Didn't get going as early as we would have liked, but at least we didn't have a crazy long day in front of us. North Dakota has its beauty, but that sure wears off after a while. It started to seem like the state that wouldn't end. Pit-stopped for lunch in Jamestown at Subway to bookend our trip. Dairyqueen in Fergus just about sums it up.
All in all, this was another outstanding trip. We definitely had a couple low points (Attn: Olympics), but what trip doesn't. It was so cool getting to see so many people we knew and take in a good mix of cities and nature. Glad to be back. And glad to still have a few weeks to kick around before we're back to the grind like everyone else.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Day 17: really headed home now
Before continuing our trek east, the Nefzgers wanted to bring us to Crystal Lake- a national forest campground with trails not too far from their house. They had been here prior to moving, but it was their first time returning. It's absolutely gorgeous- tucked away from the state highway, which in itself doesn't get a lot of traffic, and its still a 30 min gravel road drive from there. We had wanted to get a run in, so Tim pointed us towards the trail head of the Ice Caves. I knew this would be a good amount of up hill, but went for it anyway. It was 11 miles round trip, with 2000 ft elevation gain up to 8700. I broke down and walked for a couple of the middle miles once it got really steep- but it was actually pretty easy running once you hit the mountain tops. The view was outstanding; you could see for 100 miles both north and south. Kate didn't quite make the top- but really enjoyed the run/hike as well. Still made it high enough up to get some good views. At the top, there is a series of caves still with snow and ice in them. Evidently it is there year-round. The last hike we did this trip was probably the best.
We lingered around for a late lunch, then hit the road, bound for however far we could get. There aren't a lot of towns between Lewistown and the interstate, it's sparsely populated rolling hills. We were surrounded by massive thunderheads with lightning on most sides and fairly heavy winds, but experienced very little rain. Nothing quite like watching Thunderstorms whip up on the plains.
Glendive had a good pizza place for a late dinner, and we decided to push on a little further to shorten the drive for tomorrow. We were able to make Dickinson and settled for a nice, but cheap hotel off the interstate.
We lingered around for a late lunch, then hit the road, bound for however far we could get. There aren't a lot of towns between Lewistown and the interstate, it's sparsely populated rolling hills. We were surrounded by massive thunderheads with lightning on most sides and fairly heavy winds, but experienced very little rain. Nothing quite like watching Thunderstorms whip up on the plains.
Glendive had a good pizza place for a late dinner, and we decided to push on a little further to shorten the drive for tomorrow. We were able to make Dickinson and settled for a nice, but cheap hotel off the interstate.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Day 16: deeper into the guts of mt
Ate some breakfast with Mel at a local bakery before she headed off to work. I guess people have to do that most mornings. We lingered around a little, letting the food settle, then hit a run, Helena being probably one of the last places with good trails until Fargo. There's a super large city park in town, like 680 acres. It's also incredibly hilly. I did maybe two miles before throwing up the white play and heading back to city streets. There's another flatter bike path paralleling railroad tracks in town as well as Carroll college for a little barefoot running. I always love learning something about another town.
Back on the road, we made for great falls. I 15 links up with the Missouri River for a beautiful stretch in between the two.
Next up, we swung east on highway 200, bound for lewistown, mt. A former colleague of ours just moved there and while it's a little out of the way, we figured now was as good a time as any to visit and really not much more driving on the grand scheme of things.
This is a desolate highway. Not a great place for the car to break down. We've already gotten that out of the way for the trip, so we were alright. As well exited the Rockies, I wondered what the heck drew him out here. He's a big trout fisherman and hunter, but it seemed like we were entering the plains. Every so often though, you'd see a small range pop up on horizon. By the turn off for his house, we had three or four surrounding us and the hale fields that 200 cut through.
The nefzgers live 15 minutes off the highway down a gravel road, butting up against the foothills of the big snowing mountains. They are renovating a log cabin on 20 some acres with fantastic views all around. They are a few years out from retirement yet, but they'd been eyeing a move for a while and specifically had lewistown on the list. When a science and facs job popped up this spring, it was their calling to go for it.
They took us into town for dinner at mint. It's a surprisingly good restaurant with everything from steak and ribs to ahi tuna or fresh walleye. Very unexpected in central Montana. We swung by the school and caught up way into the night. I think we're both glad we made the effort to see them.
Part of the town tour included a stop at this bar. A trout stream literally runs underneath it. It was cool, but we all agree they need to run this the length of the bar.
Back on the road, we made for great falls. I 15 links up with the Missouri River for a beautiful stretch in between the two.
Next up, we swung east on highway 200, bound for lewistown, mt. A former colleague of ours just moved there and while it's a little out of the way, we figured now was as good a time as any to visit and really not much more driving on the grand scheme of things.
This is a desolate highway. Not a great place for the car to break down. We've already gotten that out of the way for the trip, so we were alright. As well exited the Rockies, I wondered what the heck drew him out here. He's a big trout fisherman and hunter, but it seemed like we were entering the plains. Every so often though, you'd see a small range pop up on horizon. By the turn off for his house, we had three or four surrounding us and the hale fields that 200 cut through.
The nefzgers live 15 minutes off the highway down a gravel road, butting up against the foothills of the big snowing mountains. They are renovating a log cabin on 20 some acres with fantastic views all around. They are a few years out from retirement yet, but they'd been eyeing a move for a while and specifically had lewistown on the list. When a science and facs job popped up this spring, it was their calling to go for it.
They took us into town for dinner at mint. It's a surprisingly good restaurant with everything from steak and ribs to ahi tuna or fresh walleye. Very unexpected in central Montana. We swung by the school and caught up way into the night. I think we're both glad we made the effort to see them.
Part of the town tour included a stop at this bar. A trout stream literally runs underneath it. It was cool, but we all agree they need to run this the length of the bar.
Day 15: deviating from the grind that is I 90
Laundry and a run slowed down the start to our day, but we were only trying for Helena. We had debated the quick, no nonsense return, but settled on visiting a couple friends off the beaten path in Montana. We pit stopped at kettle house brewing again (get there if you are ever driving through) and struck off for Helena. It's fun, it didn't seem that far away from where we were camping, but is a really big freaking state!
We made it in time for some tacos and a stroll around town. It's definitely a lot sleepier than Missoula. It seems very small, but they have a cool pedestrian only street downtown and a lot of historic buildings. Also a very good homemade ice cream place. Which is good because I really try to maintain a healthy intake even if I'm on vacation.
Mel seemed like she was doing well. She had some kind of a contracted government job teaching employees how to use new software. Her apartment was in walking distance of downtown and she could afford a 2 bedroom by herself. Probably a little daunting moving to a new city by yourself- especially a rather small one at that, but there are worse places in the world to get stuck in. She was in the right mindset, beginning to collect backpacking gear and purchasing her Montana hiking guide. Probably not a half bad life.
We made it in time for some tacos and a stroll around town. It's definitely a lot sleepier than Missoula. It seems very small, but they have a cool pedestrian only street downtown and a lot of historic buildings. Also a very good homemade ice cream place. Which is good because I really try to maintain a healthy intake even if I'm on vacation.
Mel seemed like she was doing well. She had some kind of a contracted government job teaching employees how to use new software. Her apartment was in walking distance of downtown and she could afford a 2 bedroom by herself. Probably a little daunting moving to a new city by yourself- especially a rather small one at that, but there are worse places in the world to get stuck in. She was in the right mindset, beginning to collect backpacking gear and purchasing her Montana hiking guide. Probably not a half bad life.
Day 14: the long trek back
We hit the road there after looking to cover as much ground as possible. Spokanes campground was full, so we held on for coeur d alane and it paid off. A nice spot on the lake with showers and laundry.
Day 13: Seattle day two
Mercer island is a wealthy inner ring 'burb east of Seattle surrounded by lake Washington. Rachel and her fiancé didn't have a super large place, but decent with a cool view of the mountains and bellvue downtown. It was super interesting hearing about Rachel's job and bens was well. Rachel works downtown with advertising. Ben is a cop in a rougher suburb south of Seattle.
It was a work day so we were on our own for the day. Post run, we drove into capital hill for some coffee and a doughnut. Not all of us got doughnuts, but I suppose that's alright. I found Andys place (no help with directions or address!) and we set off for the chihuly glass museum at the foot of the space needle. It was a bit steep in price but we sucked it up and went for it anyway. Totally worth it. One of a kind exihibts to wander through. Really cool.
It was a work day so we were on our own for the day. Post run, we drove into capital hill for some coffee and a doughnut. Not all of us got doughnuts, but I suppose that's alright. I found Andys place (no help with directions or address!) and we set off for the chihuly glass museum at the foot of the space needle. It was a bit steep in price but we sucked it up and went for it anyway. Totally worth it. One of a kind exihibts to wander through. Really cool.
Next up was the sculpture park. There's isn't as cool as ours, just saying, but the view is pretty dang nice over the sound. They have a dead tree that's been decaying the last 7 years I wanted to revisit, but it was closed. Sad. We peaked in the window though, and it didn't look like a whole lot was left. Mainly ferns by now. We skipped the theo chocolate tour after paying 27$ for the glass, but didn't skip the factory store. Each of us probably put down the better part of a bar in samples. Don't worry, we bought stuff too.
Ben lives right in bell town, which is the equivalent of losing park. They live in a 10ish story condo that you could probably throw a rock from and hit the space needle. It also has a roof top patio. The views were absolutely amazing. It was really cool catching up with him. It had been a while and while he was the same old Ben, he has changed a lot as well. We had a drink at bathtub gin and co, very cool hole in the wall prohibition esque place. Dinner was at "list". It's place plates and a little fancier, but Monday's are half off. The total bill with drinks was something like 56$ for the 4 of us.
Another great day in Seattle.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Day 12: back onto good times
no one can deny our good fortune during city stays this trip. The day started, as it often does with a good run- this one in Seward park on lake Washington. I've been here before, but it's a great path with good views.
From there, we met Kate's friend Rachel and hit the town. She was actually into browsing pikes place market with us. I've seen most of these places before, but it's Kate's first trip to Seattle and you gotta do it. We had a lot of great samples and lunch at breeches(?) cheese. From there, we perused the Ballard locks and strolled through the neighborhood. Stopped at peddlers brewery for a beer and kavu for a little shopping.
Cooked Rachel and Ben (her fiancé) some pizza for dinner to cap off a fine recovery day.
From there, we met Kate's friend Rachel and hit the town. She was actually into browsing pikes place market with us. I've seen most of these places before, but it's Kate's first trip to Seattle and you gotta do it. We had a lot of great samples and lunch at breeches(?) cheese. From there, we perused the Ballard locks and strolled through the neighborhood. Stopped at peddlers brewery for a beer and kavu for a little shopping.
Cooked Rachel and Ben (her fiancé) some pizza for dinner to cap off a fine recovery day.
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