Anacortes kitty partol

Hiding in the grass

Hiding in plain sight

Looking for a home

ANACORTES, WA - - We arrived in Anacortes Sunday afternoon and fortunately were able to get a camping space at our favorite spot, Cap Sante Marina.  This means we park the 'magic bus'  and walk almost everywhere or take a ride on Skagit Transit  public bus system ($1 for all day).
     Our wandering involves searching for good photo subjects...and cats. The Cats Meow offers a foster home and chance for adoption to its "residents."  We've counted 12-15 feline inhabitants with plenty more hiding out.  While the home offers shelter, meals, attention (from the staff) and  medical check ups it doesn't offer freedom. Hence, the looking longingly for a place to run  or a friendly person to take them home.
    In the top photo, the orange tabby was free, but certainly looked like he/she could use a good friend.  The kitty in the middle photo blended in very well among the nautical items at the Marine Supply and Hardware Company.  As the 'watch kitty' he was on guard and didn't tolerate too much attention.
     

Into the Cascades

The Cascades, the last mountains before the coast

There's a red kayak on the little island...click the pic to enlarge

Shot thru the windshield...complete with bug splatter

Field activity

Evidence of past volcanic activity

The recently fresh asphalt could be seen for miles

Pastoral landscape

ON US20 - -

Train time

The Black Bear Motel office

No caption needed

An old fashioned suitcase and replica lantern

Train-time coffee stop

A mistake at a train crossing could be your last one.

DAVENPORT, WA - - The Black Bear Motel caught our eye as we hustled westward from the Washington state border.  The office was full of what-evers and all sorts of interesting things.  The kicker was they had themed rooms and we ended up in the 'railroad' room.
     It was loaded with train kitsch items...some real, but most to accentuate the atmosphere.

60mph on US2 in Northeastern Washingron

DAVENPORT, WA - - Wheaties...before they grow up and turn into flakes.

Ride on

DAVENPORT, WA - -Seen in a in shop window in Bonners Ferry, ID.  Texmat produces/sells weapons cleaning supplies.

More signs you won't see in Florida

The end

Don't stop

Driving instructions

I do!!

A pre-wedding photo

GOLDEN, CO - - Would you travel halfway around the world to get married??  This bride to be was just one young lady with a plan at Lake Louise.  I doubt she was sitting on a heating pad while the wedding photographer(s) documented the occasion.  I was wearing gloves and my fleece beanie when got into the act.

Radium Hot Springs to Lake Louise and points in between

Lake Louise

One view from our campsite near Bow River

A frequent campground visitor

LAKE LOUISE, AB - - We're indoors at the LL Hostel after a thunder-stormy night at Kicking Horse CG in Field, BC.  The hostel has a pretty good breakfast and is the only place where we can 'steal' a bit of wifi.  This will be short with only a taste of what we've seen on the dry days.   More to come.

On to Canada

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, BC, CAN - - On Friday night, we had a campfire to burn all the firewood we had.  The Canadian border guards do not want you to bring firewood (purchased in the US) into Maple Leaf country. 
     Saturday morning we headed to the border under somewhat sunny skies.  But we could see  grey skies in the direction  we were heading.  Sure enough, once across the border the clouds teased us before we had two hours of solid rain.  Fortunately, we made it to First Perk coffee stop (Jaffray, BC) before we had to turn on the wipers.
    

Market on the square

Old time local farm transportation - -

This stack of carrots would keep a tribe of rabbits happy

Brew time...

...and local 'bakies' to keep you filed

Birdie condos

WHITEFISH FARMERS MARKET - -

Beargrass...No, you don't smoke it

On Going To The Sun Road in the Big Bend area of Glacier NP

WEST GLACIER, MT - - Beargrass was nicknamed by members of the Lewis & Clark expedition (1804-06).  It's also known as 'squaw grass,' 'Indian basket grass and a couple of other names related to its uses by native Americans.
     BG isn't grass, but a member of the corn lily family.  It blooms good after a controlled burn or forest fire...somewhat like fireweed and lupine.  Bears don't eat it; may hide in it, but mainly use the stalks / leaves, etc. to line their winter dens.
     During our many visits to GNP, we haven't seen a bloom this good.  It is probably due to the wetter, cooler weather in the park this year.

There's always time to visit Polebridge

The Mercantile...huckleberry bearclaws (pastry) are a big draw

"The Guard Kitty:...all business

Most of Polebridge village

No building codes.  You want to live in a teepee...ok

Two rooms (maybe); dish antenna; solar power

Wild flowers to decorate the front of the house field

POLEBRIDGE, MT - -

No smoke-ing in the park

Boats for rent.  Paddle boards.  No smoke

There are fluffy clouds over Lake MacDonald.  Gun Sight Pass is visible off-center right.

WEST GLACIER, MT -  - For the first time in the past three years there are no forest fires burning in GNP.  Lake MacDonald looks inviting.  Forest fires in recent years limited views to mostly haze and smoke.  Of course, that was in late August / early September.  We planned an early visit this year to try and beat the smoke.  So far, we have.  But a few strong lightning strikes could change all that.

Heading to Missoula

Sunflower power

Lewis & Clark info at The Lost Trail pass

Typical Bitterroot Range scenery

Looking for food or companionship

Female hidng under the 'bus' from all the bunnies seeking companions

MISSOULA, MT - - The highway (US 93) from Ketchum, ID to Missoula took us through a good portion of the Bitterroot Range.  One highlight was the rest area at The Lost Trail pass.  The 7,014' pass shows in a journal entry (9/3/05) from the Lewis & Clark Expedition of Discovery (May 1804 - September 1806).  Click on the pic of the information display to read about it.
     Once in Missoula, we headed to the KOA campground.  The location to downtown Missoula, the YMCA and plenty of coffee shops makes the nightly price easier to swallow.
      Having stayed at the KOA before, we were aware of the resident bunnies.  For those who are new to the site, the "We love our bunnies" signs in the registration area should have been a tip off. 

Idaho humor

The Sawtooth Scenic Byway

Sawtooth mountains beyond; valley below

A river runs through it

"Bear-y good" breakfast at Smiley Creek Lodge

The 'bustling' community of Clayton

SALMON, ID - - Up, down and serious twisties along the route, that's what we encountered along the SSB.  And it was a fun trip as we followed the Salmon River from it's headwaters above the Sawtooth Valley all the way to the the well named town/city?? of Salmon.
     A historic site information explains about the Salmon River and how it also became knows as "The River of No Return."  Quite interesting.  The area also had a somewhat short-lived silver mining boom.
     About one-third of the way I spied a lodge/restaurant/campground (The Smiley Creek Lodge...Sawtooth City, ID) which looked very inviting.  The breakfast and coffee were good and we made a note on camping there the next time we find ourselves way out in Idaho.
     How far out???...well does the hamlet Clayton (population 7) count??   

A visit to Ketchum Cemetary

Admirers left a 1/3 filled bottle of Jose Quervo tequela; flowers and change

KETCHUM, ID - -  Ernest Hemingway's grave site in Ketchum Cemetery is nothing fancy.  The town where the author of "For  Whom the Bell Tolls" and "The Old Man and the Sea" committed suicide in his Ketchum home on July 2, 1961.
     Unlike Key West, FL, which pushes the aura of    Hemingway with tours of his house there and the six-toed cats plus a Hemingway look-alike contest each year, Ketchum is very low key about its famous resident.