[a/s] Libby and Yaak, MT - July 17, 2000

[HHamp5246@xxxxxxx]

Hi Gang,

I'm writing exhausted.. we left here at about 9:30 this morning and got back 
at 5:30.  So much to see around here... much is actually nothing but 
wilderness in the Kootenai Forest.... Works for me (c:

First we went on a gravel road... I mean the dustiest road on the face of the 
earth...I was following John's car so the dogs and I were eating dust in 
Bruiser.

Then we turned off the gravel road on to a mountain trail...wide enough for a 
pickup.. jeez... my truck is a prissy truck... I don't want to abuse it like 
that (c:

We passed a sign saying we were in GRIZZLY country )c:  Not the kind of place 
I want to take the dogs for a walk... when we finally parked at the trailhead 
I said to John and his friend Bim.... "I'm a little apprehensive about being 
in Grizzly country... "  John then reminded me that my trailer is parked in 
Grizzly country.... GACK.  That should make taking the dogs out at 11:30pm 
for the last pee special.

Anyway, the walking trail was straight up at first, then straight down...then 
up again.  I am not fit... I was, but not any more.  Fortunately John isn't 
either so we didn't go far.  The three Border Collies, my two and John's had 
a blast... fortunately no bears around for them to bark at and piss off.

Then we went to a state campground where we parked and took the dogs down to 
the Kootenai River, where the Yaak River empties into it. The shoreline was 
all smooth rocks, it was fabulous there. Across the river the mountain went 
straight up... covered with pine trees almost to the snow covered tops.  

We had lunch in a diner in Troy....

Then back in the trucks and we went on to the Yaak Falls.... beautiful... 
then on to the town of Yaak to the local bar... where I threw down a Diet 
Coke and lost 2.50 in the poker machine... first time I ever played a poker 
machine... :p  ....and the last. 

Across the street was a field, perfect for Frisbee and a river perfect for 
cooling off.

The drive home was through wilderness.... I mean there were a few ranches and 
weekend houses on the river... but mostly just nothing, except meadows full 
of daisies and rivers. Loved it.  Didn't see any Grizzlys or Black Bears or 
whatever else probably watched me drive by.

Montana is so beautiful.... partially just because it is so undeveloped... 
You can drive for miles and never see a driveway.... I wondered why John, a 
sophisicated man about town would like a place like this... I don't wonder 
anymore.

Hunter