I know I’m in a minority, unless you consider how many pet owners have a problem with fireworks, but I don’t understand the need to make extreme noise for a week around July 4.   So I did a little research, got input from a Forest Service friend, loaded up the kayak and camping equipment, and headed into the Bitterroots, the best escape.

The trip didn’t go as planned.  Very odd on the 4^th of July to have steady rain and a chill in the air.  We enjoyed the scenery on the way up though, peaceful woods, dramatic mountains, happily running creeks.  I couldn’t wait to get out in the kayak. 

And then we came to the muddy trench.  I didn’t dare try to cross it in my van.  Sometimes I really miss my Tacoma. 

So back to Lost Horse Creek we went.  We got a lovely spot, a primitive camping spot – no facilities.  And it was still raining.

We took a couple of lovely walks.  There were other campers but none of them ventured out for walks on the Forest Service roads or intriguing trails headed through the thick summer growth.  I had a jacket but Coco got soaked.  She had energy though, and enjoyed exploring new smells, holes in the ground, and the chipmunks darting into the undergrowth.  Just going through or around trails and paths to the creek, my pants were soaked.  I persisted on having fun.  The occasional king fisher flying over the creek or a flicker changing pine trees added some color to the scenery.

Surprisingly, huckleberries were prolific and ripe, very early for them.  Hillsides under the forest were thick with bushes.  The berries were too tiny for quick collection, so I just picked enough for breakfast when we got back.

I organized the van as best I could.  I have an inflatable kayak now.  With weather, no table, and wet sand and mud, I didn’t want to put it outside.  So, with both of us in the van listening to rain drum the roof, I maneuvered our camping mattress on top of the kayak, propping up corners with my suitcase, bags of food, and kayak equipment hoping for a comfortable night’s sleep.  Silly me.

Before and after:

It doesn’t get dark until after 10:00 in Montana these days.  I had plenty of food and reading material and tried to make the most of our van time.  Coco was always glad for a nap and to dry out, a bit, while I curled up with a book.  It was funny reading about the search for the Lost Dutchman Mine in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix – about as far away as I could imagine in that moment.

We crawled into bed during late dusk.   The rain had quit but there was no pretty sunset to finish the day.  Maybe you remember from past blogs – I used to live in the woods, several acres of pines and fir.  The sounds and fragrance are unmatched.  I miss dawns and dusks with the light filtered through the trees.  So despite the challenging circumstances, sleeping in the pines and no-firework silence was perfect!