Lake Dickey - We spent two days here.
Wednesday, June 23 - The Eureka librarian suggested we drive Graves Creek Road and so we did. It was OK, but certainly not spectacular. We ended our drive at Weasel Lake. We encountered no weasels, only a few deer. Surprisingly most of the road was paved deep into the forest. We saw two rangers checking to see if the trees were still there and a group of scooter putter riders. And that's all. The road continues on another 12 miles to allegedly scenic lakes. The road goes to the border and makes a wide turn to follow a valley to the lakes. We passed.
In places the forest looks like that in the Oregon Cascades. Widely spaced trees with no undergrowth. In other places the trees are so dense only a critter could pass between the trees. I wonder if either is natural or the result of cutting.
If this were Colorado, there would be roads crossing the hundreds of 6-7,000 foot mountains. Evidently the folks here are content to stay in the valleys as we have not seen a single road going up.
From Saturday to Saturday the temps will be at out above 100. We are going to try to find a campground with hookups to try to stay cool and hang for the holiday. And here we are positioned to explore the Yaak Valley and now we have to retreat.
Thursday, June 24 - We decided to head to Libby in hopes of finding a private campground with hookups.
Do Not Go To Montana To Escape The Heat - We had 100's in Montana and well up into BC in 2017. We had more of the same in 2019. Records will be set next week.
I had wanted to boondock along the west shore of Lake Koocanusa. [Koo Ca Nusa - named by a fifth grader when the dam was built in 1972] But, no dry camping for us during a heat wave. We drove along the forest service road which is much smoother than the Montana road on the east side of the reservoir. The only traffic we saw were two overland bikers. I was able to drive 31 and eyeball the water through the trees. We stopped for a Dorothy burger at one of boondock sites. Total quiet.
We made it to Libby, where we checked into prison, paying $400 for 12 days to have AC during the heat wave and a place to be for the holidays. Call it the price of traveling. At dusk a truck camper parked next to us. What's the first thing he did? He put out the awning of course. Followed by two rugs and camp chairs.
Friday, June 25 - We vegged.
Saturday, June 26 - We drove to Yaak. The one new destination I had planned for this trip. It was disappointing. Not really scenic. We took a 12 mile drive on a gravel road to a fire tower lookout. The first 8 miles were smooth - good for 35 plus. The last 4 miles were rocky holding our speed to 8mph. There are dozens of lookout towers in the area. I just wanted to see what the surrounding mountains looked like. They are not bad and they are in all directions. We had clear views when we started up. By the time we made the summit haze had settled in.
We came back on US2 and stopped at Kootenai Falls. It was not the falls on the Kootenai that I remember. This was huge parking lot with a trail to the falls. The one I recall might have been in Idaho where we could see the falls from the road.
The Kootenai River starts in Canada, as most rivers in the area do. The dam at Libby creates a 70 mile long reservoir that extends back into Canada. For my money it's one of the best looking rivers in the country.
Sunday, June 27 - We vegged.
Monday, June 28 - We got away at 8 to Kootenai Falls which only about 20 minutes away. The hike to the falls is not long - maybe a mile round turn. However, there are 70 steps and uneven ground near the falls. Not good for Dorothy. She made it as far as seeing the falls. Surprisingly she had recovered by the time we got to the supermarket. And was only a little sore the next day. Her heart doctors would approve of the hike. Her neurologist would not. Stressing weakened muscles from polio.
Rosaueur's is a great market. Extensive selection and low prices. I liked being able to buy only as much cauliflower, broccoli, mushrooms as you need. Our small refrigerator fills up quick with heads of lettuce, etc.
Tuesday, June 29 - I talked with several techs about our battery charging crisis.
Dorothy fixed wild Pacific salmon with garlic potatoes for lunch. Devine.
Wednesday, June 30 - I spent more time puzzling over the batteries. I am convinced they are cooked. We will go back to Kalispell next week and buy new ones.
Thursday, July 1 - We got away at 7:30 to visit Ross Creek Cedars - a grove of Cedars the loggers must have missed. It was pleasant walking in the forest. The only sounds were a few birds making a whistling sound. No idea what they were. Like Sequois and Redwoods, they grow tall fast, have shallow roots and fall over in a wind.
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