We left camp today at 9:30 driving out into a VERY smoky morning with a temp of 68. Our first stop was for fuel, for which we paid $3.58/gal, clocking in right at 10 MPG. This was even with all the generator running we did yesterday, and the winding around and then back in Missoula. John is very pleased.

We quickly were into much higher mountains scattered with quite large evergreen trees . Our drive took us into the Flathead Indian Reservation which was, like the one we drove through the other day, very prosperous looking for the most part. As we came out of those mountains, we were in the Jocko Valley which was not as wide as the one we were in yesterday. Again there was farm land, cattle and horses, mountains, and fields to be seen as we drove.

As we came around one corner, we saw what we thought was a bridge such as the ones we sometimes see in Virginia. As we got closer, we could see that it was different from those bridges. The sign just before we were to go under it identified it as an animal crossing bridge! Who knew. It was fairly broad and was covered in dirt and grasses so that the deer, elk, etc will have a place to cross over.This is because the tall elk fence lining the road will not allow them to cross at will. Clever.

We drove through a National Bison Range, but did not see any bison ...just a lonely cow or two. However the topography was most interesting. We stopped at an overlook with the intention of taking some pictures but the air was so smoky that we didn't even get out of the truck...especially once we saw the picture you will find in the body of this post! Would YOU have gotten out??

As we traveled through the vast Mission Valley, on our right was a long range of craggy, tall mountains with evidence on them of ancient hanging valleys, and U-shaped curves which were the sign of long gone glaciers. Glaciated land fascinates me...it is fun to try to figure out where the medial, lateral, and terminal moraines are, and to see how those monstrously huge rivers of ice carved their way over the landscape. On our way to Kalispell, we passed numerous small jewels of lakes which, if I understand what we were told on a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming several years ago, were left behind as the glaciers retreated back up the mountains. In fact, Flathead Lake which sprawls over a huge part of the landscape was formed by glaciers and is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River .

Now for the reason for the title of today's post: close to lunch time we had stopped at a scenic view point for a few moments to look around. It happened that this spot was also where the fish and game folks check all boats coming past this check point. Nothing was going on at the moment so (no surprise here) John chatted with one of the officials about this and that. As we were getting ready to go on, he asked what was a place that she would recommend to eat at that tourists wouldn't know about that was really good. She laughed and said that she surely did! She recommended Lynn's Drive In shortly up the road in Ronan, MT. She said it looked somewhat messy from the road, the parking lot was not paved, and the door was loose on its hinges but they made the best hamburgers in the county! Well, of course we couldn't pass up a suggestion as inviting as that one was so we trucked on up the road a short distance and started looking for gourmet heaven. Sure enough, when we saw it, there is a good chance that we would NOT have stopped there . It is a small little old timey looking place, and when we first spied it, there were no cars so we probably would have thought it was closed if we had noticed it at all.

We took pictures so you will get a good idea of what I am saying. John went in to order our lunch while I got our table set up for the coming feast. He said that the door was indeed a little wobbly, but once he got inside he was greeted by several VERY nice young ladies who were manning the grill, taking orders, and generally taking care of business. They were very helpful (if I can get the WIFI to cooperate, there will be a video of them below...if not I will try to get it out tomorrow). The food was as the official up the road had said it would be...in fact it was even better. We had an absolutely delicious hamburger along with a perfect order of onion rings which one of the nice young ladies inside had highly recommended. Yum. John also got a vanilla malt which made his day. Thanks ladies...we enjoyed the food and enjoyed all of you also . You see, you never know until you ask!

A note to Ev F. in Indian Beach, FL: Strangely enough, shortly after we talked to you this morning (and it was SO good to hear your voice), we were driving through a small town and to our right were a couple of metal art works that reminded us of the link you sent to us a few days ago with pictures of very similar pieces of metal art. Well, of course we had to stop and take a couple of pictures. I don't think that they are as elaborate as the ones in the pictures, but we thought it was funny since we had discussed them with you earlier today!

We drove through Polson, MT which was a very attractive little town on an arm of Flathead Lake. Across the lake we could see the towering tops of glaciated mountains...again the sky was so  hazy, pictures just weren't good. We actually has some pretty good views ourselves, it is just that my camera won't give the true picture. 

We decided to stop early today for two reasons ...one, we didn't want to head on to west Glacier and try to find a camping spot late in the day and (two) also because I had yet to get my nails done and (you ladies understand this) I was on my last nerve with how my nails were looking. At any rate we stopped in at one campground that was already full for the evening, so we got on the phone and called a couple more before finding space for tonight. We pulled into Glacier Pines RV Park in Kalispell at 3:00 with a temperature of 88 degrees. This is an OK campground...an older one but fairly well maintained. We were able to get level without blocks and we are hoping that the electricity will get stronger as the evening cools off. The WIFI looks as if it will be OK, but later will tell the tale. As usual, if I can't get it out tonight, I will try to find a better signal tomorrow.

After making sure we would be OK for this evening, we drove a few miles up the road to the local mall where I was finally able to get my nails done. While I was doing that, John got on the phone and has made us reservations at the KOA in West Glacier for tomorrow night and Thursday night. He also called the Red Bus concession in Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (its official name) and made us reservations for a tour at 10:30 Thursday morning. We are looking forward to that trip. We have been to Glacier before, but this will be the first time we have taken this tour. Should be fun.

Leaving the mall we headed back to camp and quickly set up housekeeping. We had a wonderful supper--my homemade fried chicken, green beans, a little corn, and a small helping of potato salad. Tasty! Now we are settling down for the evening and thankful for such a good day.

We drove 139 miles today.