish, AlteCocker stopped again and bought a funny t-shirt dyed with Montana mud. Montana is famous for its mud. AlteCocker can also confess to have experienced a lot of Montana dust. The car got filthy in no time flat. It was in the garage during much of the rain and did not get washed off. Perhaps another day.
Then it was an ice cream refilling the car before going to see another film, this time "Wind River". It seemed fitting to see the film in Montana as it takes place on an Indian reservation. An excellent film, by the way, but filmed in Utah.
The last acts of the day were laundry and the blog.
After finding a parking space, AlteCocker went first into the Stumptown Marketplace--a small shopping area with local crafts. She had a chocolate croissant and coffee before heading over to the Oktoberfest tent in Depot Park. Yes, there is a train depot in Whitefish! Trains from Chicago to Seattle stop there every day.
The Oktoberfest action was surprisingly brisk despite the "iffy" weather. AlteCocker had an elk bratwurst and apple crumble. She did not have beer because she is not a beer drinker. It is not because she is a puritan. She is fine with wine. They had an oompah band and AlteCocker watched a beer holding contest. You had to hold the glass steins with your elbow straight out. The last one standing won a free stein of beer. AlteCocker was not a contestant. Then there were some polkas. Everyone appeared to be enjoying himself but AlteCocker stayed maybe an hour.
After Oktoberfest, AlteCocker visited the Whitefish Museum in the train depot. It was only one room but it was free. While there a Whitefish native who now lives elsewhere walked in and offered to donate 10 CDs of his music to the museum for sale. The music is inspired by the area and AlteCocker purchased one. Music makes a nice souvenir when you play it back home.
After sort of "doing" Whitefish, AlteCocker stopped again and bought a funny t-shirt dyed with Montana mud. Montana is famous for its mud. AlteCocker can also confess to have experienced a lot of Montana dust. The car got filthy in no time flat. It was in the garage during much of the rain and did not get washed off. Perhaps another day.
Then it was an ice cream refilling the car before going to see another film, this time "Wind River". It seemed fitting to see the film in Montana as it takes place on an Indian reservation. An excellent film, by the way, but filmed in Utah.
The last acts of the day were laundry and the blog.
October 8, 2017: Fish Camp Hike to Rocky Point
Today began badly. AlteCocker moved all her junk from the 2004 Honda Accord she's been driving into the Honda Pilot SUV. She was going to brave driving the SUV. Well, no. The SUV did not start. Perhaps it was due to someone leaving something on. In any event, AlteCocker is not going to bother with it so long as the Accord works.
AlteCocker headed back to Glacier with a stop at Montana Coffee Traders for breakfast. She had a vegetable omelet and bought a blueberry lemon scone for later. Let me assure you, it was not much later.
Then she headed for West Glacier. A hike had been recommended for her by her exchangers, but she consulted with a ranger at the West Glacier Visitors' Center who recommended a less ambitious hike from the Fish Camp campground (closed for the season) to a viewpoint called Rocky Point. AlteCocker takes that suggestion--and the hike was sufficient for AlteCocker. The route does go up and down but no mountain climbing. At Rocky Point there was a wonderful bench. AlteCocker took advantage of that bench, but it was soon time to hike back to the Fish Camp parking lot. She was delighted to fall contentedly into into her seat in the car.
Exiting Glacier she turns on the route to Polebridge. Eventually, the road forks and you can go to either Polebridge and Columbia Falls. AlteCocker turned back because the road is gravel in either direction. AlteCocker does not take kindly to gravel roads--especially in someone else's car (albeit not the SUV). There were some overlooks on the road and great views of snow covered mountains in Glacier Park. Great fall colors all over. The only wildlife seen were squirrels and one fox. The fox was outta there before AlteCocker could get a photo.
AlteCocker headed for home with a stop at Montana Fur Traders. She bought a machine made rug that was on the "for sale" table. It was only $45 but the shipping will cut down the bargain. She'll put it one of her guest rooms.
Then it was back to Kalispell for a stop for computer charging cords at a Walmart Superstore. Dinner was at Bullman's Pizza opposite the movie theater AlteCocker has been patronizing. The pizza was good. No movie tonight. AlteCocker was too tired and she has seen two movies in two days. It was time for a movie day off.
Then it was home to do the blog, listen to podcasts and relax.--and plan tomorrow.
AlteCocker headed back to Glacier with a stop at Montana Coffee Traders for breakfast. She had a vegetable omelet and bought a blueberry lemon scone for later. Let me assure you, it was not much later.
Then she headed for West Glacier. A hike had been recommended for her by her exchangers, but she consulted with a ranger at the West Glacier Visitors' Center who recommended a less ambitious hike from the Fish Camp campground (closed for the season) to a viewpoint called Rocky Point. AlteCocker takes that suggestion--and the hike was sufficient for AlteCocker. The route does go up and down but no mountain climbing. At Rocky Point there was a wonderful bench. AlteCocker took advantage of that bench, but it was soon time to hike back to the Fish Camp parking lot. She was delighted to fall contentedly into into her seat in the car.
Exiting Glacier she turns on the route to Polebridge. Eventually, the road forks and you can go to either Polebridge and Columbia Falls. AlteCocker turned back because the road is gravel in either direction. AlteCocker does not take kindly to gravel roads--especially in someone else's car (albeit not the SUV). There were some overlooks on the road and great views of snow covered mountains in Glacier Park. Great fall colors all over. The only wildlife seen were squirrels and one fox. The fox was outta there before AlteCocker could get a photo.
AlteCocker headed for home with a stop at Montana Fur Traders. She bought a machine made rug that was on the "for sale" table. It was only $45 but the shipping will cut down the bargain. She'll put it one of her guest rooms.
Then it was back to Kalispell for a stop for computer charging cords at a Walmart Superstore. Dinner was at Bullman's Pizza opposite the movie theater AlteCocker has been patronizing. The pizza was good. No movie tonight. AlteCocker was too tired and she has seen two movies in two days. It was time for a movie day off.
Then it was home to do the blog, listen to podcasts and relax.--and plan tomorrow.
October 9, 2017: Glacier Sun Winery, Lunch at CisloS
No photos from today. AlteCocker forgot her camera. Boo for AlteCocker!
This was a sleep in day. AlteCocker did not leave the house until about noon. She really did not want to do much as a long drive is planned for tomorrow. She went to Glacier Sun Winery and tasted some wine before she bought bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and a bottle apricot dessert wine. Should AlteCocker get to Calgary to visit an old pen pal from childhood, she will pack the Cabernet. The last thing she would want would be to weigh her luggage down with bottles of wine. The apricot dessert wine will end up at her cousin's in Oregon--where this trip will end after the home exchange.
The winery shares a sort of mini local produce and tschotschke shopping center. She had a muffin and coffee. She then thought about going Kehoe Agate Shop in Bigfoot but it is closed on Monday, so, no. She ended up eating lunch at Cisloe's. She had a hamburger, fries and delicious pistachio pie for less than $10 without tip. Then it was 4:00pm and AlteCocker went home.
Getting to the house she succeeded on accidentally locking the door to the toilet on the main floor. The tools were in the garage and she was able to use a long thin nail to pop the door open through the door knob. She definitely did not deliberately lock the door. No clue but the nail she used to open the door is now adjacent to the bathroom just in case.
Then it was time to water the plants in the sun room/greenhouse and relax upstairs. Tomorrow is going to be a long day--a drive to Great Falls, MT, where AlteCocker has a hotel room reserved for 3 nights. She will remember to bring her camera. The route is basically, ugh, the route she previous took through East Glacier but not going all the way. The alternative would be much longer, so, here we go again.
This was a sleep in day. AlteCocker did not leave the house until about noon. She really did not want to do much as a long drive is planned for tomorrow. She went to Glacier Sun Winery and tasted some wine before she bought bottles of Cabernet Sauvignon and a bottle apricot dessert wine. Should AlteCocker get to Calgary to visit an old pen pal from childhood, she will pack the Cabernet. The last thing she would want would be to weigh her luggage down with bottles of wine. The apricot dessert wine will end up at her cousin's in Oregon--where this trip will end after the home exchange.
The winery shares a sort of mini local produce and tschotschke shopping center. She had a muffin and coffee. She then thought about going Kehoe Agate Shop in Bigfoot but it is closed on Monday, so, no. She ended up eating lunch at Cisloe's. She had a hamburger, fries and delicious pistachio pie for less than $10 without tip. Then it was 4:00pm and AlteCocker went home.
Getting to the house she succeeded on accidentally locking the door to the toilet on the main floor. The tools were in the garage and she was able to use a long thin nail to pop the door open through the door knob. She definitely did not deliberately lock the door. No clue but the nail she used to open the door is now adjacent to the bathroom just in case.
Then it was time to water the plants in the sun room/greenhouse and relax upstairs. Tomorrow is going to be a long day--a drive to Great Falls, MT, where AlteCocker has a hotel room reserved for 3 nights. She will remember to bring her camera. The route is basically, ugh, the route she previous took through East Glacier but not going all the way. The alternative would be much longer, so, here we go again.
October 10, 2017: Drive to Great Falls
AlteCocker decided to visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Site in Great Falls. To get there she basically retraces her steps in the car through Browning. Then, instead of turning north toward St. Mary, she goes south towards Great Falls. Along the way she notices that there has been snow in the higher elevations, so she picked a good day to go into Glacier St. Mary as far as she could go when she first arrived.
The drive is tedious and long. She stops at the Goat Lick Overlook in Essex. it's closed. She walks in. There is an interpretive panel. Goats are mainly at the salt lick in spring. No goats. Then she stops at a small restaurant by the left side of the road, Snow Slip Inn, and has breakfast. The place is full of locals including two seniors who summer in a family cabin in Montana and go to Arizona for winter. The man has taken his elk for the winter and it's being dressed. He will take it to Arizona with him.
Service at the Snow Slip Inn is slow but the breakfast is delicious. So is the break. Then it is back in the car. By the time she gets to Great Falls and checks into a small hotel, The Greystone Inn, AlteCocker is exhausted. She takes a 2 hour nap and has no difficulty going right to sleep. Dinner is at Jaker's, a local eatery known for large portions. AlteCocker has salmon. She does not have dessert. Not many others were eating dessert either--except for some airmen from the local Air Force Base. Even only a small number were ordering dessert. If you want to eat dessert there, AlteCocker suggests you skip the main course. As is true all over Montana, there are gambling machines. They are much more present than they are in the East.
Then it is back to the hotel room for some MSNBC and the blog. The photos were very slow to load. If she has the same problem consistently, she may hold photo posting for her return to Kalispell.
The drive is tedious and long. She stops at the Goat Lick Overlook in Essex. it's closed. She walks in. There is an interpretive panel. Goats are mainly at the salt lick in spring. No goats. Then she stops at a small restaurant by the left side of the road, Snow Slip Inn, and has breakfast. The place is full of locals including two seniors who summer in a family cabin in Montana and go to Arizona for winter. The man has taken his elk for the winter and it's being dressed. He will take it to Arizona with him.
Service at the Snow Slip Inn is slow but the breakfast is delicious. So is the break. Then it is back in the car. By the time she gets to Great Falls and checks into a small hotel, The Greystone Inn, AlteCocker is exhausted. She takes a 2 hour nap and has no difficulty going right to sleep. Dinner is at Jaker's, a local eatery known for large portions. AlteCocker has salmon. She does not have dessert. Not many others were eating dessert either--except for some airmen from the local Air Force Base. Even only a small number were ordering dessert. If you want to eat dessert there, AlteCocker suggests you skip the main course. As is true all over Montana, there are gambling machines. They are much more present than they are in the East.
Then it is back to the hotel room for some MSNBC and the blog. The photos were very slow to load. If she has the same problem consistently, she may hold photo posting for her return to Kalispell.
October 11, 2017: In Search of Lewis & Clark
Great Falls is known for the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center--which is adjacent to Giant Springs State Park along the Missouri River. The Center features a half hour film by Ken Burns and another on the Great Falls Portage. Great Falls is a series of waterfalls and the Corps of Discovery had to portage 18 miles before they could safely reenter the river. AlteCocker spent about 2 hours at the Interpretive Center. As you may know, a Newfoundland dog named "Seamans" accompanied Lewis and Clark. So, one of the guys at the center also has a Newfoundland dog. His name is "Buddy"--not Seamans. He was laying on the floor as AlteCocker exited. She did not buy anything in the gift shop.
Most of the Lewis and Clark sites deal with only what happened there. The Interpretive Center deals with the entire story. There are a number of overlooks near the museum. All are within the confines of Giant Springs State Park--as is the Interpretive Center. AlteCocker stopped at a number of the overlooks.
Then it was a chase for The Great Falls of the Missouri. The main "Great Falls" is on the opposite side of the river and very difficult to find along bad roads. The key is to follow the signs for Ryan Dam. Even after figuring that out, AlteCocker still had trouble. Unfortunately, it being the off season, the bridge to the island containing the best view was--you guessed it--closed. AlteCocker still managed to get a photo. The Missouri is heavily dammed and it is impossible to conceive of the grand sight that greeted the Corps of Discovery. Still, AlteCocker can still claim she went to The Great Falls. Before one mourns the dams, it is very dry here and the people need the water. The dams also furnish protection if there is spring flooding. AlteCocker was told that the Missouri over running its banks at Great Falls not that unusual. It was very quiet when AlteCocker visited. At Ryan Falls she met only 2 other people visiting. The difficulty of finding the dam is probably the reason.
Having done with her agenda for the day, AlteCocker had a late lunch along the Missouri in Riverside Park. The only restaurant along the river was Mackenzie River Pizza. AlteCocker had a seat along the riverside, but the porch was off limits due to the cold. Fall is ending here and soon snow will be a frequent occurrence. The weather here is mainly dry in summer--so dry that AlteCocker has had a problem with nosebleeds. The weather is desert like despite the foliage. It is predictably warmer during the day and much colder at night.
Most of the Lewis and Clark sites deal with only what happened there. The Interpretive Center deals with the entire story. There are a number of overlooks near the museum. All are within the confines of Giant Springs State Park--as is the Interpretive Center. AlteCocker stopped at a number of the overlooks.
Then it was a chase for The Great Falls of the Missouri. The main "Great Falls" is on the opposite side of the river and very difficult to find along bad roads. The key is to follow the signs for Ryan Dam. Even after figuring that out, AlteCocker still had trouble. Unfortunately, it being the off season, the bridge to the island containing the best view was--you guessed it--closed. AlteCocker still managed to get a photo. The Missouri is heavily dammed and it is impossible to conceive of the grand sight that greeted the Corps of Discovery. Still, AlteCocker can still claim she went to The Great Falls. Before one mourns the dams, it is very dry here and the people need the water. The dams also furnish protection if there is spring flooding. AlteCocker was told that the Missouri over running its banks at Great Falls not that unusual. It was very quiet when AlteCocker visited. At Ryan Falls she met only 2 other people visiting. The difficulty of finding the dam is probably the reason.
Having done with her agenda for the day, AlteCocker had a late lunch along the Missouri in Riverside Park. The only restaurant along the river was Mackenzie River Pizza. AlteCocker had a seat along the riverside, but the porch was off limits due to the cold. Fall is ending here and soon snow will be a frequent occurrence. The weather here is mainly dry in summer--so dry that AlteCocker has had a problem with nosebleeds. The weather is desert like despite the foliage. It is predictably warmer during the day and much colder at night.
October 12, 2017: Charles Russell & Buffalo JUmp
This was AlteCocker's last full day in Great Falls. She began the day with a coffee at Crooked Tree Coffee and Cakes. Good coffee and the berry scone was heated and delicious. They also have t-shirts (everyone is getting into the act now); AlteCocker skipped the T-shirt. The barista made one of leaf designs in her latte. She will return tomorrow before heading for home. She had considered visiting Missoula overnight, but, when she checked the hotel prices she was surprised until she looked at the University of Montana football schedule. The Grizzlies have a football game on Saturday. She will skip Missoula and just hightail it back to home base in Kalispell.
Then it was on to the Charles Russell Museum and his studio. His home is also part of the site, but was closed for renovations. The Museum was wonderful with many paintings evocative of the passing of the Old West. Russell, by the way, did not much like Frederick Remington. He viewed Remington as an eastern city slicker. Russell actually lived the cowboy life. He was born in St. Louis but "lit out" for the west at a young age and lived in Great Falls for much of his life. The paintings were great and AlteCocker spent 2 hours in the museum including a few minutes in his log cabin studio. She purchased a wine holder that looked as if it were made from a stirrup and a calendar. Eventually, she will hit UPS in Kalispell and ship a bunch of purchases back.
Since the day was still young and AlteCocker did not feel the need for breakfast, she headed for First People's Buffalo Jump State Park in Ulm, south of Great Falls towards Helena. You stop first at the Visitor's Center and then drive to the upper level where Indians drove the Buffalo over the cliff to women waiting down below to butcher them. A young man dressed as a buffalo and making buffalo noises herded the buffaloes to the cliff, jumping out of the way to a ledge at the last moment. This was quite ingenious in the days before horses and guns. It would have taken many arrows to kill one buffalo. This method of creating a stampede over a cliff killed many with far less effort. People learn to live from whatever is available.
After the Visitors' Center, AlteCocker drove to the upper level site where you could walk to the actual jump off point and see what the buffalo saw. They could not see the drop until it was too late. Driving up she missed the turnoff and drove a couple of miles until it was clear she should turn around. The sky was darkening ominously as though a storm were brewing. She had visions of great claps of thunder on the open prairie, but, no. Just a few sprinkles. The dryness just sucked up the rain. It would have been a way to avoid a car wash. The car is disgusting. She has noticed that a lot of the cars are dirty and dusty in Montana. Now she knows why.
Returning to Great Falls, AlteCocker decided to eat dinner early. She ate at the Montana Club on the opposite side of the river. Do not be put off by the oil refinery across the street. You do smell it when you get out of the car but the food in the restau rant was great. She had a vodka drink laced with huckleberry syrup and huckleberries and huckleberry creme brulee for dessert. The rare steak was great too. She had fresh asparagus instead of potatoes for her side dish; it was great too. All and all she enjoyed the restaurant better than the others she has sampled in Great Falls despite the non "sexy" location.
Then it was back to the hotel where there was a note on her door apologizing for the lack of maid service. Supposedly there had been a water problem. Since the hotel has been in all other respects satisfactory, AlteCocker just shrugged and proceeded to wash out some clothing items and do the blog.
Then it was on to the Charles Russell Museum and his studio. His home is also part of the site, but was closed for renovations. The Museum was wonderful with many paintings evocative of the passing of the Old West. Russell, by the way, did not much like Frederick Remington. He viewed Remington as an eastern city slicker. Russell actually lived the cowboy life. He was born in St. Louis but "lit out" for the west at a young age and lived in Great Falls for much of his life. The paintings were great and AlteCocker spent 2 hours in the museum including a few minutes in his log cabin studio. She purchased a wine holder that looked as if it were made from a stirrup and a calendar. Eventually, she will hit UPS in Kalispell and ship a bunch of purchases back.
Since the day was still young and AlteCocker did not feel the need for breakfast, she headed for First People's Buffalo Jump State Park in Ulm, south of Great Falls towards Helena. You stop first at the Visitor's Center and then drive to the upper level where Indians drove the Buffalo over the cliff to women waiting down below to butcher them. A young man dressed as a buffalo and making buffalo noises herded the buffaloes to the cliff, jumping out of the way to a ledge at the last moment. This was quite ingenious in the days before horses and guns. It would have taken many arrows to kill one buffalo. This method of creating a stampede over a cliff killed many with far less effort. People learn to live from whatever is available.
After the Visitors' Center, AlteCocker drove to the upper level site where you could walk to the actual jump off point and see what the buffalo saw. They could not see the drop until it was too late. Driving up she missed the turnoff and drove a couple of miles until it was clear she should turn around. The sky was darkening ominously as though a storm were brewing. She had visions of great claps of thunder on the open prairie, but, no. Just a few sprinkles. The dryness just sucked up the rain. It would have been a way to avoid a car wash. The car is disgusting. She has noticed that a lot of the cars are dirty and dusty in Montana. Now she knows why.
Returning to Great Falls, AlteCocker decided to eat dinner early. She ate at the Montana Club on the opposite side of the river. Do not be put off by the oil refinery across the street. You do smell it when you get out of the car but the food in the restau rant was great. She had a vodka drink laced with huckleberry syrup and huckleberries and huckleberry creme brulee for dessert. The rare steak was great too. She had fresh asparagus instead of potatoes for her side dish; it was great too. All and all she enjoyed the restaurant better than the others she has sampled in Great Falls despite the non "sexy" location.
Then it was back to the hotel where there was a note on her door apologizing for the lack of maid service. Supposedly there had been a water problem. Since the hotel has been in all other respects satisfactory, AlteCocker just shrugged and proceeded to wash out some clothing items and do the blog.
October 13, 2017: Long Drive Home
And so it was time to drive back to Kalispell. She took some photos of the Halloween decorations at the Greystone Inn. The hotel was big into Halloween. The decorations went up the day AlteCocker arrived. She wondered if they put up Turkeys for Thanksgiving and what the hell they do for Christmas. Across the street was a sign for Cong. Gianforte's office. That is the recently elected Republican who assaulted a reporter the day before the election. Unfortunately, most Montanans had voted early, but, with guns popular for hunting in Montana, he might have won anyway.
AlteCocker had a coffee at Crooked Tree Coffee together with an irresistible piece of apple pie; while some people devour chocolate desserts, apple pie is a weakness for AlteCocker. Then it was into the car to face the long drive. AlteCocker decided to go "home" via Montana Routes 200 and 83. It was supposed to be a bit longer than the usual route via Glacier East and Browning. It turned out to be much longer than expected; stay tuned. AlteCocker made the best of it.
It started out well. She stopped in Lincoln at a restaurant called Lambkins. The reason for the stop was an urgent need for the toilet. Having dealt with that, she felt obliged to order some food. She had a blueberry muffin cut in slices and then cooked as French toast. It came with one egg and one strip of bacon. That would function as both lunch and dinner. She went to the toilet again before leaving hoping for no more urgent need. When you drink too much coffee, you know what happens vis a vis the toilet. Not good when you are driving. AlteCocker stopped at one of those trading post places just west of Lincoln. She could not resist a t-shirt with a large bull moose with the word "bullshirt" on it. She has scads of t-shirts at home and she has already bought 4. The shirt was too expensive but she is on vacation and stupid purchases are part of a vacation.
Leaving the trading post, it was sleeting. Not good. The bad weather continued on and off for much of the drive home; she did not take many photos due to the miserable weather but the fall colors--just past peak--were gorgeous. The worst is what bad weather can do to log trucks--especially ones with 2 trailers. When AlteCocker got to the intersection of routes 200 and 83, she was supposed to make a right on 83. Problem: A log truck had had difficulty turning and was dumping its logs. Two police cars were present. AlteCocker could not make the turn. So she had to take 200 into the outskirts of Missoula, then US 90--a much longer route. OK, AlteCocker saw a sign for the Smoke Jumper Visitor Center, something that sounded interesting when she read about it. Since she had not planned to visit it, she had not researched opening hours--or that reservations are obligatory in the off season. It was closed. After looking at the closure sign, she got directly onto Rte. 93 which goes right into Kalispell--after a couple of hours on the road. That log truck caused a big detour. 93 goes through the Flathead Indian Reservation with signs in both the Flathead language and English. She ended up at Flathead Lake--where she had already been--before reaching Kalispell. She did get some great photos of the lake with snow topped mountains. When she got to Kalispell, she noticed there was slush on the road briefly. It clearly had not been a nice day in Kalispell.
When she drove up to the house, she was glad to be there. Wash was started before she repaired to the bedroom to do the blog. The day finished with her buying a ticket for the Glacier Symphony tomorrow night.
AlteCocker had a coffee at Crooked Tree Coffee together with an irresistible piece of apple pie; while some people devour chocolate desserts, apple pie is a weakness for AlteCocker. Then it was into the car to face the long drive. AlteCocker decided to go "home" via Montana Routes 200 and 83. It was supposed to be a bit longer than the usual route via Glacier East and Browning. It turned out to be much longer than expected; stay tuned. AlteCocker made the best of it.
It started out well. She stopped in Lincoln at a restaurant called Lambkins. The reason for the stop was an urgent need for the toilet. Having dealt with that, she felt obliged to order some food. She had a blueberry muffin cut in slices and then cooked as French toast. It came with one egg and one strip of bacon. That would function as both lunch and dinner. She went to the toilet again before leaving hoping for no more urgent need. When you drink too much coffee, you know what happens vis a vis the toilet. Not good when you are driving. AlteCocker stopped at one of those trading post places just west of Lincoln. She could not resist a t-shirt with a large bull moose with the word "bullshirt" on it. She has scads of t-shirts at home and she has already bought 4. The shirt was too expensive but she is on vacation and stupid purchases are part of a vacation.
Leaving the trading post, it was sleeting. Not good. The bad weather continued on and off for much of the drive home; she did not take many photos due to the miserable weather but the fall colors--just past peak--were gorgeous. The worst is what bad weather can do to log trucks--especially ones with 2 trailers. When AlteCocker got to the intersection of routes 200 and 83, she was supposed to make a right on 83. Problem: A log truck had had difficulty turning and was dumping its logs. Two police cars were present. AlteCocker could not make the turn. So she had to take 200 into the outskirts of Missoula, then US 90--a much longer route. OK, AlteCocker saw a sign for the Smoke Jumper Visitor Center, something that sounded interesting when she read about it. Since she had not planned to visit it, she had not researched opening hours--or that reservations are obligatory in the off season. It was closed. After looking at the closure sign, she got directly onto Rte. 93 which goes right into Kalispell--after a couple of hours on the road. That log truck caused a big detour. 93 goes through the Flathead Indian Reservation with signs in both the Flathead language and English. She ended up at Flathead Lake--where she had already been--before reaching Kalispell. She did get some great photos of the lake with snow topped mountains. When she got to Kalispell, she noticed there was slush on the road briefly. It clearly had not been a nice day in Kalispell.
When she drove up to the house, she was glad to be there. Wash was started before she repaired to the bedroom to do the blog. The day finished with her buying a ticket for the Glacier Symphony tomorrow night.
October 14, 2017: Cold Weather, Bunch of Errands and Concert
The weather has turned colder and AlteCocker lingers in bed before heading out to get the filthy car washed. First she is waylaid by the local farmers market. She buys 12 jars of assorted jams and has them shipped. They will make nice gifts. She is certainly not going to eat all those jams herself. She is told there is a larger market next week--indoors--with a lot of crafters. She will have to hit that one.
She goes to Blue Cow Car Wash on Rte. 93. Unfortunately, they only do the outside and the car is totally filthy. If AlteCocker wants the inside done, they have free vacuums she can use. She passes on the vacuum and signs up for the most expensive level outside wash. The car looks so different that she will have trouble finding it after she parks it. After the car is clean, AlteCocker has coffee and a muffin next door at City Brew Coffee. There are tons of coffee chains in Montana. It's the cold winter weather AlteCocker supposes.
She stops into some shops, takes photos of some outside art of a cowboy and rock climber on shops on main street, and ends up at a book sale at the local mall where she is again waylaid--this time by a mint concoction at the Dairy Queen. There are a lot of Dairy Queens in Montana--many more than back home. She also checks out a used book sale but buys nothing. Wandering down the mall, she runs into a sort of dog show with many breeds. The large black and white Newfoundland dog named Buddy is very popular. There is also a Leonburger dog--a dog AlteCocker has never heard of. After checking out the breeds, there is really nothing more to do at the mall. What amazes AlteCocker is that all the parking is outside. Guess there are not enough people in the area to justify a covered over parking lot. It was cold today. AlteCocker is glad she will not be here in January and February. Brr!
Then it is time for AlteCocker to put her feet up before heading out to the Glacier Symphony this evening. It is at the Flathead HS auditorium. She has already scoped out the location. Kalispell is a small place. It does not require much scoping.
She goes to Blue Cow Car Wash on Rte. 93. Unfortunately, they only do the outside and the car is totally filthy. If AlteCocker wants the inside done, they have free vacuums she can use. She passes on the vacuum and signs up for the most expensive level outside wash. The car looks so different that she will have trouble finding it after she parks it. After the car is clean, AlteCocker has coffee and a muffin next door at City Brew Coffee. There are tons of coffee chains in Montana. It's the cold winter weather AlteCocker supposes.
She stops into some shops, takes photos of some outside art of a cowboy and rock climber on shops on main street, and ends up at a book sale at the local mall where she is again waylaid--this time by a mint concoction at the Dairy Queen. There are a lot of Dairy Queens in Montana--many more than back home. She also checks out a used book sale but buys nothing. Wandering down the mall, she runs into a sort of dog show with many breeds. The large black and white Newfoundland dog named Buddy is very popular. There is also a Leonburger dog--a dog AlteCocker has never heard of. After checking out the breeds, there is really nothing more to do at the mall. What amazes AlteCocker is that all the parking is outside. Guess there are not enough people in the area to justify a covered over parking lot. It was cold today. AlteCocker is glad she will not be here in January and February. Brr!
Then it is time for AlteCocker to put her feet up before heading out to the Glacier Symphony this evening. It is at the Flathead HS auditorium. She has already scoped out the location. Kalispell is a small place. It does not require much scoping.
October 15, 2017: National Bison Range
Yikes. Another long drive.
AlteCocker was tipped off about the National Bison Range south of Flathead Lake by one of the neighbors. Boy, she was glad she mentioned it. She was not happy that she had to "do" it right off. Red Sleep Mountain Drive, a 10 mile stretch of road that goes into the higher reaches of the range was scheduled to close for the season TODAY! And so it was another driving to an attraction day when AlteCocker would rather have had the day off. She stopped first in Poulson at the Blackfeet Casino and restaurant which had Flathead Lake frontage. She had some fried fish with sweet potato fries and coffee. The service was good but the food was mediocre. She was able to go outside and take photos on the deck--which has a gorgeous view of Flathead Lake. AlteCocker was told that the deck is mobbed in summer. It was empty and sad now that summer was over. There were only 3 other people having lunch. Seasonal places are like that off season.
Then it was off to reserve. AlteCocker did watch the film which most others seemed to skip to save times. AlteCocker always watches the film unless she is really pressed for time. AlteCocker's National Park pass was good at the Reserve. AlteCocker paid $10 for that pass. She hopes she does not lose it (as she lost the last one). Senior lifetime park passes are now $80.
If you are going to do this place, you must do Red Sleep Mountain Drive. This is not a drive for nervous Nellies. It is a one way drive. Once you start, the only way out is to do the entire drive. The first roughly 10 miles are on a rough one way gravel road. The next 9 miles are on a rough 2 way gravel road. The 2 way road will be open in the winter but both the Visitors' Center and the first 10 miles are closed off season. AlteCocker closed the season down.
AlteCocker was worried about not seeing bison at first. The bison are rotated around different areas of the reserve and, as luck would have it, a bunch were enjoying themselves rolling around in the dirt and grazing right by a fence. Lots of photos and no worries about getting attacked by a bison. After that, no more bison. Maybe that were all gathering in the same place having a convention. In any event, lots of photos. There were gorgeous views overlooking the Flathead River. The road is very steep, so drive carefully. The road is wide enough for cars to pass carefully and everyone was considerate. AlteCocker did a short half mile hike back and forth to a view point. There was also a longer hike available, but it looked as if it went to another overlook of the same scenery. AlteCocker did not do the longer hike. There is also a nature trail available down below. AlteCocker did not do that as she spent over 2 hours on the rough road. Once the rough road joined the 2 way road, no more bison. She did, however, capture a white tail deer with her camera. Except for the few photos before the deer ones, the river was the Flathead River. The photos just before the deer are those of a creek you see at the end of the drive. AlteCocker forgot to note its name or take a photo of the sign with the name. She mainly took those photos for the fall colors. The leaves are coming down and it will soon be winter, alas. The mountains you see from the Reserve are mostly mountains in the Missionary Wilderness. They were beautiful--and it was a gorgeous fall day to see them.
Exiting the reserve, AlteCocker headed for home. She really was not hungry and just stopped for a piece of berry bread and latte at City Brew Coffee--the same place she patronized after the car wash. Then it was home. AlteCocker's exchangers are driving to Ohio to visit family in her car for a few days. AlteCocker cannot complain as she has already driven 1500 miles in her exchangers' car. So it goes.
AlteCocker was tipped off about the National Bison Range south of Flathead Lake by one of the neighbors. Boy, she was glad she mentioned it. She was not happy that she had to "do" it right off. Red Sleep Mountain Drive, a 10 mile stretch of road that goes into the higher reaches of the range was scheduled to close for the season TODAY! And so it was another driving to an attraction day when AlteCocker would rather have had the day off. She stopped first in Poulson at the Blackfeet Casino and restaurant which had Flathead Lake frontage. She had some fried fish with sweet potato fries and coffee. The service was good but the food was mediocre. She was able to go outside and take photos on the deck--which has a gorgeous view of Flathead Lake. AlteCocker was told that the deck is mobbed in summer. It was empty and sad now that summer was over. There were only 3 other people having lunch. Seasonal places are like that off season.
Then it was off to reserve. AlteCocker did watch the film which most others seemed to skip to save times. AlteCocker always watches the film unless she is really pressed for time. AlteCocker's National Park pass was good at the Reserve. AlteCocker paid $10 for that pass. She hopes she does not lose it (as she lost the last one). Senior lifetime park passes are now $80.
If you are going to do this place, you must do Red Sleep Mountain Drive. This is not a drive for nervous Nellies. It is a one way drive. Once you start, the only way out is to do the entire drive. The first roughly 10 miles are on a rough one way gravel road. The next 9 miles are on a rough 2 way gravel road. The 2 way road will be open in the winter but both the Visitors' Center and the first 10 miles are closed off season. AlteCocker closed the season down.
AlteCocker was worried about not seeing bison at first. The bison are rotated around different areas of the reserve and, as luck would have it, a bunch were enjoying themselves rolling around in the dirt and grazing right by a fence. Lots of photos and no worries about getting attacked by a bison. After that, no more bison. Maybe that were all gathering in the same place having a convention. In any event, lots of photos. There were gorgeous views overlooking the Flathead River. The road is very steep, so drive carefully. The road is wide enough for cars to pass carefully and everyone was considerate. AlteCocker did a short half mile hike back and forth to a view point. There was also a longer hike available, but it looked as if it went to another overlook of the same scenery. AlteCocker did not do the longer hike. There is also a nature trail available down below. AlteCocker did not do that as she spent over 2 hours on the rough road. Once the rough road joined the 2 way road, no more bison. She did, however, capture a white tail deer with her camera. Except for the few photos before the deer ones, the river was the Flathead River. The photos just before the deer are those of a creek you see at the end of the drive. AlteCocker forgot to note its name or take a photo of the sign with the name. She mainly took those photos for the fall colors. The leaves are coming down and it will soon be winter, alas. The mountains you see from the Reserve are mostly mountains in the Missionary Wilderness. They were beautiful--and it was a gorgeous fall day to see them.
Exiting the reserve, AlteCocker headed for home. She really was not hungry and just stopped for a piece of berry bread and latte at City Brew Coffee--the same place she patronized after the car wash. Then it was home. AlteCocker's exchangers are driving to Ohio to visit family in her car for a few days. AlteCocker cannot complain as she has already driven 1500 miles in her exchangers' car. So it goes.
October 16, 2017: Up Whitefish Mountain
Today started with a number of errands. Purchases mailed back to McLean, check. Home exchangers' netflix DVD mailed back to Netflix (they don't stream), check. Then it was time to visit the Ceres Bakery on Main Street in Kalispell. Yum! It's a real French bakery with some local adaptations.
After that, AlteCocker ends up driving North to Whitefish to drive up Whitefish Mountain as far as the road goes. Unfortunately, the ski lift is down through December 8th, so AlteCocker did not get to go to the very top of the mountain. Still a number of nice photos. Coming down she took some nice photos of Whitefish Lake. There is an area called "City Beach" where kids swim in summer. Given the hour and season, there were a few dogs having a good time swimming and running around--including a 3 legged dog who sadly has lost a leg to bone cancer and will soon be going over the Rainbow Bridge. He was having a great time swimming and the lack of a leg did not seem to bother him.
In Whitefish, AlteCocker took some photos of an interesting bus that used to go to Whitefish to meet the Transcontinental trains. The bus, which was built to make it easy for people to transfer to the train, has been retired to the train station as a museum artifact. AlteCocker stopped in at an independent bookstore, Bookworks, and then had dinner at the Buffalo Cafe--just a steak sandwich and nothing special.
Finally AlteCocker went to the movie theater in Whitefish where she saw the film "Walking Out." It was a fitting film for a Montana vacation; it was about a boy and his father getting in a difficult situation on a moose hunt. AlteCocker doesn't want to give away the plot, but the film was excellent and the backdrop was the area around Bozeman, Montana, and Yellowstone. Beautiful scenery with a sad ending.
After that, AlteCocker ends up driving North to Whitefish to drive up Whitefish Mountain as far as the road goes. Unfortunately, the ski lift is down through December 8th, so AlteCocker did not get to go to the very top of the mountain. Still a number of nice photos. Coming down she took some nice photos of Whitefish Lake. There is an area called "City Beach" where kids swim in summer. Given the hour and season, there were a few dogs having a good time swimming and running around--including a 3 legged dog who sadly has lost a leg to bone cancer and will soon be going over the Rainbow Bridge. He was having a great time swimming and the lack of a leg did not seem to bother him.
In Whitefish, AlteCocker took some photos of an interesting bus that used to go to Whitefish to meet the Transcontinental trains. The bus, which was built to make it easy for people to transfer to the train, has been retired to the train station as a museum artifact. AlteCocker stopped in at an independent bookstore, Bookworks, and then had dinner at the Buffalo Cafe--just a steak sandwich and nothing special.
Finally AlteCocker went to the movie theater in Whitefish where she saw the film "Walking Out." It was a fitting film for a Montana vacation; it was about a boy and his father getting in a difficult situation on a moose hunt. AlteCocker doesn't want to give away the plot, but the film was excellent and the backdrop was the area around Bozeman, Montana, and Yellowstone. Beautiful scenery with a sad ending.
October 17, 2017: Lone Pine State Park
AlteCocker starts her day with a coffee and pumpkin brioche at the Ceres Bakery with cranberry in the middle. It's a sort of Danish and is delicious. The bakery lets her fill her coffee cup for free. Nice.
Then it is off to Lone Pine State Park just outside Kalispell. Unfortunately the Visitors' Center is closed on Monday and Tuesday in the off season, but she gets to take the cliff walk with nice views overlooking Kalispell. Unfortunately, she drops her camera one last time. It's been having a problem with the lens for sometime and this is the finish of the camera. The next stop is the Walmart Superstore to buy a new camera. As is usual she buys a cheap one.
In AlteCocker's hands cameras never last more than 3 years. It never pays to buy a good one. Then it is into this sporting good store to pick up some bear spray. Better to be safe than sorry. You never know out here and AlteCocker does not want to be lunch for some grizzly. That store you is something else. It sells stuff AlteCocker has never seen before. Want a concealed carry purse; they have it. There are lots of guns out here. Strangely AlteCocker does not feel unsafe--although she would in Virginia. There are lots of wild animals here.
After buying a small can of pepper spray for bears (it looks like a small fire extinguisher), she has a frozen yogurt at one of those places where they charge by weight. Then it is time to go "home" and figure out the new camera and the bear spray. She does not desire to spray herself.
While she is doing that she hears a beeping noise in the house and thinks it is too soon for the laundry, which is in the dryer, to be done. It stops and she ignores it--until she tries to switch on a light. Power outage! The garage door is, of course, automatic. Time for a nap after fooling with the camera a bit longer. There is no alternative. She does check with a neighbor who also has no power. It is not just her house. It's the neighborhood. It is has been a very windy afternoon and a tree must have fallen down somewhere.
After AlteCocker's nap, the power outage is over. Time to catch up on podcasts and do the blog.
Then it is off to Lone Pine State Park just outside Kalispell. Unfortunately the Visitors' Center is closed on Monday and Tuesday in the off season, but she gets to take the cliff walk with nice views overlooking Kalispell. Unfortunately, she drops her camera one last time. It's been having a problem with the lens for sometime and this is the finish of the camera. The next stop is the Walmart Superstore to buy a new camera. As is usual she buys a cheap one.
In AlteCocker's hands cameras never last more than 3 years. It never pays to buy a good one. Then it is into this sporting good store to pick up some bear spray. Better to be safe than sorry. You never know out here and AlteCocker does not want to be lunch for some grizzly. That store you is something else. It sells stuff AlteCocker has never seen before. Want a concealed carry purse; they have it. There are lots of guns out here. Strangely AlteCocker does not feel unsafe--although she would in Virginia. There are lots of wild animals here.
After buying a small can of pepper spray for bears (it looks like a small fire extinguisher), she has a frozen yogurt at one of those places where they charge by weight. Then it is time to go "home" and figure out the new camera and the bear spray. She does not desire to spray herself.
While she is doing that she hears a beeping noise in the house and thinks it is too soon for the laundry, which is in the dryer, to be done. It stops and she ignores it--until she tries to switch on a light. Power outage! The garage door is, of course, automatic. Time for a nap after fooling with the camera a bit longer. There is no alternative. She does check with a neighbor who also has no power. It is not just her house. It's the neighborhood. It is has been a very windy afternoon and a tree must have fallen down somewhere.
After AlteCocker's nap, the power outage is over. Time to catch up on podcasts and do the blog.
October 18, 2017: A bit of Shopping and Nazi Richard Spencer
The weather went bleh on AlteCocker. She starts the day checking out Nancy Cawdrey Studios. The artist had been recommended to her by her home exchangers. One reason home exchange is so great is that you get tips from your home exchangers for things to see and do. Cawdrey is a well known artist in Whitefish. She does some magnificent work (far beyond AlteCocker's budget. AlteCocker buys a poster an another small item. The multi thousand dollar paintings stay on the walls. It is all the same story of champagne tastes on a beer budget.
She then eats lunch at Stumptown Market--where she had previously had coffee. She sits down at a table occupied by another woman so as not to take up a table for 4 for one person and finally discovers what the sticker on the window of Ceres Bakery with a map of Montana and a menorah means. Whitefish is Nazi Richard Spencer's home town and there had been one of those marches in Whitefish. The map with a menorah is a protest. After AlteCocker heard the story, she realized she remembered the whole business from the newspaper. Donald Trump and his fans have sure brought out the worst in people.
After lunch AlteCocker returns to Ceres Bakery for a coffee and scone. The real purpose of that that visit was to photograph the Menorah/Montana thing on its window. Apparently many people put such stickers in their windows when the incident happened. You cannot get away from politics anywhere--even in the middle of nowhere.
After the scone, AlteCocker heads for Kehoe's Agate Shop near downtown Big Fork. After admiring a topaz necklace at $450, AlteCocker settles for a much cheaper one made of something called chariote. The light purple semi precious stone comes from Russia. She was attracted by the color--and the cheaper price. The store has a lot of semiprecious stones and, with a lot of advertising, has become a required tourist stop. It was a lot smaller than AlteCocker expected.
AlteCocker does note the location of the Big Fork theater. She looks for a place to eat dinner, but it is too early. Given the inclement damp could weather, she ends up just going home to finish off a load of laundry.
She then eats lunch at Stumptown Market--where she had previously had coffee. She sits down at a table occupied by another woman so as not to take up a table for 4 for one person and finally discovers what the sticker on the window of Ceres Bakery with a map of Montana and a menorah means. Whitefish is Nazi Richard Spencer's home town and there had been one of those marches in Whitefish. The map with a menorah is a protest. After AlteCocker heard the story, she realized she remembered the whole business from the newspaper. Donald Trump and his fans have sure brought out the worst in people.
After lunch AlteCocker returns to Ceres Bakery for a coffee and scone. The real purpose of that that visit was to photograph the Menorah/Montana thing on its window. Apparently many people put such stickers in their windows when the incident happened. You cannot get away from politics anywhere--even in the middle of nowhere.
After the scone, AlteCocker heads for Kehoe's Agate Shop near downtown Big Fork. After admiring a topaz necklace at $450, AlteCocker settles for a much cheaper one made of something called chariote. The light purple semi precious stone comes from Russia. She was attracted by the color--and the cheaper price. The store has a lot of semiprecious stones and, with a lot of advertising, has become a required tourist stop. It was a lot smaller than AlteCocker expected.
AlteCocker does note the location of the Big Fork theater. She looks for a place to eat dinner, but it is too early. Given the inclement damp could weather, she ends up just going home to finish off a load of laundry.
October 19, 2017: Whitefish Theatre Company
Today AlteCocker slept in. Then she went to the ATM because she was almost out of cash. A trip was also made inside a sporting goods store that even sold special purses that would hold your hand gun. Nice for the ladies. AlteCocker took a lot of what she thought were photos, but, no, they were videos. As a result there is only one photo from today. AlteCocker needs to learn to use her new camera. Obviously she pressed the wrong button.
After a coffee, AlteCocker turned around and headed for Whitefish to position herself for Whitefish Theatre Company's "The Liar". The play, a modern adaptation of a play by the French playwright Corneille, was hilarious. She had dinner before at the Buffalo Cafe (a second visit for that one). She had bison meatloaf with mashed potatoes and carrots. Dinner was delicious. They served the meatloaf with a cherry based sauce. She mainly ordered it as it would not be available at home.
When the play got out, AlteCocker noticed that the transcontinental train going East to West was in at Whitefish Depot. The train comes in early in the morning going West to East and in the evening going the other way. The train goes from Chicago to Seattle and vice versa. It stops in Whitefish, not Kalispell. Not a lot of people got off. She saw one guy walking with a rolling suitcase, probably walking home in Whitefish. There were about 2 cars waiting to pick up people. AlteCocker would like to take a transcontinental train one day. Today, however, was not the day.
After a coffee, AlteCocker turned around and headed for Whitefish to position herself for Whitefish Theatre Company's "The Liar". The play, a modern adaptation of a play by the French playwright Corneille, was hilarious. She had dinner before at the Buffalo Cafe (a second visit for that one). She had bison meatloaf with mashed potatoes and carrots. Dinner was delicious. They served the meatloaf with a cherry based sauce. She mainly ordered it as it would not be available at home.
When the play got out, AlteCocker noticed that the transcontinental train going East to West was in at Whitefish Depot. The train comes in early in the morning going West to East and in the evening going the other way. The train goes from Chicago to Seattle and vice versa. It stops in Whitefish, not Kalispell. Not a lot of people got off. She saw one guy walking with a rolling suitcase, probably walking home in Whitefish. There were about 2 cars waiting to pick up people. AlteCocker would like to take a transcontinental train one day. Today, however, was not the day.
October 20, 2017: A Movie and College Theater
No photos today. AlteCocker slept in and then made plans for next week. More on that later.
It was a miserable day, so it was off to the movies again, this time to see "The Mountain Between US" with Kate Winslet. Pizza for lunch before the movie. It was a terrific film. Then AlteCocker had a long coffee and a muffin before before heading to Flathead Valley Community College for an enjoyable production of "The Foreigner". The plot describes description--totally zany. It was fun and only $5 for seniors. Things are much cheaper here than back in DC.
After the play it was time to go home and cuddle under the sheets. It was cold and wet today as fall is totally turning into winter.
It was a miserable day, so it was off to the movies again, this time to see "The Mountain Between US" with Kate Winslet. Pizza for lunch before the movie. It was a terrific film. Then AlteCocker had a long coffee and a muffin before before heading to Flathead Valley Community College for an enjoyable production of "The Foreigner". The plot describes description--totally zany. It was fun and only $5 for seniors. Things are much cheaper here than back in DC.
After the play it was time to go home and cuddle under the sheets. It was cold and wet today as fall is totally turning into winter.
October 21, 2017: West Glacier is open to Avalanche!
It begins as a day with a food/craft market at the Exposition/Fairgrounds in Kalispell. The people from the Farmers' Market last week are there as are lots of crafters--woodworkers, a blacksmith, a photographer, etc. It is the end of the yearmarket (before the Christmas stuff) and it is now too cold to do it outside. AlteCocker buys a scone and consumes it. She buys a beautiful photo of the Milky Way from Heaven's Gate and a ginger cookie. She had already tasted the cookie elsewhere and it was, hands down the most delicious ginger cookie she has ever tasted. The lady who bakes it, calls her business "Cowboy Cookies". Everything is "cowboy" out here including a "Cowboy Church". There is even a guy making leather holsters for you sidearm. You don't need a license to buy a gun in Montana and there are clearly lots of them. This is a state of hunters. AlteCocker wonders how many accidental killings result.
Anyway, AlteCocker was still wandering around the Market when she overhears a conversation that changes her plans--or lack thereof--for the day. The West Glacier part of the road has opened up after the fires. It is open to a place called "Avalanche"--about 14 or 15 miles. There is a detour around the Going to the Sun Road repaving at the beginning. That was a development AlteCocker had not expected, as she had been told in the Park Road would be closed through next spring. She is outta the Farmers' Market in no time flat and headed for Glacier.
The Going to the Sun Road has opened at noon and AlteCocker enters the park at 1:00pm. Unfortunately, the day is cloudy and the photos aren't great but at least AlteCocker is in. She will return when if the weather improves. All the park services are, of course, closed. The smell of the fire is still present and strong in certain areas. The water from Lake MacDonald was used to fight the fire which ranged up the hillside. AlteCocker meets a couple who moved to the area from New Orleans. She relates her good luck at Preservation Hall last January when a she made contact with a performer on a home exchange and didn't have to stand in line. The couple had lived in New Orleans all their lives before moving and had never been to Preservation Hall. Same thing as people in DC who have never been up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
She stops at a store called "Montana House" within the park. They are open year round and closed one day for the fires--evacuating the items they have on consignment. They are having a book signing for a book on the reason for the names of peaks and other natural sights in Glacier. The lecturer is somewhat boring and the room is hot--not the best experience. She hopes the book is more interesting than the lecturer was. She doesn't buy the book. "Dinner" is cheese and crackers from the book signing--plus the ginger cookie. AlteCocker is exhausted although the day is young. It is time for a nap.
Anyway, AlteCocker was still wandering around the Market when she overhears a conversation that changes her plans--or lack thereof--for the day. The West Glacier part of the road has opened up after the fires. It is open to a place called "Avalanche"--about 14 or 15 miles. There is a detour around the Going to the Sun Road repaving at the beginning. That was a development AlteCocker had not expected, as she had been told in the Park Road would be closed through next spring. She is outta the Farmers' Market in no time flat and headed for Glacier.
The Going to the Sun Road has opened at noon and AlteCocker enters the park at 1:00pm. Unfortunately, the day is cloudy and the photos aren't great but at least AlteCocker is in. She will return when if the weather improves. All the park services are, of course, closed. The smell of the fire is still present and strong in certain areas. The water from Lake MacDonald was used to fight the fire which ranged up the hillside. AlteCocker meets a couple who moved to the area from New Orleans. She relates her good luck at Preservation Hall last January when a she made contact with a performer on a home exchange and didn't have to stand in line. The couple had lived in New Orleans all their lives before moving and had never been to Preservation Hall. Same thing as people in DC who have never been up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
She stops at a store called "Montana House" within the park. They are open year round and closed one day for the fires--evacuating the items they have on consignment. They are having a book signing for a book on the reason for the names of peaks and other natural sights in Glacier. The lecturer is somewhat boring and the room is hot--not the best experience. She hopes the book is more interesting than the lecturer was. She doesn't buy the book. "Dinner" is cheese and crackers from the book signing--plus the ginger cookie. AlteCocker is exhausted although the day is young. It is time for a nap.
October 22, 2017: Big Fork Brunch & Show
It begins as another day of questionable weather. AlteCocker decides to head for Big Fork and a community theater production, "War of the Worlds". If it was going to rain, best to be inside, she thought. Exiting the house there is a beautiful rainbow. Snap. Snap.
When she gets to Big Fork, there is a sign for a brunch in a hotel called Marina Cay and AlteCocker heads there. It is one of those all you can eat brunches. There are two price levels: $15 or $25. AlteCocker chooses the lower level. The expensive level includes made to order omelets, prime rib and an alcoholic drink. You do not need the higher level brunch. The brunch includes the largest cinnamon buns AlteCocker has ever seen. She passes on those. The choice is enormous and AlteCocker has to be selective.
Then it is on to the Big Fork Playhouse and "War of the Worlds". This is a modern adaption of the H.G. Wells story that famously was adapted adapted in the 1930s with people actually believing the Martians were attacking. There are some good moments. Fun is made of Montanans and Trump making an idiotic announcement on TV. Not all Montanans support Trump! But AlteCocker found the production unsatisfying. The ending was unsatisfying.
When she gets to Big Fork, there is a sign for a brunch in a hotel called Marina Cay and AlteCocker heads there. It is one of those all you can eat brunches. There are two price levels: $15 or $25. AlteCocker chooses the lower level. The expensive level includes made to order omelets, prime rib and an alcoholic drink. You do not need the higher level brunch. The brunch includes the largest cinnamon buns AlteCocker has ever seen. She passes on those. The choice is enormous and AlteCocker has to be selective.
Then it is on to the Big Fork Playhouse and "War of the Worlds". This is a modern adaption of the H.G. Wells story that famously was adapted adapted in the 1930s with people actually believing the Martians were attacking. There are some good moments. Fun is made of Montanans and Trump making an idiotic announcement on TV. Not all Montanans support Trump! But AlteCocker found the production unsatisfying. The ending was unsatisfying.
October 23, 2017: Kootenai Falls
AlteCocker has been kicking this around for sometime. It involves driving to Libby on Route 2 West. Then going 10 miles beyond Libby to Kootenai Falls. There is what AlteCocker has been told a "short" hike to a place where there is a swinging bridge and you can walk over the falls.
So, AlteCocker sets off, a bit late than she should have and heads out for the falls. The scenery is spectacular. In fact the scenery everywhere is spectacular. She finally stops at a turn off for Logan State Park on Middle Thompson Lake. She meets a family thinking about fishing in the lake for perch. The daughter, in her 20"s had shot a deer a week ago. It was her 3rd dear (for her life, not in one year). She is a pharmacist. Life is different out here and a lot of people eat game all winter. AlteCocker has nothing against hunting or eating deer but life is different in Montana. AlteCocker does not ask if they open carry.
The lake is beautiful and clean. It is part of a series of lakes along route 2. Middle Thompson Lake is so clean you can see the bottom. It is also in an area where there really are no services. Where AlteCocker stopped is probably used by those fishing in their own boats (there is a boat ramp) but now it is deserted. There are no hotels. If you want to stay at Logan State Park, bring a tent.
After snapping some photos, it is onto Libby. She finally arrives and lunches at Mr. Henry's, a local hang out. She has a Denver omelet despite the fact it is afternoon. The menu advertises homemade pie. AlteCocker is too full for that although the cherry pie did look delicious. It is onto the falls. She almost misses the turnoff that she was told she can't miss. She walks in and sees a sign for an overlook, but you can't see much from the overlook. There is a sign, left for the swinging bridge, right for the falls. She goes towards swinging bridge. For AlteCocker it is a definitely not a short hike. Thank goodness she has brought a hiking pole. She stops because the trail looks blocked. Someone else comes along and tells her to go over the rocks blocking the road. Finally, after a very rocky walk--dangerous for AlteCocker--she reaches swinging bridge. She crosses the bridge and walks around on the the opposite side taking some photos. Then she has to do the hike back to the car. Ugh. When she reaches the sign that goes to the falls, she doesn't go there. She is just too exhausted and she is looking at her watch. Later she is told she missed the best bit as the view from the end of that hike is much better than the one from the swinging bridge. Whop te do! She has walked over the swinging bridge and she is not returning on this trip.
AlteCocker has a decision to make. Should she stay overnight in Libby or just drive home? She had looked at the motels online and debated this before leaving. None of the motels look inviting, as they all seem to be the place truckers might enjoy and are on the main highway. She drives home on Rte 37, which goes by Libby Dam and the damn made lake, Lake Koocanusa. It is too late in the day--and late in the season--to take a dam tour. Anyway, AlteCocker has done Hoover Dam and doesn't need another damn dam tour. She heads into Eureka, near the border with the Canadian Province of British Columbia and then heads into Whitefish on Rte 93. She has dinner at Latitude 48 in Whitefish. She has a glass of wine from Sardinia but forgets to take photos of her hanger steak with brussel sprouts and fries. She is not good with food photos. She always forgets to take the photo. It is the first really good restaurant of the trip and it is just a short distance from the house. Even the brussel sprouts, which AlteCocker generally dislikes, are delicious. She has never had them grilled before.
AlteCocker needs to dry and fold laundry when she gets home. That chore done, she has no difficulty sleeping. The blog, which she knows will be long, has to wait for morning. Damn, she missed photos of the best part of the falls! She probably will never get a chance to see them again but such is life.
So, AlteCocker sets off, a bit late than she should have and heads out for the falls. The scenery is spectacular. In fact the scenery everywhere is spectacular. She finally stops at a turn off for Logan State Park on Middle Thompson Lake. She meets a family thinking about fishing in the lake for perch. The daughter, in her 20"s had shot a deer a week ago. It was her 3rd dear (for her life, not in one year). She is a pharmacist. Life is different out here and a lot of people eat game all winter. AlteCocker has nothing against hunting or eating deer but life is different in Montana. AlteCocker does not ask if they open carry.
The lake is beautiful and clean. It is part of a series of lakes along route 2. Middle Thompson Lake is so clean you can see the bottom. It is also in an area where there really are no services. Where AlteCocker stopped is probably used by those fishing in their own boats (there is a boat ramp) but now it is deserted. There are no hotels. If you want to stay at Logan State Park, bring a tent.
After snapping some photos, it is onto Libby. She finally arrives and lunches at Mr. Henry's, a local hang out. She has a Denver omelet despite the fact it is afternoon. The menu advertises homemade pie. AlteCocker is too full for that although the cherry pie did look delicious. It is onto the falls. She almost misses the turnoff that she was told she can't miss. She walks in and sees a sign for an overlook, but you can't see much from the overlook. There is a sign, left for the swinging bridge, right for the falls. She goes towards swinging bridge. For AlteCocker it is a definitely not a short hike. Thank goodness she has brought a hiking pole. She stops because the trail looks blocked. Someone else comes along and tells her to go over the rocks blocking the road. Finally, after a very rocky walk--dangerous for AlteCocker--she reaches swinging bridge. She crosses the bridge and walks around on the the opposite side taking some photos. Then she has to do the hike back to the car. Ugh. When she reaches the sign that goes to the falls, she doesn't go there. She is just too exhausted and she is looking at her watch. Later she is told she missed the best bit as the view from the end of that hike is much better than the one from the swinging bridge. Whop te do! She has walked over the swinging bridge and she is not returning on this trip.
AlteCocker has a decision to make. Should she stay overnight in Libby or just drive home? She had looked at the motels online and debated this before leaving. None of the motels look inviting, as they all seem to be the place truckers might enjoy and are on the main highway. She drives home on Rte 37, which goes by Libby Dam and the damn made lake, Lake Koocanusa. It is too late in the day--and late in the season--to take a dam tour. Anyway, AlteCocker has done Hoover Dam and doesn't need another damn dam tour. She heads into Eureka, near the border with the Canadian Province of British Columbia and then heads into Whitefish on Rte 93. She has dinner at Latitude 48 in Whitefish. She has a glass of wine from Sardinia but forgets to take photos of her hanger steak with brussel sprouts and fries. She is not good with food photos. She always forgets to take the photo. It is the first really good restaurant of the trip and it is just a short distance from the house. Even the brussel sprouts, which AlteCocker generally dislikes, are delicious. She has never had them grilled before.
AlteCocker needs to dry and fold laundry when she gets home. That chore done, she has no difficulty sleeping. The blog, which she knows will be long, has to wait for morning. Damn, she missed photos of the best part of the falls! She probably will never get a chance to see them again but such is life.
October 24, 2017: A Day Off With a movie
--Sometimes one has to take a day off. AlteCocker sleeps in and then has the blog to do from yesterday. Lots of links don't get put in until evening. She heads to downtown Kalispell and ends up at at Wheat Montana, a bakery across the street from Ceres Bakery. It doesn't look like much outside but it does have a much more extensive menu than Ceres. She gets informed that many of the pastries at Ceres are actually made at Wheat Montana. The bakeries are, in fact, owned by the same person.
For lunch AlteCocker has a grilled cheese sandwich with huckleberry jam. Very unusual and not as bad as it sounds. Dessert is a an apple cinnamon scone. They sell cinnamon buns even larger than the ones AlteCocker had at the brunch in Big Fork. They come in several flavors and are large enough to feed 4 people. Must be a Montana thing--as are billboards with the 10 commandments on them all over the Kalispell area. There is even a "park" over in Columbia Falls where a mess of billboards are joined together. There seems to be nothing online about who is behind the billboards and the "park". AlteCocker will have to get a photo.
After her late lunch and an ice cream at Baskin Robbins, AlteCocker is off to the movies to see "Only the Brave", based on the true story of the Granite Mountain hot shots who fight forest fires. Great movie but bring tissues.
For lunch AlteCocker has a grilled cheese sandwich with huckleberry jam. Very unusual and not as bad as it sounds. Dessert is a an apple cinnamon scone. They sell cinnamon buns even larger than the ones AlteCocker had at the brunch in Big Fork. They come in several flavors and are large enough to feed 4 people. Must be a Montana thing--as are billboards with the 10 commandments on them all over the Kalispell area. There is even a "park" over in Columbia Falls where a mess of billboards are joined together. There seems to be nothing online about who is behind the billboards and the "park". AlteCocker will have to get a photo.
After her late lunch and an ice cream at Baskin Robbins, AlteCocker is off to the movies to see "Only the Brave", based on the true story of the Granite Mountain hot shots who fight forest fires. Great movie but bring tissues.
October 25, 2017: Happy Birthday. You've got Car Problems!
Today was AlteCocker's 71st birthday. She has a lot more years behind her than in front of her. She decides to redeem her free birthday item from Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte--large, of course, because it is free. As is true with all coffee places in Montana, Starbucks has a drive up window. AlteCocker goes inside. She has a bagel and cream cheese as well.
There is a smell of burning rubber in the car. That leads to a lot of phone calls between her exchangers and and herself. After driving back and forth on a rural road near the house, she finally finds Advanced Auto Repair. Google maps has it in 2 places where it formerly was. It is now in the guy's backyard. Google does not have it where it should be--not to mention that her phone keeps going on and off. AlteCocker will need to buy a new phone soon. Much confusion. After she finally found the place, things slowly got resolved. The car she had been driving needs new brakes. The SUV in the garage attached to the house, which had been undriveable with a dead battery, now has been repaired (battery charged). AlteCocker has a car to drive! The brake job car will be ready on Saturday. The exchangers are paying for that. AlteCocker throws in an oil change at her expense plus new windshield wipers. Montana has no mandatory inspections for cars--not even for emissions. That means many of the cars are not as well maintained as they should be; she has seen a lot of ancient banged up vehicles on the road. The wipers are shredded. My gift to my exchangers will be to leave the cars in better shape than when AlteCocker received them. She will go back to driving the smaller car once it is repaired.
When AlteCocker is finally done at Advanced Auto, it is after 5:00pm. The day is over. AlteCocker has dinner at Tupelo in Whitefish. She orders two appetizers--catfish fritters and pistachio hummus and a delicious piece of espresso cheese with coffee flavored sauce drizzled over it. She has one of those drinks with huckleberries floating around in it--a Montana thing--and then goes home. It is a relief that this day is over. Not the best birthday ever, for sure, but these things can happen anywhere.
There is a smell of burning rubber in the car. That leads to a lot of phone calls between her exchangers and and herself. After driving back and forth on a rural road near the house, she finally finds Advanced Auto Repair. Google maps has it in 2 places where it formerly was. It is now in the guy's backyard. Google does not have it where it should be--not to mention that her phone keeps going on and off. AlteCocker will need to buy a new phone soon. Much confusion. After she finally found the place, things slowly got resolved. The car she had been driving needs new brakes. The SUV in the garage attached to the house, which had been undriveable with a dead battery, now has been repaired (battery charged). AlteCocker has a car to drive! The brake job car will be ready on Saturday. The exchangers are paying for that. AlteCocker throws in an oil change at her expense plus new windshield wipers. Montana has no mandatory inspections for cars--not even for emissions. That means many of the cars are not as well maintained as they should be; she has seen a lot of ancient banged up vehicles on the road. The wipers are shredded. My gift to my exchangers will be to leave the cars in better shape than when AlteCocker received them. She will go back to driving the smaller car once it is repaired.
When AlteCocker is finally done at Advanced Auto, it is after 5:00pm. The day is over. AlteCocker has dinner at Tupelo in Whitefish. She orders two appetizers--catfish fritters and pistachio hummus and a delicious piece of espresso cheese with coffee flavored sauce drizzled over it. She has one of those drinks with huckleberries floating around in it--a Montana thing--and then goes home. It is a relief that this day is over. Not the best birthday ever, for sure, but these things can happen anywhere.
October 26, 2017: Isaak Walton Inn, Essex, MT
Today AlteCocker has a belated birthday treat for herself. She is off to the Isaak Walton Inn. The Inn was originally used exclusively by railroad workers. AlteCocker is in the main lodge in a room that might have been used by the railroad workers. If you have a large number of people and/or want to blow a wad, you can sleep in old railroad cars--most of which are cabooses. AlteCocker was worried, due to the car problems of yesterday, that she would not be able to make it, but the SUV does fine. The Accord is resident at the car repair shop.
The Inn is located midway between West and East Glacier--about an hour from her exchange home. She stops at Montana Coffee Traders along the way for coffee and a muffin. She does not eat until dinner time at the Inn, where dinner is yummy deer sausage (they do not call it "venison" here) and medallions of elk cooked rare. AlteCocker loves all meat rare or medium rare, so dinner was great. Of course, the game is the most expensive thing on the menu, but AlteCocker is on vacation and she has to have it. Dessert is delicious bread pudding with, of course, huckleberries.
You can get to the Inn by train but the hours from Whitefish Station are simply not convenient.
During daylight hours there is not much to do, but walk around across the railroad tracks. You can go on energetic hikes on trails but AlteCocker wimps out and does most of her walking to take photos of the cabooses that have been turned into rooms. She gets a key to see into one. They have lofts--which kids would love. When AlteCocker tries to climb the ladder to get to the loft, it is not a task for AlteCockers.
The Inn has internet but no cellphone service. So, when AlteCocker realizes her work horse credit card is missing, she can't call Tupelo, where she had dinner the previous night. There is also no TV. Entertainment is watching the trains and walking outside. In winter, the hiking trails turn into ski trails. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing are very popular. In the evening, AlteCocker reads a book and turns in early. She notices that all the fixtures in the room are done with railroad tie like nails.
And Isaak Walton. Who was he? Check on the website, AlteCocker linked above.
The Inn is located midway between West and East Glacier--about an hour from her exchange home. She stops at Montana Coffee Traders along the way for coffee and a muffin. She does not eat until dinner time at the Inn, where dinner is yummy deer sausage (they do not call it "venison" here) and medallions of elk cooked rare. AlteCocker loves all meat rare or medium rare, so dinner was great. Of course, the game is the most expensive thing on the menu, but AlteCocker is on vacation and she has to have it. Dessert is delicious bread pudding with, of course, huckleberries.
You can get to the Inn by train but the hours from Whitefish Station are simply not convenient.
During daylight hours there is not much to do, but walk around across the railroad tracks. You can go on energetic hikes on trails but AlteCocker wimps out and does most of her walking to take photos of the cabooses that have been turned into rooms. She gets a key to see into one. They have lofts--which kids would love. When AlteCocker tries to climb the ladder to get to the loft, it is not a task for AlteCockers.
The Inn has internet but no cellphone service. So, when AlteCocker realizes her work horse credit card is missing, she can't call Tupelo, where she had dinner the previous night. There is also no TV. Entertainment is watching the trains and walking outside. In winter, the hiking trails turn into ski trails. Cross country skiing and snow shoeing are very popular. In the evening, AlteCocker reads a book and turns in early. She notices that all the fixtures in the room are done with railroad tie like nails.
And Isaak Walton. Who was he? Check on the website, AlteCocker linked above.
October 27, 2017: One Last Foray into Glacier
AlteCocker has breakfast at the hotel. She has French toast made from the huckleberry bread pudding of the night before. It is even better than the bread pudding. AlteCocker specifically asks for no whipped cream or syrup. The French toast definitely does not need it.
It is a gorgeous day and she diverts from the direct route home to go into West Glacier and do the route to Avalanche again. The photos below are certainly a huge improvement over the ones AlteCocker obtained on the previous drive of that portion of the Going to the Sun Road. Some of the overlooks were blocked by trucks and there is an overload of road construction. Lots of stopping and starting. Snow is expected in Glacier next week and that will make it impossible to do road repair, so the rush is on. One lady holding the stop/slow sign asks AlteCocker if she is going in to her home. Home? People have homes in Glacier. Yes, they do. People who owned homes when the park was created were grandfathered in. The homes can descend in families, but they cannot be sold. AlteCocker had no idea. AlteCocker tells the lady that, despite the Montana tag, she is from Washington, DC. She takes the lady's photo and the lady tells her that her name is "MAD" Mary. In er class at Big Fork High School there were a lot of Marys. Her initials were "M.A.D.", so she became MAD Mary. LOL. One guy jumps back as AlteCocker rolls up. She wasn't going very fast but he tells her that he was frightened. Perhaps someone hit him one time. AlteCocker certainly saw his "STOP" sign. Hmm. Not a safe job, she guesses, when she reassures him.
She gets a lot of nice photos--especially of the reflections in Lake MacDonald as she is almost at the exit. It was a good choice to enter the park again. The moment is that brief one at the end of fall before winter sets in.
There is a stop for coffee at Montana Coffee Trader in Columbia Falls.
The next stop is to take photos of the weirdest site she has seen on this trip: 10 Commandments Park in Columbia Falls. It consists of a bunch of religious billboards by the side of the road. There are plenty of billboards with the 10 Commandments on them--very ugly billboards--all over the area. It is wacky, but presumably supported by some group of fundamentalists in their eternal effort to convince everyone that they must join their form of religion. No thanks The park is not a park just a mess of various religious billboards including one with Ronald Reagan on it. AlteCocker shoots the opposite side of the road. The last thing she would want would be to get in some sort of insane discussion with the guy who runs it. The billboards get defaced from time to time.
Then it is time to settle up at the car repair place. They car repair guy drives the repaired car home and then drives AlteCocker back to his shop so he gets home. Then AlteCocker does a search for the credit card in the house before phoning Tupelo. Yes, AlteCocker left it there. She goes to pick it up and ends up having a snack in the bar for dinner.
Then it is home to do 2 days of blog. Two long, rewarding, photo filled days.
It is a gorgeous day and she diverts from the direct route home to go into West Glacier and do the route to Avalanche again. The photos below are certainly a huge improvement over the ones AlteCocker obtained on the previous drive of that portion of the Going to the Sun Road. Some of the overlooks were blocked by trucks and there is an overload of road construction. Lots of stopping and starting. Snow is expected in Glacier next week and that will make it impossible to do road repair, so the rush is on. One lady holding the stop/slow sign asks AlteCocker if she is going in to her home. Home? People have homes in Glacier. Yes, they do. People who owned homes when the park was created were grandfathered in. The homes can descend in families, but they cannot be sold. AlteCocker had no idea. AlteCocker tells the lady that, despite the Montana tag, she is from Washington, DC. She takes the lady's photo and the lady tells her that her name is "MAD" Mary. In er class at Big Fork High School there were a lot of Marys. Her initials were "M.A.D.", so she became MAD Mary. LOL. One guy jumps back as AlteCocker rolls up. She wasn't going very fast but he tells her that he was frightened. Perhaps someone hit him one time. AlteCocker certainly saw his "STOP" sign. Hmm. Not a safe job, she guesses, when she reassures him.
She gets a lot of nice photos--especially of the reflections in Lake MacDonald as she is almost at the exit. It was a good choice to enter the park again. The moment is that brief one at the end of fall before winter sets in.
There is a stop for coffee at Montana Coffee Trader in Columbia Falls.
The next stop is to take photos of the weirdest site she has seen on this trip: 10 Commandments Park in Columbia Falls. It consists of a bunch of religious billboards by the side of the road. There are plenty of billboards with the 10 Commandments on them--very ugly billboards--all over the area. It is wacky, but presumably supported by some group of fundamentalists in their eternal effort to convince everyone that they must join their form of religion. No thanks The park is not a park just a mess of various religious billboards including one with Ronald Reagan on it. AlteCocker shoots the opposite side of the road. The last thing she would want would be to get in some sort of insane discussion with the guy who runs it. The billboards get defaced from time to time.
Then it is time to settle up at the car repair place. They car repair guy drives the repaired car home and then drives AlteCocker back to his shop so he gets home. Then AlteCocker does a search for the credit card in the house before phoning Tupelo. Yes, AlteCocker left it there. She goes to pick it up and ends up having a snack in the bar for dinner.
Then it is home to do 2 days of blog. Two long, rewarding, photo filled days.
October 28, 2017: A day in Polson, MT
AlteCocker is running out of "must see" things, so she is doing things lower down on the list. One of those things was the Miracle of America Museum in Polson. It is one guy's hobby gone mad. The stuff is full of an eclectic assortment of old things--everything including old schools with desks to military stuff. There is also a Girl Scout uniform similar to the one AlteCocker's had in elementary school. The museum does not get enough traffic to pay its way by a long shot. When AlteCocker was there, only 2 other paying customers were present. The heavy machinery is all outside and rusting nicely. The museum bills itself as the "Smithsonian of the West"--a bit of an over billing. Then there is the sign at the front as you enter: "This is Not a Tourist Trap." It is not a tourist trap but the museum obviously does not have enough funds to properly care for its items. After the owner dies, his heirs will have a mess getting rid of the stuff. The Smithsonian might want a few items, but much of it will end up going to pickers.
Having said that, the museum is worth about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. AlteCocker enjoyed her time there, but only do it when you have seen the stuff much higher on the list. It would be a good location for a kids' birthday party if you provide adequate chaperones. Only a small part of the items are available for climbing by kids.
After finishing at the museum, AlteCocker ate at a local Thai restaurant--a welcome rest from all the steak restaurants she's been patronizing. Then she finished the day by seeing "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the community theater. The theater is in a log building and that was a highlight. The production was community theater, but still enjoyable. Polson is a litttle over an hour from the exchange home and AlteCocker got home a little after 11:00pm.
Having said that, the museum is worth about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. AlteCocker enjoyed her time there, but only do it when you have seen the stuff much higher on the list. It would be a good location for a kids' birthday party if you provide adequate chaperones. Only a small part of the items are available for climbing by kids.
After finishing at the museum, AlteCocker ate at a local Thai restaurant--a welcome rest from all the steak restaurants she's been patronizing. Then she finished the day by seeing "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the community theater. The theater is in a log building and that was a highlight. The production was community theater, but still enjoyable. Polson is a litttle over an hour from the exchange home and AlteCocker got home a little after 11:00pm.
October 29, 2017: City Brew (ugh!), Cabela's and a Film
Today had her first bad experience out here--at the coffee shop City Brew. She goes in for a coffee and snack. A football game is on the TV at the cafe but no one is watching it. She asks if they would please change the station to CNN. When she looks the TV is turned off. When she asks about it, the response is that "we know." Sitting down in the chairs in front of the TV, she waits. Still no CNN. Finally she asks again about the TV being off. The response is that they are "not allowed to change the channel." Huh? They are allowed to turn the TV off? Who trains these imbeciles?
AlteCocker leaves the shop telling them that they have lost a customer. Please note: None of the people in the shop complained when they turned off the TV because no one was watching it. As AlteCocker leaves, someone shouts "thank you." AlteCocker is pretty steamed. She goes to the car with her coffee and files a complaint with the management. We'll see what happens. She drinks her coffee in the car--better than in that shop. She will not be back.
One thing you should know: AlteCocker had requested a channel change from FOX to CNN in that shop once before and there was no problem. Her channel of choice would be MSNBC, but she would never request it in a public space in Montana. There are too many right wingers and the last thing she would wish would be to get into a political discussion. Better to ask for the relatively neutral CNN.
AlteCocker had planned to spend sometime at City Brew leisurely drinking coffee. That was the end of that. She went over to Cabela's Outpost across the street. What a store! It's huge and focussed on hunters. Altecocker is told that it is one of the smaller Cabela's. All sorts of weird gear for hunters and gun enthusiasts--including purses with a special pockets so you can hold your open carry pistol. She buys a warm hat and gloves. No open carry pistol purse.
Then AlteCocker goes to see "Thank You for Your Service" because it is a freezing cloudy day and there is no other solution as to what to do with the remainder of the day. In the popcorn line, AlteCocker mentions that she would also like to see "Suburbicon". One woman says she would not see it because was "too full of liberals." Maybe she meant that she did not like the subject matter. A war film may have felt "safe" to here. Maybe her fundamentalist church has put "Suburbicon" on some sort of banned list--like the old Catholic index. AlteCocker pointed out that Hollywood was full of liberals. The woman told AlteCocker it was a matter of degree. It was not worth pursuing the discussion . The woman announced that AlteCocker must be a liberal and then said "everyone was the same." Everyone is not the same.
AlteCocker leaves the shop telling them that they have lost a customer. Please note: None of the people in the shop complained when they turned off the TV because no one was watching it. As AlteCocker leaves, someone shouts "thank you." AlteCocker is pretty steamed. She goes to the car with her coffee and files a complaint with the management. We'll see what happens. She drinks her coffee in the car--better than in that shop. She will not be back.
One thing you should know: AlteCocker had requested a channel change from FOX to CNN in that shop once before and there was no problem. Her channel of choice would be MSNBC, but she would never request it in a public space in Montana. There are too many right wingers and the last thing she would wish would be to get into a political discussion. Better to ask for the relatively neutral CNN.
AlteCocker had planned to spend sometime at City Brew leisurely drinking coffee. That was the end of that. She went over to Cabela's Outpost across the street. What a store! It's huge and focussed on hunters. Altecocker is told that it is one of the smaller Cabela's. All sorts of weird gear for hunters and gun enthusiasts--including purses with a special pockets so you can hold your open carry pistol. She buys a warm hat and gloves. No open carry pistol purse.
Then AlteCocker goes to see "Thank You for Your Service" because it is a freezing cloudy day and there is no other solution as to what to do with the remainder of the day. In the popcorn line, AlteCocker mentions that she would also like to see "Suburbicon". One woman says she would not see it because was "too full of liberals." Maybe she meant that she did not like the subject matter. A war film may have felt "safe" to here. Maybe her fundamentalist church has put "Suburbicon" on some sort of banned list--like the old Catholic index. AlteCocker pointed out that Hollywood was full of liberals. The woman told AlteCocker it was a matter of degree. It was not worth pursuing the discussion . The woman announced that AlteCocker must be a liberal and then said "everyone was the same." Everyone is not the same.
October 30, 2017: Hungry Horse Dam and A Free Film
There are 2 weeks left and as of Wednesday the weather is going to turn to winter. Despite my exchangers stating there would be no significant snow before AlteCocker left on November 15th, that does not appear to be the case. Wednesday winter will begin despite the date on the calendar. So, today, in an effort to do everything possible, AlteCocker has breakfast at Montana Coffee Traders in Columbia Falls and takes off for the Dam. She gets some nice photos and heads home for a couple of hours. She has a frozen yogurt at Wild Joe's in Columbia Falls and has an adjustment made on the drivers' side windshield wiper before chilling at the house for awhile. While at the car place, she gets a ride on a 4 wheel all terrain vehicle and sees her 9th deer.
Then, at 7:00pm there is a free film at the Museum at the Old Schoolhouse--a museum AlteCocker visited at the beginning of her stay. The film is "Brother, Where Aren't Thou", a film by the Coen Brothers losely based on Homer's "Odyssey". It's very good and there is free popcorn. Interesting people at the film as well.
Then, at 7:00pm there is a free film at the Museum at the Old Schoolhouse--a museum AlteCocker visited at the beginning of her stay. The film is "Brother, Where Aren't Thou", a film by the Coen Brothers losely based on Homer's "Odyssey". It's very good and there is free popcorn. Interesting people at the film as well.
October 31, 2017: Halloween arrives and so Does Winter
The cleaning woman turns up in the morning and AlteCocker was thinking that she was due the following day. It is cold outside and there is not a lot of stuff AlteCocker hasn't done. One thing she wants to do is to go to Polebridge to visit the Mercantile there. A phone call reveals that they are open only on weekends now. Polebridge is actually within Glacier Park and the Mercantile is known for pastries. There is no electricity there. People use diesel generators or wood stoves. People either love it or hate it but it has become a tourist place and people rave about the bear claw pastries at the Mercantile. It will have to wait for the weekend if the weather is tolerable. Who knows?
AlteCocker goes to a film, "Suburbicon", another Coen Brothers film to match the previous night. Lots of nutty things going on in suburbia in that film. Then it's the supermarket and laundry.
AlteCocker goes to a film, "Suburbicon", another Coen Brothers film to match the previous night. Lots of nutty things going on in suburbia in that film. Then it's the supermarket and laundry.
November 1-6, 2017: Bad Weather
It began on November 1st and essentially hasn't ended. It has snowed on and off and AlteCocker had to spend 3 of those days entirely in the house. Last Saturday she had a ticket for a show and didn't use it. Her driveway is on a hill and it was snowing hard. She thought that the better part of valor was to go home and put the car to bed. Any thought of going to Polebridge went down the toilet with the weather.
She managed a foray out to the car place for a windshield wiper adjustment and then a coffee. She managed another to an Italian restaurant in Whitefish called Mambo's where she had excellent pasta (and delicious garlic bread), but mostly her podcasts, ebooks and the TV has seen her thru. Today was a little better. She had breakfast at Cislos and then picked up a pastry for later (almond bear claw) at Harvest Wheat in Kalispell for later (It was not much later). She met the owner and someone came out with this awful looking cinnamon roll that had bacon and eggs in the middle. He offered her a bite (It was an experimental thingy.) Honestly, AlteCocker could not even look at it but perhaps some guys coming in after a hunting trip would like them. AlteCocker was told that most people finish the cinnamon rolls there. She couldn't imagine ordering one. Just too huge.
Then it was off to run errands: ATM, gas station and Cabela's to get warm underwear and socks for tomorrow's great adventure; it's not as if she does not have that stuff back home but she hadn't imagined doing what she is going to do tomorrow and she needs them. You will have to read AlteCocker's write up assuming she can get the SUV up the icy driveway in the morning because she is not divulging what it is tonight. There will be plenty of black ice tonight after a day with sun but below freezing temperatures. That means black ice even if the driveway was plowed after the bulk of the snow. Probably a total of 4-6 inches but the below freezing temperatures does not encourage much melting--especially since there has been very little sun.
Tomorrow might be the most interesting day of the trip. Blatant plea for more hits here. AlteCocker has one piece of advice about Montana: Gorgeous in October but begone with you before November 1st. It's been very depressing, but you can't really do much in these conditions except to wait for them to end--or to get the hell out on November 15th when the home exchange ends and she flies to Portland, Oregon, to visit with her father's 85 year old 1st cousin who lives near Salem before going home on November 20th--hopefully to better weather.
She managed a foray out to the car place for a windshield wiper adjustment and then a coffee. She managed another to an Italian restaurant in Whitefish called Mambo's where she had excellent pasta (and delicious garlic bread), but mostly her podcasts, ebooks and the TV has seen her thru. Today was a little better. She had breakfast at Cislos and then picked up a pastry for later (almond bear claw) at Harvest Wheat in Kalispell for later (It was not much later). She met the owner and someone came out with this awful looking cinnamon roll that had bacon and eggs in the middle. He offered her a bite (It was an experimental thingy.) Honestly, AlteCocker could not even look at it but perhaps some guys coming in after a hunting trip would like them. AlteCocker was told that most people finish the cinnamon rolls there. She couldn't imagine ordering one. Just too huge.
Then it was off to run errands: ATM, gas station and Cabela's to get warm underwear and socks for tomorrow's great adventure; it's not as if she does not have that stuff back home but she hadn't imagined doing what she is going to do tomorrow and she needs them. You will have to read AlteCocker's write up assuming she can get the SUV up the icy driveway in the morning because she is not divulging what it is tonight. There will be plenty of black ice tonight after a day with sun but below freezing temperatures. That means black ice even if the driveway was plowed after the bulk of the snow. Probably a total of 4-6 inches but the below freezing temperatures does not encourage much melting--especially since there has been very little sun.
Tomorrow might be the most interesting day of the trip. Blatant plea for more hits here. AlteCocker has one piece of advice about Montana: Gorgeous in October but begone with you before November 1st. It's been very depressing, but you can't really do much in these conditions except to wait for them to end--or to get the hell out on November 15th when the home exchange ends and she flies to Portland, Oregon, to visit with her father's 85 year old 1st cousin who lives near Salem before going home on November 20th--hopefully to better weather.
November 7, 2017: Dog Sledding!
AlteCocker has a separate subblog for her big adventure dog sledding here.
November 8-14, 2017: The End of the Affair
The home exchange really ended with dog sledding. AlteCocker had run out of things to do other than eat out and see an occasional film. There are limited things to do indoor in the area. So it snows or rains and it is another trip to the movies. It's not actually what AlteCocker would want to do on a home exchange. She saw "Murder on the Orient Express" and then went to Big Fork for a documentary film about Big Fork. It was called "Big Fork: A Montana Story." It was a little rough around the edges and in deed of a lot of editing but it did put the the entire area in perspective. Compared to the rest of the US, the area was settled relatively recently. It was simply too difficult to get to.
So AlteCocker read some, listened to podcasts, did a small amount of shopping (mostly of the window), and watched the snow melt as she watched TV. She also caught a brief glimpse of the National Christmas Tree. It was cut in the area and is making visits to various locations on its way to the Ellipse in DC. Locals were amazed when AlteCocker said she would probably not see it in DC. There is much less going on here so the locals tend to go to everything. Of course, that would be impossible in DC. You could only see the to of the tree out a window that had been cut in the very long trailer transporting it. One child she saw was crying because his class had been selected to decorate the tree and his ornament could not be seen. Maybe he expected the tree would be upright. Kids are the same all over.
Had she not had reservations for her visit to family in Oregon, she would have gotten the hell out of the home exchange early. The Montanans had insisted on 6 weeks. AlteCocker wanted 4. After 4 weeks, the Montanans left AlteCocker's house early because they decided to add a visit to a friend in Boston to their moving target of an itinerary. When the weather got bad, AlteCocker was stuck with her reservations unless she wanted to pay again. So, there you have it. October was beautiful. Aside from the dog sledding, AlteCocker could have skipped November--and would never advise anyone to come after October 31st. At least she had a beautiful October. For Glacier Park , the best time would have been the summer, but you take your home exchanges when you get them and last summer much of the park was closed by forest fires. You can't predict weather or forest fires.
And, so, AlteCocker is preparing to leave. The SUV has a full tank of gas and things She used up in the house have been replaced. It is time to say good-bye and prepare for a brief visit to family in Oregon (no blog on that because no tourist stuff) before heading home. If it is going to be miserable weather, she will be glad to be back at home.