Our adventures with Monica and Peter

Float trip down the Middle Fork of the Flathead with our fly rods perched at the ready.  Walter was the number one in fish caught, who would know his expertise.  We all caught about 20 cut throat trout in total.  It was a sunny, beautiful day with fun guides.  Definitely not easy to fish from a boat.  The next day off to hike and travel The Going To The Sun Rd now that it opened on July 3rd.  The scenery is just spectacular.  What a nice time enjoying our family.  The last day was filled with a zip line tour down Big Mountain. There were 7 lines we managed to execute with feet forward and stream lined.  The thrill of speed was in the air.  It was really quite fun even with my fear of heights.
Give it a try some time.  Golf at our local Wesr Glacier course ended the trip and a camp fire to keep the camping mojo running until bed.  Our feet don't seem to stop moving.

First Back Country Experience

Off to buy big back packs to carry all our freeze dried food. Heard that the food was pretty good. You just need a jar of  Tabasco sauce to spice it up. We acquired a jet boil stove to heat water in 2 minutes. Presto H2O and a package and you have chicken, mash potatoes, pasta primavera, turkey tetrazzini and even apple crisp for dessert. I forgot to mention they have ice cream sandwiches in a bag. Decided to skip that one.   Loaded up and ready to hit the road. The packs were so heavy even without a tent , pads, and sleeping bags that it almost buckled Wally's knees so we ended up canoeing 6 miles up the lake to the patrol cabin. I was worried about the hantavirus from mice poop but all seemed fine. We are not sick yet. We sailed down the lake with the wind at our backs. Waves pushing us forward. Quick trip and beautiful scenery.

The front door of the cabin had nails hammered into the entire face of it to protect I assume the people inside from the grizzly bears. Wow. The bunk bed worked and I did not fall out on my face which I have done in the past. The 1930's vintage cabin sat at the head of the lake so perfectly set to view the surroundings.   We are so lucky to have this opportunity.

The ranger in charge of this area is 94 years old and just had a knee replacement. He is an inspiration. I want to bring dinner one night and hear all his stories.  Good living goes a long way.

All campers had a permit and followed all the rules. Hung the food bags on the pole and kept the area in pristine condition.  We are learning so much about camping in the back country.

Hiked 5 miles up to Upper Kintla Lake and needed to ford a stream. We are hilarious. It took at least a half hour to decide to just cross at the trail and go for it. All our angst was undeserved  after the successful crossing.   Part of our job is bathroom cleaning and I mean a pit toilet.  Walter is getting very good at the process.  We replaced hinges on the door, checked permits, hanging trees over camp sites, litter, and cut trees off the trail. Also dead heading invasive plants along the way.   Hot weather and we looked forward to a quick wash up in the lake on our return.


Up early to canoe back to the car. Flat water going back with  the vision of the best sticky buns ever dancing in our head.   Walter was moving that canoe so fast I have never seen that before. The freeze dried food was not the hit we were hoping for. Home sweet home with hot showers and a good glass
of wine.

The beginning

Thank goodness for the canoe

Our little cabin in the woods

At the foot of the lake

Our tiny stove and freeze dried meals 

The view from the patio

Walter the outdoors man. 

Back Country Ranger Program/ First Guests

What a week. Walter off to multiple board meetings and I was in charge of the training for back country ranger program.  Three days of  learning what is required in the back country, for example my favorite was the invasive plant ID and how to deal with them.  There were very specific instructions on when and how to use the radio to communicate with dispatch. All I remember from my early days is breaker one nine it's a smoky at mile post 10. "Over and out!  Our names are now 222wjones and 222kjones  What a handle.

We have our first back country patrol over the 4th of July. Two nights monitoring the campsites, and staying in the patrol cabin.  The weather looks good for our first adventure into the back country.  It is a 7 mile hike into the cabin the first day then another 5 miles to check on campsite number 2. Wally will have to keep his fireworks to a minimum.

Phil and Sally Franzel, Walter's business partner, were our first guests. It was great to have a touch of friends. We do miss everyone. The cabins here are very nice for those coming to MT. The rain did not stop us from hiking, playing some cards, rummy cube, and having some nice dinners out. There was even a wooden boat show on Whitefish Lake which reminded us of Lake Placid.

Worked in the nursery this week potting up some native Spirea, and pruning Cinquefoil. I do like spending time with the plants. I might get to do some planting at the Visitors Center next week.

Tip: The Eastside of Glacier is 2000 feet higher then the West.  Hiking plans need to consider elevation before heading out.  Be prepared with all weather gear, flip flops not included.

The magnificent sky

Chris catches his first fish at Placid Lake

Katie and her cousins all ready to have babies together