Libby to Kalispell

Saturday 22 August 2015

We had a change of plan last night as the weather in Glacier National Park (NP) didn't look too good for today. Instead, we managed to find a motel in Kalispell and booked it for 2 nights. This will allow us to have a relaxed day today and visit the NP tomorrow and not have to drive so far.

We woke relatively early and ate fruit in our room for breakfast, all very healthy! We loaded the car and left by nine. We decided at the last minute to take a back route to Kalispell, does this sound familiar? We left Libby on the route 37 in the direction of Eureka and the Canadian Border. This is a quieter road than the Route 2. Incidentally, the Route 2 I've been describing for the past few days is actually the U.S. Route 2, not a State route.

Some miles down the road, Lynn saw a woodpecker, possibly a Downey Woodpecker, so we stopped to look closer. In the trees above were a flock of Cedar Waxwings which were very pretty and close by some American Robins were flitting around. Whilst we were watching these, a family of three deer wandered across the road in front of us.

We continued to Libby Dam which blocks the Koocanusa river. We were looking for a turn off down to the US 2, but managed to miss it. After turning back and a couple of false starts, we found a small road heading south. It was a delightful byway that ran alongside several rivers and briefly the railway fo 23 miles. We only saw about 6 cars on the entire road. We stopped by one river and saw another family of deer slowly crossing a stream.

Finally, back on the main road, we headed toward Kalispell about 45 miles away. Once again, the traffic on the road was moving at 70mph, so it was not possible to dawdle for this stretch of the road.

Kalispell is quite a large town and is at the junction of US Routes 2 and 93. The centre of the town is quite old and many of the buildings date from the turn of the 20th century. Our accommodation, the Aero Motel, was on the southern side of the town on US 93. Appropriately, it is alongside the local airport used by light aircraft.

After checking in, we headed for the Laundromat in town and got our clothes washed! From here, we headed to Michaels, a craft shop that Lynn was keen to visit. I bowed out and went to sit in a coffee shop. We also popped into Walmart to buy some lunch for tomorrow.

Back at the motel, which is very pleasant, has friendly staff and a pool, sauna and hot tub, we did some research into the choice of food for the evening. We decided to walk the 400yds to Scotties Bar. We did check out the adjacent Winchester Steakhouse, but settled for Scotties. Both places are joined and doubtless the kitchen shared. Scotties has pub food, whilst Winchester serves, you guessed it, steaks!

I had a BLT with salad whilst Lynn had sirloin steak. Lynn reckoned it was the best steak she had ever had. My BLT was excellent too, the bacon was plentiful and tasty.

Back at the motel, we've done a bit of planning for tomorrow and know the round trip will be about 220 miles. We shall make an early start, or that's the plan at the moment!

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