POST 647: 06/03/12: STEAK HOUSE - LIBBY - TROY, MONTANA

The STEAK HOUSE once again...worth a visit for superb cuisine...

SPIA's overnight parking spot...left there while walked at first light this morning the final 10 miles toward the city of Libby, Montana.



Nearing Libby, I encountered a young lady accompanied by two automobiles...she was in the process of running from Libby, Montana to the city of Kalispell, Montana, a distance of about 90 miles...

More about Kelda below.



Please say HELLO to Kelda Latham Bennett.

Kelda, about 35 years old, is RUNNING from Libby to Kalispell, Montana...raising $$ for the SPECIAL OLYMPICS. At this point, Kelda had completed 20 miles...only 70 more to go.

Historical Note: My Son, Olen, who graduated from the Kennedy Foundation Schools, was a competitor in the Special Olympics, competing in swimming. Olen just retired as a machinist for the US Navy Trident Submarine Base on Hood Canal, Washington.


Kelda had a part-time State Police escort this morning. I must say I was quite emotional when Kelda and I were photographed together by her Hubby...forgot to ask him to take a pic with my camera. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the folks I meet, I forget important details.


Leaving Kelda to her challenge, drove SPIA into Libby, where we parked while I walked my second leg of the day...18 miles toward the town of Troy, Montana...only 14 miles from the Idaho border.


Libby, Montana.


US 2 heading West (behind the camera) out of Libby, Montana.
We are in the center of the Rocky Mountains. The river in the foreground is the Kootenai River, which at this point flows West and North into Idaho and Canada. More about water from Montana later.


US 2 looking West. The Kootenai River is 100 yards to the right of the roadway, with the BNSF Railroad tracks close on the river bank.



A number of alpine streams tumble off the nearby steep mountains. The water is crystal clear as it flows under Highway US 2 and on into the Kootenai River.




"Tour" season is upon us. Two ladies and a gent were in this group...their bikes loaded down with packs...looking all the world prepared for a long trip.

They were upon me so quickly, had no time to set up my camera for a proper shot.



Solid Rock Wall has been breached to build Highway US 2. Falling rocks are a constant hazard. At this point, a reinforced fence is installed to attempt to keep the rocks off the roadway.


The three modes of transportation:

The Kootenai River
The BNSF Railroad
The Highway US 2


Many homes line the far (North) bank of the swiftly flowing Kootenai River...they sit only 5 - 10 feet above the water level.



Highway US 2 has an extraordinary number of traffic deaths...marked by the white crosses along the roadway. This week, many were remembered with colorful wreaths and flowers...

...observing Memorial Day.

Highway US 2 winds it's way through the distant gorge...yes, I walked this roadway this morning...once both ways.



Closeup look at the shear rock cliff bordering US 2.


Returning to Libby, met yet another biker.

From Libby, drove SPIA the 18 miles to the small town of Troy, where we have taken a parking spot at the SILVER SPUR Restaurant and Casino, where SPIA will stay the night.


Troy, Montana...the last village on US 2 before crossing into Idaho...only 14 miles distant.


The SILVER SPUR Restaurant and Casino.


This map shows our route from Kalispell, Montana, to Spokane, Washington State.

Please click click to enlarge. We are tonight at Troy, on the right hand slope of the steep rise.

Spokane is approximately 150 miles from Troy. From Spokane, we must cross 100 miles of desert...the "Columbia Basin", where I spent most of my adolescent years before joining the US Air Force in 1952.

In the morning, SPIA stays at the SILVER SPUR while I walk toward the Idaho border and back. We will then drive to the town of Moyie, Idaho which will become our "base" for walking BACK to the Montana border, 16 miles distant, in the afternoon. If I hurry, we might just reach Bonners Ferry, Idaho by tomorrow evening.

POST 646: 06/02/12: HAPPY'S INN - WEST ON US 2: MONTANA

Finally, we have a VERIZON signal...on Sunday 06/03/12, in the city of Libby, Montana.

Above image is of Happy's Inn, Montana, where SPIA and I spent the night.


The scenery on US 2 from the city of Kalispell, Montana to Libby, Montana, is quite spectacular. Some of the beauty we walked is in the above and following photographs.






Rain has been our constant companion.

I have finally found a clothing combination to keep my entire body dry and warm...including making shoes nearly water-tight - the addition of Bill's Gaiters has been a God-send.








Loon Lake.


Even though we are walking the Rocky Mountains, the steepness of the hills does not come close to the 8% monster hills we encountered crossing the Allegheny Mountains in Southern West Virginia a couple months ago.





Another view of Loon Lake on my way returning to SPIA.



Forest in this region is rather sparse...wonderful for seeing wildlife...just my luck that no wild life showed up as I walked the hills.



Met these two gentlemen, riding their bikes around the Pacific Northwest...both hail from the town of Mount Vernon, Washington...only 20 miles South of Bellingham.


Remaining images are near Liz's Steak House...a very worthwhile destination about 8 miles South of Libby, Montana.


Libby Creek.


Crystal Clear Waters.


...and, this is Liz's STEAK HOUSE...where SPIA and I spent last night (is now 10:30 am on Sunday, June 03, 2012).

* * * * *


VERIZON signal this evening is ZERO bars...not sufficient to upload images. Will try later in the night.

This morning, drove SPIA before daylight from our overnight parking in Marion, Montana, to the small village of Happy's Inn, Montana, 29 miles distant. Since we had already walked most of the distance last evening, walked BACK US 2 toward Marin this morning for 12 miles. Upon returning to SPIA, did not stop, but continued walking Northwest on US 2 for an additional 5 + hours - about 20 miles - in a pouring rain.

Stopped in at Happy's Inn Diner for a bite before driving toward the city of Libby, Montana, some 40 miles distant. Stopped 8 miles short of Libby, at the Steak House, where SPIA is parked for the night.

After settling SPIA down, walked Southeast on US 2, BACK toward Happy's Inn for 10 miles. Upon returning to SPIA, went directly into the Steak House, where I spent a most enjoyable evening with Owner, Liz Benefield, and Bartender, Matt. Also enjoyed what must be one of the most delicious Prime Rib dinners ever.

Matt was particularly interesting to chat with in that he, as do I, hails from Norway - through our family descendants. Matt has made a study of the history of the Vikings, which we discussed at length - between Matt's serving up dozens of exotic drinks for the restaurant full of clients.

Live music in the person of a guitarist/singer, who was a magician with his guitar. Matt surprised us by joining the guitarist, vocalizing some interesting complex pieces. After my exquisite meal, Matt kept my glass of Cabernet full for the duration of the basketball game on the tube between the Spurs and Thunder (the old Seattle Supersonic team). Thunder won.

In the morning, will leave SPIA at Liz's Steak House while I walk on to Libby and back. We will then drive to Libby, and in the afternoon, walk further West on US 2 to the next - and final - town in Montana, small village of Troy.

We are this evening about 40 miles from the Idaho border. We will enter Idaho on Monday, June 04. New projected arrival at the Peace Arch is June 25, 2012.

POST 645: 06/01/12: KALISPELL - MARION, MONTANA

Kalispell is the large city in Northwest Montana where SPIA and I spent the night in the WAL-MART parking lot. I was on the road at 05:30 am...well before sunrise.

Walked three miles on US 93 (WAL-MART was not on US 2) to reach US 2...then another three miles West toward the village of Marion, Montana.




Kalispell also has large murals painted on buildings.





Returning to SPIA, traffic on US 93 was heavy.
We then drove the 20 miles to Marion, Montana, where SPIA found an overnight spot in the local Convenience Store lot.

We were offered another overnight spot by Tina of The Marion Mercantile and Hardware Store.


Common in Montana are "Range Cattle". These cattle simply roam the countryside, often to be found on busy highways.


From Marion, I walked BACK on US 2 toward Kalispell for 8 miles, completing the 20 miles needed.

The above hill was 6% incline and was over two miles from top to bottom. Yes, I walked down...then out another couple miles before climbing back up to Marion.



Turkey Buzzard.

First Turkey Buzzard encountered since leaving the deep South many months ago.


Turns out there were eight (8) altogether roosting in nearby trees. They circled overhead for a few minutes before perching in trees a bit farther away from the highway. Later, while walking back to SPIA, I found the reason for the family reunion...a freshly road-killed deer lay in the ditch below the fence they were originally sitting on.


Ranch House along US 2.

We are in the deep Rocky Mountains, and will remain in them until we cross Idaho, some 150 miles distant...then it is 100 miles of desert crossing the "Columbia Basin" in Washington State.











Returning to Marion, I stopped in at the Dashboard Diner, ordered a late breakfast of pancakes and eggs.



The above is a "Cross-Cut" saw.

Back in the '40s on our Stump Ranch, us kids used a similar saw to cut blocks from large Cedar trees felled into our back yard.


The Mercantile displayed a number of photographs and paintings...among them, the above horse-drawn logging wagon.



...and this painting of the Male Chinese Pheasant.


...and the above Horned Owl.


Please say HELLO to Glenn and Isabella., dining companions for lunch.

Glenn and I chatted for quite some time, discovering that we have been living in the same places around the world. He, for example, was in the US Navy in Sardinia, Italy...the home of my secretary, Gianna Solinas, when I lived in Naples, Italy some 60 years ago; Glenn's family is Swiss, living in the same Swiss valley as my Wife, Christianne; and Glenn's recent family lives in Seattle in the same neighborhoods - yes, more than one - as my mother's family...indeed, also only a block from where I lived on Queen Anne Hill.


Please say HELLO to Danielle Bowen (l.) and Tina Miller, both of Marion Mercantile/Dashboard Diner.

Tina is also from Washington State, with family living very near places I also lived. Tina's family is from Holland, only a few miles from the home town of my Maternal Grandfather's home.

Is always pleasant to meet folks from back home...in a single store and at the same moment, I met two such neighbors.


The Marion Mercantile.


After finishing my late breakfast at Tina's, which she gifted me...would not accept my $$...thank you Tina, I walked a third leg for the day; this one for 4.5 hours North on US 2 toward the resort town of Happy's Inn.

Came up 8 miles short of reaching Happy's Inn, which I will drive to before sunrise in the morning; find a parking spot for the day, and walk the 8 missing miles...then walk North toward the city of Libby, Montana, some 60 miles distant.

The above is an "A" Frame fence.



This is Marion, Montana, pictured as I returned from my third leg of the day...Yes, I was very tired, but content to have completed 36 miles today...and met some home-town folks.