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July 5
We decided to change our diary approach for the next few weeks. We’ve been in this area several times before. We are mostly revisiting places, some frequently. Places like Goat Lick, where we are fascinated by the antics of the Rocky Mountain Goats. There are a few new sights to see, such as the tiny town of Essex, and to tour, such as the Central School Museum in Kalispell. So we’ll put out the pictures in subject, rather than time, order.
The weather is quite changeable day to day. We’ve had a few days of 90*+ mingled with 60*+ days. We have had rain, such as that I describe for July 13. 12am: rain is gentle. A few minutes later: rain more determined. A few minutes later: Raining like heck. The previous evening rather ferocious looking clouds of all sizes, shapes & descriptions were all over the sky. Looked like a gang war. Most impressive show of bravado & intent. We got caught in an awful rain/hail storm as we were on the highway outside Kalispell. Driving wind threw large, wet hail at our truck, as the rain was so thick the windshield wipers couldn’t keep up. We drove through it in about 5 minutes. Gotta tell ya, it’s like calling the fire dept. You know they showed up in 5 minutes, but it felt like forever.
The rivers are down some, but still flowing way too fast to fish. That’s been a disappointment. But, it is so lovely here & there are so many things to do that our time has flown by in spite of the angling issues. We feel like this is a second home.
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We wrote of Louie’s Deli last year. Couldn’t wait to get there again this year. Gary has been anticipating the best Philly cheesestake he’s ever had. These 2 are reviewing the orders being prepared on this busy day.
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The counter seats were full & we got a table (3rd back from the foreground) as a couple left, where I sit as Gary takes the photos while we wait for our order.
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Chris & Jason wave farewell as we had our last lunch at Louie’s for this year. Jason moved to Montana, called his brother & asked him to join him & open a deli, the restaurant business being in this family ‘s background. The brothers remind me of the characters in the movie ‘Grease’. Chris, especially. But, they are very good, serious business people, in spite of their fun-loving personalities. .
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Hwy. 206 takes us to Hwy. 2 heading for Glacier. 206 takes us through a lot of wheat fields, some cattle & other agricultural endeavors. Quite a pretty drive. (It is so much fun taking pictures as we go 60 mph down the road.)
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‘On your mark, get set...’ seems to be what is happening. Four couples from Kalispell enjoying a morning run as we head into Hungry Horse. Gas had been at $3.58 a gal. It is rising as you can see on the sign.
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On Hwy. 2, many miles from the entrance to West Glacier, the scenery continues to captivate. The sky is unsettled and, as the clouds float by, the landscape changes as shadow & sunlight create many different ‘looks’ for the same scenery. Each time we go to Goat Lick the scenery is different.
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It is about 30 miles from the West Glacier entrance to Goat Lick. On Hwy. 2 we travel out of & into Glacier Nat’l Park. The two-lane highway is in very good condition, but we must keep our eyes open for wandering wildlife. From the campground it is about a 130 mile round trip.
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This train passes through Goat Lick. It is on a tremendously high trestle during part of its run. Unfortunately, the forest is hiding most of the trestle. I say, ‘Cut the trees down so we can see the scenery.’ Gary looks at me in horror.
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The famous red ‘jammers’ from Glacier stop at Goat Lick, unload their passengers so they can have a look at the goats.
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This goat, with part of his winter coat shed, precariously perches on this cliff. Note the right rear leg is on a different level as he finds just the right foothold. The dark area is his target....lick, lick, lick.
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These two stayed in their positions for awhile as they satisfied whatever dietary needs they have for the minerals found in certain places on these cliffs. We’ve never seen any of them argue about who got where first. Doesn’t appear to be a territorial thing. It could be this group we see has exclusive rights to these rocks. Don’t know. It’s a peaceful time as they go about their climbing.
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He (or she) has a great amount of winter coat still clinging to him. It has only recently warmed up enough for their coats to start shedding. His remaining coat looks as if you could just peel it off. Where this picture was taken is an area much closer to us than the cliffs, hence the closer look at this guy.
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On a warm day, the goats will take shelter under the Hwy 2 bridge next to Goat Lick. This fellow made a rather treacherous climb to get under the bridge on the opposite side from the goats. I would love to see his pictures.
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Doesn’t he look like he’s wearing a hairy Halloween costume? That fur doesn’t appear to be attached to him, but put on, like a coat. This is one of the subjects of the man with camera in the picture above.
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Far below where we are standing, this group of 3 moms w/ babes are moving about together. After grabbing a drink from the river (lower left) they saunter on. The babies don’t wander more than a few steps from mom. They just follow mom obediently. Wouldn’t it be nice if our kids did that?
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Under the bridge, this guy is searching for those minerals. He tastes & moves on. I am just itchy from looking at all that loose fur.
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Rarely have we seen a mom & young’un under the bridge. A little too close to humans who are always around wanting to see these goats up close, to take their pictures & comment on the wonder of it all. The people who we’ve shared the view with have always been quiet & respectful to the animals.
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All together now....Awwwww.
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A mom & her little one are at the edge of a cliff. What attracted me to mom is her skin color. She is rid of part of her fur on the side that is facing the camera. I’ve seen her several times & it appears that she has gray skin on the side exposed. Her head is white. Would love to see her totally without her winter coat. And I would like to know if this is common or otherwise. Google, here I come.
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A few miles east of Goat Lick, Bear Creek is rushing to join the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Clear, crisp, cold water being warmed a bit in the hot sun.
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Just to the right, out of the picture, is the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Bear Creek looks almost violent in its haste to join the big river. Kind of like people elbowing each other to get to the sale item at a store, the droplets are bouncing off rocks & hopping all over each other to get to the big river first
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Just past Bear Creek, the highway appears lonesome & the sky is getting tumultuous. We decide to turn around & head for our temporary home.
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Gary spotted a turnout where we could turn around to head back. As we rolled in, this lovely waterfall greeted us. On this very warm day, it was my pleasure to stand by the waterfall as a cool mist was floating in the air. I really, really wanted to get in that water!
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This cascade of water began several hundred feet above us. The sounds of the water & the coolness of the mist was very soothing on a 90* day.
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As we turned off the highway to see the tiny town of Essex, this billboard-sized sign greeted us as we passed through the town. It indicates a revolving state fund is providing assistance for the Essex Water & Sewer District.
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Not ten feet from the sign were these. Guess they REALLY need that assistance.
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Away from the outhouses, we spotted some pretty flowers. Thought we should balance the presentation.
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The Izaak Walton inn sits alongside the railroad tracks seen below. The inn caters to railroad employees & tourists, many who arrive at their front door by train. They have a restaurant that serves inside or out. The patio dining is under the brown roof with brown pillars on the main floor. The train engine, on the right, is a permanent display piece. The town has a few homes, no commercial businesses. And it is many miles to a town of any size.Please read the sign below to get the highlights of Essex & why it exists.
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The multi-track train yard of Essex. The Inn sits to the right side of the picture.
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