Weather report

You may have to lean a bit to get the picture.

WEST GLACIER. MT - - The hot spell we've been told is coming is now here.  91-degrees at 4:30pm Sunday; hotter tomorrow when we start work.  It's  expected to be 98 on Tuesday.  Luckily, it does go down into the 50's in the early morning hours.  The humidity is usually around 40%.

On the trail

You're never far from the train tracks...

...or colorful flowers...

...or butterflies.  But they don't stay still for long.

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Friday and Saturday we went hiking on some seldom used trails.  We soon knew why.  These are trails within the park and close by but we were about the only folks out there.  There wasn't much scenery on the Fish Creek trail, Friday's slog, but the South Boundary Trail we took the next day was a bit more scenic.

On the road, out of touch

"The Navigator" check out Two Medicine Lake.

Wild Turkey is not only a libation

An osprey watches as a smaller, but very brave bird contemplates an attack.

WEST GLACIER, MT - - We spent four days wandering rather stay in our campground during the break before we begin work on Monday.  First, we went to Two Medicine Campground, about 65 miles from where we are staying.  We got a spot a with lakefront view of surrounding mountains. Naturally when we were ready to stay another night the rain wiped out our plans.
      Heading south and west, we hit REI in Missoula where I found a pair of new low-cut hiking boots.  The weather continued to be gloomy, but we did find a (mainly organic) store called Great Foods which is like Whole Foods and Trader Joes combined and features a great lunch buffet. 
     The next day we headed south and west again to Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge in the Bitterroot River Valley.  Then, after two nights in Montana state parks, we headed back to our regular routine for a day or two.

Missed the memo, got the cup cake

Oh yeah!

The sun actually stayed out a while.

WEST GLACIER, MT - -  Usually we can detect free food and desert a mile away.  Saturday, Glacier Park Lodge celebrated its 100th anniversary.  The lodge is located in East Glacier approximately 55 miles from where we are camping. Since the sun seemed to be staying out even while clouds lurked, we decided to go wandering.  We drove East and stopped for lunch at the Issac Walton Lodge. Another 25 miles down the road where we stopped at the lodge, found out about the celebration and showed up in time for desert.  Good move.
     On the way back we took the long way over Going To The Sun road in the opposite direction we usually drive.  Jackson Glacier, one of the 25 glaciers left in Glacier NP  (They started with 150) was out in full glory even with the fluffy clouds swirling around.

High water

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Heavy rains over the last few days have left already swollen (with snow melt water) creeks / rivers at even higher levels in our area.  On the up side, we've finished our driver orientation  and the Going To The Sun road opened yesterday.  Right now, the sun is shining on the campground but you can see dark clouds just waiting for their chance to dump on us some more.

Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it's off to work we go....sort of

WEST GLACIER, MT - - We'll spend the next 4 days in a driver orientation program which will be remarkably similar to the 2011 and 2012 programs.  To prepare, we spent today grocery shopping and hit Wal-Mart also.  It's not really possible to do much while we're doing this orientation.  The upside is that we do get paid.  The downside for some is that we don't start driving visitors to Glacier up and down the Going To The Sun road until July 1 at the earliest.  Not to worry, we can figure out what to do with 10 free days. Last year, we spent most of the break in Canada.  We're still thinking and planning.

Saturday escapades

Mountain, snow, clouds...all the ingredients of Glacier.

The settlement of Polebridge doesn't have electricity.  But you can still watch tv.

Hummingbird wanted!  Flower-y location right outside the 'common room' window.

WEST GLACIER, MT - - After last night's rain, this morning was bright and sunny.  But we know better, because the clouds are always lurking.  You might not get rained on, but you can be sure someone nearby is.
      We decided to head out to Polebridge, a small settlement of folks who are very happy to live somewhat off the grid.  Solar panels provide some power, generators the rest.  Dish TV and internet reception is available.  Some homes are for sale.  If you don't have $500,000 in petty cash don't bother asking the selling price. It's 28 or so miles to the nearest town/gas/groceries/anything else so you better enjoy your own company.

A grey day at Glacier NP

How you can tell you're not in Florida anymore!

Avalanche Creek with plenty of snow-melt volume

Fancy a scenic boat ride on Lake McDonald??

Hey, you got any nibbles for me??

WEST GLACIER, MT - - We took a 5-hour wander around the open areas of Glacier today.  It was grey and overcast.  Of course, once we drove back to camp the sun came out.

Touch down

WEST GLACIER, MT - - We have landed in West Glacier.  It's like we never left...literally.  In the first three hours we've been welcomed back like long lost friends; caught up on what happened in the seven months we were gone ( not much) and got pressed into helping out.  Oh yeah, it's raining just like it was last June when we got here.  Fortunately, Lydia had brought me a rain jacket to the campground's common room where we cruise the web and sometimes interact with Maddie and Pork Chop, the resident dogs. 
     A lady towing a camper had gotten stuck on the hill to the top area of the campground.  I was asked to help.  It's that kind of place and that kind of relationship that makes asking for assistance a given.  I did get the Honda Pilot unstuck and up the hill.  But backing up and parking a vehicle pulling a small trailer as opposed to backing up and parking our VW or a school bus are two entirely different things.  And while I was able to help the lady get close to the parking spot, the lady finally gave up figuring it just wasn't meant to be. 
     So now I'm back dry and warmer and waiting for the next adventure.  And loving every minute of it.

Moody mountain

Some days the sun don't shine ...

... and some days it does

PACKWOOD, WA - - We've been to Mt. Ranier National Park before and didn't hold much hope of finding the type weather needed to see the majestic peak.  We weren't disappointed.  Our first day there and our trip up to the visitor center/observation point was cloud shrouded like the top photo (taken on the 21-mile twisty trip up.)
      Day two dawned clear and bright.  On the trip to the VC, we were surrounded by snow-covered peaks with Mt. Ranier the clear stand out.  There are 15 glaciers on the peak and two are quite evident in the bottom photo.
     Tomorrow, we'll be in Kalispell, MT doing the paperwork required for our summer jobs.  Of course, the work doesn't start until July 1 so vacation isn't over yet.  

Heading toward Washington State

Three Arch Rocks National Wildlife Reserve

The dog walker's delight:  Sun and sand

WILLAPA, WA - - About once a week we bypass the state parks, BLM and Forest Service campgrounds and spend a night in a KOA or commercial campground.  Tonight we're doing just that.  It's laundry time and it makes more sense when the sun is shining on the coast to do the washing after the day's travel is finished.
     We wandered about 120 miles today with plenty of stops along the way, both in sun and hazy from the coastal mist/fog.  Last night we could see a trio of sea stacks from the beach at our ORSP camp site on Cape Lookout.  A fair drive up the twisting coast road we came to Oceanside.  The three stacks have been a National Wildlife refuge for over 100 years; a remedy to keep the nesting birds alive after years of target practice by 'rich' tourists.

Housing problems

Move over, dear, I don't have any room

Hey, somebody is stepping on my foot!

DEPOE BAY, OR - - There are plenty of photo stops as we wander along the Oregon Coast.  The Pelagic cormorant pair (top) sport purple breeding plumage and a very cozy nest in the side of a rock cliff jutting out into the Pacific. 
     Look closely at the bottom photo.  We're talking back to back, belly to belly and wing to wing.  The over crowding of Pacific Gulls, cormorants and a few others thrown in during nesting season it tough enough.  It also produces a ready made buffet for opportunistic predators like Golden Eagles and vultures.  Click on the link to Lydia's blog to see what one golden eagle had for a meal.

Is it trash...or art??

BANDON, OR - - In this case the trash is art.  Henry The Fish is made up of trash washed ashore in Bandon.  Henry was only one piece of the project.  There was also a seal (not as colorful) and the beginnings of a whale skeleton. 
     While the coffee wasn't that great in the Bandon Coffee Cafe, the berry pastry I had with it was.

Cape Blanco lighthouse

Cape Blanco Lighthouse

The Fresnel lens. Made in France.  The defining standard for any lighthouse.

The top part of the lens

A 1,000watt light provides the illumination.  Note the spare bulb.

An upward angle of the lens from the bottom section

If you can't autograph your masterpiece, at least get a sign made.

PORT ORFORD, OR - - We're staying in Cape Blanco State Park.  We've been here before.  Once when we were late arriving and the lighthouse was closed and twice when the fog was so thick you couldn't see the structure, but were able to see some hazy illumination.
     This time the weather has cooperated...mostly.  Only a 20mph gusting wind to keep us alert.  We did the tour of the structure which is still a "working" lighthouse; one of three among the 15 on the Oregon Coast.  The 53' structure situated on a 200' headland cliff casts a beam which can be seen 23 miles out to see.  It' signature is a 2-second beam followed by an 18-second blackout. The lighthouse began operating on December 20, 1870. 
     Ship navigation today is by GPS although lighthouse and fog horn "assistance" is still welcome.

More CA catch-up

Just us girls hanging out.

Driftwood and sea stacks.

PORT ORFORD, OR - - Truth in advertising:  The sign for Elk Country RV Park promised elk.  No problem.  Further down the road, there was the requisite Pacific Ocean shot.

Cali catch-up

It's 10am and the boat/dock light are still bright

Bodega Bay.  A favorite whale watching location...at the right time of year.

Some more Mendocino color.

PORT ORFORD, OR - - We've found a public library with free wi-fi and are taking advantage of it.  This post catches-up the foggy day in Bodega Bay, CA and a very purple iris in Mendocino.