Seetheworld2: June - Sept 2013 NW and BC

Wild Horse Monument in WA

After we returned from the Isle of Jersey, we spent a week in MD/PA visiting family, friends and doctors. We flew to Seattle, picked up our RV, and stayed with Tom and Cornelia for a few days. We went to see the play “Chicago” with them before heading to Fernie, stopping at the Wild Horse Monument along the way.

Glacier NP, BC

After a few weeks in Fernie we headed up to Glacier NP (in Canada) and Revelstoke NP. We spent a few days hiking and sightseeing in the area. By the end of July we left Fernie and headed for Glacier NP (in Montana). We were not allowed to take the RV on the Going to the Sun highway, so we took the park shuttle to access hiking trails and get to Logan Pass at the top.

Glacier Lily

Marmot

Meeting of the Waters

Sutherland Fall, BC

Ferry crossing Upper Arrow Lake, BC

American Martin

Avalanche Lake, GNP, MT

Logan Pass, GNP, MT

Indian Blanket

A few days later, we arrived at Savenac Historic Nursery, part of the Lolo National Forest, in western MT. We signed up for a six week period, as a relief for a couple returning to Germany. The nursery was started in 1907 and produced 12 million seedlings annually. The Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) built the buildings and other structures on site. Nursery operations ended in 1969. Now you can rent out three of the buildings for lodging. It is very popular for families having reunions or weddings. It is also the closest lodging to the popular Route of the Hiawatha rail trail. Our job was to man the Visitor Center about 8 hr/week each. Pat also took care of cleaning the three rental buildings. The guests are supposed to clean them before they leave, but you can imagine how well that went. While Pat was inside cleaning, I was outside cutting and trimming grass. I was also in charge of watering the grass, because even though it had not rained in July, I was expected to keep the acres of grass green. In exchange for this work, we got a place to park our RV with electric, water and sewer hook ups. Things went well until a big and unruly group came in for Labor Day Weekend. Of course this was the same weekend that our “boss” took off with his girl friend, so Pat and I were left alone to deal with this group. After that weekend, we couldn't wait to finish our assignment. The Lolo NF supervisor was very happy with our performance and invited us back.

Route of the Hiawatha, ID

Western Anemone

The Universe revolves around ME! (in Wallace, ID)

River at Thompson Falls, MT

Haugan, MT

When we arrived at Savenac, we found out our AT&T phone had no service. Another volunteer had a working Tracfone, so we bought a Tracfone. We found out later that this phone used the AT&T network. We tried to exchange it by mail for one on the Verizon network. About four weeks later (after many calls from phone booths) we finally received a replacement phone that worked.

It was not all work and no play. We did get out and bike the Route of the Hiawatha and part of The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes. We also hiked to several remote mountain lakes and visited many of the historical sites and towns in the area. Our friend Russ passed away in August, so we took a week off from our assignment to return to MD.

Savenac Visitor center

Elk

From Savenac we headed back to Fernie, BC stopping at the National Bison Range, where we saw bison, elk, and big horn sheep. Tom and Julie joined us for two weeks and Susan and Mimi for a week while we were in Fernie. When we were not on the trail looking for bears, we were trying to determine which restaurant in Fernie was best. Pat and I were left to continue our investigation after our guests returned home.