It is only going to take me 4 days to get to Washington state, I would have thought longer, but it’s only across Montana, short part of Idaho and all the way across Washington – “only”. This trek is about 700 miles! I still have to work my 8-4:30 job!
First stop – Lewis and Clark Caverns, MT– It gave me a break from driving and was quite different than the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. Mainly – no elevator and way more claustrophobic. They got us checked in and told us to hike up the trail, a mere 300 foot change in elevation, and the guide will meet us up there. Don’t go into the cavern without her, unless you really need to cool off from heat, then just stand in the shadows. WHAT?!?!? Ya, that was QUITE the hike and yes, it was hot, and we all had jackets for once we were inside. Needless to say, we were all shedding layers as we panted up the hill! Once the guide met us, she had to unlock doors and locks. Apparently, they’ve had a lot of break-ins. That’s so sad.
Bottom left - view after hiking all the way to the entrance.
Unlike Carlsbad Caverns, where lights were on all the time throughout, in this cavern, they had to turn lights on and off as we went through. Definitely not wheel chair accessible either, at one point, we had to scoot either on our butts or if you were limber enough, do a very low duck squat to get through an area. Other parts, you had to watch your head and twist your body. It was fun, exciting and very interesting! At the end of it, there was a huge wood door. I can’t remember how long the corridor was on the other side but took about 5 minutes to walk. They had drilled their way from the outside of the mountain into that part of the cavern and were spot on! Can’t remember how long ago, but thinking the 60’s. The trick to this HUGE door is that only one door at the end of the corridor can be opened at a time, if not the wind tunnel it would create would knock you down and ruin the ecological environment inside the cave. Lots of walkie-talkie chatter happening between guides.
After the caverns, I worked my way back to I-90 but ended up taking the Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway. I am so glad I did. Very pretty and I found this VERY strange, VERY out of place, and extremely large smoke stack in the middle of nowhere. It was left over from coal mining when the town of Anaconda, MT was the booming. Once the company shut down, the town died off. No idea what happened to my pictures of it...
Missoula – was supposed to go white water rafting, but apparently, I looked at the site so many times I thought I had made the reservations but apparently I did not. I called and left messages, even tried to find their office, but to no avail. Boo…maybe another day in another state.
Drove through Idaho for a bit, got sticker shock on gas prices in Washington $4.69. I was paying $3 something in Montana! Stopped to take a few sunset pictures, mountains, trees and rivers. Just beautiful.
I didn’t want to go into Seattle, at least not yet, so went around up to La Conner, WA where I stayed at the La Conner Marina & RV, which is ran by Skagit Harbor. Very cool little place. Downtown was so cute and clean and such a harbor-like town.
I ate twice at The Firehall Family Friendly Restaurant in La Conner | The Firehall Kitchen and Taphouse (firehall-lcb.com), 2nd time was with the puppies since it’s pet friendly. The owner just opened up earlier in the year, she ran a food truck too, so we had lots to talk about. Food was excellent – comfort food as she put it. Yummy!
Cubano with mac n cheese
Friday afternoon, we went across the bay to check out Rosario Beach, did a little hiking and learned about The Maiden of Deception Pass, Ko-kwal-alwoot. Drove across the 2 bridges over Deception Pass and saw some red woods. Was able to see Baker Mountain really clear as we headed back to campground.
Saturday morning, June 3rd - Walked around downtown, got my coffee and headed over to La Conner Hair Design La Conner Hair Design | La Conner WA | Facebook to get my hair cut and colored.
Returned to the camper and we’re off --- onto Canada!!
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