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Big Sky, Big Mountains. That sums up Montana. Its amazing that the places where you spend the most time are sometimes the places that you expected to just pass through. It happened for us in Germany and now appears to be happening here in Montana. After leaving Yellowstone we decided to observe Independence Day in Missoula. As it is a holiday, we spent the day relaxing in the sun/shade (that was me), reading a book cover to cover (that was me too) and generally chilling out. For Dean, it also meant relaxing ( but in full sun) and reading a book (he got through half a book), and turning pink in the process. Admittedly it was a longer book than mine but i have already read it! I expected more of a to do around the place being the 4th of July, but it was very quiet and apart from the sound of fireworks at night, it remained that way. To celebrate the 4th of July we ate at Famous Dave's Barbeque restaurant and his ribs are rightly famous. Dean has to remember that when you order 'beans' you need to specify 'green beans' if thats what you want otherwise you
get smokey baked beans, which is ok if you like them. As I had ordered green beans, we did a swap. Needless to say, there was a certain aroma permeating the van that night! We moved to Polson the next day, only 100 miles up the road, passing the Mission Mountains and camping just out of Polson overlooking Flathead Lake. The Blackfoot Indians in the region have managed to retain a lot of their land through a treaty and it is the first time we have seen their native language on signs as well as english. It is a bit incomprehensible with little 'w's sitting above some letters as well as 'j's and other macrons, but it is good to see the language alive in written form. We have headed up the eastern side of Flathead Lake today, towards Glacier National Park. It is beautiful countryside, with the mountains on one side and the lake on the other, with forest in between. It is cherry growing country and there are many small and large orchards interspersed with the forest. It must be a beautiful sight when they are all blossoming, pink and white and surrounded by the green forest. We
had planned to drive through Glacier National Park, on the road called 'Going to the Sun' but this was not to be. The road was closed 16 miles into the park from both entrances. It normally only opens in mid June anyway, and with the particularly harsh winter they have had, they are still repairing roads. The part that we were able to access was very scenic and busy! We are now camped under the trees in a campground in West Glacier. No mosquitoes this time...now there are flies! Has anyone ever been driven insane by flies and mosquitoes or does that just explain Australians? (sorry Aussies) I try to be ecologically friendly but when it comes to pesky little insects that land on you, hand me the spray!!!! I think it is also the reason why they have fire pits at each campsite as the smoke does keep the critters at bay. We have indulged in a few fires over the last few days. I have also invested in a tablecloth after seeing the squirrels sitting on the picnic tables. They are quite cute but that do have a certain 'rodent' look about them and they probably pee on there as well as other unseen creatures, so in the interests of more vigilant hygiene, a checked tablecloth is now in our possession!
Love to all at home. Thank you for the messages saying that you are enjoying reading about our travels. It also provides a good record for us as with each new experience you tend to forget what went before until you look at photos or read journals. Keep safe and be happy,
Shelley and Dean.xxx
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Gaylene
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Gotta love those sqweerls. ;P