Clearing snow at Logan Pass in Glacier
Day 19, June 23, 2011 West Glacier , MT.
We truly took a “Day Off” in the sense that we did not actively pursue bird identification. Interestingly enough, we did ID only 8 birds today but two of them were new on the trip. They were the Evening Grosbeak and the PIne Siskin. Both were seen at two feeders in Hungry Horse residences when we went “scoping out” the area a bit. Sometimes we will pick a road or side trail to seek out birds. This was one of those time.
Mainly today we did a few necessary things, and started with a breakfast in the trailer of sausage and eggs and toast. (A good breakfast is always necessary!) Had we gone to the KOA “Cafe” here, that would be about $10.00- per head. It was good and it got us started off with good nourished . I will add some thoughts about the meals from
time to time, as they re a big part of the day especially making decisions about what to Aerial view of Hungry Horse Dam eat. Ruth and i share the decisions usually.
The morning was mainly determining a way to get that trailer (see post of dirty trailer in Devils Lake) looking a bit better and remove some of the bugs and road dirt that had accumulated. We used the “bucket” method and with rags, a long handled brush and some “ elbow grease” managed after a few hours to get it looking much better. The bugs will still need some work but it looks cleaner and I am sure it “feels” better.
Next we headed onto Columbia Falls (10 miles) to get three things accomplished. 1. A haircut for Jim, 2. check two tires that appear to be wearing too quickly on the outside (back truck tires) and 3. Get lunch. We started by stopping at a Wes Schwab Tire and service center (Didn’t they used to paint cars for $25.00?) to see if they could determine (and repair?) the tire problem. Although there was no noticeable difference in the truck handling , I didn’t want to run into an unexpected problem, either. “Willy” greeted me at the door and he actually opened it for me! Wow! When did that ever happen to you at a Tire store, or any store? He examined the tires and we talked about changing air pressure on tires as loads (weights) change from time to time. (Dodge trucks have automatic pressure change indicators so you can do just that- I didn’t know that either until today). So we finally agreed that increasing the tire pressure some 5# will flatten the tire treads somewhat to the road and give a better wear. Sometimes overload can cause that as well. but I don’t believe we are overloaded.
Then to get a haircut so we stopped in the downtown street at “the Barber Shop”, where Barbara proceeded to give me not only a haircut , but pretty much the history of her life from the age of four when the family left S. California for Libby, Montana in January. (Think about that.) We had some good exchanges about Israel (both of us had visited there), Seattle Washington and Camano Island where she will retire in a few years, as well as her two grandchildren and their exploits. It was fun and a good ,trim haircut.
Then it was lunch at Burger King, a treat for us. We were the only ones there so it was a late (1:30) and quiet stop.
The last stop of the day before the bird sightings in Hungry horse was a trip to see the Hungry Horse Dam built in the 1950’s . At 525 feet high it was the second highest on the world at that time. My brother in law worked here in the 1950’s as it was being built. He was a efficiency man and time keeper while there. One nephew was born at Hungry Horse as well. We took pictures for my sister who is adding them to her books for the grandchildren.
It was a good day, and ended with some of that Tillamook Mudslide Ice Cream. What a way to end the day. We have been waiting for that. It ranks just a tad better than Hudsonville.
Tomorrow we head for Idaho and a spot along the Clark Fork River where the Osprey will be waiting for us. We will stop at the National Bison Range southwest of Polson, MT., on the way. OIdaho 222 is a scenic route. Thanks for reading.
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