Scenic Byways and Campgrounds
Yesterday we got an early start from Missoula and headed south on US 93. Traveling through the Bitterroot Vally we headed for Lost Trail Pass which marks the border between MT and ID. Here we are with a view of Trapper Peak standing in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.
The whole day was filled with scenes like this. The summit at Lost Trail is around 7300 feet and we got down to 20 MPH in first gear for a few minutes as we headed for the top. Then there is the thrill of going down. We'd never traveled 93 south before. This puts me on the outside of the mountain curves and the river bends :) Once again I was riding the white line.
We stopped for lunch at one of our favorite pullouts on the Salmon River.
From the Idaho/Montana border to the MacKay Reservoir every curve and hill brings a new magnificent scene. We arrived at MacKay about 3 PM and just as we unhooked a huge dark cloud released a ton of rain. We managed to get rain coats on, back into our site and wait out the short rain. Afternoon thunderstorms are pretty common here so I knew it would pass and we'd have smooth set up time.
I was in the process of preparing Fettucine Alfredo (from the bottle) with carrots and broccoli when the fettucine sauce erupted from the bottle in the microwave like Mt. Vesuvius! 2/3 of the bottle was splattered on the inside of the micro :( So Jim had spaghetti sauce on his fettucine and I rescued enough of the sauce to have a good meal. I think that may have had something to do with being at 5900 feet. Cooking things just don't work the same.
We scoured the other campsites and found tons of firewood but by the time sunset and we finished watching The Sopranos we were ready for bed. We decided to put Mr. Moto down because it is very lonely here and we don't want the blue light on the satellite advertising our location.
Well...more relaxation tomorrow!