The loop I took went south around the south entrance and some amazing farm country. I am still stunned at how the terrain changes. The area south of St. Marys look a bit like what I saw last year in Alberta miles and miles of farmland and small rolling hills.
After I passed the southern entrance for Glacier, I should have been more observant, as I did miss my turn off and instead headed back around to Kalispell. I definitely took the long way, but it was just as pretty as it had been that morning.
I arrived back at Gurdon’s house right at dusk, which I was glad as the deer were everywhere. Everyone had gone out for sushi, so Gurdon in his glorious host mode, fixed me a lovely steak and salad. I was thrilled and enjoyed every morsel, and I thought I would eat lightly on this trip!!!
Afterwards, the neighbors decided karaoke was in order and plied with many beers and cocktails, they sang long into the night. My only problem was the desire for an early start so I opted for my ipod and my sound isolating earphones. Even that couldn’t drown out the festivities. I think “oakie from Muskogie” is the last song I remember….thankfully!!!
Oh ya…i forgot to mention Gurdon’s road. What a lovely challenge that road is between the sand, rocks and about a 45 degree angle, it is always a grand challenge to enter and leave. Oh ya, and I nearly forgot to mention the two nice switchbacks… Luckily, another year has passed without incident!!
Day’s miles 243
Day 6—July 6
I left Flathead Lake early enough to stop at Walmart in Polson and return the Kodak and pick up a Panasonic Lumix with 8 mega pixels and 5x zoom. So far I love this camera as it is easy to use, has great quality photos and is small and compact. It got rave reviews as it has a Leica lens and a bunch of stuff that I actually have to read the book to discover. I am terrible at this sort of thing and usually depend upon Gary to do it for me and then tell me how it works. Computers, cameras, video equipment, televisions etc, they are all greek to me. Either that or I simply don’t care enough to actually teach myself. I like being shown.
Anyway. I headed back to Missoula to connect to Lolo Pass, the road everyone raves about.
Ok…I gotta be devils advocate here, as this road was certainly WAY less than I thought it should be. The views were ok, but not great and the road surface nice, but it wasn’t anywhere near a good as the roads we have right in our own backyard. I was disappointed yet reaffirmed at how wonderful our CA roads ride! The best thing about Lolo Pass was the sign! Ouch! Actually, I will lighten up a bit. There was many a nice curvy bit.
The river was also nice as the road followed it down the hillside.
