When we did it was to find the clinic. The rash on Olivia’s leg had flared up and we thought best to see about it. When we found the clinic, the receptionist was sitting outside enjoying life. She invited us in to the empty clinic. How wonderful is that? In a very populated place of vacationers, we were the only ones needing it. The nurse practitioner thought Olivia’s leg was infected and gave her another ointment to put on three times a day and if it doesn’t improve within three days to come back.
We drove to Lake McDonald Lodge and took a
Lodge we sat in their 
big rocking chairs and played like the rich and famous.
Returning to the campground we were visiting with neighbors when Olivia looked up and thought she saw Guy driving in. No, it wasn’t our French friend who was taking five years to go around the world, but a Swiss couple traveling for two years on our side of the world in a very similar rig. After supper Susanne and Ernest came over and we visited until dark. We found them to be a most interesting couple.
Friday, July 29 we boarded the express shuttle to ride to the top of Logan Pass, in other words the “Going to the Sun” road, which is one of the world’s most spectacular highways. Bisecting the heart of Glacier National Park it follows the shores of Lake McDonald on the west side and hugs the cliffs below the Continental Divide as it traverses Logan Pass.
Haystack Falls was one of many high falls we could see along the way. Construction on this road is a ten year project and we were
detained for about ten minutes both directions. To the south we could see the 
Lewis Range. Then ahead we could see the
top of Logan Pass. Near the top the road was just barely 
chiseled out of the rock. In all the construction they aren’t really making the road any wider, just better.
Close to the top we saw a family of mountain goats, but we were only able to snap the
baby. At the top above the visitor center we could barely make out a 
line of snow hikers angling up across from right to left. Many young folks were carrying snow boards after they had already enjoyed the slopes.
Boarding the shuttle for the return trip, we met two college students from Eastern Kentucky. They were here for ten days after taking Amtrak out to Glacier. They had backpacked on the east side and since the trail over the pass was still closed because of snow they were taking the shuttle to the west side. They were hoping to get a camping spot on the west to hike the area.
After arriving back at the transit center we treated ourselves to Huckleberry Ice Cream and headed back to the trailer for a nap.
Saturday, July 30 we slept late then gathered all the dirty clothes and headed to the laundromat. While there we met Paul & Judy from California. They were also in our campground on loop D, we were on B. We talked about a restaurant bar we had heard about that had good ribs and fried chicken outside the park.
We scouted a place to buy propane and while there found another Texas couple who had picked Huckleberries under the power lines nearby. Then we hunted for access to the lines and the restaurant. We didn’t find the eating place, so we stopped by and talked to Judy about name and exact location. Later we went to find it again, never did find, but did find another place to eat in Hungry Horse. We were able to pick up a wifi across the street from us and downloaded emails.
Later Paul & Judy rode over on their bikes to visit.
This was a nice easy day. One we really needed. Even though this area is very crowded, there are things to do and a relatively nice temperature.
Sunday, July 31, we had planned to rise early to go to the service in the campground at 8:30, but around 6 am we had a thunderstorm with a little rain. Fred was sleeping so well Olivia decided to go back to sleep and we would go to the 10:00 service at the park headquarters instead. When we arrived at the community room for the inter-denominational Worship Service we were reminded of other national parks where we had worshiped. It was lead by young adults who were associated with “A Christian Ministry in the National Parks.” found at www.acmnp.com based in Colorado. This summer more than 180 seminarians, college students and lay leaders serve in 25 national parks. They provide interdenominational services of worship, Christian activities, and fellowship opportunities for the people who live in and visit these national treasures. Several million people come into contact with this ministry each summer. We noticed many in the congregation that we had met as volunteers in the park.
When asked, we were told these students work five days a week in West Glacier in the stores such as the restaurant, gift store, grocery store, and rafting guides and the store owners provide their living quarters. On Sunday, this group of four, provides services in two campgrounds and the headquarters. Twenty-three students work in Glacier alone. This sounds like something right down Blaire’s alley. She would have a good time and make some money while serving God.
Back at the campground, we dressed for Huckleberry picking. Only thing is we should have gone in the early morning. We entered
these delicious berries. In about 45 minutes we picked about three cups of “Hucks,” and sweat was rolling off of us. The sun was out and no breeze.
We stopped and bought huckleberry ice cream on the way back to the trailer. We were not worth killing the rest of the day.
Monday, August 1 we started earlier this day to pick
Huckleberries. This time we planned a little better, didn’t go as far and found nearly two quarts.
Monday, August 1 we started earlier this day to pick Huckleberries. This time we planned a little better, didn’t go as far and found nearly two quarts.
Later in the afternoon we drove past McDonald Lake and followed Logan Creek to find the clear
turquoise water cascading beside the road. Several
waterfalls showed off the
color of the water.
Tuesday August 2, Happy Anniversary Don & Anna Kay. We arose early so we could get a spot in Wayfarer State Park south of Bigfork, MT. WRONG! They were full. Dad gum reservation system! We spent the next four hours decided where to park. We did visit with Sharon Noles Tillett for a few minutes and promised to go back to Bigfork by the weekend.
Fred found a fairly nice RV park in Kalispell and for only the second time since we left Alaska, July 11, we had Wi-Fi at the campsite. A couple of times we connected to get messages, but no time to post or research. That means 22 nights of dry camping also. That’s a record for us. We were able to dump & fill as needed, but no electricity, water or sewer at the campsite. Many of those nights were on the road, in Wal-Mart or at Glacier National Park. We stayed on the computer until bedtime.
This RV park is in conjunction with an assisted living unit. Does that make you question? What a combination!
Wednesday, August 3 we shopped, shopped and shopped some more. Then we ate Mexican food. This day increased our per deim as we bought a lot of groceries and miscellaneous items we had not wanted to buy in Canada. We spent the rest of our time on the computer researching, emailing and posting.
Thursday, August 4 we moved back to Swan Lake and found a lovely shady spot. Much better than the one we had when we were here three years ago. We did not have any service here including cell, so we drove back to a pull-out and called Sharon to let her know where we were. We will make more contact later. We drove up Six Mile road to look for Huckleberries and Fred picked a few. While waiting a couple from Houston drove by and visited with Olivia. They had bought three pounds of Flathead cherries and were finishing them off while we talked. We invited them to stop by at the camp. They didn’t stop, but we were disappointed as they were fun to visit.
Back at the trailer we vegged.
Friday, August 5 we had a mission. To pick CHERRIES! We drove to Flathead Lake and went south. In 7 miles we saw 38 cherry orchards. The first big one had
Zoot’s Orchard to send to our girls, freeze, and make cherry pepper jelly. At the south end of the lake we mailed two packages at Polson before returning home. That night Fred pitted and Olivia chopped. A “full” day in more ways than one. You know when you pick cherries, the orchard owner expects you to eat as many as you return to the office with. Afraid we couldn’t hold that many.
Saturday, August 6 Olivia got up with cherry-pepper jam in mind. The canning pot was full of jars to sterilize so the burner was turned on immediately. At 11:30 the jam was finished with a dirty stove top. Just as the jam ingredients came to a full boil, you guessed it, it boiled over. Yuck! It still had to boil for one minute after the pectin was added. Talk about stuck! For those of you who ever had the privilege of having Muddie’s “stick to your teeth candy” that had cooled. Hard as a rock! That’s what happened to the stove.
When the canned jam had finished processing, we headed to Bigfork to meet with Sharon & Doug. We made plans for Sharon to meet us on Sunday after church to go to the Art fest, then they would come later to the campground for supper. We enjoyed traveling along
Swan Lake every time we go north to Bigfork.
Sunday, August 7 we started the day at
Community United Methodist Church and met several from Texas.
We walked down a long flight of stairs to the
Bigfork Arts Festival, meeting Sharon at the bottom of the steps. We browsed the booths and met many of Sharon’s friends. We ate crepes from one booth and enjoyed watching 
Ali the noodle man keeping three huge woks filled by
chopping into the wok. Sharon said he goes all over, she has seen him in Las Vegas and Arizona. Wouldn’t it be fun to see him in Waxahachie?
Behind the Island Noodles booth was the oldest bar in Bigfork, Garden Bar, so we stopped in there to visit with Sharon’s friends Diane & Vick, and Bruce the Chamber manager over a drink.
Before we left them, we discovered Diane's sister lives in Waxahachie! Small world.
We invited her to join us at our camp when Sharon & Doug would be there for supper in our 
“dining room.” Diane is president of the Swan Lake Chamber of Commerce and brought us a t-shirt for the Huckleberry Festival to go with the Huckleberry pie Fred will make for the Lord’s Acre at our church.
Sharon and Doug brought us a big basket full of raspberries, strawberries, peas, limes, zucchini, and lettuce from their garden. It was so nice to visit with new and old friends.
Hope you have enjoyed this post to our blog, so send us your comments by clicking on one of our emails at
Olivia@bobheck.com or Fredharrington@yahoo.com
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