The ride on I 90 east from Spokane is familiar territory. I have ridden it many times on motor bikes, and for a Interstate once you get past Coeur d’ Alene, I 90 is very scenic, rural, and there isn’t much traffic.
Driving in the van with no name (because the Alaska DMV web
site for personal plates will not be operational until November) ((hopefully of
this year.)) you sit up lots higher and can see as you pass the semi that was weaving
that the driver is holding on to his phone with both hands. Presumably steering
with his knees.
Sitting up higher you can also see more of Lake Coeur ‘d Alene
and get a feel of what a massive body of water the lake is.
The lake also contains 75 million metric tons of sediment polluted with lead and other heavy metals, the toxic legacy of more than a century of mining in Idaho’s Silver Valley. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
75 million tons of toxic
sediment is just one more reason to protect Alaska Salmon and
Moseying along I 90 all of a sudden, a voice from a part of the van I haven’t been to says I have to turn off on Highway 93. And it is a good thing I listened because that is exactly the way I want to travel. North on 93 and up to another massive lake. Flathead Lake.
It also has a lot of deer.
In fact, traveling the west shore through Dayton and Lakeside, it must be the roadkill
capital of Montana with a carcass every few feet. Quite the carnage.
Somewhere around the lake
I witnessed the most honest touching remembrance of religion flying 737’s into
skyscrapers, that I have ever seen.
Two firemen in all their
call out gear were standing at parade rest in front of their fire station. No apparatus
with massive amerikan flags. No Christian cult symbols. Just two fire men
standing in tribute of lost first responders.
Of course, I stopped. I
walked back to face them and gave a salute. They saluted back. No way was I
taking a photo of these men without permission. And I didn’t want to disrupt
their vigil, So I went on my way.
My entrance into the park
was thwarted by a young girl who wore a Ranger Hat, and other uniform accoutrements
of a National Park Service uniform.
Apparently, the entrance restrictions
that end on 9/11 End at midnight on the eve of 9\12. She did say if I wanted to
look for a first come campsite, I could come back at 4:00 P.M.
Coming back at four was
really not an option for me as there were plenty of camping options back down
the road.
I opted for the KOA that
was just a couple of miles from the park entrance.
Having never stayed at a
KOA I really didn’t know what to expect, but this KOA at West Glacier is a “Resort”
KOA. It has two pools one for families and one for adults. It has a ice cream
store. It has a hamburger restaurant. A full bar, the showers are pristine, and
there is even a stage where later in the evening there would be a magician preforming
magic.
It was $179.00 for a site
with full hookups including cable tv, or $79.00 for a tent site. I opted for
the tent site as the van with no name is set up for dry camping. I did have to
back up on the big curb that keeps campers from driving to their tent, but only
so I could be level, and being level is very important to vans.
In the morning I headed
into the park. There was no uniformed Park Ranger at the gate to check my
senior pass. That was disappointing.
It was early so there wasn’t
much traffic. Up by Lake McDonald I pulled out at two pullouts searching for
the perfect color stone photo, but I had my doubts that photo would be made
today as the valley was very smokey.
This is one high class place. No wonder it is booked years in advance.
Down at the shore I searched
for the perfect stone photo, but the light was blocked by smoke. Dang!
The going to the sun road
and the 6646 high Logan Pass. The road is not recommended for vehicles over 20
feet, and the van with no name is 22 feet, but I figure I did it once before on
a 800-pound motor bike, so in a two foot over van should be no issue.
Now the road is narrow,
has many tight curves, and a couple of extreme switchbacks, but proved to be no
issue, and being large oncoming vehicles will do just about anything to get out
of your way.
The only issue with doing the road was that the normally fantastic view of the mountains, and the couple of glaciers that remain were obscured by smoke.
What ever hasn’t burned is going to. Climate change ain’t pretty.
We drove those backroads out if Alaska. Has to be some of my favorite roads! and that lodge was amazing stuck back in the middle of no where! We too were sadden by signs of “progress/ climate changes”.
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