My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
- Start date
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Riversdad.....what's sad is that it's only about one mile of forest service roads that I cleaned up. I can't even begin to imagine how many miles of roads the Forest Service owns and maintains, how many billions of pounds of trash that are out there. Thanks for following along.....
JD.....without a doubt, I've seen over the past few years, the disrespect for our public lands increase. And it's not just the trash.....people carving stuff into rocks & trees, people shooting their guns into anything they see, and on and on. Times are changing, people are changing, and lots of it is real bad.....
We drove west, passed through Butte, Montana, then onward to Missoula, Montana, and there we finally departed the interstate and drove south. Twelve miles south of Missoula, we turned west again and headed up the Northwest Passage Scenic Highway (Route 12) to Lolo Pass (5,235') and beyond. It was finally time to leave Montana (that's the best "Welcome To" sign ever.....too bad it's being defaced).....
And drove into a new time zone.....Pacific Time.....and a new state.....Idaho.....
We made a brief stop at the Visitors Center at Lolo Pass and took this picture (it's a dog thing).....
And then continued west as we followed the meanders of the Lochsa River.....
A friend in Missoula suggested that I take this route.....she said it was beautiful and it had a wonderful hot springs. And so it was that I stopped at the Jerry Johnson Hot Springs where we hung out for a few days. I often camp along roadways and I guess this guy thought I found a good spot as he camped 20' from me (sometimes people sure are hard to figure out.....and I don't exclude myself from that critical statement). Ugh.....
It was approximately a 1.5 mile hike to the first of the 3 hot springs. It started with this footbridge across the Lochsa River.....
And then a beautiful walk through western cedars, hemlocks, and other various magnificent trees.....
You've got to love her hiking boots !
JD.....without a doubt, I've seen over the past few years, the disrespect for our public lands increase. And it's not just the trash.....people carving stuff into rocks & trees, people shooting their guns into anything they see, and on and on. Times are changing, people are changing, and lots of it is real bad.....
We drove west, passed through Butte, Montana, then onward to Missoula, Montana, and there we finally departed the interstate and drove south. Twelve miles south of Missoula, we turned west again and headed up the Northwest Passage Scenic Highway (Route 12) to Lolo Pass (5,235') and beyond. It was finally time to leave Montana (that's the best "Welcome To" sign ever.....too bad it's being defaced).....
And drove into a new time zone.....Pacific Time.....and a new state.....Idaho.....
We made a brief stop at the Visitors Center at Lolo Pass and took this picture (it's a dog thing).....
And then continued west as we followed the meanders of the Lochsa River.....
A friend in Missoula suggested that I take this route.....she said it was beautiful and it had a wonderful hot springs. And so it was that I stopped at the Jerry Johnson Hot Springs where we hung out for a few days. I often camp along roadways and I guess this guy thought I found a good spot as he camped 20' from me (sometimes people sure are hard to figure out.....and I don't exclude myself from that critical statement). Ugh.....
It was approximately a 1.5 mile hike to the first of the 3 hot springs. It started with this footbridge across the Lochsa River.....
And then a beautiful walk through western cedars, hemlocks, and other various magnificent trees.....
You've got to love her hiking boots !
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
The first hot spring that we came to was without a doubt far superior to the other two. It was at the bottom of a steep incline so not easily accessible but well worth the effort. Early morning steam rises from below.....
The cold water from the adjacent creek made for a nice spot to cool off.....
I'm guessing that the temperature of the water coming out of the rock wall was between 120 degrees to 130 degrees.....almost too hot to touch.....
It cascaded down into the man made pool below.....
It was great soaking here during the day.....
And it was great at night as well.....
We went for a hike beyond the last hot spring on the second day. It was in the glade just beyond that hot spring that I was attacked by a swarm of hornets. It wasn't until I made into the river that I was able to rid them from my body. Someone counted 20 plus stings on my back (he said he could only estimate as there were so many). My left arm was covered in bites, and my scalp was overwhelmed with bites. Oh what a day it was.....
And I still loved that damn forest.....
The following day we moved on, continuing west. We stopped to check out this historic ranger's cabin. This is all I'd ever want to retire in.....
The cold water from the adjacent creek made for a nice spot to cool off.....
I'm guessing that the temperature of the water coming out of the rock wall was between 120 degrees to 130 degrees.....almost too hot to touch.....
It cascaded down into the man made pool below.....
It was great soaking here during the day.....
And it was great at night as well.....
We went for a hike beyond the last hot spring on the second day. It was in the glade just beyond that hot spring that I was attacked by a swarm of hornets. It wasn't until I made into the river that I was able to rid them from my body. Someone counted 20 plus stings on my back (he said he could only estimate as there were so many). My left arm was covered in bites, and my scalp was overwhelmed with bites. Oh what a day it was.....
And I still loved that damn forest.....
The following day we moved on, continuing west. We stopped to check out this historic ranger's cabin. This is all I'd ever want to retire in.....
chet6.7
Explorer
I have been lucky enough to avoid hornets,your run in with them sounds painful.
I opened my pump house door,the wasps had built a nest on the inside of it...I didn't know I could still move that fast,think Walter Brennan at full speed.
The OR coast still has 6 weeks of decent weather if you find yourself out that way.
Thanks for the great pictures.
I opened my pump house door,the wasps had built a nest on the inside of it...I didn't know I could still move that fast,think Walter Brennan at full speed.
The OR coast still has 6 weeks of decent weather if you find yourself out that way.
Thanks for the great pictures.
...but it doesn’t have any wheels...
via Tapatalk on an evil pocket calculator with a flashy screen
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Chet.....I've been enjoying the whole photography thing lately. I've actually been thinking about getting my nice camera out but I'm not sure I could do any better with it. So.....
Furbucket.....real good point (lol).....
We continued following the river downstream, through the canyon, until the Lochsa River merged with the Selway River, and it now became the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River.....
I can't emphasize enough how beautiful this drive is.....it's a must do for everyone.....
We spent a night camped along the banks of the Clearwater River, near the town of Kamiah, Idaho. The following day we left the canyon, driving north.....
Our next stop would be Elk Creek Falls, the highest waterfall in Idaho, falling over 140' in a sequence of 3 falls. Always on the alert for bears or a pissed off moose, and now hornets and bees, I added mountain lions to list of predators.....
The trail to the falls begins on an abandoned wagon road. It made for nice hiking.....
The falls, of course, were superb. The lower falls.....
The middle falls.....
The upper falls.....
We stayed here for 3 days, as we wandered around Clearwater National Forest, an astonishingly beautiful forest. The large pool beneath the upper falls spoke to us.....we needed to hang out in that cool, crystal clear water.....
Furbucket.....real good point (lol).....
We continued following the river downstream, through the canyon, until the Lochsa River merged with the Selway River, and it now became the Middle Fork of the Clearwater River.....
I can't emphasize enough how beautiful this drive is.....it's a must do for everyone.....
We spent a night camped along the banks of the Clearwater River, near the town of Kamiah, Idaho. The following day we left the canyon, driving north.....
Our next stop would be Elk Creek Falls, the highest waterfall in Idaho, falling over 140' in a sequence of 3 falls. Always on the alert for bears or a pissed off moose, and now hornets and bees, I added mountain lions to list of predators.....
The trail to the falls begins on an abandoned wagon road. It made for nice hiking.....
The falls, of course, were superb. The lower falls.....
The middle falls.....
The upper falls.....
We stayed here for 3 days, as we wandered around Clearwater National Forest, an astonishingly beautiful forest. The large pool beneath the upper falls spoke to us.....we needed to hang out in that cool, crystal clear water.....
Jerry,
I have driven the Lolo Pass road numerous times heading back and forth to the coast. I always really enjoyed it but never really stopped in the area. Except there is (was?) a great bakery in Kamiah. I know that you are a bakery lover. It sounds as if you are way past it now. But something to remember in the future. Save travels man.
-Brad
I have driven the Lolo Pass road numerous times heading back and forth to the coast. I always really enjoyed it but never really stopped in the area. Except there is (was?) a great bakery in Kamiah. I know that you are a bakery lover. It sounds as if you are way past it now. But something to remember in the future. Save travels man.
-Brad
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Hey Brad.....thanks, but yea, we've moved on. Get well.....
Just by chance, I stopped at a roadside kiosk and found that I was a short drive from Idaho's largest tree. Now I'm not one that typically chases the largest, biggest, longest, etc., but it was a short drive.....
We passed through the small logging community of Elk River, Idaho.....
Eleven miles more and here we were.....
Yukon takes a seat for me so that my picture has some scale to it.....
Not too far away was yet another magnificent forest. We're lucky to have rangers like the guy referenced here. I've met some really, really good forest rangers in my travels. I appreciate them.....
And we hiked here as well. The summer flowers are winding down.....more signs of fall are prevalent.....
Typically, where you have bountiful forests, you have this.....
And this.....
So many massive piles of wood are left behind, so I couldn't understand this.....
But then, I guess I really don't need to understand.....
Just by chance, I stopped at a roadside kiosk and found that I was a short drive from Idaho's largest tree. Now I'm not one that typically chases the largest, biggest, longest, etc., but it was a short drive.....
We passed through the small logging community of Elk River, Idaho.....
Eleven miles more and here we were.....
Yukon takes a seat for me so that my picture has some scale to it.....
Not too far away was yet another magnificent forest. We're lucky to have rangers like the guy referenced here. I've met some really, really good forest rangers in my travels. I appreciate them.....
And we hiked here as well. The summer flowers are winding down.....more signs of fall are prevalent.....
Typically, where you have bountiful forests, you have this.....
And this.....
So many massive piles of wood are left behind, so I couldn't understand this.....
But then, I guess I really don't need to understand.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
We returned to the truck and camper after our day out wandering in the cedar forests. And then we returned to the upper falls, to that crystal clear pool of water.....
To say it was wonderful would certainly be an understatement.....
This photography thing must be going to my head. I actually swam under the falls with my camera. The water temperature was perfect for a swim.....
We left early on the third day.....drove north on back roads.....
Amazing !
I drove Route 97 north, along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene.....
Such a picturesque little farm.....
And slept north of the city of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, but not on this guy's property !
To say it was wonderful would certainly be an understatement.....
This photography thing must be going to my head. I actually swam under the falls with my camera. The water temperature was perfect for a swim.....
We left early on the third day.....drove north on back roads.....
Amazing !
I drove Route 97 north, along the shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene.....
Such a picturesque little farm.....
And slept north of the city of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, but not on this guy's property !
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
ITTOG.....no, it is not non stop travel. As much as I think I would like that, I've never been successful at it. I usually burn out at 6 months, sometimes less, buy a house, settle down, and start all over again. I'm currently on my longest stretch, just starting my 12th month on the road. Welcome to my journeys.....
Our next stop would be Sandpoint, Idaho, along the shores of Lake Pend Oreielle. Sandpoint, with a population of approximately 8,000, is a great place to hang out.....a bit touristy but not bad at all. I love this little town.....kind people and City Beach on the lake is beautiful. Tons of sailboats and motorboats are moored on the edge of town.....
We arrived on a Saturday morning.....a good thing and a bad thing it was. We drove right into the middle of a car show and a farmer's market.....
People everywhere.....
Once I was parked, I was loving wandering through the crowds, eating sweets and home cooked foods.....just chilling. Never before had I seen hot rods like these. I think there were half a dozen on display. They sure caught my eye.....
We stayed busy all day. It was a nice change from all the recent solitude of the national forests. Nothing wrong with people watching from a comfy chair on the walk.....
Our next stop would be Sandpoint, Idaho, along the shores of Lake Pend Oreielle. Sandpoint, with a population of approximately 8,000, is a great place to hang out.....a bit touristy but not bad at all. I love this little town.....kind people and City Beach on the lake is beautiful. Tons of sailboats and motorboats are moored on the edge of town.....
We arrived on a Saturday morning.....a good thing and a bad thing it was. We drove right into the middle of a car show and a farmer's market.....
People everywhere.....
Once I was parked, I was loving wandering through the crowds, eating sweets and home cooked foods.....just chilling. Never before had I seen hot rods like these. I think there were half a dozen on display. They sure caught my eye.....
We stayed busy all day. It was a nice change from all the recent solitude of the national forests. Nothing wrong with people watching from a comfy chair on the walk.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
We stayed in Sandpoint for 3 days.....I would have liked to stay longer but the cooler temperatures are here and there's more I'd like to see up north before moving south. We swam in the lake everyday and we stayed at the lake from sunrise 'till sunset, with brief walks into town. Serene and beautiful best describes Sandpoint.....
Sunrise at the lake.....
The miniature Staue of Liberty along the lake's shoreline made for an interesting picture.....
Often when I'm traveling strangers will ask me my story. And often the response to that story is "man, you're living the dream". I couldn't come close to count the number of times I've heard it. But the dreams of lives comes in many forms.....mine is just one. I met this guy in Sandpoint that was living his dream in another way. He'd just purchased this 2018 Ford GT 500.....
That would also be a dream of mine. I'm a car guy.....
If you don't know the car, well, only 1,000 of these beauties will be produced for the entire world. It will do 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and it's top speed is 216 miles per hour. You'd be fortunate to get one.....this guy knows the Ford family.....that was his way in.....
From Car and Driver magazine.....
"Ford’s Ferrari-fighting hypercar is a wild-styled track star worthy of its name. A twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 employs a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to route its 647 hp to the ground. An adjustable suspension, carbon-fiber construction, and active-aero elements add to the GT’s awesome performance. Big tires provide tremendous amounts of grip, and while the suspension is tuned for sport, it’s also surprisingly refined. Only 1000 will be built and each will cost more than $450,000".....
It's a dream car.....
Sunrise at the lake.....
The miniature Staue of Liberty along the lake's shoreline made for an interesting picture.....
Often when I'm traveling strangers will ask me my story. And often the response to that story is "man, you're living the dream". I couldn't come close to count the number of times I've heard it. But the dreams of lives comes in many forms.....mine is just one. I met this guy in Sandpoint that was living his dream in another way. He'd just purchased this 2018 Ford GT 500.....
That would also be a dream of mine. I'm a car guy.....
If you don't know the car, well, only 1,000 of these beauties will be produced for the entire world. It will do 0 to 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and it's top speed is 216 miles per hour. You'd be fortunate to get one.....this guy knows the Ford family.....that was his way in.....
From Car and Driver magazine.....
"Ford’s Ferrari-fighting hypercar is a wild-styled track star worthy of its name. A twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 employs a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to route its 647 hp to the ground. An adjustable suspension, carbon-fiber construction, and active-aero elements add to the GT’s awesome performance. Big tires provide tremendous amounts of grip, and while the suspension is tuned for sport, it’s also surprisingly refined. Only 1000 will be built and each will cost more than $450,000".....
It's a dream car.....
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Yep Big Dawg.....we are having a blast.....seeing America.....
We left Sandpoint, Idaho on Route 2, driving west, and then onto 395 south to Spokane, Washington. From there it was back onto Interstate 90 westbound. Not too far down the highway we stopped in Spraque, Washington hoping to find a spot to overnight. That we didn't find, but check out this collection of old junk trucks.....
This guy had quite an assortment.....
I was into it, and on the opposite side of town there were a bunch more including sedans and travel trailers.....
The locals suggested I drive a bit further west to Spraque Lake to overnight. Real nice spot but it was posted "No Camping".....
We spent that night at a truck stop. The following morning Tanner and I walked along the recently harvested wheat fields.....
Sometimes the fields are like a work of art.....
And then the sunset.....
We left Sandpoint, Idaho on Route 2, driving west, and then onto 395 south to Spokane, Washington. From there it was back onto Interstate 90 westbound. Not too far down the highway we stopped in Spraque, Washington hoping to find a spot to overnight. That we didn't find, but check out this collection of old junk trucks.....
This guy had quite an assortment.....
I was into it, and on the opposite side of town there were a bunch more including sedans and travel trailers.....
The locals suggested I drive a bit further west to Spraque Lake to overnight. Real nice spot but it was posted "No Camping".....
We spent that night at a truck stop. The following morning Tanner and I walked along the recently harvested wheat fields.....
Sometimes the fields are like a work of art.....
And then the sunset.....
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YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
And then we drove west on Interstate 90 until Moses Lake, Washington, where we departed the interstate and drove north.....again. We took a break in Soap Lake, Washington where we stumbled upon the world's largest sundial (which I assure you I was not searching for).....
Soap Lake was beautiful but I'm not too sure about that water.....
We continued north on what turned out to be quiet an amazing drive.....
The next stop would be at a visitors center to purchase our Washington state Access Permit.....don't visit this state without it. And there I saw this.....Dry Falls. Once the world's largest waterfall (as you can see).....
We continued north and spent that night in Coulee City, Washington next to this cool looking sign.....
The following morning Tanner and I walked 6 miles roundtrip to Banks Lake on an abandoned roadbed.....
I gave thought to continuing north to visit Grand Coulee Dam, but honestly I'm really not much of a fan of dams.....so it was that we continued west.....
Soap Lake was beautiful but I'm not too sure about that water.....
We continued north on what turned out to be quiet an amazing drive.....
The next stop would be at a visitors center to purchase our Washington state Access Permit.....don't visit this state without it. And there I saw this.....Dry Falls. Once the world's largest waterfall (as you can see).....
We continued north and spent that night in Coulee City, Washington next to this cool looking sign.....
The following morning Tanner and I walked 6 miles roundtrip to Banks Lake on an abandoned roadbed.....
I gave thought to continuing north to visit Grand Coulee Dam, but honestly I'm really not much of a fan of dams.....so it was that we continued west.....
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