Week 1 - We Are Off!!!

Day 1: Lone Tree Campground on the John Day River, Oregon

The preparations are done and we are on the road… finally. We got underway at 4pm after 100 last minute pit stops. We drove 3 hours and landed in a perfect spot!! Wendi picked a fabulous campground on the John Day River before it meets the Columbia River. We strolled down to the river, a sliver of its former self in the late August heat. But it was beautiful nonetheless. Something is melting off the both of us… Stress, worries, a thousand things to do and a thousand people to see. Three weeks of preparations finally come to an end and the road stretches before us. Now it is just the two of us and Astro’s ashes in his usual spot. Sitting outside, with the warm wind blowing down the canyon, wrapping around us. The sun has gone down and the warm wind is slowly, slowly cooling off.

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Day 2: Cabin City Campground, Idaho

Today was a three state day!! Pretty big day when you think about the geography that we covered - Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We had a reasonably slow start with a full and lazy pot of coffee followed by a walk for Wendi and yoga for Rog. Much needed, for the rest of the day was a long haul of hot miles and shopping for food and supplies (definitely realized we forgot stuff) in “Dry-Shitties” (Tri-Cities). In classic road trip style, we pulled up to the intended campground in the dark only to find out it was gated and closed. So we ventured up the dirt road to find a pull out for the night. Bears on the brain as Wendi leveled the camper in the dark. Just prepping for Glacier.

Days 3 and 4: Apgar Campground, Glacier National Park, Montana

Drive into Glacier was gorgeous - loved the Clark Fork River which was wide and duped me into thinking we were already in the national park!! On Day 4, the alarm buzzed early (7am early for us travelers) and we “jumped” out of bed. Today were were headed on the park shuttle up the “Going to the Sky” highway to Logan Pass. Got last minute bear spray in case I looked appetizing and easy prey. But the bears would probably roll over laughing if they saw me try to run.

The ride up was stellar, every curve a gut wrencher with fantastic views. I could not to tell which way to look because it was all dramatic. We hiked the Hidden Lake trail with every other park visitor (we now roll with that crowd). I looked up the trail at what seemed like a 1000 steps. I just had a simple ankle brace on since my usual orthotic is in the shop. I took a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other. Believe it or not, I was not the slowest hiker out there. The hike was gorgeous every step of the way. The views did not disappoint - waterfalls, jagged peaks everywhere, many big horn sheep, wildflowers in full bloom, glaciers (thank God there are some still here), marmots, and wide open meadows. What we did not see were any bears!! But the big story of the day was that a grizzly made a kill (big horn sheep) on the other popular trail and they had to close it indefinitely.

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Day 5: Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs, Montana

Long hot drive through eastern Montana where the beautiful scenery of Glacier gives way to flat, hot farmland. Nice soak in the hot springs and a saloon dinner of beef and potatoes (no vegetables on the menu).

Day 6: Cottonwood Campground, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, South Unit, North Dakota

This park was not on our radar but recommended by fellow travelers and it did not disappoint. I was blown away by the grandeur and it made me think about of the history of our planet. Beautiful campground in the cottonwoods and a 30 mile driving tour of the park with various hikes to viewpoints. Buffalo, badlands, and painted hills everywhere. This is a park of erosion from thousands of years of wind and water. As far at the eye can see, the badlands are stark and captivating. North Dakota was a pleasant surprise!!

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Day 7: Island Lake, Minnesota

The rest of North Dakota was another long, hot haul, but we crossed into the lake country of Minnesota and the temperatures dropped while the landscaped transitioned back to green!! Spent the night boon docking at a public access boat lunch. Serenaded by loons all night!!!

Day 8: Leech Lake, Minnesota

Slowed down and took a day to shower, do laundry and get caught up. Beautiful lake country and reminds me so much of Ontario cottage country. No leeches seen!!

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Day 9: King Lake, Michigan

Last night in the United States!! Woohoo!! Took a gamble and drove down a long dirt road seeking a camp site on a lake. Low and behold, we found a gorgeous one that looked like we were on a Canadian canoe trip. So ready for Canada!!! Plus woke up to Sand Hill Cranes and a deer swimming by in the lake. And discover Michigan pasties (meat pies) so we filled our freezer.

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Roger’s Editorial:

Thus far, our trip has reminded me that we are small and our presence here is fleeting, From the canyons of the John Day River, to the mountain peaks of Glacier, to the vast prairie and badlands of Montana and North Dakota, to the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota; I have been humbled amongst such grandeur. It makes me feel small—not insignificant, but relieved of the illusion that my problems, even cancer, are the whole of my world.