This is an unpublished post from last year's trip leaving off from Washington in August 2012...
A new rashness came about me in Idaho, having an itinerary for the first time - I had three days to make it to Kalispell Airport to pick up an old friend. Summer camping has its limitations and looking for a campsite even in Idaho on a Friday night in the middle of summer posed a problem. I couldn't find an open campsite for miles and miles and every time I stopped to inquiry, time and sunlight were slipping away. I must have stopped at least 8 times before arriving to Bonner's Ferry where there were two "unofficial" camping areas that might be open. First there was the fairgrounds right next to the railroad. While a rodeo was setting up for the weekend, the workers informed me I was told right and could sleep right in the middle of the dirt filled fairgrounds...if I could stand the train that right at the moment came roaring by. Drained but with a desperate look in my eyes a man told me to go down to the fork of the river and the parking lot has an outhouse and four cement slabs. I rushed two miles down away from the train and happy that I finally could stop searching. I had just set up camp before some locals came around fishing and swinging into the river from a rope swing. One man approached me and as always I kept a good five feet distance between us as we conversed for an hour or so. He had kids my age and was concerned with me being alone at here. I ensured him Id be fine but he promised he would return in the morning to check on me. I wasn't too concerned with him as he seemed genuine and harmless. It was nice to have some human interaction for a change since Lucy, my bulldog, is quite the one-sided conversational buddy.
I had a few beers, dined on some radishes I picked up at a farm stand and zipped myself and Lucy into our tent for the night feeling quite content I did find a camp spot and a pretty nice one at that. Until at about midnight, a pack of coyotes began crying their child-like howls which seemed to be right across the river bend. For the first time in a while, I was truly scared of nature and its power so after 45 minutes of fear driven thoughts, I left everything in the tent and crept into the car to sleep, with Lucy of course.
The next morning I awoke to a car pulling up the gravel driveway and I peeked my head out to see my friend from last night, Bob with a coffee and a muffin for me. I was a little alarmed at first but he then went on the invite me to berry pick with him and his daughter. "Old me" would never have gone off for a day with strangers but like my experience in the San Juan Islands, it ended up being one of the most enriching times on the trip.
We went picking huckleberries in Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge that overlooks the whole town and protected moose-filled marsh fields that you can see for miles. I also saw some bald eagles for the first time and they are quite majestic. Everyone said you would know when you see an eagle and yes I did, their wingspan is unbelievable and as they soar above you they block out the sun and the rays accent each feathers tip in a beautifully perfect silhouette. I included a picture of the huckleberry bushes but if you don't have proper knowledge or even a book of edible plants I wont just pick berries. After that we went to the famous biker bar, Home Bar where they have a cat that drinks beer. It was one-a-kind and the owner even invited me to camp in the back beer garden. I finished my day drinking with Bob on the Yaak River before he headed back home and I set up camp at a basic but private campsite.
The next day I headed to the Idaho/Montana border and set up for one more day of camping before making my way into Peck Gulch in the Kootenai National Forest. I got one of my favorite campsites ever and a great calmness came about me as I really began to real know my gear and how to set up my camp just perfect. I sat and fished all day (caught a bunch of little guys so threw them back) and laid in the sun reading. It was one of the greatest feeling of peace I have ever had and think back fondly on the moment.
I have a bunch of back-posts to release in the next few weeks so come back soon....
A new rashness came about me in Idaho, having an itinerary for the first time - I had three days to make it to Kalispell Airport to pick up an old friend. Summer camping has its limitations and looking for a campsite even in Idaho on a Friday night in the middle of summer posed a problem. I couldn't find an open campsite for miles and miles and every time I stopped to inquiry, time and sunlight were slipping away. I must have stopped at least 8 times before arriving to Bonner's Ferry where there were two "unofficial" camping areas that might be open. First there was the fairgrounds right next to the railroad. While a rodeo was setting up for the weekend, the workers informed me I was told right and could sleep right in the middle of the dirt filled fairgrounds...if I could stand the train that right at the moment came roaring by. Drained but with a desperate look in my eyes a man told me to go down to the fork of the river and the parking lot has an outhouse and four cement slabs. I rushed two miles down away from the train and happy that I finally could stop searching. I had just set up camp before some locals came around fishing and swinging into the river from a rope swing. One man approached me and as always I kept a good five feet distance between us as we conversed for an hour or so. He had kids my age and was concerned with me being alone at here. I ensured him Id be fine but he promised he would return in the morning to check on me. I wasn't too concerned with him as he seemed genuine and harmless. It was nice to have some human interaction for a change since Lucy, my bulldog, is quite the one-sided conversational buddy.
I had a few beers, dined on some radishes I picked up at a farm stand and zipped myself and Lucy into our tent for the night feeling quite content I did find a camp spot and a pretty nice one at that. Until at about midnight, a pack of coyotes began crying their child-like howls which seemed to be right across the river bend. For the first time in a while, I was truly scared of nature and its power so after 45 minutes of fear driven thoughts, I left everything in the tent and crept into the car to sleep, with Lucy of course.
The next morning I awoke to a car pulling up the gravel driveway and I peeked my head out to see my friend from last night, Bob with a coffee and a muffin for me. I was a little alarmed at first but he then went on the invite me to berry pick with him and his daughter. "Old me" would never have gone off for a day with strangers but like my experience in the San Juan Islands, it ended up being one of the most enriching times on the trip.
We went picking huckleberries in Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge that overlooks the whole town and protected moose-filled marsh fields that you can see for miles. I also saw some bald eagles for the first time and they are quite majestic. Everyone said you would know when you see an eagle and yes I did, their wingspan is unbelievable and as they soar above you they block out the sun and the rays accent each feathers tip in a beautifully perfect silhouette. I included a picture of the huckleberry bushes but if you don't have proper knowledge or even a book of edible plants I wont just pick berries. After that we went to the famous biker bar, Home Bar where they have a cat that drinks beer. It was one-a-kind and the owner even invited me to camp in the back beer garden. I finished my day drinking with Bob on the Yaak River before he headed back home and I set up camp at a basic but private campsite.
The next day I headed to the Idaho/Montana border and set up for one more day of camping before making my way into Peck Gulch in the Kootenai National Forest. I got one of my favorite campsites ever and a great calmness came about me as I really began to real know my gear and how to set up my camp just perfect. I sat and fished all day (caught a bunch of little guys so threw them back) and laid in the sun reading. It was one of the greatest feeling of peace I have ever had and think back fondly on the moment.
I have a bunch of back-posts to release in the next few weeks so come back soon....
Idaho...Picking huckleberries, drinking with locals and spotting eagles
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