Perpetual Motion, a year of RV travel

Bozeman, Montana - totally cool

There's something about this town that just feels good. It feels right.

Downtown

This horse spins around!

Montana I love you!

Vicki Corona wrote in 1989 in a book for dancers "Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away". Western Montana takes my breath away. A few times I had to pull over to the side of the road to take it all in. It speaks to me.

Interesting sign about hay. Later on I saw a sign that read "Certified for weeds and pests hay only beyond this point". It was not a safe place to stop so I didn't get a photo.

I've seen lots of these jellyroll bales, but none of the older type mentioned on the sign.

Salmon River State Park

I had intended to drive from Glacier NP to Bozeman, but the scenery was so pretty so I made a lot of stops along the way. I took a minor highway through mountians and valleys, avoiding the freeway for most of the day. Along the way was a wildlife viewing area, and little did I know that the dirt road went deep into the forest, with no place to turn around. Making a turn on the narrow road with a ditch on either side was tricky. I think it took about 30 minutes! After a long time without seeing wildlife, I let Koka out to run around.

Happy dog!

Salon River SP is a small camp situated along the Salmon River. A perfect place to stop for the night.

Glacier National Park

Glacier is awesome! I knew before I entered the park that I would be allowed to drive my vehicle only part of the way across the Going To the Sun Road because it exceeds the length limit, but the scenery was still beautiful, and the camp was great.

Welcome to Glacier National Park!

McDonald Lake

Upper McDonald Creek, also known as Sacred Dancing Waters, emptying into McDonald Lake

The water is crystal clear, and very cold.

Can you see the little ripples from a bug?

A gentleman from Alberta took a photo of Koka and me on the dock. He said we looked like best friends. :)

There is a stop along Going To the Sun Road where you can go down steps onto a deck that overlooks Upper McDonald Creek, or Sacred Dancing Waters. The water is rushing by, and it's beautiful shades of blue and green. It's amazingly clear. Someone there told me that last spring, when the water was high, a woman climbed onto the rocks, lost her footing, and was pulled under a rock shelf. Sadly, rescuers were not able to save her.

Apgar camp - I loved this campsite.

The Road to Glacier NP

I drove east from Whitefish toward Glacier National Park, and found this store in the town of Hungry Horse. The owner saw me taking a photo and came outside to investigate. He asked if I might like to purchase some nice moose antlers to hang in my den. "No" I said - "I don't have a den right now. My den is this camper on four wheels." Actually it has six wheels, but whatever. He insisted I needed some antlers. After explaining that my budget does not include moose antlers, he gave me some deer antlers for free. So now I have deer antlers in my camper, sitting on top of my bedroll in the passenger seat. Maybe people might think that I shot the poor thing myself, and think I might have a gun, and think twice about messing with my camper. Just inside the door of the store were four guys playing poker on the top of a barrel, betting beer bottle caps.

It was getting dark and cold so I stayed in a camp outside of Glacier NP. It was lovely, and the owner was so gracious.
My campsite -

Camp mascot - there was a wedding in camp the next day, and the beast was wearing a veil.

The camp office -

When is the last time you saw a view this pretty from the skylight in your shower? Good morning trees!

Whitefish, Montana - a charming town

Whitefish is a charming little town west of Glacier National Park. The area includes a ski area, Whitefish Lake, nearby mountains and trails, and a bustling downtown shopping area. There are stores that sell gifts, art, clothing, toys, jewelry and leather goods, and cafes and restaurants. I had lunch at a crepe place that has gluten free buckwheat crepes - pear, gorgonzola and walnut filling. Delizioso!

These murals on one of the old buildings are made of glass and tiles.

See the ski area on the mountain - summer and winter. Obviously I did not take the winter photo since I was there in the summer...I copied it from the internet because it is so charming and makes me want to return when the snow flies.

I drove up the mountain to see the base lodge. It must be very pretty in the snow. The road up to the lodge is long and winding, and very steep in places. I can't imagine driving down in bad weather after a day on the mountain, and lots of cars full of weary skiers. And skiers fresh from the apres ski bar.