Montana to Home

From the Dead Indian Campground I headed on up Hwy 296 toward the Beartooth Hwy.    This highway runs between Cooke City and Red Lodge Montana.  You may recall I travel the Beartooth a few years back.      I decided this time to head toward Cooke City, and through the northern edge of Yellowstone National Park.   I got up VERY early because, those of you who know me, know I do NOT like crowds of people, so wanted to avoid most of the congestion I knew would be in Yellowstone.     The sunrise along the highway was wonderful.   The mountains are breath-taking.

I was not so early hitting Yellowstone that there were no people there.   Plenty of them, poised with Cameras to get that perfect shot in the Lamar Valley, and plenty of them just out to see the many many bison, and bison babies.    I didn't stop (unless traffic was stopped), but did manage to get a few photos out the car window.   It is amazing, and being LOVED to death I fear.

You may recall seeing photos from the flooding that occurred last year in and around Yellowstone.   One photo in particular showing how high the water had gotten, and a big swathe of the highway that was washed away.   I drove though that part of the park, and encountered significant delays due to the massive amount of reconstruction going on.    It was impressive.

I headed north out of the park through the little town of Gardener. and back up onto I-90.   This time I jumped off at Missoula and headed west on Hwy 12, over Lolo Pass.    Once again, I found a lovely little Forest Service Campground for the night.

Another VERY early morning as I was close enough to home to think I could make it from there in one day (nearly 500 miles).    Hwy 12 follows the Clearwater River and is another beautiful drive winding through the mountains and along the river.

Hwy 12 took me to Lewiston, Idaho and then on through Walla Walla, Washington.     I could finally see the Columbia River and knew I was getting close to home.

I ended up back on I-84, which takes me almost home.      Mt Hood in my view meant I was almost there.

I am home now, Waddles and the car have been washed.  I still have a lot of unpacking and laundry to do.    Trip Statistics:

Total distance driving: 4725 miles

Number of States: 9

Number of days: 15

I haven't totaled up my average miles per gallons, nor what I paid for gas, not sure I want to know, but the price varied wildly.  Wisconsin was the cheapest by far at $3.12 per gallon.   I think Oregon and Washington were the highest at about $4.49 per gallon.

Can't wait for our next adventure.    I still love Waddles so much.

Paulina Lake

 It seems I'm doing almost back to back camping trips, which feels good!!!    This trip was an annual get-together with former Forest Service GIS co-workers.   I missed last year because of the virus, but this year felt a bit safer, so off we went.    

Paulina Lake is part of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in central Oregon.     It is a wonderful place for exploring and learning about the geology of the area.   We rented a group site, so had lots of room for tents and campers and trailers, lots of trees and great waterfront access.

Plenty of opportunities to take the boats out on the water and we had a variety of boats; canoes, kayaks and a SUP, for water sports.

Looking at Paulina Peak

This trip was scheduled to coincide with the Perseid meteor shower, and the beach front property we had was perfect for viewing.   I didn't take any night photos, but there were some spectacular meteors that streaked across the very dark sky.

There are many hiking trails to choose from around the lake and we hiked up to Little Crater, for more great views, and geology.

                              Huge Lava Flow 

 There was concern this year about the smoke and the heat, but neither seemed to be a problem at the Lake.   Elevation near 6000' meant cooler temperatures; nothing much above 80 degrees most days, and cool nights.  The smoke rolled in one evening, and rolled out almost as quickly.   The last night and last morning there was enough smoke to make for beautiful sunsets and sunrises, but not so bad the breathing was an issue.

Looking at East Lake from Paulina Peak

Sunset from Paulina Peak

Looking at Paulina Lake from Paulina Peak

Sunrise paddle before heading home

I hope for a couple more outings before the end of the season.   What great places have you been exploring?

Fly Fishing!

 I recently dug up some very old fly fishing gear that belonged to my mother's 1/2 brother.   He was sort of a father figure to my mother, and she kind of worshipped him.    She loved this gear, but, though she fished, she never fly fished.     When I dug it out a few months back I shared a photo on facebook, asking if I should take up fly fishing.    

Old fly fishing rod and reel

The feedback was a resounding YES, and one response was from a local friend I knew many many years ago, who offered to teach me.    His guiding credentials are impressive.    I had to take him up on this offer.    

After a few months of getting reacquainted, and some good casting and gear lessons, he offered to take me fishing on the McKenzie River in his drift boat.    This was special because, 47 years ago he took me on the McKenzie River.

1974, on the McKenzie River

So this past week, we did just that.   I took Waddles, he took his boat, and we met up for camping and fishing.    

Ready for adventure

The McKenzie River is spectacular.  The water is clear.  There are lazy sections, and adrenaline sections.    And the fishing is good.  Day 1 we put in at Silver Creek and took out at Goodpasture.

Ready to launch

A lazy section

A house being rebuilt after the 2020 fires

A not so lazy section

My first ever rainbow trout caught on my uncle's gear!!

Fresh trout for dinner!  YUM

Day 2 we put in at Quartz Creek, and took out at Silver Creek.  We only had 1/2 a day because it was, sadly, time to head home.   

Captain Mike

Beauty in the River

Fish On!

This area was devastated by forest fires last year.    A lot of the forest, and many many houses were burned.  Now there is a lot of salvage logging going on and houses are being rebuilt.    I can't imagine what the residents are going through.  The entire town of Blue River was burned, except for the school and the post office.     What I know, from working for the Forest Service for many years, it this will grow back, but it takes a very very long time.

There used to be a house there

Goodpasture Bridge

Eagle Rock

This wonderful trip had to end, but there was one more trout dinner with my brother when I got home.    

Yum!

I think I'm hooked on Fly Fishing!    If you need to hire a guide, I know where there is a good one!   Wy'East Expeditions