July 6 - Forsyth, Montana

We drove scenic Route 12 on our way to Forsyth, Montana.We enjoy staying off the interstate as much as possible. The unfortunate part was that they were repairing 12 bridges and/or. Culverts. Luckily we didn’t have to stop, just slow down. Most of the drive was in the plains until we got closer to Forsyth where the landscape became more hilly. Lots of open farmland with no buildings. 

We stayed in Rosebud East FCS campground on the Yellowstone River. 

We put our feet in the river but it was running swiftly so didn’t go any farther. 




We were able to sit outside for awhile before the skeeters found us. 

On to the next campground in Belle Fourche (Foosh), South Dakota. 

July 31 - Good Weather day for us

Early morning we went for a short hike on Tom’s Run Trail. Beautiful hike with all the moss and trees. Walked across the swinging bridge (and yes, it did swing). 

On the river again. This time we went to the upper parking lot to float down. 

A pretty river to float. 

Lenny is always ready. 

Solar lights work good. 

July 30 - Wash Out day at Cook Forest

Today was a very gray and rainy day. 

Took a drive around the area, stopped at the Laurel Winery at MacBeth’s store. That was about it. 

July 29 - Cooks Forest Camping

Today began our 4-days at Cooks Forest Campground. It was quite hot so Jillian, Andrea, Bill, Lenny and I headed for the Clarion River to kayak. Although the river is low, this part of the river had enough water that we could kayak without getting hung up on rocks. Enjoyable float. 

Lenny watches out for high rocks. 

Photo by Andrea

A lot of Bill’s family is also camping. These are the 3 hoodlums … er brothers. Thanks for the pic, Jillian. 

The birds were sunning themselves. 

June 29-30 - Sawtooth Mountains, Salmon River

Left the Snake River to our next adventure on the Salmon River. 

Once we drove through the Boise area, we took Route 20 a two-lane road towards Route 75 towards Stanley, ID

Beautiful drive but the terrain didn’t change much for 100 miles. We followed the Salmon River north on Route 75, narrow valley through the Sawtooth Wilderness. 

After several hours, we arrived in Stanley. Tiny recreational town, with lots of dispersed camping along the Salmon River. We found the Casino Creek Campground and set up camp. Nice private spot along the Salmon River. We decided to stay for 2 nights to hike and hopefully kayak Stanley Lake. 

Drove 5 miles into Stanley to get connectivity and to get a few groceries. Then drove on up to Stanley Lake to check out the kayaking. 

June 30

Took a hike on the Casino Creek Trail in the Sawtooth National Forest. 

Then kayaking on Stanley Lake with the Sawtooth Mountains behind us. 

Fun day in Stanley with a fire at night. 

July 16 - Riggins, Idaho

Staying another night at Riverside RV Park because the temps will be around 104 degrees and we have AC here. 

The town of Riggins is nestled in a narrow canyon at the confluence of the Salmon River an the Little Salmon River. There’s just room for business and houses on either side of the river. The sides of the mountains go straight up. Riggins is the whitewater capitol of Idaho. Lots of rafting outfitters. 

You can sit outside early morning or later at night. 

We did get our laundry washed but it took a lot longer than usual because it was a small town tiny laundromat with only a couple washers and driers. 

Tomorrow we’ll starting driving south and west into Oregon. 

June 22 - Yellowstone Day 3 - Hot Springs and Lamar Valley

Today started with a soak in the Yellowstone Hot Springs. Ohhh, what a treat. There are 3 pools that are spring fed, a hot 104 degrees, 98 degrees and then the cold soak at 65 degrees. 

Doesn’t everyone read the New Yorker magazine while in the hot springs?? 

From hot springs to Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. 

Bison herds of 40+ were everywhere. 

Lots of construction due to the 7+ inches of rain they had last June and they are still repairing. We need to be back through the Lamar Balley before 7 pm because they close the road for blasting. 

A Ranger had told us if we see a group of people with telescopes, stop because they are viewing wildlife. We came upon a group so we stopped and were able to see through their scopes 2 mountain goats. I took a picture where they were on the hillside but you can’t see them, just the place where they were. 

Stopped in Cooke City and walked the “town.”  Little shops and cafes. Stopped for a beer at the Beartooth cafe, owned by locals. 

After Cooke City we continued to Beartooth Pass. The views were amazing. 

Back through the Lamar Valley, we saw a fox eating roadkill. 

More bison and calves. 

Then we really got lucky and saw antelope, a wolf, a cinnamon black bear with her cubs and 2 black bears within about 15 minutes. 

It was a GREAT day. 

June 13-14 - Hells Canyon

From a Lavender Farm to Hells Canyon. What a ride. Through a valley and then twisty turny road up the Wallowa National Forest mountains. Look at those rolling hills. 

Drove into the Hells Canyon and our campground at the Oxbow Dam, owned by Idaho Power Company. We are camped on the Snake River, which is the border of Oregon and Idaho, two different time zones. No cell service here. Steep mountains on both sides of the river. 

After setting up, we drove .20 miles north into the canyon to the Hells Canyon Dam. It took us over an hour to drive those 20 miles because the road ran along the Snake River. So, when the river snakes (curved), the road curved. Speed limit was 25 MPH. I’ve read several stories about the Snake River but didn’t realize how remote an area this would be. 

Again, pictures can’t tell the depth of this canyon nor the wilderness of the area. If it were a little warmer, we would have taken a boat ride on the river. Temps were in the 60s unless we were in the sun. 

Pictures of Hells Canyon Dam

A few pics around our campground. 

We saw a road sign that said Homestead was 4 miles on the opposite site of the river. Thought it was a “town” but only a few houses and RVs. Had to go through this tunnel. Bill said he wouldn’t want to bring Ida through the tunnel. 

Sat around a fire in the evening and spent some time with our neighbors next to us. 

On Wednesday we drove to the Payette National Forest for a short 2 mile hike up the side of a hill.