Those Kids in Their Van With That Crazy Dog

As we have been traveling around and exploring new places, we have come to realize that we can't really stay in one place too long before we become "those kids in that van with their cray dog." The van doesn't exactly blend in, and just a couple drive throughs of a new town to figure things out and we're pretty easily recognized. Then we get out of the car with a super excited, possibly lunging and pulling, Kiska, and well, we are instantly notorious.

This past week we have made our way down out of Canada, and crossed the border back into the States, Montana to be specific. We traveled down the west side of the Rockies, passing through Kootenay National Park as we left Banff, and coming into Montana a bit north of Whitefish. We stayed one night in Invermere, a nice little lake town where we had a picnic dinner, and Kelsey enjoyed one of the best lattes ever at The Corner Cafe for breakfast the next morning. That afternoon we went for a splendid hike in the Premier Lake Provincial Park, before settling in for the night at a campground on North Star lake, just a few miles north of the US border.


One of the three lakes we passed on our hike


It was finally sunny and warm enough again to wear a tank hiking!


Stoking the fire to grill Nate's steak for dinner and a peach for dessert that we ate in combination with a cinnamon swirl cookie, perfect!

We left pretty early the next morning and headed towards Montana! We made it easily across the border, just a few jokes from the border agent about having any drugs since our van looks capable and we also happen to be from Oregon. We then continued down the highway to Whitefish, MT for the night where we had a great sunset over Whitefish Lake and cooked delicious burgers for dinner, topped with good sharp cheddar, roasted red pepper, fresh spinach and served on bread from a local bakery.


Sunset out the camper tent window as we made dinner

The next day it was off to Glacier National Park. We drove up the Going to the Sun Road as far as it was open, and then hiked up to Avalanche Lake. Unfortunately it was a boring day for Kis, as dogs aren't allowed in the park, but she got some good napping time in the car. The hike followed a creek up to the lake, which was set in a little bowl of peaks with cascading waterfalls rolling down into the lake. Definitely a beautiful hike, and we made it back to the camper just before a torrential mid day squall hit.


Avalanche creek swirling down through the rock


Enjoying the view at the lake and the falls

The rain lifted and we drove down past Lake McDonald and around to do another short hike at Rocky Point and enjoy more spectacular views.


Falls along the Going to the Sun Road


Lake McDonald

Monday we headed out to the Jewel Basin recreation area, where we did some hiking and even took a try at fishing in the lakes! It was such an amazingly beautiful area, definitely one of the top places we've been so far. It was an extra bonus that it was a warm and clear afternoon and the fall colors were in full display, with even some wildflowers mixed in.












We camped at the trailhead that evening and had plans to hike again in the morning, but woke up to pouring rain and so decided to make our way down to Missoula.


Kiska's new sleeping position on the shelf by the back seat, and the cribbage game that Kelsey is about to win after Nate had come back from a 7-0 disadvantage to tie the series at 7-7!

The last three nights we have spent in the wonderful hospitality of Bill and Claudia Possiel, which we have been so thankful for as the rain has not let up in that time. We've had a chance to explore Missoula, did a little shopping downtown, went to the Museum and art galleries, took Kiska to the dog park too! It was extremely nice to have a beautiful home to return to, and even do a little cooking with an oven as Kelsey made brownies!