2021-11 Montana

 

2021-11

Old grain silo along Montana's cattle and some sheep ranches
rolling hills covered in grasses and hay

Wild flower at Grasshopper Campground

Montana, Lincoln

Campground: Lincoln, Hooper Park. $25 30 amp electric, water. No dump station. Use the gas station down the street. Scruffy looking park with one section having very tall fir trees, possibly Douglas fir. Grass has not been cut all season by the looks of it. Most sites are dry camp sites, no hook-ups. But they appear to be the nicer sites among-st the trees.

only a few campsites with electric, not a well maintained park.
doesn't look like the grass has been cut all season.

Campground: Lewis and Clark National Forest, Grasshopper campground. $10 water available from a hand pump, pit toilets. Each site has picnic table, fire ring and forested settings. $5 senior rate. Nice stream running between most of the sites.

forest road leading to Grasshopper Campground

took the first campsite, next to a stream
large picnic table.

Campground: Lewistown, Kiwanis club sponsored rest stop/free overnight camping. Donations are requested. Nice setup on the edge of town. Easy in and out. Water available.

no photo

Campground: Malta Montana, Trafton Park. A city park with playgrounds/ball fields. Unmarked campsites. Pick a spot near a picnic table. Water available. camping:  $5.00

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Lincoln Montana: hwy 200

ordered a chicken Cesar salad
iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, green pepper, onion and time chucks of
chicken,oh my

I understand the historic society is rebuilding this log cabin

in Hooper park where I'm staying
the skate board/bike area very popular

I hadn’t planned on writing anything about Lincoln, as it’s one of the many small towns along the back roads. This one got it’s start with mining and lumber. In 1898, an old horse named Ol Mike, tripped on a rock of lead and copper kicking off the mining industry in these parts. But before that all occurred, Meriwether Lewis had split off from The Lewis and Clark expedition heading back east in 1806 passing through here with the intent to document more of the country. So much history can be found passing through these small towns.

Note: ATV’s are very popular around here. With some using them as daily transportation around town. Lots of them are in the campground as well. Very respectful, not speeding around in the campground.

Blackfoot Pathways, Sculpture in the Wild

The reason I’m writing about this small town is the establishment of one of the most unusual Art Installations I’ve ever come across. All designed to be a part of the local area and the Ponderosa Pine Forest it sits in. Which resides in the Lewis and Clark National Forest on the edge of town. Major environmental artists from all over the world came here to create spectacular pieces of art. Made from natures materials and providing insight in an artistic way of the people and places around here. There is an ongoing program to continue creating art through this organization.

Oh, and I discovered it by chance by checking out the app Atlas-of-the-Obscure. Just like so many other travelers, I could easily have overlooked this Art exhibit as there is no visitor center in town and only one sign pointing to the location.

The Sculpture in the Wild was only a very short walk or ride on my bike from my campsite. What a spectacular morning to enjoy a walk through the Ponderosa Pine forest. Pathways lead to each of the sculptures in their natural settings.

Some of my Favorites:

The Tee Pee Burners 

Montana Memory: by Kevin O’Dwyer, Ireland. The Tee Pee Burners were a part of the lumber industry as far back as the late 1800’s. This art installation of a Tee Pee Burner in the park can be enjoyed inside and outside by it’s form. It is one of the original Tee Pee Burners. The interior is used for presentations and has some photos from the area around the side walls depicting the height of the lumber industry.

Picture Frame: by Jaakko Pernu, Finland.

Picture Frame: by Jaakko Pernu, Finland. A large frame made of wood, the interior are pieces of branches intertwined. The perspective is “a huge picture frame allows you to assimilate the endeavor of mankind comparing it to nature.”

House of Sky: by Alan Counihan, Ireland.

House of Sky: by Alan Counihan, Ireland. Inspired by a Montana writer who described “… a single great house of sky”.

The Tree Circus: by Patrick Dougherty, USA.

The Tree Circus: by Patrick Dougherty, USA. The design was to be a part of the surrounding Ponderosa Pines. Whimsical and enchanting from my perspective. So many more, but I won’t try to describe all of them. The pictures will have to do.

The walk among the tall Ponderosa, the natural undergrowth, wild flowers and simple dirt pathways made for a very full-filling experience and some exercise without even knowing it. Glad I decided to stay in the area for a few days. Note: this is not a comprehensive list of all the art pieces. you’ll have to come visit to see them all.

exterior made from burnt wood
interior open to the sky
had a magical glow

is it under construction, or is it falling apart

largest collection of newspapers used in an art exhibit

nature

I decided to take a not so direct route on my way to Lewistown. A town I happened to pick to have my mail delivered “general delivery”. Instead, I ended up at the Grasshopper Campground and visit to the Castle Ghost Town. Grasshopper is one of those national forest campgrounds, tucked away in the Lewis and Clark NF. A nice stop for a few days. Lots of shade as I’m just beginning to get into the hotter parts of the country. Met some nice folks from the Salt Lake City area as well. They are traveling in a Class B camper. Not quite retired yet, but getting close.

along the county roads

Grasshopper Campground

view from my campsite

Rather than take the 15 mile dirt road from the campground to the ghost town, I got back on pavement and drove around to the opposite end, where I’d only have to go a couple of miles on a much better section of the dirt road. Hardly a single other car on the paved back-roads I was taking. Course I had to stop for the herd of cattle that were being moved from one pasture to the next. Caused quite a traffic jam for one (me). But I was able to drive slowly through the herd of cattle with no incidents.

The Castle Ghost town is on private property, but I was able hike through the thick scrubby vegetation to get to the few remaining buildings. I didn’t go inside any as they were pretty much falling down. And I might add I almost fell into a hole near one of the structures. Note to self, watch where your walking.

Onto Lewistown where I picked up my mail. The town is a pretty nice old western town. Many shops still open and active in the downtown area. Unlike so many small towns that are practically deserted. The heat has arrived and is expected to reach the 100 degree mark throughout the next week. I’m relocating to another small town that has a city park for $5 a night, and some large cottonwood trees for shade. Will stay a few days before my trek east and onto Northern Michigan to visit my sister Ann.

More pictures:

Grasshopper campground and Castle Ghost Town

Blackfoot Pathways, Sculpture in the Wild, the Lincoln NF

2021-10 Crossing Washington State heading to Idaho

 

2019-10

Leaving the Olympia Peninsula
hwy 2 across Washington State
Iowa Panhandle

Highway 2 heading to: Leavenworth, Wenatchee, and Spokane

Campground: Evergreen Fairgrounds. 30 amp electric and water. Dump station available. $25. Real basic, large sites, gravel parking lot style.

Campground: Nason NF campground. Dry camping. Water available, restrooms. $11 senior rate. 40% non reserve able. Stunning forest and river views for most campsites. 3 days, hated to leave.

Campground: Coulee City Park. $35.00. Full hookups, swimming lake, paved walking path. Town it deserted. Been here before. Self pay using credit card. Recently increased $5.00

Campground: Northern Quest Resort and Casino. Rv park available. $45 ?. Free dry camping in parking lot. Check in with security/sign in.

Campground: Coeur d’Alene Idaho, Beauty Creek Campground NF. $8. For day use pass as there were no campsites available. Stayed overnight in front parking area. Ok for one night.

Campground: Nice level smooth dirt parking area next to river, Wallace ID. Free camp spot, boondocking. Pretty cool spot couple of trees for shade and next to river.

Campground: 50,000 Silver Dollar Inn/Casino, free Rv park. Behind the Inn, campsites including 30 and 50amp service. Look for the gray boxes on telephone poles. Two campers can use one box. Dirt sites with trees between each site. Additional sites with no electric available.

Campground: Cracker Barrel. Free overnight parking.

Leaving the Olympia Peninsula

Under 30 ft, $46.40 1st ferry ride
$34.25 2nd ferry ride

saved the need to drive through
Seattle, a once cool city, now 
filled with homeless living on the street

I took the ferry from Port Townsend to Whidbey Island and then onto the mainland heading out on hwy 2. I would have loved to have stayed in Port Townsend and Whidbey Island for a couple of days, but the weather was still overcast and light rain. So instead, I continued my journey, finally heading east for the remainder of the summer until veering south to Florida in the fall.

No friendly visits this time around
but sure enjoyed this national forest campsite

even had time to relax, sit back and read a book

I was hoping to visit friends in Leavenworth, but with the newly lifted restrictions here in Washington state, I felt very uncomfortable being in anyplace with more than even a couple of people. One small town called “Plain” where I did my laundry, not a single person in town was wearing a mask. And the governor hadn’t quite declared the state mask free. Met a woman and husband who were clearly Anti-vacers. She refused to talk about it in the laundromat, as I put on my mask. Oh well. I’m sure I’ll get used to the “new norm” soon enough.

heading into the small town of Plain

a scene along hwy 2

Heading up through hwy 2 through the Cascade Range was pretty awesome. Even saw snow still on the ground as I traversed the highest pass. One of the few areas in the country to receive heavy snow this past winter.

Leavenworth. An Austrian style resort town surrounded by beautiful mountains and river flowing through the town. Charming for sure. They were certainly open to tourists and even were having some kind of festival on the weekend that I was departing the area. Oddly, at least to me, it appeared they had little regular stores for the local shoppers. Most of the town is devoted to gift shops, wine stores and restaurants from what I’ve seen. Not wanting to mix with crowds, I didn’t get to enjoy the place this time around. Weekends, the traffic is almost unbearable. Mainly my reason for heading out Friday morning.

Washington wayside stops/picnic tables, boat launch facilities, gravel parking lots, are gradually all becoming “fee” areas. A sign on highway 2 leading into Leavenworth, indicating a pull-off with a couple of picnic tables and a pit toilet was under review and would soon be charging for any brief stop you may have in mind. Needless to say, not a fan.

Washington State is in the process
of adding fees for even wayside stops, picnic table
even parking lots at fishing spots

Washington wants you to pay when 
stopping to enjoy their beautiful land

I had planned on staying at a boat launch facility near Coulee City, but forgot it was a Washington fee area. Couldn’t pay, as I would need to go online (no internet access) to pay. Ended up driving back to Coulee City Park and paid the $35 campground fee.

So, to compensate, I found a casino outside of Spokane that permits free overnight stays in their parking lot. Works for me.

one night parking at a Casino
before hitting Spokane Washington

Spokane Washington

Awesome bike paths throughout the city

well paved biking and walking paths

lots of new housing units along the bike paths, boarding the river

a surprising, upscale town
very modern in look and feel

Enjoyed riding one of there many paved bike/walking paths in and around the city. A very nice yuppy type modern town. Divided by the Spokane River with a lot of bridges crossing the river and even walking and bike bridges. They hosted the 1974 Worlds Fair and there are numerous buildings from that era along the Riverfront park. I could easily spend more time in this upscale city, so easy to get around in.

a waterfall right in the heart of the city

can you tell I really enjoyed this town

Spokane, a city of bridges, both pedestrian and vehicle

many stunning parks throughout town

the bike paths went under and over many bridges

Coeur d’Alene Idaho

I didn't spend any time in Coeur d’Alene Idaho since the campground
didn't have space for me.
the town is growing and experiencing excessive tourist invasions from 
Washington.  To the point the city is thinking of charging extra $$$$
for everything from boat launch fees, parking etc.

Wallace Idaho

Not far from Spokane and I was in the panhandle of Idaho. I stayed at Beauty Creek Campground NF for one night. They didn’t have any camp spots available, or I probably would have stayed a couple of days longer. But I was excited to get a bit further along on hwy 90 to the town of Wallace ID. What a neat old mining town. A really nice town around a couple square blocks worthy of exploring for those antique stores, thrift stores, a couple good tourist shops and restaurants.

 Pulaski Tunnel Trail.
Chronicles the massive 1910 fires

 Pulaski Tunnel Trail.

 Pulaski Tunnel Trail.

I even went on the Pulaski Tunnel Trail. For this flat lander, the hike was a bit much rising to about 800 ft over a couple of miles. The trail chronicles the major forest fires of 1910 which covered much of the west and mid-western states. The trail leads to an overlook of the tunnel that some fire fighters got to for survival as the forest fires overcame them.

I'll be darned if I didn't make it to
the Center of the Universe

Hiawatha Bike Trail.

A crowd forms before heading out on
the Hiawatha Bike Trail
The BEST Rails to Trails path in the country

first view after exiting the 1.6 mile tunnel

and the first views of the country I'd be traveling
through on the Hiawatha bike trail

But the grand adventure was only about another 7 miles down the road where I got tickets to go on the Hiawatha Bike trail with return ride back on a shuttle bus. The brochure says it’s considered the “Crown Jewel” of all Rail-to-Trail projects in the country. It’s a one of a kind adventure for bike riders, covering 15 miles one way, mostly down hill. 10 tunnels, 7 sky high steel trestles. AWESOME!!!!!

The first tunnel right at the starting gate is 1.66 mile long St Paul Pass Tunnel. It is really cold, dark and wet. I had extra layers of clothing and jacket just for this section along which of course I took off after exiting the tunnel. Covered in splatters of mud being kicked up while riding through the pitch black tunnel. Listening to water streaming down from the ceiling and walls and splashing up on us bikers. Our bike head lights and blinking red rear lights were little match for the darkness.

Exiting the first of 10 tunnels, I was greeted by a waterfall. Though there were lots of bikers, once on the trail, we all dispersed and I found I was often riding the trail on my own. Only to meet up with other bikers at the many posted history boards along the way, stopping at all of the tunnels and sky high trestles to drink in the mountain views covered in the thickest carpet of firs and evergreens.

the first half of the journey was over
very smooth roads

one of many trestle bridges

With all the stops and picture taking, it took a few hours. The second half of the journey was a bit rugged as the smooth trail which followed the abandoned Milwaukee RR grade became rough gravel. Had a lot of bikers commenting on liking my e-bike, in particular because of it’s fat tires. Making my ride just a bit more comfortable than most of the bikes over the bouncy terrain.

I hardly took advantage of having the power assist from the e-bike since is was a gradual downward grade. By the way, the original Milwaukee trains were all electric. Having power lines over the tracks. The story boards along the way had tons of information that any train enthusiast would appreciate.

Little Zippy did me proud, what an awesome journey

lots of railroad history to read 
along the bike trail

those rail bridges were went way,  way down Wow

interesting history of the silk trade before the great depression

The return ride on the converted school bus for passengers and our bikes was almost as exciting as the ride down on our bikes. The dirt road carved out of the side of the mountain, twisted and turned, with barely enough room for one bus…. We passed two on our ride back to the Long tunnel entrance. Ekk. Needless to say, I did NOT look over the edge as we were driven back to our starting point.

Talk about making memories for a lifetime. I made a couple on this weeks journey for sure.

More pictures

Idaho, Wallace, Hike, and HIAWATHA BIKE Trail (195 pictures)

Spokane Washington, Bike ride into town, along river, and Coulee City (139 pictures)