My Journey

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

We finally paid a visit to the National Bison Range, located just across the highway from St. Ignatius.....





There's really not too much going here.....a few trails for hiking.....but mostly it's a two hour drive on a dirt road through the mountains.....





Most of the bison were congregated down low, near the river.....we saw just a few others along the way.....





As I was driving I couldn't help to imagine what this area looked like when there were thousands of Bison roaming the open lands.....and imagining the Native Americans living on the lands.....



I finished the day with a cool swim in the Jocko River.....



While the dogs hung out in the camper.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

From St. Ignatius, my plan was to go north, but there was one more place I wanted to visit before hitting the road again. So I backtracked and drove a bit south to the Jocko Valley, and just to the east of Arlee, Montana is the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas.....



I've always had an interest in Buddhism so I was excited to check the place out......





Definitely a chill place and honestly, I was surprised at the number of visitors that dropped in while I was there. Certainly not your typical Montana tourist attraction.....





Lots of Buddhas for sure.....







I spent a last night in St. Ignatius.....and then drove north.....

 

[BigDawwg]

Hey Jerry, how are you, Good I hope, looks to be you are having a "Fine" Time there in Montana, that is "Pretty-Country" for sure, and I miss it so, Alaska is pretty nice as well,,,,, but I miss being able to just Cut-Loose, and just Travel for miles, and miles,,,, and then there are still more miles to travel after that,,,,, Not so much up here in the "Last-Frontier", anyway, best of luck in your Travels, and be Safe.
A note for you about the "Buffalo" currently in the FlatHead Valley area, ...ie there were "No" Buffalo West of the Continental Divide, the farthest West they made it was the Big-Hole Valley, ...ie East Side of the Continental Divide.
BD

 

[longhorn1]

Very nice. Some places to investigate on future Montana trips. jd

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Big Dawwg.....I understood what you're saying about Alaska and I feel the same. Spent a year there in the 70's and now I just prefer to visit the place. You peaked my interest considering the range of the Bison. Check out the map below. Is this what you were referring to ? Their original range ?



JD.....I'm really trying to see the stuff I've ignored in the past while still enjoying the usual spots.....

Driving north along Route 93 we passed the eastern shores of Flahead Lake, possibly the most beautiful lake in the continental U.S. We continued north and our next stop would be in Kalispell, Montana. Years back some locals told me about Foys Lake, just east of town......and I never miss this local waterhole when I'm in town. We went swimming.....until the sun set.....



Spent a night at the Walmart and then drove east towards Glacier National Park. Both Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks have an adverse effect on me.....my anxiety level sky rockets.....people get stupid in these parks. So I stayed outside the park in the Flathead National Forest. It's free, beautiful, and much less people.....



The road follows the western boundary of Glacier and parallels the North Fork of the Flathead River.....



Tanner and I were walking along the paved part of the road when a bear popped out of the forest. YES !!!! Yep, it's not a Park Kitchens quality shot but I finally got a picture of one.....



I stopped in at the Polebridge Mercantile, famous for it's baked goods (the Amish rule this in my book). There's also a saloon here, rental cabins, and not sure what else.....





Lots of dust to deal with and it's a real issue for a walker like me.....



It seems that everybody here is in a hurry. I guess most people just don't have the time to slow down as I wish they would. It's unfortunate.....



We found ourselves a spot to camp right outside the western entrance to the park. It was time to kayak the Flathead River.....

 

[BigDawwg]

Hey Jerry,,,,, yea, I've seen that depiction before, it's alittle Zealous in it's over-lay, take a look at these attachment's, the one is a pretty good read.
BD

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Jerry,

Enjoying the updates. I spent three years in Missouri and have fond memories of the Amish and Mennonites. I can still see the roadside stands, and the smell of the ceder they worked with. Amazing quality, and products; a great way of life.

Happy Trails & Safe Travels

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

BigDawwg.....I guess at the end of the day, who cares where they roamed ? Right ? It was all my imagination at work anyhow.....sitting on a bluff, looking at the magnificent scenery, and loving the life.....

PNWY.....yea, so simple.....

Like I mentioned, I spent some time on the North Fork of the Flathead River starting near the border between the U.S. and Canada. I took a ton of pictures.....here's a sampling of panoramas as I floated south.....



















And here I stopped for lunch. The fishermen tell me that this particular pool of water is 30 feet deep. I can tell you it was crystal clear water and it was ice cold.....and I loved this too.....

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

I spent a lot of time on the river, and like I said, I took quite a few pictures.....so here's a few more.....

















I saw several groups in rafts that were doing long trips down the river, camping along the river banks. I'd love to get into that stuff.....



This shot is the Jeep along the river at one of the put in / take out spots. These things are not well marked at times.....missing your take out is a scary thought.....

 

[BigDawwg]

Hey Jerry,,,,,, looks like your having a "BLAST", that is some PRETTY COUNTRY, some of your Photos on the River look familiar, as back in the day, had some real-good friends that lived in Eureka, and we would bust over the mountains and Fly-Fish that area, some "Good" memories for sure.
Take Care & be Safe;
BD

 

[jim krikit]

I recognize the half sticker on the front of your Kayak. OCEAN DIVERS Key Largo, FL They are right down the street from me.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

BD.....thank you.....

jim krikit.....that's right. Years ago I took my oldest son on a trip to Florida and he did his first ocean dives there. Those were the greatest days of my life.....

Once I'd had my fill of kayaking, I decided I just couldn't leave the area without at least driving into the park.....



And it was exactly what I knew it would be.....too many people and too many vehicles. What a shame it is cause Glacier National Park is one amazing park. I spent half a day in the park, driving as far as Logan Pass, then it was a U-turn and gone we were.....







At this point we were low on groceries so we continued west, left the park, and returned to Kalispell......





Since I've yet to purchase a new home, I enter every new town with the thought.....could I live here ? It's really an interesting way to look at things. It's hard to explain my thoughts when it comes to this. But I liked Kalispell.....a lot.....it's large enough, yet it's still small enough. I feel like it's yet to be discovered.....seems like a lot of good people have landed here.....





It's in the middle of bear country.....



Probably one of the more interesting homeless guys I've ever encountered.....he tells me that's an airplane that he tows on his bicycle and he's yet to get it off the ground.....

 

[BigDawwg]

Hey Jerry,,,, you had asked me awhile back about a Photo of my Co-Pilot,,,, well, he has moved on, and took a "Job" with the "Big-Guy" Up-Stairs...... , anyway you know the Story, so I went out and "Recruited" a new 2nd Seat, say Hello to Murphy.

 

[Grenadiers]

Love your posts, however, your photos, at least on my internet service and computer, are very slow to download. I see your windows on your new camper look like Seitz windows? If so, caution in high wind when open, we lost one in our camper, the wind lifted the window, broke the plastic arms and the window took off! The window hit the ground, and 400 dollars later (from Europe), I have a new window! I have since taped the hinge on all of our windows, and close the windows in high wind. The arms might still break but are cheaper to replace.

 

[ClayH]

As always, a great story and great pics!